On March 17, 2022, the UCO Bretagne Nord in Guingamp is organizing the 13th edition of U'Cosmetics, a student competition and professional symposium, on the theme of "professional cosmetics: innovation at the service of practice."
The aim is for participants to come up with an innovative product or concept that meets an expectation or need of beauty and well-being professionals: institutes, hairdressing salons, barbershops, spas, thalassotherapy centers, nail salons and so on. To achieve this, they will be able to reflect on finished products, textures, application rituals and protocols, not forgetting marketing and communication aspects.
This theme was chosen to highlight professionals who have been particularly affected by the health crisis, by inviting players in the cosmetics sector (brands, manufacturers, ingredient suppliers) to discuss their needs and issues.
On February 8, 2022, the U'Cosmetics competition pre-jury took place in Rennes. The jury, made up of professionals and players from the cosmetics industry, met to select the 10 shortlisted projects from among the 17 products in competition (10 participating schools), which will go forward to the competition on March 17.
Teams were judged on criteria such as creativity, sensoriality, functionality, subject knowledge and execution. Jury members were able to test samples from teams competing in the "Formulation Innovation" category.
Among the 10 finalist teams, the most innovative projects will be rewarded with four prizes: "innovation formulation", "innovative concept", "coup de cœur du jury", "prix spécial Philippe Collas : coup de cœur des internautes".
The pre-selected projects in the innovative concept category are :
Calameïa: University of Rennes 1
"The Calameïa pen, aimed at professional make-up artists, is a nod to the evolution of writing from a writing function to that of 3D make-up. The aim of Calameïa is to solidify gel for 3D make-up. Calameïa enables us to gain the precision and originality that can revolutionize professional make-up."
Eco Solid'Hair: École supérieure de chimie organique et minérale (Escom)
"The Eco Solid'Hair brand aims to find an alternative to the plastic shampoo bottles used in hair salons. Eco Solid'Hair is developing a natural solid shampoo in the shape of a chocolate bar: "Ortie'Pik". The solid shampoo bar format is ideal for single or multiple use, depending on hair length.
Elix'Hydre: School of Industrial Biology (EBI)
"Our company Yanapay offers a post-tattoo care kit with a "second skin" effect, called Elix'Hydre, which meets ecological, practical, technical and microbiological stability criteria. The kit consists of two products: a moisturizing gel and a gel-fixing spray."
My Custom Coal Care: University of Rennes 1
"My Custom Coal Care is a concept that aims to be clean, eco-designed and, above all, customizable. My CCC offers three face masks in a single package. The aim is to personalize the treatment and provide customers with a unique, natural treatment that respects their skin and the environment."
Sensory Cloud : Itech Lyon
"The Sensory Cloud body sculpting treatment offers a new sensory experience. This treatment is composed of an aqueous gel, for a cold-effect application, and emulsion beads, producing a warm effect during massage."
Sõn Sweet: University of Rennes 1
"In these times of health crisis, socio-aestheticians are faced with a lack of sensitivity due to the need to wear gloves during treatments. Sõn Sweet offers new hand protectors that give the illusion of 'skin-to-skin' touch and can provide added sensory value."
So'Shampoo : Itech Lyon
"So'Shampoo is a solid shampoo in the form of a divisible tablet. This concept is part of an eco-design approach. So'Shampoo aims to limit pollution of aquatic environments by using biodegradable raw materials."
UniC: Montpellier National Chemistry School (ENSCM)
"Every year, a large quantity of cosmetics, hygiene and care products are consumed in hotels. UniC wants to offer an innovative and eco-responsible sensory experience by developing single-dose capsules containing five essential everyday products, including shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and moisturizer."
The pre-selected projects in the formulation innovation category are :
Algimer - Marine cosmetics : University of Montpellier
"Algimer - Cosmétique Marine is a brand of natural cosmetics for institutes, SPA & Thalasso. The Iroise range comprises three products, including a clay mask, a serum-gel with cultured pearl extract and a cream with Criste Marine water and seaweed cell active ingredients."
Powdhair. Université Catholique de l'Ouest Bretagne Nord
"Powdhair aims to create a range of five natural hair care products in powder form for professional hairdressers. The range includes three shampoos tailored to the customer's specific needs, a scalp scrub and a powder mask."
The U'Cosmetics event is organized by students in the Master 1 "Ingénierie des Produits et Process - Métiers de la cosmétique" (Product and Process Engineering - Cosmetics Professions) program, and run by teachers from the Université Catholique de l'Ouest in Guingamp.
The winners will be announced at the end of the day on March 17, after the round-table discussion at the professional symposium.
