Note: This story is continually updated
The war, and what the people in Ukraine are going through, is hitting so close to home for so many. Top global beauty companies are taking a stand alongside the rest of the world in support of Ukraine—and supporting their employees both in Ukraine and Russia.
As beauty consumers watch news break about the war in Ukraine on social media, they're paying attention to what their favorite brands are doing. First-hand accounts, live from the frontlines, are being shared. Many beauty influencers' feeds now resemble CNN.
Makeup artist Vlada Haggerty who has collaborated with beauty brands, including Smashbox, posted on Instagram: "I'm sending love and support to my home country…I feel helpless and angry….I stand with my people and I'm glad that the world is watching and trying to help."
Anastasia Soare, who was born in Russia, founded Anastasia Beverly Hills in 1997—and transformed from the "eyebrow guru" to leader of one of the most-searched global brands. The brand posted on Instagram, "ABH stands with Ukraine and supports their independence and freedom. Having grown up in a communist regime, our founder understands firsthand the frightening implications of the invasion of a free Ukraine. We wish them victory and peace..."
When Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was "launching an assault" on Ukraine on February 24th, it was during Milan Fashion Week. Ukrainian makeup artists, models, stylists, and editors couldn't go home. They were suddenly on the phone with loved ones who were hiding out in bomb shelters, Daily Mail reported.
Allure spoke to Kristy Ponomar, a 21-year-old model from Kyiv who had just said goodbye to her parents, boyfriend, and dog to travel for "Fashion Month"—four consecutive weeks of shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. On the morning of the Prada show in Milan, she woke up to a call from her mom crying—telling her Kyiv was being bombed, according to her Instagram post.
The following week in Paris, Balenciaga's creative director Demna paid tribute to Ukrainians in a dramatic runway show. Planned as a statement on climate change, the models "trudged through artificial snow and a biting wind, some carrying trashbags," CNN reported.
Demna considered cancelling the show, writing a note to guests, "The war in Ukraine has triggered the pain of a past trauma I have carried in me since 1993, when the same thing happened to my home country and I became a forever refugee." Demna was born in the city of Sukhumi, and had to flee when fighting broke out over the Abkhazia region, which is internationally recognized as a part of Georgia—but considered independent by Russia.
Beauty Takes a Stand
Beauty companies are joining in the conversation on social media—and fully supporting Ukraine. Coty stated, “We stand firmly with all those calling for peace and an end to the violence in Ukraine..." Coty is not operating any stores, sales counters, e-commerce sites, or conducting any industrial activities in Russia."
Coty's teams are helping refugees at the borders. Coty posted an update to Instagram today that says: "Coty stands firmly with the millions of people impacted by the war in Ukraine and joins all calling for peace."
Jon Moeller, P&G’s president, and CEO, stated that the company suspended its operations in Ukraine to offer evacuation assistance and financial support to its employees in the country.
Alan Jope, Unilever's CEO, stated, "We continue to condemn the war in Ukraine as a brutal and senseless act by the Russian state." Unilever says its business operations in Ukraine have stopped, and the company is fully focused on ensuring the safety of its Ukrainian employees and their families. The company is helping with evacuation efforts and providing financial support.
Henkel posted on Instagram, “We are shocked…we fully support the call on Russia to immediately withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine.”
Shiseido Group posted on Instagram on March 3rd, "Shiseido offers immediate support to the people of Ukraine. While we do not have employees in Ukraine, many of our staff have ties of family and friendship to Ukraine. We are mindful of our extended family of business partners and our consumers, to whom we also aim to provide support."
Shieido's second IG post yesterday says it strongly hopes an immediate ceasefire can be reached, and continues: "We are deeply shocked to witness the 2 million small children, women, and elderly escaping in fear for their lives and crossing the border into neighboring countries, leaving their loved ones behind in Ukraine."
Concerns Over the Safety of Employees
L'Oreal Groupe posted the following message on its website: "We strongly condemn the Russian invasion and the war in Ukraine, which is causing so much suffering to the Ukrainian people."
The company has 326 Ukrainian employees—and stated: "Our absolute priority is to support our 326 Ukrainian employees and their families whose lives have been changed so dramatically. Although some have managed to cross the border, the majority of them remain in the country under increasingly unbearable conditions. We are concerned for them and fear for their safety."
The company says it is providing a much support as possible—"to our employees still in Ukraine, our employees who have left or are leaving the country and the Ukrainian people." L'Oreal is also donating $1.1 million.
LVMH Group stated that it is concerned for the safety of its 150 employees in Ukraine and is providing them with financial and operational assistance. The company stated it is "closely monitoring the tragic situation in Ukraine and stands alongside all those severely affected by this war."
LVMH Group posted on Instagram on March 3rd that it will be continually tracking the situation and will adapt its measures as needed. The company has closed 124 of its brands stores in Russia, and continues to pay its 3,500 employees in Russia.
Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) states it has suspended all its business investments in Russia, closed every store it owns and operates in the country, and suspended shipments to all Russian retailers. It will continue to pay its employees in Russia.
ELC says the company "continues to be devastated by the tragic invasion of Ukraine. We stand with all those that are suffering, including our employees and their families and the people of Ukraine." The company stated it is offering to help relocate its Ukrainian employees—and is donating $1 million to support relief efforts in the country.
More Beauty Brands Show Support
There are many other mid-sized and small beauty companies and brands helping to raise money to support Ukraine. Some are coming up with all types of fundraising efforts. Townhouse is a premium nail care brand in the UK that donated 100% of revenue across all its locations on March 8th to the UNHCR Emergency Appeal for Ukraine.The brand started the initiatives #NailsforUkaine and #BeautyforUkraine—urging other beauty brands in the UK to join the fundraising effort, and post about it on IG. Pro Beauty Loft Magazine covered the news on IG @pblmagazine. (The photo above featuring the Ukrainian flag on nails is via Instagram @mytownhouseUK.)
Skandinavisk, a Danish company in the EU that has only 15 full-time employees based in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and London, donated 2% of its February income, which amounted to nearly half its profits. The company is now donating 100% of the profits for two of its fragrances.
E.L.F. Beauty posted, "Our hearts break for the people of Ukraine. As we watch events unfold with great concern, we are taking action to support Ukrainians during this devastating time."
Lush Cosmetics has suspended supply to its Russian licensee and stopped its online sales into Russia. However, in a statement, Lush explains why it hasn't closed its Russian stores.
Stila Cosmetics is supporting Ukraine by donating a portion of sales.
The Body Shop has donated to help Ukraine and suspended all business in Russia. The brand’s franchise partner is providing support to colleagues in Russia who can no longer make a living.
Ongoing Support is Needed
Now more than two weeks later, Russian troops continue to invade Ukraine. More than 2 million citizens have fled to neighboring countries as of March 8th, according to the UN Refugee Agency's data portal and a tweet by its High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.President Biden said that the United States would impose sanctions on Russian banks the same day that Putin began the war. More sanctions soon followed, from the US and countries around the world.
As of March 8th, there are 5,532 sanctions against Russia, reports Bloomberg—making Russia the most-sanctioned country in the world, overtaking those imposed against Iran.
