The likeability of the WWD Beauty CEO Summit was very subjective. You’ll get a different answer depending on who you ask what they liked, what they didn’t like. Personally, I liked the mix of established and new brands. The three newcomers I liked the best: Coola, Skin Laundry and By Killian, all were great. Jamie Kern Lima of IT Cosmetics delivered an inspiring speech; their success wasn’t overnight. Estèe Lauder’s William Lauder and Shiseido’s Masahiko Utani spoke honestly about reinvention. Even though I thought I knew everything about M.A.C, Karen Buglisi Weiler is who brought the brand to life today.

It’s interesting how the theme of WWD’s conference was See Change. Be Change. The summit itself has changed: the addition of the emerging brands, the audience (the influx of investment and PE companies.)

One last thing: I was personally so proud that Jamie Kern Lima spoke about being discovered by QVC at the CEW Beauty Awards Demo, and that Coola said how meaningful the CEW Eco Award is to his business. It confirms what CEW is all about.