Glossier

Glossier, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryCosmetics
Founded2014 (2014)
FounderEmily Weiss
Headquarters233 Spring Street,
New York City, New York
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Colin Walsh (CEO)
Emily Weiss (executive chairwoman)
ProductsSkin care, cosmetics, body care, fragrance, and merchandise
Websiteglossier.com

Glossier is an American beauty company founded by Emily Weiss in 2014. It originated as an online-only business, building on Weiss's beauty blog, Into the Gloss. Later, it expanded into pop-up shops and retail locations. It distributes its products through its website, select retail locations, and stores such as Sephora, SpaceNK, and Mecca.

History

Emily Weiss

Emily Weiss began her career in the fashion industry and gained recognition through her blog Into the Gloss while working at Vogue. She founded Glossier in 2014 and initially launched four products: an all-purpose balm, a facial mist, a sheer skin tint, and a moisturizer.[1] The company later expanded its product line to include serums, masks, shower gels, body lotions, fragrances, lip balms, and lipsticks.[2]

Glossier raised $2 million in seed funding from Forerunner Ventures and later raised an additional $150 million in 2018 and 2019,[3] valuing the company at $1.2 billion.[4][5][6] In 2018, Glossier opened its first permanent in-person retail location in New York.[7] In 2019, Glossier introduced a clothing and accessories line called GlossiWEAR, with limited edition items.[8] A more colorful line of cosmetics called Glossier Play launched in 2019,[9] but was discontinued a year later.[10]

Emily Weiss stepped down as CEO in May 2022[11] but remained on the board as executive chairwoman. Kyle Leahy, the former chief commercial officer, became CEO,[12] and as of October 2025, Colin Walsh serves as CEO.[13]

In February 2026, Glossier laid off approximately 54 employees, representing about one-third of its workforce, as part of a strategic reset under new leadership to improve profitability. These cuts aimed to streamline operations and refocus the brand on its core business, following previous major restructuring efforts in 2022 and 2020. The company, once valued at over $1 billion, has transitioned from a direct-to-consumer-only model to a more hybrid, wholesale-friendly approach.

In March 2026, it was announced that over the next two years and half years, nine of Glossier's twelve retail stores will be closing, leaving the New York, Los Angeles and London locations.[14]

Reception

Glossier's products are popular among Millennials and Gen Z, who value the natural products and the aesthetic stores.[15][16] Several Glossier products, including the "Boy Brow" eyebrow gel and the "Balm DotCom" lip balm have a "cult-like following".[17]

Glossier faced criticism for the unsustainable packaging of its Play line.[18] The line shut down a year later.[16]

Glossier has established partnerships with the WNBA in 2020 and USA Basketball in 2024.[19]

Individual products have received beauty awards from fashion magazines, including a number from Allure.[2][4]

References

  1. ↑ "Glossier Built a Cult-Brand and a Digital Community, but What's Next?". HBS Working Knowledge (Podcast). Harvard Business School. 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. 1 2 Turk, Victoria (2020-02-06). "How Glossier turned itself into a billion-dollar beauty brand". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  3. ↑ Heles, Thierry (2016-12-02). "Glossier puts on $24m series B -". Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  4. 1 2 "15 Glossier Products That Beauty Editors Are Obsessed With". Allure. 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  5. ↑ "Glossier Is Bringing Back the Original Balm Dotcom Formula—For Good". Byrdie. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. ↑ "Glossier Renews and Expands Partnership With WNBA - WNBA". WNBA.com. Archived from the original on 2025-02-19. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
  7. ↑ Walton, Chris. "Glossier To Open New Flagship Store In New York". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  8. ↑ "Glossier launch clothing and accessories line: GlossiWEAR". Stylist. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  9. ↑ Niven-Phillips, Lisa (2019-03-04). "Glossier Play: Everything You Need To Know". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  10. ↑ "Glossier to pause sub-brand Play". Harper's BAZAAR. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  11. ↑ Halpert, Madeline. "Emily Weiss Steps Down As Glossier CEO Months After Company Layoffs". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  12. ↑ Burney, Chloe (2025-06-25). "Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy to exit after a period of 'immense transformation'". TheIndustry.beauty. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  13. ↑ "Colin Walsh Is Glossier's Next CEO". The Business of Fashion. 2025-09-11. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  14. ↑ "Glossier's New Strategy: Fewer Stores, Fewer Products". The Business of Fashion. 2026-03-17. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  15. ↑ Sidell, Misty White. "Resilience Has Taken Her From 'The Hills' to Brooklyn Heights". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  16. 1 2 Strugatz, Rachel. "Glossier Gets a Makeover". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  17. ↑ Goldberg, Lacey Rose, Lesley (23 October 2023). "Glossier to Get the Amazon TV Treatment". The Hollywood Reporter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "Glossier discontinues Glitter Gelee amid sustainability pledge". www.stylist.co.uk. 2020-02-24. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  19. ↑ "USA Basketball Women's National Team Announces Glossier as First-Ever Official Beauty Partner". USA Basketball. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
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