In this week’s What’s Up in Makeup, we delve into the ongoing turmoil at Luie Beauty, a once-thriving indie makeup brand, and a surprising legal battle involving Laura Geller Beauty and Progressive Insurance. Here’s a detailed look at these unfolding stories:

Luie Beauty, an indie brand beloved for its affordable and vibrant single shadows, has recently become the subject of numerous customer complaints. The brand, which has been a staple in the indie beauty community since 2015, is now facing serious operational issues.

Luie Beauty gained a loyal following by offering high-quality, bold, and shimmery eyeshadows at affordable prices. Their single shadows, priced at $3 each, and multi-chrome shadows, priced at $12, were particularly popular. The affordability made it easy for customers to build large collections over the years.

Since the beginning of 2023, Luie Beauty’s social media activity has drastically declined. The brand, which posted 56 times in 2022, has only posted four times in 2023 and another four times in 2024, with the last post dated May 3rd. This sharp decline in communication has left customers anxious, especially those with pending orders.

Customers have reported that Luie Beauty’s website is down, and emails to their customer service go unanswered. This has led to widespread panic among customers who have placed orders but have not received their products. Some customers are considering filing chargebacks to recover their money, as they fear they may never see their products or a refund.

In an unexpected turn of events, Laura Geller Beauty has found itself in a legal dispute with Progressive Insurance over a recent advertising campaign.

In April, Laura Geller Beauty launched a campaign featuring comedian Leanne Morgan as Dr. Vic, a character designed to help women embrace their age. The campaign was a parody of Progressive’s Dr. Rick commercials, which feature a character helping young homeowners avoid becoming like their parents.

On May 7th, Laura Geller received a cease and desist letter from Progressive. The letter claimed that the Laura Geller ad infringed on Progressive’s copyrights and trademarks, demanding the immediate removal of the commercial from all platforms.

Instead of complying quietly, Laura Geller decided to fight back publicly. They launched a social media campaign highlighting the absurdity of Progressive’s claims and even offered a free gift with purchase to Progressive policyholders. Laura Geller’s legal team argued that the ad was a parody and did not infringe on Progressive’s copyrights or trademarks.

Despite initially standing their ground, Laura Geller has since taken down the social media posts related to the cease and desist. However, the “Own Your Age” campaign remains active on their website and social media channels, suggesting that some behind-the-scenes negotiations might be happening.

In other news, researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new type of synthetic skin that can heal itself without external triggers like heat or pressure. This skin, designed to mimic human skin, can potentially revolutionize the cosmetics industry and assist in training plastic surgeons.

The indie beauty community is no stranger to turmoil, but the situation at Luie Beauty and the legal battle between Laura Geller and Progressive highlight the unique challenges these brands face. Whether it’s operational issues or unexpected legal disputes, these stories remind us of the complexities behind the scenes in the beauty industry.

As always, the beauty industry continues to surprise and intrigue us with its dynamic and sometimes dramatic developments. From beloved indie brands struggling to stay afloat to unexpected legal battles, there’s never a dull moment in the world of makeup. Stay tuned for more updates on these stories and other beauty news in future episodes of What’s Up in Makeup.