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Curriculum The Economics of Beauty

The Economics of Beauty

The business behind looking good: the global beauty industry, India's beauty boom and Nykaa, the fairness cream debate, Ayurvedic brands, K-beauty, celebrity and influencer brands, men's grooming, the pink tax, beauty services at home, cosmetics rules and the beauty premium in jobs.

  1. The Global Beauty Industry How big the beauty and personal care industry is, which companies dominate, and why beauty spending tends to hold up even in tough times. 📄 Read-aloud
  2. India's Beauty Boom and Nykaa How India's beauty market grew with online shopping and young consumers, and how Nykaa became a beauty e-commerce leader. 📄 Read-aloud
  3. The Fairness Cream Debate How skin-lightening creams became a big business in India, why they were criticised for promoting colourism, and how the industry responded in 2020. 📄 Read-aloud
  4. Ayurvedic and Herbal Brands How brands built on Ayurveda and herbal ingredients like Patanjali, Himalaya and Dabur grew, and why "natural" became a powerful selling point. 📄 Read-aloud
  5. K-Beauty: Korea's Beauty Export How South Korea turned skincare into a major export through innovation, speed and cultural soft power, and its growing popularity in India. 📄 Read-aloud
  6. Celebrity and Influencer Beauty Brands How celebrities and influencers launch their own beauty brands, why their audiences are valuable, and why many such brands struggle after launch. 📄 Read-aloud
  7. The Economics of Beauty: Checkpoint 1 Quick checkpoint - five questions on the beauty industry, Nykaa, fairness creams, herbal brands and K-beauty. 5 questions
  8. The Men's Grooming Market How men became a fast-growing beauty market, from beard care to skincare, and how brands like Beardo and The Man Company grew in India. 📄 Read-aloud
  9. The Pink Tax Why products marketed to women sometimes cost more than similar products for men, what studies found, and whether it's discrimination or segmentation. 📄 Read-aloud
  10. Beauty Services at Home How platforms like Urban Company brought salon services to homes, what this means for beauticians' earnings and independence, and debates about platform work. 📄 Read-aloud
  11. Cosmetics Rules and Animal Testing How cosmetics are regulated in India, why India banned animal testing for cosmetics in 2014, and how safety rules protect consumers. 📄 Read-aloud
  12. The Beauty Premium at Work What economists found about attractive people earning more, why this happens, and what it means for fairness in hiring. 📄 Read-aloud
  13. The Economics of Beauty: Recap How to be a smart beauty consumer, where the industry is heading, and a summary of the module. 📄 Read-aloud

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