If you needed proof of health and beauty's influence on the business mainstage, you could start by looking to Dragon's Den. Over the last few years, the BBC's hit show for budding entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for a life-changing investment has proved itself to be a melting pot for up and coming, often niche, brands ready to hit the mainstream. Many pitches have managed to make the Dragons' ears perk up, with formidable business titans Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, Steven Bartlett ready to part ways with their cash in exchange for a slice of the beauty pie.
Thursday night's episode of Dragon's Den was no different, with not one but two brands rooted in the health and beauty sector making bold pitches. 29-year-old Peony Li's pitch for £100,000 in exchange for 1% in her bladder care company, We Are Jude, which was met with an earnest three offers, was succeeded by SKIN, 'a price comparison app that helps people save money on their favourite beauty products and connects them to a wider community of beauty enthusiasts,' the founders explain during their pitch.
Flinty Bane and Ben Barter pitched for a £50,000 investment in return for a 5% share in their business, and successfully secured an offer from Sara Davies. Last night's episode was proof that the precious, feel-good sector has outgrown its outdated (and misleading) image of being a frill or added extra. Nay, health and beauty, which encompasses skincare, wellness and everything in between, is a lucrative, multi-billion pound industry that contributes massively to the UK economy and thanks to Dragon's Den we know 2024 is shaping up to be beauty's best year yet.
The Beauty Brands Worth The Dragon's Money
wearefaace.com
There is good reason why three Dragons tried to secure shares in Jasmine Wicks-Stephens' business. Designed to support hormonal skin, the vegan, science-backed brand has gone on to be a hit since shaking up the Den and is a multi-award winning brand. A complex of zinc, hyaluronic acid, clary, white willow and green tea, make this mask a real soother for breakouts during or before your period.
www.selfridges.com
Last month, 38-year-old Pavan Ahluwalia-Dhanjal delivered a bold beauty pitch to the Den's resident Dragons, seeking a £50,000 investment in return for 20% equity in her company. She was ultimately successful. Why? Her products are steeped in centuries of ancient cultural traditions. This henna cone, which can be used almost anywhere on the body – though we would recommend using it on your hands, arms, feet and legs – is a modern spin on traditional henna thanks to its golden finish.
www.nursem.co.uk
Paediatric intensive care nurse, Antonia Philp and her husband Jonny delivered a moving pitch in 2021 which won five offers and a deal for £75,000 with Tej Lalvani in exchange for 5% of their business, Nursem. The skincare brand was made with nurses and healthcare professional in mind, who, after washing their hands repeatedly through the day, are left with sore, cracked and bleeding skin. Nursem's healing formula nurses hands back to health with a natural, caring formula.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Dragon Steven Bartlett cut an offer for hard water-tackling shower care brand Hello Klean and we're not surprised. The likes of TikTok has catapulted the success of the brand further thanks to the rise of trends like 'hair skinification', which attempts to treat hair as granular as you would skin. The shower head - along with the wider haircare range - attempts to stop hard water issues at the source with a filter which helps to reduce unwanted heavy metals and other contaminants from water, while restoring balance to your hair and scalp.
niniorganics.com
Earlier this year, siblings Alex Nicolaou and Nicole took to the Den to seek a £50,000 deal for a 10% stake in their company, Nini Organics. The pair were a hit. Their natural and organic approach to beauty was met with praise in the Den, with three Dragons making offers. We're not surprised. With high-grade, ethically sourced ingredients, Nini Organics prides itself on skincare that is kind to skin and the planet.