Change is afoot at L’Oréal’s New York outpost.
Nathalie Gerschtein, who started in the U.S. as L’Oréal USA’s president of its consumer products division in 2019 and assumed duties for all of North America in 2022 is departing the company, according to an internal memo obtained by WWD. Her next move could not be learned.
“It is with sincere emotion that we announce that Nathalie Gerschtein has decided to open a new chapter of her professional life outside the L’Oréal Groupe,” the memo read. “During her successful, 23-year journey at L’Oréal, Nathalie has contributed to our victories across three continents, in both developed and emerging markets, and over these past five years has brought her passionate leadership to [the U.S. consumer products division].”
Gerschtein declined to comment. L’Oréal did not respond to request for comment by press time.
Gerschtein will be succeeded by Christina Fair, who most recently helmed the zone’s dermatological beauty division, which encompasses brands such as SkinCeuticals, SkinBetter Science, La Roche-Posay and CeraVe.
“To replace Nathalie, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Christina Fair as president of consumer products division for the North America zone, effective today,” the memo continued.
Fair’s career at the company started in 2008 at Garnier, one of the pillars of the consumer products division, which also includes Maybelline New York, L’Oréal Paris and Essie. She had held her role on the adjacent division since late 2020.
“Since becoming president of L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty in late 2020, Tina has dramatically elevated the division,” the statement read, noting that it had “achieved four-times growth in five years, becoming the group’s third-largest U.S. division and significantly increasing market share.”
Market-wide, makeup sold at mass — a key category for L’Oréal’s consumer products division — has seen challenges in the geography. Per Circana data from the third quarter, it was the only category to decline in mass, dipping 3 percent.
Globally at L’Oréal, the division had weaker performance than analysts expected at the time of its nine-month financial results ending in September 2024, as reported. At that time, chief executive officer Nicolas Hieronimus also noted a slowdown in the mass market, particularly in makeup.
Gerschtein’s departure rounds out a week rife with executive changes. Ulta Beauty’s Michelle Crossan-Matos left the retailer Wednesday, while Wella Co. CEO Annie Young-Scrivner also left her post after five years.
