25 February 2025 – Imagine turning your boldest ideas into reality, showcasing your innovation on a global stage, and kick-starting your career at the world’s leading beauty company. L’Oréal’s Brandstorm Innovation Competition offers young South Africans aged 18-30 a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do just that. This is more than a competition – it’s a career accelerator, a game-changer, and a launchpad to the future you’ve always dreamed of.
For over 32 years, Brandstorm has empowered young innovators from all backgrounds, giving them a global platform to present groundbreaking ideas that redefine the beauty industry. This year, you could be among those selected to pitch before top L’Oréal executives, receive expert mentorship, and win an all-expenses-paid trip to L’Oréal’s headquarters in Paris. Submit your entry by 15 March 2025, and you could be the next visionary shaping the future of beauty.
Real Impact, Real Careers
The 2024 edition of Brandstorm South Africa attracted 1,178 participants and over 300 project submissions. Eight teams advanced to pitch before a prestigious jury, with the winning team, “Luxe League” from the University of Pretoria, using cutting-edge technology to enhance racial inclusivity in hair care. Their journey didn’t just end at the finals – it launched them into the industry with invaluable exposure and career opportunities.
Brandstorm is not just about winning; it’s about opening doors. Every year, nearly 500 participants worldwide secure professional roles at L’Oréal through this competition. Whether you dream of product innovation, marketing, or business strategy, this is your chance to gain unparalleled industry experience, network with top professionals, and transform your future.
Why You Should Enter
- Unmatched Global Exposure – Showcase your ideas to industry leaders and compete with young innovators from 64 countries.
- Expert Coaching & Mentorship – Learn from the best at L’Oréal and receive career-changing guidance.
- A Career-Boosting Certification – Every participant earns a certificate to enhance their resume and stand out to employers.
- A Trip to Paris & the Ultimate Prize – The winning team will join L’Oréal’s prestigious Seedz programme, a three-month experience at the L’Oréal Accelerator mission, where they will refine their project and gain hands-on experience.
- Exclusive Access to Adobe Express – This year, Brandstorm has partnered with Adobe to provide free access to cutting-edge creative tools to help bring your vision to life.
How to Get Started
- Sign up on the official L’Oréal Brandstorm website.
- Create or join a team of three.
- Develop an innovative project based on this year’s theme: “Men. Beauty & Care. Game On Through Tech, Products, and Beyond.”
- Submit your presentation and a three-minute video answering five pre-defined questions once your team finalises its idea.
Voices of Success
“Brandstorm is an exciting opportunity for young South Africans to present their ideas to an esteemed jury, including Alexis Perakis-Valat, Brandstorm’s president,” says Thandi Kunene, Corporate Affairs Lead at L’Oréal South Africa. “Beyond the competition, it offers lasting mentorship and career acceleration. Working alongside local and global L’Oréal experts has transformed thousands of careers. I am confident that the 2025 edition will continue this legacy, furthering our commitment to empowering youth.”
“The Brandstorm Innovation Competition has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined,” says Siphiwe Mati, Key Accounts Manager at L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty (LDB) Division South Africa and Brandstorm alumnus. “I encourage all young South Africans with innovative ideas to enter – you could soon find yourself in Paris, launching your career at L’Oréal!”
The future of beauty is in your hands. Are you ready to shape it? Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your career. Submit your ideas at https://brandstorm.loreal.com/en by 15 March 2025 for the chance to be part of something extraordinary.
