Impending 50% Beauty Tariffs Could Spell the End for Affordable Makeup in the US and Canada
The beauty industry across the US-Canada border is girding itself for substantial price increases. This follows the implementation of sweeping 50% tariffs on cosmetics and personal care products in August 2026. In response, Canada has announced its own 50% retaliatory tariffs on American makeup imports, set to come into effect on September 8, 2026.
Industry behemoths such as L’Oréal and The Estée Lauder Companies are among those most affected. These companies have significant manufacturing operations in Canada and now find themselves in the midst of this trade dispute. The US duties were levied by President Donald Trump under Section 338 of the US Tariff Act of 1930. This marks the first use of this legal authority and, importantly, these duties supersede protections previously assured under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The tariffs encompass a broad array of beauty products, including perfumes, sunscreens, lip and eye makeup, nail preparations, and hair products. Industry watchdogs, such as the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), have cautioned that these measures could result in product shortages, diminished quality, and steep price increases for everyday consumers. This could potentially mark the end of the cherished sub-$10 beauty impulse buy.
The Cosmetics Alliance Canada has warned that manufacturers might start rerouting their supply chains away from the US market entirely. This could reshape the landscape of North American beauty commerce for the foreseeable future.
📌 Sources: Global Cosmetics News – August 27, 2026 | Personal Care Insights