High street cosmetics brand Barry M has been rescued from administration in a £1.4 million deal with rival Warpaint. The company, known for its colourful nail varnishes and affordable vegan and cruelty-free makeup, was founded in 1982 and became a staple in over 1,300 stores including Superdrug, Boots, Sainsbury's and Tesco.
Barry M appointed administrators last year, citing geopolitical issues and rising prices that had been absorbed into its cost base. The acquisition by Warpaint, which owns brands W7 and Technic, includes the Barry M brand and its intellectual property but not the company's factory or staff.
According to its most recent published results, Barry M generated a turnover of £17.4 million and a pre-tax profit of £172,000 for the year ending February 2024. The brand employed an average of 120 staff, mostly at its manufacturing site in London.
Warpaint expects the move to help it grow into key retail channels in the UK. The firm told investors that earnings for the 2025 financial year are expected to be around £22 million, though it noted that the collapse of beauty retailer Bodycare last year negatively impacted the group as it was a significant customer of its Technic brand.
