Glossier has entered a new chapter in its leadership journey, officially naming Colin Walsh as CEO effective October 2025, following the announced exit of current chief executive Kyle Leahy. This significant appointment comes after an extensive search described by founder Emily Weiss as seeking a Colin Walsh-type, a testament to the beauty industry veteran’s reputation.
“What You Want Is a Colin Walsh Type”
Weiss shared her perspective on the transition: “Even on my first call with our recruiter, he said, ‘I mean, what you want is a Colin Walsh type. That’s the dream.’ Now, Colin will officially join our team this October.” Walsh, formerly at the helm of Procter & Gamble’s specialty beauty division and CEO of Ouai, brings more than a decade of category-shaping experience to Glossier’s top post.
A Transformative Tenure for Kyle Leahy
During her three-year leadership, Leahy oversaw Glossier’s transition from an online direct-to-consumer disruptor to a mainstream retail player. Kyle Leahy praised Walsh in a LinkedIn post, “he brings deep beauty expertise across categories and stages of companies, and I am confident he is the right person to lead Glossier into its next chapter. Colin is devoted to the customer and leads with heart. He cares deeply about this incredibly special brand and equally importantly the people building it.”
Leahy’s leadership marked key milestones, including Glossier’s launch in retailers like Sephora, Mecca Brands, and Space NK. While these moves grew Glossier’s global reach and accessibility, they also brought challenges, such as two rounds of layoffs following the Sephora partnership in 2022.
The Case for Colin Walsh
The excitement around Walsh’s appointment is huge. “Colin is one of the top CEOs in beauty, who has led brands through incredible growth,” says Weiss. “He is respected and adored by peers and his teams alike, and most importantly, believes deeply in brand magic. A true lover of beauty, of people and their potential, and of having a good time while working hard, we are so excited to have him guide this next chapter for Glossier”.
On LinkedIn, Walsh stated, “As I step into this next chapter, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with Emily Weiss, the Glossier team, and the board to build on that foundation and to help shape the future of this remarkable brand. Most of all, I am looking forward to learning from the team, amplifying the magic that is already here, and working together to make Glossier a true legacy brand.
Building Toward a Legacy
For Weiss, this marks another pivotal moment for Glossier, which she founded in 2014 and led to category-defining status as a digital-native, community-driven beauty powerhouse. “Colin is devoted to the customer and leads with heart. He cares deeply about this incredibly special brand and, equally importantly, the people building it,” Leahy observed, highlighting the company’s commitment to both product and people.
As Glossier continues to broaden its retail partnerships, develop leading fragrance lines, and deepen its ties to its community, Walsh’s appointment signals a strategy of evolution, not revolution. “From its earliest days, Glossier has stood apart as a brand built on community, conversation, and culture. It’s inspired millions of people and redefined what beauty can mean,” explains Walsh.
Looking Ahead
With Walsh assuming the CEO role, Glossier enters a phase focused on innovation, customer connection, and securing legacy status in the beauty world. Weiss summed it up: “We are so excited to have him guide this next chapter for Glossier.”
