May 2026: Top beauty media search trends

Whether you’re part of a media outlet, brand, or PR agency, there’s always value in understanding which stories and topics are capturing the beauty industry’s attention.

Each month brings a fresh wave of trending search terms and most-read articles – and May was no exception.

To gain a clearer picture of what shaped industry interest, let's take a look back at BD’s media insights report* for May.

Top five news stories: 

1. AFW 2026 backstage beauty and hair reports hub

2. April 2026: Top beauty media search trends

3. beautyheaven announces Best New Beauty Awards winners

4. John Frieda undergoes global relaunch

5. The desk edit: What's landed on our desks this month

Top branded search terms:

1. Swisse
2. Priceline
3. Reef
4. Mavala Switzerland
5. Nioxin
6. Kerasilk
7. Laneige
8. Sephora 
9. Shark Beauty
10. Klorane

Top five beauty events:

1. Myer x Fenty Beauty Markette

2. Miutine Club by Miu Miu Beauty

3. Lanolips Ceramide Milkshake launch

4. MONDAY Haircare celebrates exciting expansion

5. Neutrogena Collagen Bank launch

*SOURCE: GOOGLE ANALYTICS May 1 - 31, 2026

Header image credit: Getty Images/Pinterest