How Lycored Used an Experiential Skincare Pop-Up in SoHo to Educate and Inspire

Lycored’s “Cycle of Glow” activation in SoHo, New York demonstrates how a skincare pop-up store can function as an educational platform, brand storytelling vehicle and experiential marketing tool — all in one space.

Rather than focusing on direct product sales, Lycored used temporary retail to introduce ingestible skincare research, challenge conventional beauty narratives and create meaningful human connection.

For a broader look at how beauty brands leverage pop-up retail, explore our guide to beauty pop-up shops and successful brand examples.

Why SoHo Was the Ideal Location

Location is central to the success of any experiential beauty pop-up.

Lycored selected a retail space on Grand Street in SoHo — one of New York City’s most dynamic shopping neighborhoods. Known for its blend of fashion, lifestyle and emerging wellness brands, SoHo attracts a highly engaged, trend-aware audience.

For skincare and wellness brands in particular, SoHo offers:

• High pedestrian traffic
• Media and influencer visibility
• Strong alignment with beauty and health innovation
• A design-forward retail environment

Explore available pop-up stores in SoHo, New York. Or browse broader New York pop-up spaces.

From Research to Retail Experience

The objective of the Cycle of Glow pop-up was to bring Lycored’s ingestible skincare research to life in a way that felt accessible, engaging and emotionally resonant.

The activation centered around Lycored’s #rethinkbeautiful campaign — encouraging consumers to redefine beauty from within.

Inside the experiential pop-up, visitors could:

• Explore newly published skin health research
• Learn about the role of lycopene and carotenoids in long-term skin wellness
• Visit a carotenoid-rich juice bar
• Write “love letters” to themselves
• Interact with the littleglow wellness app
• Engage with immersive, Instagram-ready installations

By transforming scientific findings into an interactive experience, Lycored made complex research tangible.

Beauty as Education: Expanding the Category

Unlike traditional cosmetics pop-up stores that prioritize shade matching or product drops, Lycored focused on category expansion.

The goals of the activation included:

• Educating the public on ingestible skincare
• Creating emotional connection through storytelling
• Positioning Lycored as a leader in nutrition-based skin health
• Building awareness for an emerging beauty and wellness segment
• Encouraging demand through direct consumer engagement

By framing the pop-up as a communication tool rather than a transactional store, Lycored strengthened long-term brand positioning.

Blending Experiential Retail with Influencer Engagement

As part of the activation, Lycored hosted a VIP event for influencers, thought leaders and media. Scientific presentations and live discussions reinforced credibility, while interactive installations encouraged social sharing.

The campaign measured success through:

• 400+ self-written “love letters” collected
• Hundreds of wellness app downloads
• Media coverage and influencer amplification
• Increased industry awareness of ingestible skincare

This hybrid approach — combining science, storytelling and experiential retail — illustrates how beauty pop-ups can disrupt traditional category expectations.

Lessons for Skincare and Wellness Brands

Lycored’s SoHo activation highlights key strategies for beauty brands considering an experiential pop-up:

• Use temporary retail to simplify complex product categories
• Choose neighborhoods aligned with innovation and wellness
• Design interactive installations that encourage participation
• Integrate digital tools to extend engagement
• Measure awareness and engagement — not just direct sales

For skincare brands in particular, experiential pop-ups offer a way to communicate scientific credibility while building emotional connection.

Planning a Skincare Pop-Up in New York?

New York remains one of the strongest cities globally for beauty and wellness activations. Check out How to Start a Pop-Up Shop in New York: The Complete Guide.

Explore available retail spaces in:

• SoHo, New York
• New York City

Or start a global search for pop-up retail spaces on Storefront.