ON THE PODIUM: The outgoing and incoming chairmen of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores used their time to honor the 75th anniversary of the organization and reflect both on the past and future. Warren Bryant, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Longs Drug Stores Corp. — and incoming NACDS chairman — relayed how, 75 years ago, total chain drug sales were $213 million — about what a chain like his does in a few weeks. He also discussed how fountain drinks and mortar and pestles were commonplace. Now, he said, drugstores have a beauty mix suited for the interests and passions of today's society. Issues, as outlined by outgoing chairman David Bernauer, now include the saving of electronic prescribing and the need to keep health care spending in check.

PARTY ON: Revlon toned down its traditional Friday night soirée to reflect the more lean and mean direction of the company. Pregnancies halted two of its supermodels from attending, but posters of its glamorous spokespersons were displayed to remind attendees Revlon still has big-name representation.

MINERAL EXPLOSION: Despite more players crowding into mineral makeup, the segment is displaying enormous elasticity. Carol Hamilton, president of L'Oréal Paris, said the division's Bare Naturale brand has become its leading cosmetics franchise, surpassing True Match. She added that Bare Naturale is also the number-one mineral makeup line in the mass market. Physicians Formula, credited with bringing mineral makeup to mass, plans to expand its newly introduced Organic Wear franchise with eye and lip products, slated to ship in June or July. Some 40 items are planned for next year, too. Mass market sales of the minerals more than doubled last year to $149 million, according to Information Resources Inc. Datamonitor's Productscan Online reported 451 new mineral makeup launches in the U.S. last year, compared with 132 in 2005.

ALBERTO-CULVER APPOINTMENT: Alberto-Culver Co. has named Gina Boswell as president of global brands, a new position. In her new role, Boswell, who joined the company from Avon Products Inc., will oversee product development and help Alberto-Culver expand its beauty footprint, said Richard Hynes, senior vice president of Alberto Personal Care Worldwide. "We want to be more of a beauty company than a consumer products company."