The mega-cosmetics company has filed for bankruptcy in the US, potentially heralding the end of the iconic brand. Its problems? Well, it’s got big debts, inflation, supply-chain pressures and competitive threats to deal with… In the US, filing for bankruptcy can be a way to get a fresh start by allowing debtors and creditors to agree on a repayment plan. In Revlon’s case, we’re talking about US$575m required in bankruptcy financing. Bankruptcy proceedings can also give a business some breathing space to map out its future – but for the beauty mainstay, that’s tricky… The company says demand for its products remains strong, and corporate moves like buying Elizabeth Arden for US$870 million in 2016 have helped it fend off the competition. But industry insiders say they aren’t brands that zing on social media, and a spell sans makeup during the pandemic has lingered for many women. Fun fact: Revlon developed the first red nail polish in the 1930s, calling it Cherries in the Snow.