The beauty industry is creating new companies and innovations at an astounding pace. A conference taking place in Los Angeles has picked out 12 companies its experts think are the most interesting companies in development right now.

Earlier today, the Nordstrom special committee of its Board of Directors ended discussion with the Nordstrom family about taking the company private. What happens now?

The inability of traditional retailers and brands to meet the needs of consumers has created a huge opportunity in the market. Young, new brands are taking advantage of that and the way they think and talk about their businesses is very different than the companies that came before them.

Advertisers and brands are always looking for places to advertise that are unique. Now a company called Swaponz has identified a space that is completely blank but which can convey advertising and branding with sight, sound and motion. Lots of advertisers will undoubtedly rush in.