Mastercard and L’Oréal join forces to empower thousands of beauty professionals and entrepreneurs through the launch of the L’Oréal Mastercard BusinessCard.
„The L’Oréal Mastercard BusinessCard, issued first in Mexico by Clara – a leading Latin American spend management solution – is the region’s only credit card designed specifically for the beauty industry – with the goal of advancing financial inclusion and fueling small business growth.” – according to the press release.
„The card is currently available for salon owners, independent stylists, beauty creators, and distributors within L’Oréal’s professional network in Mexico. Expansion across other markets in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region is also planned with additional financial partners.” – Mastercard said.
With an estimated 350,000 beauty salons across LAC, according to local Stylist Associations, these businesses play a critical role in local economies by providing vast employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship. Yet, the industry’s long reliance on cash increases fraud risk and widens the digital divide, restricting beauty professionals’ ability to access secure, convenient, and affordable financial services. This digitization gap is a hurdle for many small retailers in LAC with 90% of B2B payments still handled in cash, checks, and bank transfers.
“Our mission is simple – Mastercard is the force for good for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We are dedicated to bringing SMEs into the digital economy and turning passion into profit,” said Mark Barnett, global head of Small and Medium Enterprises at Mastercard. “By partnering with leading consumer packaged goods brands like L’Oréal, we’re helping entrepreneurs and creators access essential financial tools through the platforms they trust – turning everyday purchases into opportunities to build credit, earn rewards, and unlock digital solutions.”
Beauty payments get a digital makeover
Traditionally, obtaining a business card meant in-person steps and waiting for a series of approvals — valuable time that took beauty entrepreneurs away from their shops and customers. By streamlining the credit-decisioning process and embedding financial products where salon professionals operate, Mastercard, L’Oréal and Clara are making the process faster and easier – empowering more beauty professionals, especially those traditionally underserved, to run their businesses with confidence and agility.
Key card benefits include:
Beauty that pays: discounts and points on salon products purchased through L’Oréal’s network, a $150 welcome bonus on initial inventory purchases, and access to product launches and pre-sales to stay current with trends and techniques.
Business essentials, rewarded: for purchases outside of the L’Oréal network, accumulate points on other salon expenses, such as utilities and insurance, and earn rebates on everyday business expenses from over 50,000 global brands through Mastercard Easy Savings®.
Growth opportunities that are styled for success: access L’Oréal Academy trainings, hands-on workshops and exclusive industry events to build skills and grow networks.
Buzz through expense management: make reconciliation easier, reduce financial risk, and save precious time with free access to Clara’s innovative digital expense management platform.
One-stop shop for pros: access a one-stop shop for managing inventory, making payments, and accessing professional resources, embedded into L’Oréal’s new B2B marketplace.
Access to Clara’s AI solutions: including Financial Analyst, available 24/7 to identify savings opportunities, generate any type of report, and facilitate compliance, giving business owners a clear view of their finances in real time.
„At L’Oréal, we recognize that beauty professionals are the heart of our industry — they are artists, entrepreneurs, and dream builders who transform lives every day,” said Stéphanie Speeckaert, Latin America VP for the Professional Products Division of L’Oréal. „For too long, many talented stylists have faced barriers to accessing the tools, training, and financial resources they need to reach their full potential. Through this partnership with Mastercard, we’re not just offering a card — we’re opening doors to L’Oréal Academy trainings, exclusive educational opportunities, and the financial flexibility that will empower beauty professionals across Latin America to invest in their craft, grow their businesses, and thrive in the digital economy.”
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