French cosmetic company L'Oreal SA said on Thursday that it proposed to acquire all shares of Chinese cosmetic company Magic Holdings International Ltd in a bid to further expand its presence in the Chinese market.

L'Oreal's proposal to buy the Hong Kong-listed company at a proposed price of HK$6.3 ($0.81) per share is still subject to the approval of the Ministry of Commerce of China, according to the company's statement.

A specialist in cosmetic facial masks, Magic posted a turnover of about 150 million euros ($198.8 million) in 2012.

"Relying on Magic's highly talented management and teams, L'Oreal intends to develop this Chinese brand by contributing its science based expertise, and using its advanced and applied research in its China research and innovation center and across the world," the company said.

L'Oreal currently has 3 500 employees in China, a research and innovation center in Shanghai and two plants in Suzhou, Jiangsu province and Yichang, Hubei province.