Do Lipstick Sales Really Increase in Difficult Economic Times?

One theory often repeated by Mary Kay directors is that when times are tough, women still buy lipstick. In fact, they claim there is evidence that lipstick sales actually increase.

But a recent story published by the Economist says the data don’t always support this theory.

The term “lipstick index” was coined by an Estee Lauder executive during the 2001 recession. But the index is less than reliable. Sometimes sales go up during tough times, other times they go down.

The bottom line:  reliable historical sales figures don’t exist to support the theory.

Mary Kay Lipstick Sales Up In Tough Economy

See? Just like your Mary Kay director told you.

Even when the economy is iffy, women buy lipstick.

Mary Kay Inc. reports that lipstick sales for the first six months of 2008 is up 60% over the same period in 2007.

“That tells me that more women are buying lipstick during these tough economic times,” said Rhonda Shasteen, Mary Kay’s senior vice president of corporate brand strategy.

“A woman needs something positive to brighten her day, and a $10 or $15 lipstick will do that,” she said.