recession
Must Read: Queen Latifah Returns to CoverGirl, Moda Operandi Is Launching Beauty
Plus, beauty brands are responding to the threat to Roe v. Wade.
Must Read: Global Fashion Industry to Contract by up to 30%, Lady Gaga Covers 'InStyle'
Plus, "The New York Times" Styles team releases new podcast.
Must Read: Retailers Face Problems Staying Current, Lili Reinhart is the New Face of Covergirl
Plus, is Nanushka more than just an influencer brand?
Must Read: Decoding Gucci's Merchandising Success, Fashion Businesses That Could Survive a Recession
Plus, the rise of Hugo Boss.
New Study: Women Buy More Beauty Products During a Recession to Attract a Sugar Daddy
The so-called "Lipstick Effect"--the phenomenon of women buying more beauty products during economic downturns--gets a lot of attention during recessions. It's a purchasing pattern that can be traced back to the Great Depression; the economy takes a turn for the worse, so women want to buy something pretty to cheer themselves up. It's been documented a lot, most recently in 2008, like when Lehman Brothers went bust but L'Oreal posted increased sales. The conventional thinking is this: The economy sucks, so we need to cheer ourselves up with some hot pink lipstick and glitter nail polish. It's much more pleasant writing a rent check with nice nails, right? A new study, however, points to a much more Darwinian cause for our desire to run out and get a new blush once the Dow drops.