One cosmetics boss dubbed th

One cosmetics boss dubbed the phenomenon the 'Lipstick Index' after the product that benefited
But, perhaps appropriately given that the current recession is deeper than most, today's women are turning to foundation to cope with being in the red.
Sales of foundation rose by 15 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent in the lipstick market, as women pursue flawless skin to weather their financial woes.
It is thought that they may be wanting to pull off an understated look during the recession, rather than the brighter appearance of lipstick.
Experts at L'Oreal are now saying that the 'Foundation Factor' has taken over from the 'Lipstick Index' as a guide to the economic climate.
In a survey carried out by the beauty company, they discovered that most women now cite foundation as the one product they could not live without.
Only the over-60s said they valued their lipstick more than any other product in their make-up .
It was Estee Lauder chairman Leonard Lauder who coined the phrase 'Lipstick Index' during the U.S. recession in 2001. Indeed, the beauty business is still going strong while other retail sectors struggle, with 82 per cent of women saying make-up cheers them up and 88 p
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1169541/Make-sales-beat-crunch-women-brave-face.html#ixzz4uKCDytSm