• June 7, 2011

After almost a decade of declining sales, women are putting color back on their lips. The NPD Group reported that during January through April, the prestige lip segment increased 7% to $185.2 million in U.S. department stores, and 4% in units to 9.8 million. While the segment includes lip liner, gloss, and applicators, the real gains came in lip color, up 11% to $92.1 million. MAC came in first place, followed by Lancome L'Absolu Rouge, Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick, Lauder Pure Color Lipstick and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine. The Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research company says lip color has now experienced 15 months of steady dollar growth.

"Coming out of the recession, it seems that the consumers' thirst for color and play was reawakened," the company said in a press release. "Lip color appears to be getting its groove back." -- Sarah Mahoney