The economy is affecting beauty buyers, but they are still buying!

Women's Wear Daily has reported that beauty buyers are changing their buying habits, to an extent. Items under $100 and value sets are selling. Some buyers are shifting down in what they buy. Prestige brand buyers are buying upper mass market brands, upper mass market brand buyers are buying budget brands, etc. This is to be expected in an uncertain economy.

What I think is interesting is that beauty buyers are STILL BUYING. Many women take part in a common phenomenon known as "retail therapy" Think about this: If a woman has just broken up with her boyfriend, she is not going to go buy clothing (and risk realizing that she is two sizes larger which will add to the depressive mood), she is going to go and buy a lipgloss. No size fuss. It will brighten up her face, make her look (and, by proxy) feel better, and she will (maybe) have an attentive sales person to listen to her woes.

And in my opinion, this is our prerogative. Women have the right to buy cosmetics to look good. Just remember to keep it in the budget.