Makeup sales rise through first 10 months of 2011, report says

Makeup has been a massive seller this year as beauty-minded customers picked up 117 million units of various products, worth about $2.8 billion, a report said.

Over the first 10 months of 2011, dollar sales of makeup jumped 8% while unit sales rose 5% compared with the same period last year, according to research firm NPD Group.

Every segment saw dollar growth. Nail product sales swelled 59% year-over-year while eye products increased 10%. Lip products earned manufacturers 8% more revenue while facial cosmetics were on a 7% upswing.

Popular products included concealer, foundation, eye shadow and lip color.

Many major players in the industry have reported healthy sales this year. French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH — which owns brands such as Christian Dior, Guerlain and Givenchy as well as the makeup retailer Sephora — said its perfume and cosmetics segment increased 3% in the first nine months of the year.

In October, Avon Products Inc. said its cosmetics sales in the third quarter rose 4%. Estee Lauder Cos., which owns the Clinique, Origins, M.A.C. and other brands, said its revenue jumped 13% for its fiscal year ended June 30.

More than a quarter of sales by Estee Lauder companies took place at North American department stores.

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