Q3 Prestige Beauty Sales Rise 7%

In the third quarter of 2015, the US prestige beauty market reached $3.2 billion in retail sales, a 7% increase over Q3 2014 results, according to global information company The NPD Group.

Face (+14%), lip (+13%), and eye (+12%) products all recorded double-digit growth in Q3; however, trends such as contouring and strobing helped the “all other face” segment grow 49%, according to NPD.

Eyebrow makeup continued to be a growing sector too, posting a double-digit gain of 29% during these three months, reported NPD.
In skin care, coinciding with Q3, the summer season boosted sales of hair and sun products by 20% and 9% respectively, noted NPD.
Facial skin care sales were nearly flat, but growth in products including skin care masks (+23%), facial cleansers (+6%) and acne treatment (+3%) helped keep the segment afloat.

With fragrance juice sales up 5% in Q3, overall fragrance category growth was subdued due to an 11% decline in gift sets.

“The US prestige beauty market is in a state of renewal and flux,” said Karen Grant, global beauty industry analyst, The NPD Group. “What this performance means heading into Q4 and the holidays is that while high-end skin care and gift sets have been the drivers of performance in the past, what’s driving the industry today has changed. Fragrance sales are dynamic in core components like juices, while gift sets are becoming less prominent.”

According to Grant, the lines continue to blur between makeup and skin care as consumers demand immediate results through makeup and rediscover smaller primary care categories in skin care.

“Coming off the robust growth we’ve had throughout the year, all indications are that we can be optimistic in expecting a positive quarter and holiday season,” Grant concluded.