While certain types of gains are not welcome as we enter into bathing suit season, those relating to retail sales are always celebrated—and in a recovering economy, even more so!

In speaking with beauty industry analysts, suppliers and brands for this month’s feature article on Packaging for Color Cosmetics, all reported that the future looks bright, with both mass and prestige markets exhibiting sunny forecasts.

And now, more good news: Prestige beauty continues to excel according to The NPD Group, which looked at data from the first quarter of 2013, and confirmed that beauty was indeed off to a healthy start across the board.

In U.S. department stores, prestige beauty products totaled $2.6 billion for the first quarter of the year. The total beauty industry saw an increase of 12% compared to the same quarter in 2012. Fragrance, which represents 21% of prestige beauty dollars, increased 9%. Skin care, with 38% of prestige beauty sales, grew 14%. And Makeup, which accounts for the majority of the prestige beauty business at 41%, grew 13%.

Karen Grant, vice president and global industry analyst, The NPD Group—and a member of Beauty Packaging’s Board of Advisors, said, “Gains in both skin care and makeup are happening in many areas, but smaller segments and sub-segments, as well as sets and kits, are making a large impact within both categories. Fragrance continues to be driven by premium offerings, including juices over $100.”

You’ll find more from Grant, surrounding trends in Color Cosmetics Packaging.

Not to be overlooked in the vast Color Cosmetics and Skin Care categories is the essential role of the applicator. We’ve surveyed a sampling of the industry’s brands and suppliers to bring you a selection of some of the latest beauty tools currently offered.

And the once humble tube, which, like an applicator, used to serve a purely utilitarian purpose, has newfound appeal for products from mass to prestige. You’ll find out some of the reasons why.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and please be sure to check out nitesh_bp.rodpub.com for the latest news, Expert’s Views and Online Exclusives.

Beauty Packaging’s publisher, Jay Gorga, and I wish you a wonderful summer!

Jamie Matusow
[email protected]