Makeup sales increase in 2011, report says

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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 total.

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

Every segment saw dollar growth. Nail product sales were up 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.

Major players in the industry have reported good news 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 was up 3% in the first nine months of the year.

In October, Avon Products Inc. said its cosmetics sales in the third quarter were up 4%. Estee Lauder Cos., which owns Clinique, Origins, M.A.C. and more, said its revenue was up 13% for the fiscal year ending June 30. More than a quarter of its sales took place at North American department stores.

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-- Tiffany Hsu