The Lipstick Index, Updated!

[Diane Celeste Cheney]

Learned economists have followed "The Lipstick Index" since the Great Depression. (No not this one silly, the last one!) The concept is simple....as the economy gets worse, ladies retreat from high cost luxuries to the simple pleasures that some of us believe cannot be done without. Thus, sales of lipstick rise in hard times and decline in better times. How has The Lipstick Index performed in this recent unpleasantness....very well thank you! Lipstick sales nationwide were down 5.8% in 2008, a year in which some believe the recession began, but which didn't fully reflect reduced spending habits. This year, however, lipstick sales are up an incredible 40% compared to last year! The silk scarves and Manolo's are put on hold, but we revert to that simplest of all pleasures we have loved since girlhood...a little color on the lips! Works for us! Some naysayers are predicting the end of the reliability of the index as younger women opt for foundations and flawless complexions for their simple pleasures in hard times. While it is true that the most reliable buyers of lipcolor are 60 and over, we here at The Dress Press believe some things will never change and lipstick will be our fondest little pleaser for a long time. Um, then of course, there's MASCARA!

AOL just published their top searched lipsticks and in case you missed it we thought you would be interested:

(1) Chanel Allure Lipstick
(2) Chanel Hydrabase Lipstick
(3) Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss
(4) Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lipstick
(5) Chanel Aqualumiere Lipstick
(6) Orlane Rouge Extraordinaire Lipstick
(7) Philosophy Supernatural Lip Gloss
(8) Kose Classuer Lipstick
(9) Christian Dior Diorifc Lipstick
(10) Borghese B Gloss Lip Gloss

And just to prove, that young beauties still know the appeal of a red lips, just look at the GORGEOUS picture of Jessica Alba above!