Part 6/9:
In a surprising twist of consumer behavior during tough economic times, lipstick sales have been known to rise. This phenomenon, credited to Leonard Lauder, has been dubbed the "lipstick index." During economic decline, consumers shift their spending from high-cost items to affordable luxuries, symbolized by lipstick purchases. Based on Lauder's observations during various economic downturns, lipstick seems to serve as a small indulgence amidst larger cuts in discretionary spending.
However, it's important to note that not all downturns have aligned with this trend. For example, during the 2008 recession, lipstick sales decreased, indicating that this index is not foolproof.