Eyes Look Good Despite A Recession

An article in Sunday's Washington Post Business section shot down the prevailing idea that lipstick sales go up in a down economy. Apparently lipstick sales are down 11 percent these days. But things are "looking" up in another area-- eye makup sales. In the last year total eye makeup sales added up to $260 million, an increaase of 8.5 percent. Eyeliner sales were up 9 percent and mascara 13 percent.

In that spirit here are some of the latest and hottest beauty products focused on the eyes!

Before you put on your liner and mascara it's important to use a good concealer. Plastic surgeons in Brazil worked with IT Cosmetics and the result is Bye Bye Undereye.

This concealer offers a waterproof, yet moisturizing formula that will stay put no matter what. The truly innovative formula contains high concentrations of Vitamins K, A, C, E and Collagen - clinically proven to reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin of the under eye area. Apparently the coverage is so good that those plastic surgeons use it post surgery on brusing and swelling on the body and face of their patients.

It comes in 4 colors and is $24.00 on www.beauty.com.


Saw this product on QVC and was sold on the fact that it makes you look like you've had 8 hours of sleep even when you haven't! It's Mally Beauty's Lightwand Eye Highlighter and Brightener. Consider it your magic makeup wand. The creamy, long-wearing pencil lets your lighten and brighten your eyes, while the extra-soft sponge on the other end gives a touch of light to the inner corners of the eye and it looks great under the eyebrow too. They're $25 each but QVC has a special deal right now offering a set of two for $31.92. www.qvc.com.



A lot of eye shadow palettes have a lot of colors I would never use but this new one by Tarte has gorgeous, rich looking shades that are all very universally flattering. It's called the Femme Fatale Eye Pallette and includes 10 shadows, a pencil eyeliner and a double ended brush all in a re-usable studded case. It's a $182 value for only $44. Available at Sephora stores or www.sephora.com.




And since the big recession winner seems to be mascara here's one that appears to offer everything we could want for our lashes. It's Urban Decay's Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara. This one mascara will lengthen, strengthen, separate, curl, brighten, and thicken your lashes sans clumping or flaking. The state-of-the-art brush features a flexible shaft and multiple rows of tapered bristles to comb through lashes from root to tip. It comes in Black-Black and is $22.00. Available at Ulta stores or www.ulta.com.