As the retail landscape continues to evolve as consumers adapt to a hybrid work model, their beauty-buying habits are changing too, according to the NPD Group.

The Numbers:

• Fragrance remains the star performer of the prestige beauty market, with larger sizes, stronger concentrations, and the growth of niche fragrances all being contributing factors. Fragrance sales in the first quarter of 2022 were £263MM, an increase of 6% on the same time in 2019. 
• Lip Makeup sales declined 20% in April 2022 compared to the same period in 2019; however, the dynamics have changed with new sub-categories emerging. Consumers are switching to more hydrating, moisturizing, plumping alternatives such as lip gloss, which increased sales by 20% in April 2022, compared to the same period in 2019. Sales of all other lip products (which includes lip balms) increased 61% in April 2022, compared to April 2019.
• Skincare reported an uptick in unit sales, with an increase of 15% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2019, demonstrating that skincare as self-care remains one of the key trends to emerge from the pandemic. The sub-segments recording the highest percentage change in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the same period in 2019, include face supplements, which increased by 73%, and face serum, which increased by 80%.
• Body category sales of devices increased 512% in the first quarter of 2022, and body supplements increased 196% compared to the same period in 2019. 

Emma Fishwick, Account Manager, NPD UK Beauty, explains that, "Consumers continue their love affair with fragrance, and this remains the key driver of the prestige beauty market. It is interesting to see the new stars emerging as consumers opt for lip products with benefits to hydrate and protect their lips. More broadly, skincare continues to be a popular part of consumer's beauty regimes, especially with the growth of face and body supplements."