Beauties revive cosmetics brands

Consumption upgrade helping high-end firms gain more shine

High-end cosmetics are seeing a resurgence in the China market on the back of a consumption upgrade among newly affluent, image-conscious Chinese female consumers, particularly university students, professional women and middle-aged homemakers with rising disposable incomes.

Industry insiders said such women attach importance to looking good as well as a professional appearance in formal settings. Hence, they are spending more on beauty products and services, giving an unexpected boost to sales of long dormant or struggling cosmetic brands.