The Lipstick Effect or Lipstick theory

Theory say's that lipstick purchases are a way of measuring the economy.
During times of economic uncertainty, women load up on affordable luxuries as a substitute for more expensive items like clothing and jewelery. This phenomenon is called The Lipstick Effect. The theory was first identified in the Great Depression, when industrial production in the US halved, but sales of cosmetics rose between 1929 and 1933.
However as a theory it was proposed by Leonard Lauder, chairman of Estée Lauder Companies. After the terrorist attacks of 2001, which affected the U.S. economy on a large scale, Lauder noted that his company was selling more lipstick than usual.

Another trivia is Revlon's history, this famous cosmetic company was founded in the middle of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed to " L "in the name of REVLON.