Generations of women have banished their woes with a lick of scarlet lipstick. During the Second World War the Government even encouraged the inexpensive indulgence, dubbing it the ‘red badge of courage’.
But when times are tough, today’s generation boost their mood with an alternative warpaint - nail polish.
Nail care sales have soared as cash-strapped women paint their nails as an affordable update to their look, new research has revealed.
Sales of nail polish, which in 2009 accounted for 9 per cent of all make-up sales, have grown at over twice the rate of other colour cosmetics in the last five years.
Sales grew by almost 23 per cent to £96million in 2008, a study by consumer analysts Mintel found. And despite the recession the figure had soared to £132 million by 2010.
Vivienne Rudd, Senior Beauty Analyst at Mintel, said nail polish sales have defied expectations. 'Nail polish has performed very well despite the economic downturn. It is a relatively inexpensive treat,' she said.
'While women on a budget may hesitate to buy a new dress or shoes, nail polish may be used as an economical means to update their look and keep abreast of fashion.'
A competitive jobs market also seems to have brought brought the need for a professional appearance back into focus, with immaculate grooming obligatory.
Well-cared for nails play a significant role in projecting a positive image to others, the research claimed.
Three quarters of women and half of men believe chipped or bitten nails create a bad overall impression, the survey found.
Meanwhile groomed nails had a positive impact on confidence to some extent for the eight in ten women and six in ten of all adults.
One third strongly agreed that groomed hand and nails boosts their confidence.
Researchers also found that manicured nails also have a role to play in helping keeping people keep pace with younger colleagues.
Four in five women believe to some extent that hands reveal a person’s age as much as their face, with adults aged 55-64 most likely to believe hands indicate age. But it is younger women who are the most likely to paint their nails.
Seven in ten women aged 15-24 paint their nails, with a minority, one in five women in their early twenties, applying nail colour at least once a week. Women, aged 45-54 were least likely to use nail polish, the research revealed.
But professional nail treatments in the UK are still relatively uncommon, with less than one in five visiting manicurists.
Although the prospect of professional treatments is appealing to 45 per cent, almost half of adult women, the cost - a basic manicure can run to the price of a meal at a restaurant chain - remains a barrier for many.
However there are signs that professional manicures are becoming more accessible.
Tesco is currently trialling 25-minute £10 manicures at its nail bars in four stores, for instance. And at Superdrug’s Andrea Fulerton Nail Bars, nails are filed, buffed and shined for £10, while a manicure finished with a varnish costs £12.
Industry giants have been falling over themselves to take advantage of the new fad by buying up nail care brands. Coty , who already own high street labels Rimmel cosmetics and Sally Hansen, announced plans to buy hip polish company OPI last November.
And L’oreal has announced its intention to snap up Essie cosmetics in a $100m deal.
Selfridges reported huge waiting lists for certain brands of polish last year. Particulière, Chanel’s coveted mushroom shade polish - first spotted on Lily Allen's fingertips on the Spring / Summer 2010 catwalks - sold out within hours of its initial launch on January 29th.
Particulière followed in the footsteps of its counterpart Jade, which had waiting lists of hundreds desperate to get their hands on the £19 pistachio shade. It was at the time even being offered on ebay for a minimum bid of £100.
Jayne Demuro, Head of Beauty at Selfridges said: 'Nails are one of beauty’s biggest trends right now, with nail colours and designs becoming the ultimate fashion accessory.
'Nail varnishes provide a quick-fix update to any outfit in any season and at a reasonable cost which means their popularity continues to increase
But when times are tough, today’s generation boost their mood with an alternative warpaint - nail polish.
Nail care sales have soared as cash-strapped women paint their nails as an affordable update to their look, new research has revealed.
Floral print: Sales of nail polish have surged as women look for a low-cost way to update their look amid economic gloom
Sales grew by almost 23 per cent to £96million in 2008, a study by consumer analysts Mintel found. And despite the recession the figure had soared to £132 million by 2010.
Vivienne Rudd, Senior Beauty Analyst at Mintel, said nail polish sales have defied expectations. 'Nail polish has performed very well despite the economic downturn. It is a relatively inexpensive treat,' she said.
'While women on a budget may hesitate to buy a new dress or shoes, nail polish may be used as an economical means to update their look and keep abreast of fashion.'
Vivacious look: Katie Price flashes her crimson nails while looking into the eyes of lover Leandro Penna at a polo match in Cordoba, Argentina
Well-cared for nails play a significant role in projecting a positive image to others, the research claimed.
Three quarters of women and half of men believe chipped or bitten nails create a bad overall impression, the survey found.
Meanwhile groomed nails had a positive impact on confidence to some extent for the eight in ten women and six in ten of all adults.
One third strongly agreed that groomed hand and nails boosts their confidence.
Researchers also found that manicured nails also have a role to play in helping keeping people keep pace with younger colleagues.
Glamour: TV shows like The Only Way Is Essex have helped to spread the popularity of nail and other cosmetic treatments
Seven in ten women aged 15-24 paint their nails, with a minority, one in five women in their early twenties, applying nail colour at least once a week. Women, aged 45-54 were least likely to use nail polish, the research revealed.
But professional nail treatments in the UK are still relatively uncommon, with less than one in five visiting manicurists.
Although the prospect of professional treatments is appealing to 45 per cent, almost half of adult women, the cost - a basic manicure can run to the price of a meal at a restaurant chain - remains a barrier for many.
However there are signs that professional manicures are becoming more accessible.
Tesco is currently trialling 25-minute £10 manicures at its nail bars in four stores, for instance. And at Superdrug’s Andrea Fulerton Nail Bars, nails are filed, buffed and shined for £10, while a manicure finished with a varnish costs £12.
Waiting lists: Chanel's Particulière nail polish sold out within hours of its launch last year
And L’oreal has announced its intention to snap up Essie cosmetics in a $100m deal.
Selfridges reported huge waiting lists for certain brands of polish last year. Particulière, Chanel’s coveted mushroom shade polish - first spotted on Lily Allen's fingertips on the Spring / Summer 2010 catwalks - sold out within hours of its initial launch on January 29th.
Particulière followed in the footsteps of its counterpart Jade, which had waiting lists of hundreds desperate to get their hands on the £19 pistachio shade. It was at the time even being offered on ebay for a minimum bid of £100.
Jayne Demuro, Head of Beauty at Selfridges said: 'Nails are one of beauty’s biggest trends right now, with nail colours and designs becoming the ultimate fashion accessory.
'Nail varnishes provide a quick-fix update to any outfit in any season and at a reasonable cost which means their popularity continues to increase
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