In 2001, it was lipstick. After the 2008 financial crisis, it was DIY haircuts. In times of economic turmoil, consumers tend to change the way they spend on makeup and beauty. So what is the beauty industry telling us now about the state of the US economy? 

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Ben Steverman visits a beauty convention and talks to masseuses and hair stylists about the trends they’re seeing in their salons, and cosmetics reporter Jeannette Neumann crunches the numbers on how these consumer behaviors are hitting companies’ bottom lines.

Read more:
The Beauty Salon Recession Indicator
Estée Lauder Forecasts Return to Sales Growth in 2026

In 2001, it was lipstick. After the 2008 financial crisis, it was DIY haircuts. In times of economic turmoil, consumers tend to change the way they spend on makeup and beauty. So what is the beauty industry telling us now about the state of the US economy?&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg&rsquo;s Ben Steverman visits a beauty convention and talks to masseuses and hair stylists about the trends they&rsquo;re seeing in their salons, and cosmetics reporter Jeannette Neumann crunches the numbers on how these consumer behaviors are hitting companies&rsquo; bottom lines.
Read more:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-11/recession-indicator-us-hairstylists-report-clients-cut-spending?srnd=undefined">The Beauty Salon Recession Indicator</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/estee-lauder-el-forecasts-return-to-sales-growth-in-2026?srnd=undefined">Est&eacute;e Lauder Forecasts Return to Sales Growth in 2026</a></li>
</ul>

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Big Take

Are Current Beauty Trends Recession Indicators? It’s Complicated.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ebf30f8c-b4d4-41dc-bbba-b2e6010ed74a/transcript

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