According to the latest figures from market research firm IRI, lipstick sales hit $34.2 million in the four weeks ending April 18, an increase of more than 80% from the same period a year earlier.
Sales of many kinds of makeup, including lipstick, dropped in 2020 as more people worked from home during lockdowns and face masks orders helped keep lips largely out of sight during the pandemic.
But as more people are vaccinated, workplaces are reopened and public gathering limitations are lifted, consumers seem to be returning to purchasing makeup, and lipstick, as often as they had before the pandemic. However, lipstick sales are still trailing pre-pandemic levels, which were over $40 million.
In an email to CNN Business about the increase in lipstick sales, Walmart said that lipstick is the top performer across all segments of cosmetics, and that lipstick sales stood out in its latest quarterly sales report. The retailer also said smudge-proof and long wear lipsticks were especially popular.