One New Yorker opted not to pick up that top, figuring she shouldn't tax her credit card and "exercise some restraint," The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) reported Monday.But at the cosmetics mecca Sephora, Betsy Stein opted to buy a lipstick or two for about $40."That's far less than $280," she commented, bearing out a theory proposed by Leonard Lauder, chairman of Estee Lauder Cos., when he saw his company selling more lipstick after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.His hypothesis: When times are shaky, sales get a bump up when women want to boost their mood with relatively inexpensive lipstick purchases instead of dropping $500 for shoes.Now, with the economy on the cusp of recession, several cosmetic houses are gearing up for a big year in lip color for two reasons.First, they hope for a comeback for the lipstick, which is more expensive than a gloss. Second, the companies believe in down times women will continue to splurge on their lips -- even as they wear last year's styles.
