Shelf Life: Heavy Hitters

Blockbuster skin-care launches from beauty’s biggest names are looking to drive sales for the latter part of the year. “Typically second-half sales increase for holiday with self-gifting,” says NPD’s Karen Grant. “Retailers and manufacturers want to use these launches to capitalize on foot traffic.” To that end, Clinique has created Smart Custom-Repair Serum, said to zero in on a consumer’s specific skin-care needs, while Shiseido is addressing the immunity of skin with its Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. Chanel, La Prairie and Lancôme are banking on new iterations of current star franchises. “The innovation is coming from familiar lines,” says Grant. “The consumer [already] trusts the innovation. It’s like the iPhone 6.”