Shiseido Pays Lip Service To Recession Fears

Perfect Rouge, a new line of lipcolor from Shiseido, will debut in February. The formulations include Shiseido’s patented Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE, which contains an oil that blends well with water and to seal moisture into the lips, according to the company.

The collection includes 20 lipstick shades, each priced $25, and seven lip pencils, each $20.

The products also contain something called Dual-Optimizing Powder, which is said to detect available light levels and adjust color accordingly, while translucent red pigment is said to reflect all light as red, adding depth to all of the lipstick colors. The products also include Shiseido’s new Satin Smooth Pearl, an ingredient said to contain uniform particle sizes — and thus, smoothness and luster to the lips.

Shiseido executives call the introduction its  largest lip launch ever and note that, despite recession, Shiseido’s U.S. sales are up 3% in 2008.