A French cosmetic maker conducted a survey in Shanghai recently, finding that averagely a woman in Shanghai uses no less than 20 different cosmetics every day, the top figure in the world.

 

Miss Xue, who works in a foreign bank in Shanghai, earns a monthly income of some 10,000 yuan (US$1,200), and she spends nearly 20 percent of her income on cosmetics, most of which are the products of famous brands, and could be described as “luxuries”. Miss Xue uses nearly 20 cosmetics every day, including, facial cleansing, perfume, eye shades, lotions, etc. She goes to Hong Kong every month to buy cosmetics.

 

“Many of our female clients go to Hong Kong only to buy cosmetics, and they have even made a shopping list before they leave Shanghai,” said Zhou, a travel agent.

 

Local cosmetic market is very hot, too. The ground and second floors of nearly all department stores are taken up by cosmetic counters.

 

Women with lower incomes than Miss Xue have their favorite brands of cosmetics, too, which are mostly cheaper local brands.

 

(Chinanews.cn December 31, 2006)