PeopleImages via Getty Images The theory behind the "lipstick index" is that when money is tight, consumers substitute costly purchases with cheap luxuries like lipstick. “Strip club revenue in Vegas is down about 12%,” which could indicate we are headed for a recession, Lokenauth said. The Lipstick Index doesn’t just apply to lipstick. The theory behind the Lipstick Index is that when money is tight, consumers substitute costly purchases with cheap luxuries like lipstick. If you see formerly blond “recession brunettes” out and about, it might be a sign a recession is coming, he said.

Source: Huffington Post February 01, 2026 22:40 UTC