Move over lipstick, foundation is the recessionista’s favorite makeup. During the economic troubles of 2001, Leonard Lauder, of Estee Lauder, coined the phrase “Lipstick index” to explain the correlation between financially hard times and booming lipstick sales. It seemed that when times got tough, women bought lipstick.

Today, it appears that foundation has given lipstick the kiss-off as the necessary cosmetic purchase of the recession. During the downward spiral of last year, lipstick sales fell 5.8 percent, while liquid foundation sales grew 2.5 percent in the UK.

While using makeup as an economic barometer may not be the most scientific of methods, it does prove a point: As depressing as life gets, women want to look good. Liquid foundation won’t save the your house from foreclosure, but at least you’ll have flawless skin in the process.

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