Popular recording artist Nicki Minaj is planning to launch a fragrance sometime in the near future. According to Allure magazine, she wants her new perfume to smell light, yet be something a strong, sensual woman would wear.

In other news, Procter & Gamble’s Pantene is debuting plant-based plastic containers sourced mainly through sugarcane. This move is expected to cut P&G’s fossil fuel consumption by 70% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 170%. However, the new containers will cost more to process. “As the world’s biggest hair care brand, we need to be there first. We are responsible for healthy hair and also a healthy world” – P&G General Manager of Global Hair, Hanneke Faber. The new Pantene eco-friendly bottles will be rolled out in Western Europe later in the month while the rest of the world will see them over the next 18 months.

The beauty industry is doing well. In fact, according to the Professional Beauty Association, the beauty retail industry is expected to reach $59 billion in 2012. It was $43 billion in 2006, which was the last full year before the recession hit. This phenomenon is referred to as the lipstick effect – when people can no longer spend on large items, they may indulge in small enjoyable purchases such as makeup, perfumes, and hair dyes. Creams, makeup, and fragrances alone jumped 4% to $8.4 billion last year.

Sears, Roebuck and Co. has announced that they will sell cosmetic brands normally found at drugstores in 100 of its stores and on its web site. This new cosmetics department will include brands such as L’Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, CoverGirl, Sally Hansen, Essie and Nocole by OPI. Beauty advisors will be available in the departments to help customers. Although mall department stores do not typically sell drugstore cosmetics brands, Sears points out that this will complement their approach of selling affordable and well-known brands.

L’Oreal is making strong moves in India – 70% of their major launches this year will be locally designed and developed. New products include a new fairness cream called Garnier Light Ultra, a locally developed kohl eyeliner, and an assortment of skincare products targeted at men. Although Procter & Gable and Unilever have been established in India longer, L’Oreal has an annual growth rate of 30%. Being successful in the Indian market is part of L’Oreal’s overall strategy to monopolize on the opportunities of international emerging markets.

According to the NPD Group (market research company), the recession has produced U.S. consumers that are well versed in stretching their money by using coupons, taking advantage of sales, and shopping at discount stores more frequently. Since the price of food is rising, it is expected that consumers are going to increase their money-saving tactics once again. The Economy Tracker states that 74% of consumers strongly agree that they expect coupons and special deals will be even more important in buying decisions. Sixty-seven percent said they would shop less in general, and 53% plan to buy in bulk.

Encouragingly, rising disposable income and increasing western influence is anticipated to grow the Chinese cosmetics and toiletries market by 12% during 2011-2014. Why is this important? China is in the third position in terms of size of cosmetics and toiletries, following U.S. and Japan. Instead of luxuries, cosmetics and toiletries are now becoming necessities.

Global spending is still not the way it once was before the recession, but it is maintained that the cosmetic sector has emerged from the recession. The global market for cosmetics and personal care actually grew by 5% in 2010. In the same year the premium cosmetics sector itself grew by 2.5% and actually outperformed mass cosmetics.