Fashion or beauty: Which gets cut first in a recession?

70% of Asian women including Singaporeans will sacrifice fashion purchases before beauty spending.

And when recession does arrive and economic conditions worsen, the survey showed that 28% of respondents will eventually settle for less beauty pampering as well.

Still, the majority seem unperturbed by the shaky prospects in 2012. Most are still willing to spend a majority average of $200 a month on beauty products, based on the "quick poll" was conducted by Lines Exposition and Management Services, organizer of BeautyAsia.

"On average, almost half of respondents polled – about 47 per cent – spend between $50 and $200 on beauty products and services a month, while another 7.8 per cent spend $200 and more to pamper themselves and to look good," said the company in a release.

"Almost 63 per cent polled said that they have no plans to reduce their spending on beauty products and services despite the gloomy economic outlook for 2012, with almost 9 per cent indicating that they plan to increase their spending on beauty," it said.

Men were also covered in the survey and they were found to be more willing to give up their beauty indulgences.

"When push comes to shove, guys would much prefer to cut back on beauty products than on fashion. About 63 per cent of men said so when polled," the company said.

"In terms of consumer profile, more men – about 53 per cent – see themselves as being 'adventurous' in trying new products and treatments. The ladies were only slightly behind with 47 per cent describing themselves as adventurous. Most women (70 per cent) also said that they were loyal to brands they like, were less price-conscious and bought their purchases because 'I am worth it,'" it added. 

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Tags: Beauty spending, Fashion spending, 2012 recession, Lines Exposition and Management Services, BeautyAsia