Rising consumer confidence, aggressive promotional activity, and technological advances have propelled sales of cosmetics and toiletries in the U.S. by 2.4% to reach $36.5 billion in 2010 at the manufacturers’ level, according to recently released data fromworldwide consulting and research firm Kline & Company. After experiencing a 0.8% decline in 2009, the current increase has brought sales to above pre-recession levels.


While the industry showed signs of recovery, consumers influence...