Sad News: Nail-Mageddon May Be Upon Us

Say it ain't so: AdAge reports that after two years of runaway success (to the tune of 20% growth in both 2011 and 2012), the nail-products category has suffered a major blow. And, as a result, the entire beauty retail industry is smarting.

AdAge quotes Consumer Edge Research analyst Javier Escalante, who explains that the increase in nail-product sales was simply a fad (the products that have suffered the greatest decline in sales are "special effects" products); likely a result of the rise in popularity of nail art. And now, apparently women are ditching complicated manicures for more simple, single-hued talons. Replacing nail polish as the new must-have product? According to Google, the term "lipstick" surpassed "nail polish" in search volume this November, for the first time since May 2009. Interesting.

So, what does this mean for us addicts, who thrive on the latest and greatest nail innovations like air in our lungs? We've come a long way from the days when women could choose between three nail colors (pink, coral, red), and we're hoping that new shades — and, yes, new finishes — will continue to be available. We love how changing up our nails can breathe new life into our look — and all for a mere $9, rather than the price of, you know, a whole new wardrobe.

Readers, what do you think about the Great Nail-Polish Recession? Are you over the whole "nail wardobe" thing, or are you hoping that the crazy-cool world of nail innovations never dies? (AdvertisingAge)