John Lewis has recorded an uptick in sales of beauty products this year as UK lockdown restrictions eased. Fragrances performed particularly strongly this year, with perfume sales rising 24% in 2021 compared to 2020. As travel returned following periods of lockdown, consumers began to stock up on travel miniatures, with sales rising by 35%. Skincare products became lockdown staples, accounting for over a third of all beauty sales. Investment in beauty tech also soared in 2021 as customers attempted to create beauty salon experiences at home. To respond to demand, John Lewis launched a beauty tech department featuring LED light masks and facial toning devices, such as the Foreo facial toning device which saw a 361% increase in sales. As well as treatments, consumers also refilled their makeup bags as social events returned: lipstick sales rose 30% over the year, with sales accelerating 178% in the weeks after lockdown restrictions eased in April.