A flawless appearance, perfected faces, defined eyes and evolved anti-aging applications are today’s top choices by beauty consumers, said NPD’s Karen Grant, top-lining trends from NPD’s recent 14th annual “Hot Off The Press” event held January 29 with partner and host, CEW.

“From primary care focused skin care, to bold red and even blue or green lips, and artisanal fragrances, the feel is self-assured,” continued Karen. “However, the attitude across the board reflects a new era of immediacy, looking for the quick fix of alphabet creams, masks, and illuminators, and the instant indulgence of classic and couture scents.”

Value is also important to consumers, but premium-priced offerings are thriving in U.S. prestige beauty. Even though sales for the total prestige fragrance category were flat, fragrances priced $100 and over grew 30% in dollars, while face makeup priced at $60 and up increased 28%, and skin care for the face gained 15% in dollar sales (compared to 2012). In addition to the premium segment, the direct-to-consumer channel helped to drive growth for the beauty industry in 2013, growing 19 percent.

“The beauty industry has a unique opportunity to seize the moment, embracing the evolution and blurring of lines at retail, category experience, and brand leadership. Prestige has the advantage of offering more of the quality of life experiences in beauty. When we give consumers the products that fit them, their wants, and their needs for results ‘now’, we deliver a winning combination,” concluded Karen.

Overall, Karen reported that sales of prestige beauty gained 5% to $10.8 billion in the U.S. By country, prestige beauty sales fell 2% in France, Spain and Italy, grew 6% in the U.K. and skyrocketed 12% in Mexico.