Revlon reported second quarter consumer net sales gains of 2.5% to $367.3 million, primarily driven by higher net sales of Revlon color cosmetics and Revlon ColorSilk hair color, partially offset by lower net sales of Almay color cosmetics. The consumer segment also includes the results of retail brands acquired in the TCG acquisition. Consumer segment profit in the three months ended June 30 was $82.4 million, down 2%, as compared to pro forma consumer segment profit of $85.3 million in the second quarter of 2013. Profit was impacted primarily due to $11.7 million of higher advertising expense to support the consumer brands.

“As you know a significant part of our business is in the U.S., mass color cosmetic category, which is declining year-to-date into ’14 versus 2013. While, the color cosmetic category in the U.S. continues to be softer, we remain focused on supporting our brands with the intent to grow market share and develop our business. To that end, we have increased our advertising spend by $11.7 million in the second quarter versus last year, which was primarily in support of our consumer brands. Year-to-date, we have spend $20 million more than last year, which is a 16% increase,” Lorenzo Delpani, President and CEO, told analysts on Wednesday.

Professional segment net sales were $130.6 million compared to pro forma net sales of $121.1 million for the same period last year. On an XFX basis, net sales during the second quarter of 2014 increased 6.7% primarily due to higher net sales of American Crew, Revlon Professional and Creme of Nature products. Higher net sales of Crème of Nature and CND nail products as well as higher net sales from contract manufacturing services were partially offset by lower net sales of CND Shellac. Professional segment profit in the second quarter of 2014 was $31.4 million, as compared to pro forma professional segment profit of $22.2 million due to higher gross profit primarily as a result of higher net sales.

Total company sales during the quarter rose on an XFX basis rose 3.6% to $497.9 million, while net income fell 26.7 percent to $18.1 million, or 34 cents a diluted share, compared with $24.7 million, or 47 cents, a year ago.

In response to whether Almay continues to fits in Revlon’s portfolio, Lorenzo replied: “I want to make it clear that for us Almay is a core asset, it needs turnaround, and that’s no question about it. But it is a core asset, is materially significant, and we believe in the brand possibility to contribute to the future growth of the company. That’s why we are investing resources, energy and cash into its turnaround. The current results are temporary, and the results of the implementation of our strategy that it takes time to be played out.”

And, responding to CND Shellac’s domestic dip and international performance, Lorenzo said: “Well, talking about the year-to-date performance of Shellac overall on a global basis, Shellac is doing well and continue to do well. Remember that Shellac sells primarily through distributors, so quarterly fluctuations are not unusual. In this specific quarter, we are doing particularly well internationally and a bit softer nationally and that has to do with the anniversary versus some trends of last year. Last year Shellac in the same period had strong quarter because some domestic distributor ramped up their inventory positions. So the underlining trend, the matters is the sell out, and the sell out of Shellac remains positive, encouraging, and we are pleased with the performance of the brand.”