While the color cosmetics market has only enjoyed meager growth in recent years, eye makeup sales are more than making up for flat and declining lip and foundation makeup purchases, according to Mintel. Since 2004, eye makeup sales have increased 38%, compared to just an 11% increase in the color cosmetics market overall.

Manganese violet has long been used in cosmetics, where its vivid hues, stability and excellent safety in use are much appreciated; it has all requisite FDA and European approvals. In addition, its manufacture is safe, with minimal harmful by-products or toxic substances.

Visant Corporation announced that Visant's previously announced merger transaction with Phoenix Color Corp., a leading book component provider servicing primarily the trade, professional reference and educational segments, is complete. Phoenix Color will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Visant.