The issue
Mascara falsely labeled as being made with natural ingrediants.
Label claims natural fibers on mascara are made with tea leaves and are proven to be false.
Class action filed and DMA Economics is tasked with computing aggregate damages to the class who purchased the mascara at a premium because they believed it was natural.
DMA Economics role
DMA was brought in to show that the class should be certified based on the hedonic regression methodology used to calculate the natural label price premium.
DMA Economics calculated for mascara natural claims using data from defendants, IRI and applying a hedonic regression analysis.
DMA calculated aggregate economic damages for the class of between $12 million and $24 million.
DMA’s Approach – Rigorous analysis clearly communicated ®
DMA calculated price premium associated with the “Natural” labeling claims using the hedonic regression approach.
Challenges
- Obtaining IRI data for mascara sales
- Data on “natural” claims
- Natural ingredients versus natural look had to be searched for every label in the regression for proper categorization (natural ingredients or natural color)/
- Product is not sold through retail outlets but through sponsor meetings
- Acceptance of the hedonic regression approach to calculate class-wide damages
- destiguishing between brand value versus natural claim price premium value as per defendent rebuttal expert arguments
The result
Judge Selna certified the class and accepted Dr. May’s approach and calculations, stating:
“In his Supplemental Declaration, Dr.May asserts that “data on costs of goods per unit (including commissions and rewards)and other costs associated with unit sales can be obtained from [Younique].” (MaySuppl. Decl., Docket No. 130-1 ¶ 10.) 8 Dr. May likewise sets forth the type of data he would use for the hedonic regression, including the IRI data on comparable products and the prices and attributes of other similar Younique products, including the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes +. (Id. ¶¶ 12-14.) While mascaras may not be an exact match given the two-step process for application of the Lash Enhancer, an examination of the “natural” representations on such products can provide data for a reasonable price premium model. (Obj., Docket No. 124-1 at 4-5.) And while Younique fears that an examination ofproducts labeled “natural” would necessarily confuse the Lash Enhancer with an “all natural” product when it was clear that the transplanting gel was not all natural, Dr. May’s supplemental report does not indicate that he would only be examining “all natural” products, but rather products with “natural” on the label. (May Suppl. Report, Docket No. 130-1 ¶ 18.) Finally, while the new Moodstruck 3d Fiber Lashes + may not be an exact match for the Lash Enhancer with ingredients, Dr. May explains that its data can still be useful for isolating the price premium associated with the “natural” representation on the Lash Enhancer, especially since it involves the same brand. (Id. ¶¶36-38.) In short, disputed damage methodologies will not preclude certification when there is a methodologically plausible theory of classwide recovery.” (emphasis added)
After class certification, defendant settled the case by
- No longer labeling the product as natural
- Paying $3.25 million to the class
