PETALING JAYA - The global economic outlook may remain fluid for 2012 but the business of looking good continues to glow here.

As the New Year approaches, two major department stores have reported huge sales in beauty items such as skincare products, clothes and accessories.

The shopping malls have also been crowded with shopaholics looking for good year-end bargains.

Pavilion KL chief executive officer (retail) Joyce Yap said beauty items like cosmetics and clothes were particularly popular at this time of the year.

"There doesn't seem to be any sign of a slowdown in the traffic of shoppers at our mall. It is even busier this year compared to last year," she said.

Yap said top items bought by women as Christmas presents were skincare products, accessories and clothes.

"For men, timepieces seem to be very popular Christmas gifts this year," she said.

Yap also said female shoppers seemed to be more inclined to buy clothes of duller colours compared to last year.

"Women seem to be buying more of black and animal print clothing," she said.

However, Yap said the reverse was true for men, who preferred clothes with more vibrant and brighter colours.

"For some reason, colourful ties seem to be selling fast. A lot of men are also buying clothes in pastel colours, including pink," she said.

She said that red was also popular as it was an appropriate colour for Christmas as well as the upcoming Chinese New Year.

At 1 Utama Shopping Centre, shoppers also showed a preference for beauty products.

A management staff member said top Christmas presents this year included beauty gift sets and shopping vouchers.

She said there were more shoppers than last year due to the opening of new shops in the complex.

For beauty salons, it is business as usual.

Fur Elise Beauty manager Eunise Gan said business had not been adversely affected by the uncertain economy.

"Business is about the same. We still have walk-in customers. Our regular customers also help us promote our services to others," she said.

She said that whitening, firming and pigmentation treatments were among the popular services sought after by her clients.

"In a month, we get an average of more than 100 customers," Gan said.

However, at certain salons, the number of customers has dropped.

A beautician, known only as Amanda, said her shop would continue to attract customers by offering more discounts and promotions.