Algarin v. Maybelline, LLC

300 F.R.D. 444, 2014 WL 1883772, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65173
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. California
DecidedMay 12, 2014
DocketCivil No. 12cv3000 AJB (DHB)
StatusPublished
Cited by19 cases

This text of 300 F.R.D. 444 (Algarin v. Maybelline, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Algarin v. Maybelline, LLC, 300 F.R.D. 444, 2014 WL 1883772, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65173 (S.D. Cal. 2014).

Opinion

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

ANTHONY J. BATTAGLIA, District Judge.

This action arises out of the allegedly deceptive nature Defendant Maybelline, LLC’s (“Maybelline”) labels and advertises its Superstay 24HR product line. Plaintiffs, Yanira Algarin (“Algarin”) and Patsy Murdock (“Murdock”) (collectively “Plaintiffs”), bring this putative class action pursuant to California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and California’s Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA”) seeking both monetary and injunctive relief. (Doe. No. 47.) Presently before the Court is Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. (Doc. Nos. 63, 67).1 The Court heard oral arguments on April 23, 2014 and took the matter under submission. For the following reasons, Plaintiffs’ motion is DENIED.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background

Maybelline manufactures, markets, sells and distributes SuperStay 24HR Lipcolor, a line of lipcolors, and SuperStay 24HR Makeup, a line of skin foundations (collectively the “Class Products”). (Doc. No. 47 at 1.) The Lipcolor features the label “SuperStay 24,” “Micro-Flex Formula,” “No Transfer,” and “Up to 24HR Wear.” (Doc. No. 63, Ex. 10.) The Makeup features the Label “SuperStay Makeup 24HR,” “Micro-Flex Formula,” “Zero-Transfer,” and “24HR Wear.” (Id.) Though the class products are also advertised as makeup that provides “flexible, breathable, all day comfort,” that withstands “heat, sweat and humidity,” Plaintiffs take the most issue with the 24 hour/no transfer claim.

Plaintiff Algarin purchased the SuperStay Lipcolor for $10.00 in reliance on the claimed 24 hour staying power. Plaintiff Murdock purchased the SuperStay Makeup for $12.00 also in reliance on the claimed 24 hour coverage. (Doc. No. 47 at 5.) Both Plaintiffs gave full credence to the claimed 24 hour’ duration and were thus willing to pay a premium for that purported benefit. (Id. at 9.) Both Plaintiffs used the products as directed and needless to say, were decidedly unimpressed. Plaintiffs were exasperated that the products failed to live up to the representations as “neither the lipcolor nor the foundation lasted 24 hours, or anywhere near 24 hours....” Had the two Plaintiffs known the “truth” about the “premium priced” Class Products, they would have purchased less expensive options. (Id.) Plaintiffs allege that Maybelline continues- to deceptively convey through its advertising and labeling that: “SuperStay 24HR Products, with their ‘micro-flex formula,’ will not ‘transfer’ and will ‘stay' on for ‘24 hours.’ ” (Id. at 8-9) Plaintiffs were compelled to act on behalf of themselves and the class to prevent Maybelline from profiting further off of this allegedly deceptive practice.

Maybelline allows dissatisfied consumers to make their complaints known to the company, and in some circumstances will issue a refund, through its Refund Program. (Doc. No. 69 at 21.) According to counsel, a consumer may obtain more information on the Program by visiting Maybelline’s online website. From there, she may write to Maybelline and if she expresses dissatisfaction (performance or otherwise) she may receive compensation from Maybelline. Between the Products’ launch dates and mid-2013, approximately 2,700 consumers contacted Maybelline regarding the lipcolor and 700 regarding the makeup. (Deck of Patricia Erin DeVineenzo (“DeVincenzo Deck”), Doc. No. 69, Ex. A.) Of these communications, 604 were performance complaints about the lipcolor and 97 about the makeup. The median compensation for the lipcolor is $10.00 and for the makeup is $11.00. (Id. at ¶ 7, 8, 10, 11(e)-(h).)

[451]*451B. Procedural Background

Plaintiff Algarin filed the instant action with this Court on December 18, 2012, suing only over the lipeolor line. Plaintiff Murdock filed her action in the Northern District of California, suing for the makeup line. Attorneys for both Plaintiffs sought leave to file a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) to consolidate the two eases in this district. The Court granted that motion and Plaintiffs filed their SAC on September 19, 2013. (Doc. No. 47.)

Plaintiffs claim the labels are deceptive, false, and/or misleading. According to named Plaintiffs, the labels and representations featured on the Class Products leads the reasonable average consumer to believe that the product she is purchasing will actually remain on her face for 24 hours.2 (Doc. No. 63 at 4-7.) These representations are further reinforced by Maybelline’s extensive advertising campaign featuring the “long-wearing” benefits of the Class Products. (Id. at 6.) Plaintiffs claim these representations are false, as the Class Products do not actually last for 24 hours. Maybelline, as the manufacturer, seller/distributor, knew or should have known the products do not last 24 hours and should have disclosed that information. (Doc. No. 47 at 9.) According to Plaintiffs, they, along with the purported class members were deceived and will continue to be deceived, by the alleged misrepresentations unless the Court certifies the class and allow the class to seek injunctive relief. Moreover, Plaintiffs and class members suffered harm, entitling them to damages. (Doc. No. 63 at 3.)

Because of the Class Product’s deceptive labels and advertisements, Maybelline is able to charge a “hefty price premium.” (Id. at 6.) The Lipeolor retails for approximately $10.00-$12.00, which is $1.00-$1.50 higher than other Maybelline products. The Makeup retails for approximately $11.00-$12.00, which is $1.00-$3.00 higher than other May-belline foundations. (Id. at 6-7.) Plaintiffs attribute this price premium solely to the alleged misrepresentations.

Plaintiffs claim “[t]his is a textbook case for class certification” and seek certification under both Rule 23(b)(2) and Rule 23(b)(3). (Doc. Nos. 63) A hearing was held on this matter on April 24, 2014, where the Parties addressed a number of concerns and discussion points the Court had set prior. (See Doc. No. 74.) The Court took the matter under submission and this Order follows.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

A. Class Certification

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure governs class actions. The party seeking certification must provide facts sufficient to satisfy the requirements of Rule 23(a) and (b). “Before certifying a class, the trial court must conduct a ‘rigorous analysis’ to determine whether the party seeking certification has met the prerequisites of [Rule] 23.” Mazza v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., 666 F.3d 581, 588 (9th Cir.2012) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Rule 23(a) requires that plaintiffs demonstrate numerosity, commonality, typicality and adequacy of representation in order to maintain a class. Id. If the court finds the action meets the requirements of Rule 23(a), the court then considers whether the class is maintainable under Rule 23(b). In the instant matter, Plaintiffs seek certification under both 23(b)(2) and 23(b) (3).

Rule 23(b)(2) applies when “the party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds that apply generally to the class, so that final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief is appropriate respecting the class as a whole.” Fed.R.Civ.P.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
300 F.R.D. 444, 2014 WL 1883772, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65173, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/algarin-v-maybelline-llc-casd-2014.