SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


                Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



For Quarter Ended:  DECEMBER 27, 1996      Commission File No.:  0-14756
                    -----------------                            -------



                           THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       DELAWARE                                        52-1266697
(State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

                              8839 GREENWOOD PLACE
                             SAVAGE, MARYLAND 20763
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


                                 (301) 497-6800
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days:

                                                           Yes [X]     No [  ]


         Indicate  the  number of  shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's
classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

   Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding as
               of January 31, 1997 - 2,717,104 shares

   Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding as
               of January 31, 1997 - 1,582,780 shares


<PAGE>



                            THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC.




                                Table of Contents






PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                       PAGE


 Item 1.  Financial Statements                                        4 -  8

 Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis                        9 - 12
               of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


 Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                13

                                        2

<PAGE>



                                     PART I





ITEM 1.  Financial Statements                                      PAGE

 Consolidated Balance Sheets
         As of December 27, 1996 (unaudited) and
             September 27, 1996                                    4 - 5

 Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)
         Three months ended December 27, 1996
             and December 29, 1995                                     6

 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
         Three months ended December 27, 1996
             and December 29, 1995                                     7

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
         Three months ended December 27, 1996
             and December 29, 1995                                     8

                                        3

<PAGE>



                   THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         December 27, September 27,
                                                                             1996        1996
                                                                                (unaudited)
<S> <C>
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents .........................                       $ 2,959   $   979
  Accounts receivable, net ..........................                         1,962     1,860
  Inventories .......................................                        50,674    56,479
  Prepaid expenses ..................................                           624       442
  Prepaid income taxes ..............................                         1,735     1,735
  Deferred income tax benefit .......................                         1,549     1,631
                                                                            -------   -------

Total current assets ................................                        59,503    63,126
                                                                            -------   -------


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment .................                        11,014    10,989
  Leasehold improvements ............................                         5,028     5,022
  Leased property - capitalized .....................                         1,652     1,652
                                                                            -------   -------
                                                                             17,694    17,663

  Accumulated depreciation and amortization .........                         9,823     9,256
                                                                            -------   -------


                                                                              7,871     8,407
                                                                            -------   -------

DEPOSITS AND OTHER ASSETS ...........................                           535       378
                                                                            -------   -------

DEFERRED INCOME TAX BENEFIT .........................                           523       611
                                                                            -------   -------

TOTAL ASSETS ........................................                       $68,432   $72,522
                                                                            =======   =======


</TABLE>



                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>



                   THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                             (Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                           December 27,  September 27,
                                                              1996         1996
                                                                  (unaudited)
<S> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable .................................     $    9,776   $   15,956
  Accrued expenses .................................          5,747        4,044
  Income taxes payable .............................            288         --
  Current portion of obligation under capital leases            276          311
                                                         ----------   ----------

  Total current liabilities ........................         16,087       20,311

NOTE PAYABLE - BANK ................................         12,000       12,220

OBLIGATION UNDER CAPITAL LEASES ....................             68          109

DEFERRED RENT ......................................          1,246        1,305

OTHER LIABILITIES ..................................          1,090        1,396
                                                          ----------   ----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES ..................................         30,491       35,341
                                                         ----------   ----------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Class A common stock,  $.01 par value;  authorized
  5,000,000  shares; issued
     2,717,104 shares and
     2,713,354 shares, respectively ................             27           27
  Class B common stock, $.01 par value; authorized
     5,000,000 shares; issued 1,582,780 shares and
     1,582,780 shares, respectively ................             16           16
  Additional paid-in capital .......................         21,401       21,386
  Retained earnings ................................         16,497       15,752
                                                         ----------   ----------

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY .........................         37,941       37,181
                                                         ----------   ----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY .........     $   68,432   $   72,522
                                                          =========   ==========


</TABLE>







                See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       5

<PAGE>



                   THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                                  (Unaudited)
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                               December 27,  December 29,
                                                   1996         1995
<S> <C>
Net sales ..................................  $   38,907     $ 41,580
                                              ----------    ----------

Cost of sales including buying, occupancy
  and distribution .........................      30,226       32,420

Selling, general and administrative expenses       7,121        7,646
                                                 -------   -------------

Total operating expenses ...................      37,347       40,066
                                              ----------   -------------

Income from operations .....................       1,560        1,514

Other income, net ..........................          26           29

Interest expense ...........................        (334)        (316)
                                              ----------   -------------

Earnings before income taxes ...............       1,252        1,227

Income taxes ...............................         507          497
                                              ----------   -------------

Net earnings ...............................  $      745   $      730
                                              ==========   ==========


Net earnings per common share
  Primary ..................................  $     0.17   $     0.17
                                              ==========   ==========


Weighted average shares outstanding
  Primary ..................................   4,327,604    4,316,010
                                              ==========   ==========



</TABLE>


                See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       6

<PAGE>



                                    THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                    (Unaudited)
                                              (Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                   December 27,  December 29,
                                                       1996           1995
<S> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings ......................................  $  745      $   730
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
   cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization ...................     573          704
    Change in assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable, net ......................    (102)        (629)
      Inventories ...................................   5,805        6,827
      Prepaid expenses ..............................    (188)          12
      Prepaid income taxes ..........................     --           491
      Deposits and other assets .....................    (157)          (8)
      Deferred income tax benefit ...................     170           --
      Accounts payable ..............................  (6,180)      (5,525)
      Accrued expenses ..............................   1,703        1,705
      Restructuring provision .......................    (237)          --
      Income taxes payable ..........................     288         (234)
      Deferred rent .................................     (59)          (4)
      Other liabilities .............................     (69)         (77)
                                                        -------    ----------
      Net cash provided by operating activities .....   2,292        3,992
                                                        -------    ----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures, net .........................     (31)        (662)
                                                        -------      -------
      Net cash used in investing activities .........     (31)        (662)
                                                        -------      --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net repayments under line-of-credit agreement .....   (220)       (3,035)
  Repayments of capital lease obligations ...........    (76)          (71)
  Exercise of stock options .........................     15            --
                                                      -------       -------
      Net cash used in financing activities .........   (281)       (3,106)
                                                       -------    ---------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents ...........  1,980           224
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ....    979         1,320
                                                      -------     ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ......... $ 2,959      $  1,544
                                                     =======      =========

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and
 Non-cash Activities:
 Cash payments for interest .........................$   257    $         279
 Cash payment for income taxes ......................    185              239
 Treasury stock ......................................   --               214

</TABLE>


                See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                        7

<PAGE>



                   THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                     DECEMBER 27, 1996 AND DECEMBER 29, 1995
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE 1  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Basis of Presentation

      The consolidated  financial  statements contained herein should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated  financial  statements of The Cosmetic Center,
Inc., (the "Company") for the year ended September 27, 1996.

      The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements are unaudited,  but
include all adjustments  (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which
management  considers necessary for a fair presentation at December 27, 1996 and
December 29, 1995 and for the  three-month  periods then ended.  The  accounting
policies  applied in the consolidated  financial  statements are consistent with
the accounting policies applied in the consolidated  financial statements of the
Company for the year ended September 27, 1996.

      The Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the
reporting of assets and  liabilities,  the  disclosure of contingent  assets and
liabilities and the reporting of revenue and expenses to prepare these financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles.  Actual
results could differ from those estimates.

      The  results  for the  three-month  periods  ended  December  27, 1996 and
December 29, 1995 are not  necessarily  indicative  of results  expected for the
entire year.


Merchandise Inventories

      The Company's  inventories,  consisting primarily of cosmetic,  fragrance,
beauty aid, and related items,  are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost
is determined using the weighted average cost method.


Rental Expenses

      Certain store leases provide for minimum rentals plus  additional  rentals
computed as a percentage of sales in excess of amounts specified in the lease as
minimum  rentals.  The Company  accrues  percentage  rent expense during interim
periods based on actual sales in excess of the prorated annual amounts specified
in the related lease.


                                        8

<PAGE>



ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Forward Looking Statements

      All statements  contained herein that are not historical facts,  including
but not  limited  to,  statements  regarding  the  amount  of  required  capital
expenditures,  including costs associated with store openings and closings,  the
Company's   ability  to  develop   relationships   with  the   manufacturers  of
professional  hair care  products,  expectations  as to the Company's cash flows
from operations,  and other statements  preceded by, followed by or that include
the words "believes", "expects",  "anticipates" or similar expressions are based
on current expectations.  These statements are forward looking in nature and are
subject  to a number of risks  and  uncertainties.  Actual  results  may  differ
materially.  Among  the  factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to differ
materially from those expressed in forward looking statements are the following:
the  inability to generate  sufficient  cash flows from  operations  to fund new
store openings,  unanticipated capital expenditures,  including costs associated
with store openings and closings,  actions by competitors  that may have greater
capital  resources than the Company,  including  combinations  within the retail
industry and successful new retail store concepts,  the lack of viability of the
Company's  salon  business,  the  unavailability  of  product  or  the  loss  of
suppliers,  including  secondary  source  suppliers,  the  inability  to  secure
sufficient  professional  hair care  products,  general  business  and  economic
conditions,  and other risk factors described from time to time in the Company's
reports filed with the SEC. The Company  wishes to caution  readers not to place
undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, which statements are made
pursuant to the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such,
speaks only as of the date made.

General

      The Company was founded in 1957, with its initial operations consisting of
the sales of cosmetic products to wholesale customers. At December 27, 1996, the
Company  operated 69 stores under the name "The Cosmetic  Center(R)"  located in
the greater metropolitan market areas of Washington,  D.C.; Richmond,  Virginia;
Baltimore,   Maryland;   Chicago,  Illinois;   Charlotte/Raleigh/Durham,   North
Carolina; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Company sells approximately 25,000
brand name prestige and mass-merchandised cosmetic products.

      During the past three fiscal years the Company embarked upon several major
projects  which  affected the results of  operations.  These  projects  included
expansion on a more  expedited  basis than in the past and the  introduction  of
hair salons within its retail stores.

Expansion

      Over the past three  fiscal years the Company  opened 31 retail  stores to
add to its base of 47  retail  stores  at the end of the 1993  fiscal  year,  an
increase  of 66%.  During this same time  period the  Company  opened  three new
geographic market areas: Charlotte/Raleigh/Durham,  N.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and
Atlanta, Ga. Generally,  new stores do not begin to contribute to the absorption
of corporate  overhead until after their second year of operation or until their
sales level has  matured.  In a new market,  where it takes  additional  time to
build name recognition,  the time period to begin to contribute to absorption of
corporate overhead may be even longer.

      Although  the  Philadelphia,  Pa.  and North  Carolina  market  areas have
performed  to the  Company's  expectations,  the Atlanta Ga.  marketplace  was a
disappointment. During the 1996 fiscal year, the Company's stores in the Atlanta
marketplace  suffered an operating loss of $1.1 million.  As a result, on August
4, 1996, the Company  closed its eight retail stores in the Atlanta  marketplace
and recorded a  restructuring  provision of $4.0 million,  including the cost of
future lease obligations, a write off of

                                        9

<PAGE>



certain assets and a severance package for its Atlanta  employees.  The expected
future cash flow requirement of the restructuring provision at December 27, 1996
is $1.9  million and will be paid over the  remaining  one to four year terms of
the Atlanta leases.

Hair Salon Strategy

      Traditionally,  the  manufacturers of professional hair care products have
allowed their products to be sold by retail hair salons only. Historically,  the
Company purchased  professional hair care products from secondary  sources,  and
sales of  these  products  generally  accounted  for 5% to 6 % of the  Company's
annual retail sales. The Company's purchases of these products and sale at value
prices to consumers was not looked upon favorably by these  manufacturers.  With
the growth of the Company over the past three years sufficient quantities of top
selling  professional  hair  care  products  became  increasingly  difficult  to
purchase through secondary sources. As a result, the Company decided to add hair
salons  in its  existing  stores  as an  add-on  beauty  service  and  with  the
anticipation  of  developing  direct  relationships  with the  manufacturers  of
professional  hair  care  products,   which  required   discontinuing  sales  of
professional hair care products obtained from secondary sources.

      In the summer and fall of 1994, the Company opened hair salons in twelve
of its thirteen new stores in the Pa., N.C. and Ga. market areas.  In February
1995, the Company began to retrofit existing stores in its Washington D.C. and
Chicago, IL. market areas.  As of December 27, 1996, the Company had built or
retrofitted 60 of its 69 stores to include hair salons.

      In July 1995, the Company began receiving  shipments of professional  hair
care products from one of the four major  professional  hair care  manufacturers
and  continues to receive  such  products  today.  This  manufacturer,  however,
represents only one-third of the historical 6% of sales volume.  The loss of the
remaining  professional  hair care product sales has adversely  affected  retail
sales and profits.  The Company is  attempting to develop  direct  relationships
with the other three major manufacturers, though there can be no assurances this
will be  achieved  or that the one  manufacturer  will  continue  to supply  the
Company.

      Although results of operations continue to be affected by costs associated
with the operation of hair salons and lost sales and profits associated with the
discontinuance  of professional hair care products from secondary  sources,  the
Company  believes  that  there  may  be  future  benefits  to  be  derived  from
maintaining and expanding the arrangement. The gross margin on professional hair
care products purchased on a direct basis is significantly higher than the gross
margin on professional hair care products purchased on a secondary source basis.
In addition,  the direct  relationship  enables the Company to maintain in stock
sufficient  quantities of  professional  hair care products of the  manufacturer
with which the Company has such relationship.

Results of Operations

      Consolidated  net sales for the three months ended  December 27, 1996 were
$38.9 million,  a decrease of $2.7 million,  or 6.4%,  from the $41.6 million in
consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 29, 1995.

      Retail  sales for the three  months  ended  December  27,  1996 were $38.5
million,  a decrease of $2.6 million,  or 6.3%,  from the $41.1 million in sales
for the three months ended December 29, 1995. Of this decrease,  $2.3 million is
attributable  to the nine stores  closed in fiscal year 1996.  Comparable  store
retail  sales for the period were $38.1  million,  a decrease of $0.6 million or
1.6% as compared to store retail sales of $38.7  million of the same period last
year.  Comparable  store retail sales were adversely  affected by soft fragrance
sales. The Company operated 69 stores at December 27, 1996

                                       10

<PAGE>



and 77 stores at December 29, 1995.

       Wholesale  sales for the three months  ended  December 27, 1996 were $0.4
million,  a decrease of $0.1 million,  or 16.7%,  from the $0.5 million in sales
for the three months ended  December 29, 1995.  The Company has focused  greater
attention on its retail business but continues to serve its remaining  market of
independent drug and merchandise  stores.  Management  continues to evaluate the
viability of the wholesale division.

      Cost of sales, including buying,  occupancy and distribution expenses, was
$30.2  million  (77.7% of sales) for the three  months  ended  December 27, 1996
versus $32.4  million  (78.0% of sales) for the three months ended  December 29,
1995. The dollar decrease is primarily attributable to the nine stores closed in
fiscal year 1996 that were not in  operation  during the current  period and the
decrease in comparable  store retail  sales.  Cost of sales,  including  buying,
occupancy  and  distribution  expenses,  as  a  percentage  of  sales  decreased
marginally,  primarily  from the  direct  purchase  of  professional  hair  care
products.

      Selling, general and administrative ("S G & A") expenses were $7.1 million
(18.3% of sales) for the three  months  ended  December  27,  1996  versus  $7.6
million  (18.4% of sales) for the three months ended  December 29, 1995. S G & A
expenses decreased $0.5 million over the comparable period of last year. S G & A
expenses  decreased  by $0.6  million as a result of the nine  stores  closed in
fiscal year 1996 and  increased  $0.1  million in  comparable  stores  operating
expenses.

      Interest  expense was $0.3  million  (0.9% of sales) for the three  months
ended December 27, 1996 versus $0.3 million (0.8% of sales) for the three months
ended December 29, 1995.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

      The  Company's  working  capital was $43.4  million at  December  27, 1996
compared to $42.8 million at September 27, 1996.  The ratio of current assets to
current  liabilities  was 3.7 at December 27, 1996  compared to 3.1 at September
27, 1996.

      Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $2.3 million for the
three months  ended  December 27,  1996,  resulting  primarily  from net income,
depreciation and amortization and a decrease in inventories which were partially
offset by a net decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

      Net cash used by  investing  activities  amounted to $31,000 for the three
months ended December 27, 1996.  This investment is attributable to the purchase
of fixed assets used in operations.

      Net cash used by  financing  activities  amounted to $0.3  million for the
three months ended December 27, 1996. During the three months ended December 27,
1996 the Company  reduced its credit facility by $0.2 million and repaid capital
lease obligations in the amount of $0.1 million.

      On November 27, 1996,  the Company  entered into a merger  agreement  with
Revlon  Consumer  Products   Corporation   ("RCPC")  and  Prestige  Fragrance  &
Cosmetics,  Inc.  ("PFC") a wholly owned  subsidiary  of RCPC pursuant to which,
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions,  the Company would merge with
PFC with the Company remaining as the surviving  corporation (the "Merger").  In
connection  with the Merger,  a new class of the  Company  voting  common  stock
("Class C common stock") would be created. RCPC would receive newly issued Class
C common stock such that immediately following the Merger, RCPC would own 65% of
the issued and outstanding  Class C common stock of the Company.  Also as a part
of the Merger,  the holders of the Class A and Class B common stock can elect to
receive cash at $7.63 per share and holders of options with an exercise

                                       11

<PAGE>



price of less than  $7.63 can elect to receive  cash of $7.63 less the  exercise
price (the "Cash  Election") with a limit of 2,829,065  shares and options as to
which the Cash  Election will be accepted.  Giving effect to the Cash  Election,
RCPC could own at least 74% and up to 84% of the  Company's  outstanding  common
stock.  The  completion  of the Merger is subject to,  among other  things,  the
approval of the shareholders of the Company,  regulatory  approval and financing
for the surviving corporation.  No assurance can be given that the Merger can be
completed.

      The Company had an  unsecured  credit  facility  with a bank for a maximum
borrowing of $15 million (the "Facility").  The Facility, which was scheduled to
expire on February  28,  1997,  was subject to  repayment  on demand and accrued
interest was payable  monthly,  at an annual rate equal to the bank's prime rate
or at LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The Facility required compliance with certain
restrictive covenants including maintenance of minimum tangible net worth.

      In October 1996,  the Company paid the then  outstanding  balance of $14.2
million on the Facility with borrowings under a new loan and security  agreement
(the "New  Facility").  Under the New Facility,  which expires October 31, 1999,
the Company  may borrow the lesser of $25 million or 50% of eligible  inventory,
as defined in the New Facility. Borrowings under the New Facility are secured by
all of the Company's assets except for fixed assets.  Under the New Facility the
Company  may borrow at LIBOR plus 200 basis  points or at the bank's  prime rate
plus 50 basis  points.  The  Company  also  pays an  unused  line  fee  equal to
one-quarter of one percent per annum. Interest is payable on a monthly basis. If
the Company  terminates  the New  Facility,  the Company is  obligated  to pay a
prepayment  penalty  of  $187,500  if  termination  is  made  before  the  first
anniversary  date and $62,500 after the first  anniversary  date. The consent of
the lender will be required to consummate the Merger, and if such consent is not
obtained,  the  Company  will be  required  to pay  $187,500  of the  prepayment
penalty.  As a result of the Company's  ability to refinance the prior  Facility
with the New Facility,  the balance of the Facility was  classified as long-term
debt in the  accompanying  September  27, 1996 balance  sheet.  The New Facility
requires  the  Company to be in  compliance  with a minimum  tangible  net worth
covenant.  At December 27, 1997, the New Facility had an outstanding  balance of
$12,000,000.

      The  Company's  future  cash  needs  without  giving  effect to the Merger
primarily  result from its plan to open  additional  new stores.  The  Company's
estimated cost of opening a new store is approximately  $0.7 million,  including
$0.5 million for initial inventory and $0.2 million for leasehold  improvements,
furnishings and fixtures,  point-of-sale  equipment,  hair salon equipment,  and
other  items.  The Company may open  additional  stores  during the fiscal year,
however,  this would be dependent upon locating the property and negotiating the
economics of the leases.  The Company believes that funds available from the New
Facility and internally  generated  funds would provide  sufficient cash to meet
the Company's needs for the next year.

Seasonality

      The Company's  business is seasonal  with the highest  volume of sales for
both the retail  and  wholesale  divisions  occurring  during  the first  fiscal
quarter (October to December).

Inflation

      While inflation has not had, and the Company does not expect it to have, a
material  impact upon  operating  results,  there can be no  assurance  that the
Company's business will not be affected by inflation in the future.

                                       12

<PAGE>



                                     PART II




Item 6.    (A)  Exhibits

               EXHIBIT 27- Financial Data Schedule as of December 27, 1996


           (B)  Reports on Form 8-K

               The  Company  did not file any  reports  on Form 8-K  during  the
quarter for which this report is filed.

                                       13

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES




        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                  THE COSMETIC CENTER, INC.  
                                  (Registrant)


Date:   2/6/97     By       /s/ Ben S. Kovalsky
      ----------           -----------------------
                                   BEN S. KOVALSKY
                                   Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
                                   Officer and President



Date:   2/6/97      By       /s/ Bruce E. Strohl
     ----------             ---------------------------
                                   BRUCE E. STROHL
                                   Vice President - Finance
                                   and Chief Financial Officer

                                                 14