Want To Launch Your Own Private Label Makeup Line?
Here Is Everything You Need To Know!
As it turns out, having your own private label cosmetics company is not just possible but easier than ever, thanks to the latest business developments.
First, you don’t need any specific education to launch a cosmetics company, just a resale license.
With marketing made easy through social media and private label cosmetics companies overseeing the manufacturing process for you, all it takes is a solid idea.
In This Article
How Much Does Private Label Cosmetics Cost?
How to Start A Private Label Cosmetics
Best Private Label Makeup Manufacturers
In this article, I’ll go through the things you need to know before embarking on a journey to become a beauty mogul.
From just another hobby that can bring some extra cash in at the end of the month, to a multimillion private label business.
What’s The Cost To Run A Private Label Cosmetics?
The short answer is…“It depends, starting from $1000.”
With quantities ranging from a few to hundreds of products, the amount of money you need entirely depends on the scale of the operation.
What To Consider
When calculating the cost of starting your own private label cosmetics you should consider the materials, type of containers, packaging, labor cost, MOQ (minimum order quantity), and the supplier’s profit.
Start Small
Starting small allows you to quickly get your foot in the door of the beauty industry without crushing inventory costs.
For this, you should look for private label cosmetics with no minimum order, as explained in the next section.
How to Start A Private Label Cosmetics
In a nutshell, starting your own cosmetics line begins with finding a supplier that you’re happy with, creating a brand, and marketing it to your target audience.
The steps below will take you through private label cosmetics 101:
1.
Identify Profitable Products
Finding a gap in the market is the key to any successful business, and it’s no different with cosmetics.
Before you start making any choices, make sure you’ve done your research and that there will be demand for the type of product you want to sell.
Use Online Tools
Tools like Google Trends and Amazon’s Best Sellers and Movers and Shakers lists are good starting points.
Getting a clear understanding of what people are (and are not) looking for is key to selecting the right product for your brand.
Do Your Groundwork
If you’re not opposed to laying some old-fashioned groundwork, try visiting boutiques and retailers.
See what products get the most buzz and what kind of packaging might stand out on the shelf.
Find Your Niche
You might find success with a line of a few individual products.
However, the best way to sell private label products is by dedicating to a niche and developing a line that caters to it.
Having a range of consistent products in your brand’s mission and marketing efforts makes it more memorable and familiar to its target audience and therefore stronger as a brand overall.
Right now three niches are taking the beauty industry by storm:
- organic private label cosmetics;
- vegan private label cosmetics;
- and CBD-based beauty products;
2.
Research Private Label Cosmetics Suppliers
Getting involved with the wrong private label supplier might be more than an inconvenience.
It could damage your brand’s reputation and end up costing you a lot more than you’re comfortable spending.
There are two ways you can go about researching private label cosmetics suppliers: online or in-person at beauty trade shows, for example.
But before you start, make sure you know what you’re looking for and ask the relevant questions.
Ask Relevant Questions
There are a few things you need to bear in mind while checking out your options.
The questions to consider while searching for a private label cosmetics company are:
- Are you interested in make-up or skincare products?
- Are there any specific requirements you want your future products to have?
- Does a governmental agency approve these products?
- Will they print labels and do product packaging for you, and how much does it cost?
- What are the order minimums?
- What is the turnaround time for new orders and reorders?
- Do they use domestic materials or sources overseas?
- What materials do they use?
- Are they cruelty-free, vegan, organic, or Fair Trade-certified?
Research Online
The obvious and the easiest way of starting your search is by Googling private label products in your region, looking and comparing suppliers.
Most private label cosmetics suppliers cover both make-up and skincare products.
So, you have the chance to explore a variety of products to craft a unique collection of your own.
Try refining your search by adding keywords that reflect the specific requirements you have for your future supplier, like organic, cruelty-free, or vegan.
Visiting a supplier’s website also gives you a good idea of how their ordering process looks.
If you’re thinking of starting small, keep an eye out for suppliers with low order requirements or private label cosmetics with no minimum orders.
There are many suppliers with little to no requirements for orders.
While conducting your research, it is critical to read customer reviews and learn what kind of service you can expect from each supplier.
Reviews can also contain tips that might help develop your private label beauty brand.
When it comes to suppliers, it goes without saying that any place with less than five stars is worth reconsidering.
In-person Research
Going to these events allows you to speak to people directly, have your most pressing questions answered straight away, and start developing professional relationships.
Best Private Label Makeup Manufacturers & Suppliers
MODERN BASIC
Modern Basic offers a turnkey printing service whereby your company logo is digitally laser printed directly onto your ordered products and even the packaging.
The company is specialized in private labeling cosmetics and make-up products, unit cartons, brushes, make-up cases, brush aprons, and wraps.
Branding your professional cosmetic is quick, and it will grow your company’s stock and image in no time at all.
NARDO NATURALS
After striking a deal on ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank, the Nardo’s Natural brothers wanted to provide personal care products for others who dream of starting their own skincare business.
Nardo’s Natural Private Label is your one-stop shop for making your skincare dreams a reality.
Formulated without Parabens or Harsh Chemicals and never tested on animals, Nardo’s Natural offers high-quality natural products infused with organic ingredients.
PINNACLE COSMETICS
Cosmetics Known for using carefully selected pigments and ingredients, Pinnacle Cosmetics is a Canadian private label cosmetics company.
The company offers a wide range of high-quality products with an extensive color range.
Most orders are shipped within 10-15 business days of receipt of payment, and all products come individually boxed, retail-ready.
LADY BURD
Lady Burd is a New York-based private label company that stands out by offering cruelty-free cosmetics and skincare products.
Apart from New York, the company has showrooms in Florida and Chicago, so feel free to visit them; you won’t regret it a bit.
If interested in Lady Burd’s wide range of private label products, I highly recommend checking out their seasonal brochures.
RADICAL COSMETICS
The brand’s private label division offers a complete range of high-quality beauty products for make-up artists, salons, spas, estheticians, or anyone who wants to start their own cosmetics brand or line.
Radical Cosmetics requires a low minimum initial order of $150, allowing you to start your cosmetics line fast and with a low investment.
AUDREY MORRIS
Audrey Morris Cosmetics International is a Canadian manufacturer of high-quality private labels for cosmetics and – more recently, of skincare fridges.
Established in 1965, Audrey Morris is worldwide recognized for its innovative full-service and attention to detail.
The company’s cosmetics are used by hair salons, dermatologists, aestheticians, professional beauty schools, and well-known make-up artists worldwide.
GRAFTON COSMETICS
Grafton Private Label Cosmetics is a great company to start your private label cosmetics journey with.
The company will provide you with all of the essentials required to take your brand concept to market!
Grafton offers a wide range of formulas, packaging styles, customizable displays, and everything you need to get started!
Moreover, all cosmetics are paraben-free, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, so you know your customers will be safe and happy.
3.
Ensure Products Adhere to All Regulations
We need to go back to the legal requirements for a bit.
The regulations are always the scary part of the process and might put you off from continuing the project, but fear not.
If you educate yourself about stability, shelf life, and Product Liability Insurance, the bureaucracy of the process should quickly become less intimidating.
Country-Specific Regulations
While doing your online search, there’s a good chance that many suppliers will be based overseas.
Different countries might have different regulations from where you’re planning to sell your beauty products.
The safest way to ensure your products are up to scratch is to select a supplier located in the country you’re planning to sell in.
Quality Standards
Some suppliers offer attractive prices that appeal to up-and-coming businesses.
Yet, pay special attention here as lower quality products – that don’t meet legal requirements can result in consumer complaints and even lawsuits in worst-case scenarios.
In the US, for example, the FDA can conduct inspections at cosmetic factories.
Though manufacturers don’t need to go through formula testing, they can sign-up for voluntary registration programs that help transparency in the beauty industry.
Seller’s Responsibilities
Selling ready products under your name mean you are legally responsible for them in all areas, such as labeling, customer complaints, and even product claim.
It not only covers what you say on the actual label but also what’s stated in brochures and on websites.
Additionally, you will be the first to get contacted should a consumer experience an adverse reaction to your product.
4.
Request Samples, Review Products
There’s no better way to select a product and later create good marketing for it than by actually trying it yourself.
If you’re thinking about starting a cosmetics line, get ready to put aside a small sum that you’ll use to buy samples.
Doing that ensures you’re familiar with the product you’re selling and gives you the chance to evaluate quality first-hand.
It’s also a good idea to give out a few to a limited number of potential customers or even friends to see what they think.
However, if you’d rather not spend money on these, try attending an industry trade show instead – you’ll pick up loads of free or very cheap samples there and then.
Remember to take your time with this process; selecting beauty products you’re happy to put your name on is a big decision and often a very personal one.
Thus, don’t get discouraged if it takes a few rounds of samples and reviews to find products that meet your stringent expectations.
5.
Decide How to Sell Your Cosmetics Line
Another step on your private cosmetics journey is to decide how you want to market and sell them.
There are many options to choose from, so make sure to select one that’s the most optimal for you.
You’d rarely stick to one of these options, so combine a few that you’re most comfortable with, and make sure that you expand your reach and are easy for your customers to find.
In-store
Use point-of-sale systems like Vend, you can sell your cosmetics at a salon, natural foods shops, or a boutique.
Online
Sell through your own marketplace/website.
Amazon Marketplace
Trademark your brand and register as a seller to join this online giant.
Social Media
Some of the most popular platforms like Facebook or Instagram let you sell directly from your account.
Local Markets
Become a vendor at local variety markets and community events.
Other retailers
If you have your own branded line, you can sell your products to other retailers. Start with spas, gyms, and other small stores that can resell fast to pre-existing customers.
6.
Choose a Fulfillment Strategy
Choosing the right fulfillment strategy depends on how you decide to sell your private label products.
This decision is something you need to think about ahead of time so that a supplier that you end up choosing can meet your requirements.
If you will be selling your products in-person at events or a store, it’s clear that you will need your products close to hand.
However, if you decide to go with online sales, you need to consider where to store your products and how they will be packed and shipped.
There are four main types of order fulfillment:
Dropshipping
If you choose this option, every aspect of the order fulfillment process is handled by the suppliers who ship orders directly to your customers. Seems convenient, right? However, it’s not easy to find a supplier that offers this service.
In-house order fulfillment
This way means that businesses manage their storage and shipping operations. It’s the best option for brick-and-mortar stores and renowned brands.
Outsourced fulfillment
If you sell online, you can outsource order fulfillment to third-party companies that can also handle product storage and shipping customer orders. This option is good if businesses don’t have the time to handle their own operations or are experiencing rapid growth in consumer demand.
Hybrid order fulfillment
This option essentially combines the other available routes to cover online and offline sales. If you’re lucky enough to become successful, your business will grow, and so will its order fulfillment needs.
Editor’s note: Outsourcing is the best option that will allow you to dedicate your time to running your business.
7.
Design Your Branding, Logo, and Packaging
Most suppliers will take care of cosmetic product packaging and labeling for you – it’s as easy as providing them with your design, and they’ll take care of the rest, though sometimes additional fees may apply.
You can design your logo if you have the skills or have a freelancer do that for you.
The supplier will provide you with logo specifications that include the size and colors allowed.
This way is simple, but it also ensures that your products look professional and that the ingredients on the labels are correct.
Don’t forget to check whether your supplier provides free images of your branded products.
Moreover, it will let you build your online selling points ahead of time and save you time and money on product shoots.
8.
Order Private Label Cosmetics
You’ve arrived at the end of the list with your supplier chosen and box design ready.
The last thing left to do is to go ahead and order the products that you’ve set your heart on.
There are a few things you should look out for taking that final step:
- Make sure all the fees are accurate.
- Know the turnaround times for each step of the process.
- Be aware most private label cosmetics suppliers don’t accept returns.
- Ensure you know the shelf life and expiration dates of your products.
- After placing your order, it might take a few weeks to complete.
Make sure you use that time productively and set up your chosen selling outlets, so they’re ready for when your finished products arrive.
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Conclusion
Owning a private label cosmetic product line is an excellent idea if you want to sell to beauty salons, boutiques, and single stores.
Most private label companies offer a wide range of high-quality private label products, such as lipsticks and foundations, that you can stock under your brand’s name.
First, you’ll have to select the types of products you are interested in selling.
Then go through color choices, variations, or combinations from the supplier’s library, so it can manufacture, and finally, finish them with your private labeling mark.
This business route is rewarding because it allows you to save on product development while taking advantage of low minimums and fast production.
The most important thing to consider when thinking about starting a private cosmetic line is the supplier.
The chances are that if your product is excellent, it might just sell itself.
Don’t be afraid to take extra time to make decisions and research as much as possible to ensure you know the business inside out.
I can’t wait to see your best private label cosmetics ideas and how you’ve got them monetized.
A graduate of the University of London in Journalism, Marta is a highly ambitious and rule-challenging copywriter with several years of experience in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle editorial writing.
Wow! This article is so detailed and offers valuable information to get a new private label started. I wasn’t expecting so much detail when I opened it. It is very helpful and detailed. Definitely will keep in my file for great information.
There are many big names using private label cosmetics. For example, there are several different Chinese companies like Jiaxing Huasheng Cosmetics, Beautydom Cosmetics, Wan Siang Trading Co, Mei Shual, and A&H International making eyeshadow palettes and powder products for Morphe and Crown. Skindinavia makes Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray; Pt Royal Korindah makes lashes for House of Lashes, Kiss, Too Faced, Benefit, Estee Lauder, Anastasia Beverly Hills; Beautydom makes eyeshadow palette for Violet Voss; etc.
Great article about private label cosmetics, lots of competitors here, and many other private label brands I didn’t know about but now I know you can trust. If I may, I’d like to introduce you to our company, Suryaveda Cosmetics (www.suryavedacosmetics.com). We are well experienced and technologically sound, a GMP, ISO 9001:2015, and Halal certified manufacturer of Cosmetics and Derma Cosmetics. We specialize in producing skincare, haircare, and personal care hygiene products. Most of the formulations have been approved by an Association of Doctors and are well recommended by skin care and hair care specialists. Our focus is on developing exceptional products and building exceptional brands. It is our pleasure to welcome new business partners who wish to create their own natural/herbal cosmetics and derma cosmetics. Moreover, we have a wealth of professional experience in developing unique and effective products for your brand. Our dedicated research and development team is on hand to support you through every step of the process and we offer a friendly and flexible private label/contract manufacturing service.
Wonderful stuff, this article helped me tremendously to start my own business in natural cosmetics and antiaging face creams.
Yes, exactly the same here, I now run a small cosmetics business in Ottawa and couldn’t be happier for this.
I run my own private label cosmetic company in Atlanta and this guide has inspired me so much in my journey!