The Ins & Outs of Makeup Manufacturers
Makeup Manufacturers
What are makeup manufactures? Where are makeup manufacturers? Better yet, why makeup manufacturers? Sorry, Infinity War (2018) reference.
In all seriousness, makeup manufacturers are companies that will help you (the entrepreneur) on your journey to creating a brand. From contract manufacturers to custom formulating to copackers, there's a lot to uncover with the term makeup manufacturers.
Don't worry! We can do this together so that you know the what, where, and why to makeup manufacturers.
Know the Lingo
Before looking for a makeup manufacturer, you have to understand the terminology. With makeup manufacturers, you're looking at two kinds of services when it comes to starting a beauty brand. Once you go to a makeup manufacturer, you must choose between two different types of services: custom formulating and private labeling.
Make sure the lab you're looking at offers the kind of service you're looking for. Both have short-term and long-term consequences, so it's essential you know which route you want to go down.
Custom Formulating
Maybe you're looking to take your DIY water cream recipe at home to a cosmetics lab and create a brand. Or perhaps you want to recreate a cult classic with clean ingredients. When you custom formulate with a makeup manufacturer, they create the formula for you.
After that, you're free to take your new recipe and take it to different labs and get several quotes (prices). This route is more expensive than private labeling and can be difficult if you're taking your recipe from at home and transferring it to a cosmetics lab.
Benefits
You own the formula
Take it anywhere
Cons
More expensive
Difficult to transfer from home to lab
Private Labeling
Money is significant when starting a business. Private labeling is an excellent opportunity if you're looking for a cost-effective route. Once you find your makeup manufacturer, you basically end up in a long term relationship.
That's why finding the best makeup manufacturer for you is super important. If you want to end your relationship with the makeup manufacturer, you may have to discontinue the product or pay for custom formulating later through reverse engineering.
Benefits
Cost-effective
Flexible
Cons
Long term relationship
Difficult to switch
Finding a Makeup Manufacturer
The search for the makeup manufacturer meant for you isn't easy! Sure, we have the internet these days so you can look at labs from all across the country (and even the world), but that also means narrowing down your results for makeup manufacturers from thousands to a few can be difficult.
Here's a step by step process to follow!
Compile a list
Make a huge list of all the makeup manufacturers you can find. The Internet is the most obvious and popular choice to go, but be careful! Internet results are all ranked based on an algorithm. The first lab listed may not be the best. Although it's the easiest (and seemingly the fastest) way to find a makeup manufacturer, consider these other options.
Tradeshows
So, how do you find makeup manufacturers besides google? Trade shows! It's an event that you attend as a potential customer, and you can find different companies that showcase their new technology, services for packaging and manufacturing, and even new products! Another plus? You get to actually meet and talk to people who can answer your questions right then and there.
Checkout trade shows like Cosmoprof or Incos for more information.
Directories
If you're an introvert, then directories may be the path for you. The results for directories are similar to those at trade shows, which are vastly different from the results on Google. Sites like AliExpress can find Chinese manufacturers while Maker's Row will connect with you American makeup manufacturers.
Word of Mouth
The last way to find makeup manufacturers is by word of mouth. This path is usually for celebrities, but because networking is super important in this industry, you may pick up some names from other entrepreneurs! Good or bad, you'll get an honest opinion.
2. Make a second list to compare
Your second list will be all the qualities you're looking for in a makeup manufacturer. Our cosmetics lab checklist is super handy for thinking about all the qualities you want in a makeup manufacturer.
Once you figure out what you want, it's time to cross-check your lists! When looking at your list of makeup manufacturers, try to find out about their capabilities, budget, experience level, etc. Check off any makeup manufacturer that doesn't meet your criteria until you have about three makeup manufacturers left.
3. Testing Samples & Negotiating
This step is crucial because you're actually getting to experience their products first hand. Questions to ask yourself:
Do you like their formulas?
What kind of colors do they offer?
How does the product feel on your skin?
Is the packaging nice?
Remember, this is a relationship, longterm or short, depending on if you're custom formulating or private labeling. Relationships of all kinds are a two-way street; make sure you feel comfortable voicing your opinion and concerns with the makeup manufacturer of your choice.
4. Start Manufacturing
Yay, you did it, you reached the last step! Now that you've found the makeup manufacturer you want to work with, you mustn't rush to launch or sell your products as soon as you sign on. Patience and time are non-negotiable, and you must have a long term vision.
Keeping a Long Term Vision
Do you remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? Obviously, the hare would've beat the tortoise if the hare hadn't taken a nap, but the lesson is true: slow and steady wins the race. It's important to remember that you're running (or walking) a marathon here. Do not sprint. Not only will you lose steam quickly, but you could also create a lot of unnecessary stress.
Despite all the stories, you cannot build a business overnight. Makeup manufacturing requires time and patience, which is annoying. No thanks to Amazon, everyone wants everything here and now. Shipping dates especially cannot be counted on for coming in on time. Please don't blame the Post Office; they've got a lot on their plate.
Considering the era of COVID-19, manufacturing has so many moving parts that nothing can truly be set in stone. For example, if you rush to launch or sell your product, but can't follow through, that will guarantee bad reviews and angry customers.
So, here are some Don'ts to follow.
Don't set any guaranteed dates (launch dates or parties, for example) until after you receive the product and ensure it's ready to sell.
Don't spend more money than you feel comfortable being out of pocket for a while.
Don't ruin your relationship with your makeup manufacturer, especially if private labeling.
And to end on a positive note, some Do's:
Do have patience when it comes to shipping and formulating.
Do speak up if you have concerns or aren't satisfied.
Do ask questions; your makeup manufacturer is there to support you!
Genie Supply: The Makeup Manufacturer for You
Here at Genie Supply, we offer custom formulating and private labeling in both color cosmetics and skincare. Our specialties range from body butter to lipstick and lipgloss (there's a difference) to water cream.
If you’re interested in clean beauty now, we can start a custom formulating process that you can get started on right away. For more information, read our “Custom Formulate in Four Steps or Less” article! We also have a CBD catalog for both skincare products and color cosmetics.
Our other amaaazing asset? This blog! We care about small businesses and entrepreneurs aiming for the stars. That's why we try to update our blog with all the information you need while not sounding like a robot.
If you look up 'makeup manufacturers,' you'll find content with unnecessary information that doesn't make any sense. Hopefully, this article made sense and didn’t bore you to sleep.
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