Creating a makeup line requires more than just having an in-depth knowledge of cosmetics. From conceptualizing the company to strategizing your advertising and finalizing the design, here are the top four things you should know about how to start a makeup line, beginning with the most important one: business plan. When working on how to start a makeup line, one of the first decisions you must make is whether you want to open a traditional makeup artist’s shop or operate as a business that caters to mass market customers. There are pros and cons to both choices. While opening a storefront requires more initial overhead and advertising expenses, it can be highly lucrative since makeup artists have a built-in client list.
If you plan on targeting the mass market, a traditional brick-and-mortar makeup business is the way to go. You don’t need a designer’s eye, marketing plan or an incredible product line. But opening a boutique requires far less overhead and marketing efforts than a full-service makeup line, as well as the time and effort to work on creating a brand. If you don’t have prior artistry experience, starting a nail salon may be a good first step.
Once you’ve decided which path you’re going to take, you’ll need to research the different processes involved in making your own brand. Private label manufacturing (PLM) allows you to customize the products that you create. By putting your own name on a high quality product, you are able to create a niche for yourself in the cosmetics market. If you’re looking to how to start a makeup line, starting with a small boutique could be the right choice.
Private label cosmetics products can come in many different forms, including lotions, lipsticks, foundations and blush. The most popular cosmetic products are those that come off of a PLM order, meaning that the manufacturer has paid an additional fee to the manufacturer to let them put their name on the product. This additional fee generally comes from the retailer, who then pays the private label manufacturer the wholesale price for the product. Some retailers don’t mind paying the extra cost because they believe in selling high quality cosmetics. Others see it as a necessity, since so much of today’s money is being spent on personal care items. Wholesale cosmetics can be a lucrative niche for those with enough knowledge and patience.
Before you even begin studying how to start a makeup line, make sure that you have a solid idea about the goals of your business. Your personal care business plan should include information about what products you will offer, how quickly you want to move into the business and how much profit you expect to make. You should also decide whether you are going to use traditional distribution methods, such as retail shelves and stores, or if you are going to go the online route. Online distribution methods are faster and less expensive, but they take more time to set up.
Once you have determined how to start a makeup line, you should start to learn more about the different brands that you can sell through your business. Although you might only know one brand of lipstick, there are several different beauty brands that make great products. For example, L’Oreal makes both lipsticks and mascara. If you have decided to sell makeup online, you will need to determine which brands are best sellers and which brands you would like to carry. Your research may even bring you to the conclusion that some brands sell makeup online for less than you would pay at a local department store.
