Jeffree Star, Huda Kattan, Jaclyn Hill, Manny MUA: these are just some of the popular names of beauty bloggers who started by reviewing beauty products and then ended up forming their own makeup lines.
However, you don’t need to be a famous beauty blogger to start.
For instance, did you know that ChapStick (not to be confused with lip balm) was invented by a doctor? The first product look like a candle wrapped in tin foil, which is why it was no surprise that it wasn’t successful. When a local resident bought it, they improved the look of the ChapStick, and it became so popular that it launched their own corporation.
If you’re looking to get started on your own beauty line, starting a lip gloss line is a good idea. It’s simple, relatively low-cost compared to other beauty products, and can cater to all types of users. Here’s why it’s a good and idea and how to get started.
The (Beauty) Business Is Booming
If you’re looking for a profitable entrepreneurial venture, the beauty and cosmetics industry is a good niche to enter. Globally, it’s worth around $532 billion as of 2018 ($93.5 billion in the United States) and is only expected to grow. By 2023, it’s expected to be worth almost $805 billion. So, it’s no surprise that many are looking to enter this lucrative market.
Why Lip Gloss?
Lip gloss is one of the many lip products available in cosmetics. You can buy it in any store that sells makeup, drugstores, or supermarkets. Lip gloss is used to give lips a glossy finish. While it’s generally a translucent finish, it can be opaque, have color, and range in glossy finishes like glittery, metallic, and frosted.
It is different from popular lip products like lipstick, lip balm, and lip tint. Lipstick contains more wax and pigments, giving it a highly pigmented look. Lipstick is for you you want a more solid lip color. Lip gloss can be worn on bare lips or over lipstick to give it an additional sheen. Lip balm has a medical purpose in keeping in a lip’s hydration to prevent cracking, while lip gloss only gives the appearance of glossy lips until it wears off. And lip tint is meant to color the lips, while lip gloss glosses it. Lip gloss can be worn on its own or over lipstick, lip balm, or lip tint.
Lip gloss is a good product to start on before expanding to other lip products. While not all makeup is bad for your skin, lip gloss is the go-to product for those who prefer to wear less makeup. It’s a versatile product you can wear over bare lips to have a more naturally glossy effect, or you can wear it over other lip products for a better finish.
Step 1: Create Your Brand
First, if you’re going to be serious about starting your lip gloss line, you need to register your business with your local government. Since you’re most likely starting out small, you’ll want to start with a limited liability company (LLC), a sole proprietorship, or (if you have someone willing to co-invest) a partnership. Depending on which state or country your from, the requirements of starting a business may vary. Check with your local government on the requirements and prerequisites of starting a business. Since makeup falls under the Food and Drug Administration, you need to check with your local FDA office to see if there are any additional requirements or licenses needed to legally operate.
This is also the part of the planning stage where you come up with a brand name to operate. Make it a good one!
Step 2: Create a Formula (Or Find a Private Label Manufacturer) with Zicail’s Services and Brand Promise
After addressing the legal aspects of starting your beauty business, the next crucial step is to formulate or source your products. In this stage, you have two primary options: create the formula and product yourself or leverage the services of a private label manufacturer.
Option 1: Create Your Own Formula
If you opt to develop your lip gloss formula independently, it’s essential to be aware of regulatory considerations. The FDA regulates cosmetics to ensure they are safe, properly labeled, and non-deceptive. As the creator and seller of the product, you bear the legal responsibility to guarantee the safety and accurate labeling of your lip gloss. While not every ingredient needs FDA approval (excluding color additives), maintaining a clean production environment is vital to prevent contamination.
Zicail’s Expertise:
For entrepreneurs choosing the path of creating their formulas, Zicail offers a range of services to support independent research and development. Our team of experts specializes in formulating safe and high-quality cosmetic products. We understand the legal obligations and emphasize creating products that meet regulatory standards while allowing for creative freedom.
Brand Promise:
Zicail is committed to empowering beauty enthusiasts to express themselves through cosmetics. Our brand promise revolves around providing not just products but a partnership that ensures your creations are not only beautiful but also safe and compliant with industry regulations.
Option 2: Private Label Manufacturing with Zicail
An alternative and often more cost-effective option is to collaborate with a private label manufacturer for lip gloss. Private label manufacturers produce a specific product but allow you to customize the packaging with your brand name. This approach streamlines the process as these products have already received FDA approval, eliminating the need for certain licensing and standard procedures.
Zicail’s Services:
Zicail stands out as a reliable private label manufacturer, offering comprehensive services that cater to your unique business needs. Our commitment to safety and quality aligns with the regulatory standards, ensuring that your lip glosses are not only compliant but also of the highest quality.
Brand Promise:
Choosing Zicail as your private label partner means gaining full control over the colors, packaging, and other essential aspects of developing your lip gloss. Our brand promise includes transparency, flexibility, and a commitment to helping your business thrive in the competitive beauty industry.
Considerations:
While private label manufacturing offers efficiency, it’s essential to be aware of minimum order requirements set by some manufacturers. Zicail understands the varying needs of emerging businesses and strives to offer flexibility in quantities, allowing you to start with a manageable inventory. Moreover, we encourage our clients to personally assess the quality of our products to ensure they meet both regulatory standards and customer expectations. Zicail values your success and aims to be a trusted partner in your beauty business journey.
Step 3: Build Your Presence
Finally, it’s time to build your presence. Seeing as your only product is lip gloss, it’s unwise to sell it at a physical store and buy or rent out commercial space for the sole purpose of selling lip gloss. If you really want to sell physically, consider paying a local convenience store, boutique, or cosmetic store to put your product on their shelf. Some stores have different policies on this though. If you know someone who owns a shop that’s appropriate to sell lip gloss, it would be great if you could ask for a favor or a better deal to get your lip gloss on the shelf.
But for small businesses that are just starting out (especially if you only have one type of makeup), it’s best to start online. The costs are lower since you aren’t paying rent or any other additional costs associated with selling in a physical store. However, you do have the added task of building a network and attracting potential customers to your online store.
There are plenty of ways to sell your products online. You can use e-commerce platforms like Shopify to build your online store. Building your social media presence can also drive more customers to your website.