Do you have a beauty secret your friends always ask you about? Maybe you’re frustrated with the lack of options in drugstore aisles or the cost of expensive makeup brands and know that you could do better. You might be considering starting a cosmetics line because you want the flexibility of being your own boss and the power of making your own business decisions. No matter what the reason, learning how to start your own skincare line is the first step on the road to your own financial independence and making a difference in others’ lives. 

Becoming a beauty brand mogul may seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Starting a cosmetics line is made easier than ever by the existence of private label skincare companies, the secret weapon that retailers large and small swear by for their success. 

The Power of Private Label Products

The chances are, as a consumer, you’ve already benefited from private label products. Costco, for example, stocks around one-quarter of its shelves with its private label brand Kirkland Signature. Similarly, many purchases from mainstream sources like Amazon, CVS, Whole Foods, Sephora, and more are private label products.

Most retailers (and e-tailers) today get the products that they sell from a separate supplier. Very few brands manufacture what they make in-house. So, you don’t have to make your own makeup to start a cosmetics line. Instead, a private label product can be made by a third-party supplier (for example, the skincare manufacturer), then sold under a business’s brand name. The business owner controls everything about the product, such as what goes into it, how it’s packaged, the price, and more. 

If you want to get in on selling private label products, you’re not alone. The market share of private label goods in the U.S. is currently estimated at 25% of all unit sales and is expanding faster than national brand names. As a consumer, private label products may seem like just another great quality brand, often at a lower price. However, as a business owner, finding a responsible, reputable private label manufacturer is the true key to success. 

Steps to Selling Skincare: How to Start a Cosmetic Line Successfully

While there’s no one simple path to creating a business, there are specific steps that all successful entrepreneurs swear by. 

Conduct Market Research

‍Market research is a way to get a competitive edge, learn from existing trends, and connect more deeply to your consumers. Market research for launching a skincare line can be as simple as talking to people who might be interested in your product or as formal as a focus group. Another popular method is to create an online survey and send the link around to a few friends, and ideally, future customers. Ask them what their skincare routine is currently missing or what they want to be done better. By getting to know your customers’ tastes and preferences, you’ll be able to craft and market a product that they actually want and need. 

Create a Business Plan

‍If you want to seek outside funding sources, a business plan is also helpful, even if your company is self-funded. Writing down your goals, examples of future milestones, and a starting budget can help keep you directed as you launch your business. A business plan can follow a specific format or be as simple as a one-page summary of your goals.  

Choose Your Name

‍Settling on your business’s name can be the trickiest part of launching a skincare company, according to founder Madison Ruggieri (Onekind Cosmetics). Think not just about how to sell beauty products, but what idea of beauty you’re selling. A name can be a simple, memorable way to communicate your business’s philosophy and aesthetic, helping you connect with consumers right away. 

Set Up a Website and Social Media Accounts

‍Whether you’re looking to sell beauty products from home or start a cosmetics line with an in-store presence, you’ll need a website and social media accounts. Be sure to pick a clear name for your accounts and check that matching domains are available across mainstream platforms. 

Pick Your Private Label Manufacturer

‍As any skincare user knows, having complete faith in the ingredient list, as well as user-friendly packaging, is incredibly important for a product meant to be used regularly on the face. Of course, you could make cosmetics at home, but all makeup manufacturers must be FDA-regulated to sell them to customers. You’ll also want to have enough high-quality products consistently on hand to build a following. The answer is private label manufacturing. 

The Pure Source LLC is one of the leading manufacturers of private label products for skincare brands. The Pure Source offers USDA organic, cruelty-free, vegan, GMP quality, clean beauty products made in the USA. With a wide variety of pricing options and quality assurance, The Pure Source allows you to create a fully customizable product right from the start. With an established, trustworthy company taking care of manufacturing and development, you can put all your time and energy into marketing, advertising, and creating sustainable growth for your business. 

Share Your Product With Consumers

‍The most important step you can do (once you’re secure in your product) is to share it. You may consider hosting a skincare party at your home, or you might harness the power of social media to send samples to influencers or create ads. Once you’ve gotten your product in front of people, a quality formula will ensure that they come back time and again. 

Takeaway

How to start a makeup line or skincare company? A good private label manufacturer is the backbone of any business. The Pure Source is an expert, reputable source of high-quality, cruelty-free, organic, American-made beauty, skincare, and pharmaceutical goods. So if you can imagine your perfect product and packaging, get started with The Pure Source. Create your product today, and embark on a path to share your business with the world.