[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Always dreamed of being your own boss and owning a world famous cosmetics line? Well, if you’re sitting there thinking about how to start a makeup line, you’ve come to the right place!
Launching a successful makeup business is no easy feat. It takes months or even years of dedication and planning to ensure that every part of your business works in harmony with each other. From business structure to building a brand, there are many factors to consider when creating your own products.
Luckily for you, we’ve condensed all of that into this handy 5 step guide to help you get started. We’ll cover:
- Create a Business Plan
- Choose Products
- Find a Supplier
- Begin Production
- Generate a Buzz
Create a Business Plan
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”9756″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]You may already have some initial ideas bouncing around your head. But if you want to make those a reality, you’re going to need to lay down a solid business plan that you can follow. A business plan will ensure you keep within budget and hit your goals throughout the journey.
First off, let’s talk cash. You definitely need it to start a business. It’s time to start budgeting as you’ll need to save every penny you have in order to kickstart your business. A few thousand pounds should be enough to get things started e.g. buying products, creating packaging, hiring creatives. If you’re struggling to save up, startups can also apply for loans from the bank or government to help you get things going.
Once you have enough money under your belt, you can start solidifying the foundations of your business. The best way to do this is by registering your business with the government as a sole trader, company or partnership. At this point, you’ll need to have figured out your business’ name – so make sure it stands out!
Choose Products
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8468″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]This is the fun and crucial part. Now you get to choose exactly what kind of products your business will sell and create the overall feel of your brand.
Start by carrying out some market research; find out what’s popular at the minute but also think about what you can bring to the market. Talk to friends, family and ask around on social media – the best way to understand what your target market wants is to ask them.
Second of all, think about the image you want your business to portray. Are you going for a luxurious vibe or do you want to create affordable products for all? Will your demographic be younger or older? Will you be fun and vibrant or toned down and sophisticated? It all depends on who you’re trying to attract.
Another important thing to consider is the product ingredients. If you want to target certain groups such as vegans, this is essential! If you’re trying to come across as a natural company, it’s important that your ingredients reflect that brand message. Figure out the balance between cost of ingredients and the price point of your products.
Find a Supplier
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]There are two ways you can create your products – through a lab or through a distributor. We’ll explain how each one works.
When working with a lab, you’re creating a brand new product. You’ll work together to create the formula and production – this takes a lot more work and is also more expensive. But the plus side is that they’re entirely your own products and you get to call the shots.
On the other hand, a distributor will source the products you’re looking to sell and put your branding and packaging on them. And voila! You suddenly have your own range of makeup products.
It’s important that you find a reputable distributor who carries out ethical practices and sources good quality products. So carry out your research when choosing either a lab or distributor to make sure that they’re reputable. Start off with a list of your favourites and visit each one to find the perfect company for you. Once you decide who to partner with, you can start working together to create your final products and packaging.
Begin Production
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]When producing your first products, it’s essential that you make sure they stand out from the crowd. Spend time with your team brainstorming product colours and names. Let your creative side run free and make the products personal to you and your brand.
Many makeup companies come up with OTT names for their products to make them stand out (think NARS ‘Orgasm’ blush – no one forgot that in a hurry and now it’s their bestseller).
Once you’ve decided on the ingredients, products and colours you want to include in your makeup line, it’s time to begin production. Work with your partners throughout production to ensure your products follow all of the necessary regulations and testing requirements.
Remember, production isn’t just about the product itself – you also need to consider the packaging it comes in! Again, it’s time to think outside the box. Come up with creative shapes for your boxes or different textures e.g. metallic or matte. The little details can make the difference between a sale and a loss.
Generate a Buzz
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8455″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Once your products are on the shelf, it’s time to get marketing. If you don’t have time to carry out the marketing yourself, you can hire a freelancer or agency to strategise and implement a full marketing strategy.
In the twenty-first century, it’s all about Ecommerce. So you need to make sure you have a killer website that’s fully branded and optimised to attract the right customers. Again, you can seek third party help to get this off the ground.
As well as a website, you need to think about social media. This is where your target audience is interacting with content everyday – so make sure they’re looking at yours! Create fully branded social media business profiles to boost your exposure. Instagram is the perfect place to target the beauty community and post some gorgeous shots of your products.
User generated content is also a great way to demonstrate your products in action. Send your products out to influencers to put your name on the map and promote your makeup line to the right audience.
But first, get qualified…
So, now you understand how to start a makeup line it’s time to put your plans into action! But if you’re just getting started in the world of makeup, it’s a good idea to get some qualifications under your belt. Kickstart your career with Posh Look’s Level 3 Makeup Artistry course and get one step closer to owning your own makeup brand. Head to our training page to enrol today. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]