What Is a Bill of Materials (BOM) in Cosmetics Manufacturing?

If you're starting a beauty brand, here's a term you need to know: bill of materials, also called your BOM. My team has heard me ask "what's the BOM?" more times than they'd like.

What is a bill of materials?

Your BOM is everything that goes into your finished product. It's everything we need to know to give you an accurate quote, and everything our warehouse needs to know to make sure your order is executed correctly.

In manufacturing terms, the end product is called an FG, or finished good. Your BOM lists every part that makes up that finished good.

A real BOM example: a pressed bronzer

Take a pressed bronzer compact. Here's what goes on its BOM:

• The component: the compact, with both a cap and a base
• The bulk: the product itself, and the fill weight (for example, 5.3 grams)
• The shade name label on the bottom, with the batch code
• The unit carton: a folding carton each unit is packed into, and which way the unit faces inside
• Sealing: whether it needs a tamper seal, shrink wrap, or nothing
• Batch or lot code on the carton
• Branding: any hot stamping, artwork, labels, or deco

We need to know exactly how you want your product to come out at the end of the production line.

Why your BOM matters

If you leave anything off your BOM, like a sticker, a label, label application, or shrink wrap, your quote won't be correct. When the order goes to production, it won't be correct either. Get it all up front, clear and concise: what each unit needs to look like and every part that makes it up.

Don't have it finalized yet?

That's fine. But you do need a rough estimate of your BOM to get a good quote. Have it ready before you speak to your manufacturer. Book a free consultation and our team can help you work through it.