What to Know Before Contacting a Cosmetics Manufacturer

Want to launch a beauty brand in the next 12 to 18 months? Before you ever get on a call with a manufacturer, there are a few things you need to have figured out. The theme here is clarity.

1. Get clear on your vision and your products

Know what you actually want to sell. Lip gloss? Lip liners? Skincare? SPF? Being specific about your products isn't just good for your brand. It also helps you narrow down suppliers fast. If you came to us asking for SPF, we'd tell you we're not a good fit, because SPF has to be made at an OTC facility. Another manufacturer might not make powders. Knowing your products saves everyone time.

2. Set up your business

Get your Tax ID or EIN and set up your business, whether that's an LLC, an S-Corp, or something else. Do the paperwork, the documentation, and the legal work. Most manufacturers, including us, only sell business-to-business, so you can't place an order without it. Don't skip steps 1 and 2.

3. Know your three numbers

Your products. See above: exactly what you want to make.

Your units. Not just "whatever your MOQ is." How many units are you actually willing to hold in inventory? If a manufacturer asks how many units you want and your answer is "the least amount possible," that's not a business strategy. This number also helps us guide you. If you want custom formulation but only plan to order 500 units, we might tell you private label is the better route. Some manufacturers have 10,000-unit minimums, so if you plan to order 5,000, they may not be the right fit.

Your budget. A real budget, not "as close to zero as humanly possible." This tells a manufacturer what's realistic for your brand. With a $1,000 budget, we can absolutely work with you, but you won't be getting full custom formulas, custom packaging, and custom boxes. For custom formulation, plan on $35,000 or more for bulk and labor, and more with custom packaging and add-ons.

4. Start talking to manufacturers

Set up consult calls with the manufacturers you're interested in. At this stage, you're getting a vibe for who you want to work with. Go in with your own list of priorities. Maybe you want someone local, or someone with a ton of experience formulating clean products. Know what matters to you and ask the right questions.

5. Do a quick self-assessment

Will it be just you, or are you working with a team? Know your own weaknesses and make sure the people around you complement them. For example, if you want fully custom packaging and you've never sourced packaging before, you may be better off with a manufacturer that offers turnkey services or has procurement on site to handle it for you.

The bottom line

Come prepared. Know your numbers, know your business, and know your limits. When you're ready, book a free consultation with our team.