For beauty professionals, launching and selling a beauty product line can be a highly effective way to grow your revenue and scale your business.
But for those of us without a business degree, simply knowing where to start can feel confusing and overwhelming. How do you start selling your own beauty products, especially without a large R&D budget or deep connections in the manufacturing world?
The answer is simple: launch a white label line.
What is white label?
White label cosmetics is exactly that: you put your brand, or “label”, on a product that has already been formulated. Instead of developing a product line from scratch, you choose from a range of proven, tested products made in a facility registered with the FDA (MoCRA), then add your own branding. It is entirely legal to sell these products under your own name, with your own brand, your own design and your own marketing.
What are the benefits of selling white label beauty products?
By launching a white label beauty line, you save the time and money needed for product research and development, and for managing manufacturing. That leaves you free to focus on your own branding, marketing and sales strategy.
It also lowers the barrier to entry for people who want to launch a beauty line but have few contacts with manufacturers. By choosing products that are already formulated and approved, made by a trustworthy manufacturer, you avoid the headaches of sourcing or creating products on your own.
What are the drawbacks of selling white label beauty products?
The convenience and ease of labeling existing products, compared with creating custom ones, comes at a price: less control over ingredients and formulation. That is why, if you go the white label route, you must find a trustworthy supplier that creates good, proven formulas that work.
(Psst… You can go here to learn more about the product formulations of our cosmetics lab, Carmel Cosmetics Labs, and our A+ ingredients in depth.)
Is selling white label products right for me?
Selling white label products can be the right choice for beauty professionals and entrepreneurs in many situations.
If you are a salon or spa owner, launching a white label line to sell in-store can raise your profit margins and add a personal, exclusive touch to your product offer.
If you are an independent beauty professional, your own product line can help you grow your business significantly (because sometimes adding clients or raising your service prices is not an option!)
If you are a beauty influencer or an entrepreneur, a white label or private label line can create an extra revenue stream beyond brand partnerships or advertising income.
How to get started with private label products
Choose your logo and branding.
Building a brand of your own is part of the appeal of private label. If you run a hair salon, a spa or another beauty business, you may already have a logo you want to use as an extension of your brand.
If you want your product line to have its own brand, it is time to start thinking about names, colors and logo design.
When you are ready to design your label, the Carmel Cosmetics Labs platform lets you upload an existing label or design a new one. If you have questions along the way, Carmel Cosmetics Labs has a team of designers ready to help.
Find a manufacturer and order your samples
Since you are not formulating the products yourself, you want to be sure they look, feel, smell and perform the way you want before you commit to selling them. Get samples as early as possible, so you can choose products you love yourself.
Plan the finances
When planning the investment needed to launch your own line, several factors come into play:
- Initial investment (minimum order quantities/stock)
- Marketing and advertising costs, overheads (store or website costs)
- Fulfillment costs (shipping, packaging, etc.)
While spending money is unavoidable – after all, “it takes money to make money” – you can choose wisely where you invest so you stay on the fast track to profitability.
Look for a private label skincare manufacturer with an accessible MOQ, so you do not tie up cash in excess stock before you have even started selling. Once you know how fast your stock sells, you can confidently place larger orders (without going into debt!).
Carmel Cosmetics Labs is ready to turn your vision into reality. Discover the power of white label by offering your customers products that tell a unique story. Contact us today to learn more about creating your custom products with the Carmel Cosmetics Labs White Label service.