How To Start Your Own Cosmetics Brand
You’re sat at home, looking for the perfect bath bomb to use for your next evening soak. You know what you want to feel, what colours you want to see, and the scents you want to smell. No matter how many sites you look through, nothing ticks every box. You think you can make a better one, one that satisfies your every sense. You know friends, family and members of your community that want the same thing. Well, the truth is… You can make a better one. One that develops into a brand that can take you around the world.
We’ve helped over 100 different brands to create and develop their very first products. Products that have won awards and launched brands into the cosmetic stratosphere. In that time, we’ve learned a bit about how to set up your own brand and develop a unique product offering that the world had been missing. It doesn’t take a huge amount of technical know-how, a treasure chest of start-up capital or an inside contact at a major manufacturer. It only takes a good manufacturing partner that knows their stuff, meaningful conversations with your customers, and a bright idea that just might change the world. We’ve broken down this process into easy to follow steps that you can structure around a full time job and family time, and as for a reliable manufacturing partner, we’ve got you covered.
1. Solve a problem.
We know this sounds easier than it is, but a little evaluation time can go a long way. There are hundreds of thousands of bath bombs out on the market, but what about one that helps with the symptoms of arthritis? One for bathers allergic to sodium bicarbonate? A mother and baby bomb? Do your research and try to find a gap in the market. A good place to start is by taking a look at your own issues with the current products on offer - if there are no products that solve these issues, there's a good chance you can create one.
2.
Formulate your product.
You’ve decided on an idea - a product that solves an issue. Now it’s time to turn that idea to reality. Luckily for you, we have over 3 decades of experience helping our partners take ideas from concept to the shelf. We’ll help you to map out your formula, suggest active ingredients and fine tune your fragrances and colors - all for a product that meets your brands’ objectives.
The Decongest Shower Steamer from Bath Bubble & Beyond was formulated to help remedy the symptoms of cold and flu.
3. Develop a marketing plan.
You could develop the next best bath bomb or skincare range, but it’ll only take off if its front of the right people. You need to choose where you’re going to advertise, what your target audience will be and the type of messaging you want to associate with your brand. For an easy-to-follow, downloadable marketing plan, click here.
4. Fine tune your logistics.
Before you open and start selling cosmetics to your excited audience, it’s a good idea to map out your logistics to avoid disappointing your customers. Nobody likes shipping delays or receiving the wrong product, so take the time to set up your courier company, warehousing and stock format and your outer packaging to avoid damage to your products in transit. Couriers like Royal Mail and DHL have affordable services tailored to small businesses that will accommodate a higher volume as you grow. If you're in the UK, check out Royal Mail Click & Drop for our preferred option.
5. Talk to your audience.
Getting feedback from your audience is one of the most valuable tests you can do for any new product, not just cosmetics. Grab a sample of your product (we can help you with that) and introduce it to a few members of your audience. Ask questions about the way it makes them feel, the fragrance and effects of the product and whether they’d be likely to switch from their existing option. Feedback like this will help you fine tune your product to your customers needs.
6. Review, Analyze, Implement.
Your feedback cycle is your most powerful brand building tool, but only if you use it. Set up focus groups and implement the feedback you receive to make your product better. Your customers may have pain points that you never before considered, and allowing your customers to have a direct impact on the future of the products they use helps to build loyalty and brand evangelists.
Bath Bubble & Beyond’s Shampoo and Conditioner Bar range - reintroduced after being discontinued after strong customer feedback.