How to Start a Makeup Business Online

Thanks to social media, makeup businesses are booming like never before. The beauty industry saw global sales of $483 billion in 2020 with an annual growth rate of almost 5%. Makeup brands are amongst some of the most profitable dropshipping niches and can allow you to grow a brand with a consistent income. 

At Doba, we have almost two decades of experience working with dropshippers. We work with makeup businesses across the industry to help them connect with high-quality suppliers to launch and grow their brands. We’re sharing our guide on how to start a makeup business online, covering everything from understanding regulations to building your website.

1.    Understand FDA regulations

Before you can think about launching a makeup business, you need to understand FDA regulations or the equivalent in your country. Everywhere has its own rules and regulations for the sale of cosmetic products. You want to ensure that you know which products and ingredients can and can’t be sold in your country. Every country is different, so it’s best to do your own research. For example, dozens of ingredients that are legal in the US are banned in Europe. 

2.   Find a niche

Makeup isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Every successful makeup business has a niche, whether it’s ‘barely there’ makeup or soft glam. Identifying a niche allows you to find a target demographic and develop your brand. Your niche will be at the heart of everything you do, helping you make decisions on a daily basis. Ideally, you want to choose a makeup niche that you’re passionate about or have in-depth knowledge of. 

While skincare-based makeup is becoming increasingly popular, it’s a very particular niche that you only want to choose if you’re familiar with the nuances of skincare. You have to be able to present your brand as an authority and industry leader within your niche. 

3.   Develop a fully branded website

You want to create a website that makes your makeup business feel authentic. Do your competitor research and look at how other makeup businesses set up their website. How easy are they to navigate? How do they tell the brand story? How are the product categories laid out? 

Your website should reflect your makeup business’ personality and niche. You want to incorporate your social media platforms into your website and ensure that you’re accurately showcasing your makeup products. If you’re creating your own website, choose a user-friendly platform like Shopify for a streamlined order experience. This aspect is another area that your competitor research should feed into.  

4.   Don’t under-estimate product images

Product images are one of the most important elements of your marketing as a makeup business. It’s not enough to just show the product in its container. You’ll need to show what the makeup product looks like how and how it wears. 

Every image should be high-quality and reflect the true color and pigment of your makeup products. Natural lighting is best, and you want to avoid using filters or photo editing that alters the color of the makeup product. Deceiving product images can lead to negative reviews and customers returning their products. It’s a good idea to incorporate comparison swatches and videos of makeup products where possible. 

5.   Write high-quality product descriptions

Another element you shouldn’t forget about is product descriptions. Photos of makeup products can be deceiving, and you want to provide in-depth product descriptions that tell the customer everything they need to know about the product. It’s worth hiring an experienced copywriter with knowledge of the industry to help you create product descriptions that are educational and incorporate your brand’s voice. 

High-quality product descriptions can improve customer satisfaction by ensuring they’re ordering the right product. You don’t want customers returning eyeshadows because they thought a matte shade was metallic. 

6.   Build a social media presence

The most successful makeup brands are ones that create a community around their product. You only have to look at the success of Glossier to understand the power of a niche and active social media community. Social media marketing will make or break the success of your makeup business.

Your social media platforms will help you build a community and provide you with an easy way to showcase your makeup products. Video is the most powerful tool you have, allowing you to show what your makeup products look like in real life. You want to create a presence on all the most popular social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. 

Don’t underestimate the potential of organic social media content. Encourage your customers to post and share images of your makeup products, either with a branded hashtag or by tagging your brand. Not only does this raise brand awareness, but it helps you create content for your social media platforms. 

7.   Work with influencers

Start small by working with micro-influencers who have an engaged following that includes your target demographic. Influencers have a unique relationship with their community that is built on trust, making them amongst the powerful marketers. Working with micro-influencers is a win/win. They’ll aim to create high-quality content for the chance of being featured on your profile and building their own brand. 

Micro-influencers are more likely to feature free PR products compared with larger influencers who receive dozens of offers from brands every day. For the best results, do your research and work with micro-influencers who have an estimated presence within your niche. 

At Doba, we’re a leader in the dropshipping industry, providing our customers with high-quality dropshipping suppliers and products to grow and expand their businesses. We offer integration with the top marketplaces and e-commerce platforms, allowing you to add products and sync orders directly with your supplier. 

Our service makes it easy for you to start a makeup business by helping you connect with suppliers and find the products you need to grow your brand. With these tips, you can start a makeup business that will turn your life-long love of makeup into the ultimate side hustle.