How to Start a Lip Gloss Business: 7 Steps + Supplier & Manufacturing Guide

Starting a lip gloss business is one of the most accessible and profitable ways to enter the beauty industry. Lip products continue to dominate cosmetic trends, driven by social media, multifunctional skincare formulas, and strong global demand.

Today, launching a lip gloss brand no longer requires building a laboratory or producing large quantities of stock. Thanks to private label cosmetic manufacturing, entrepreneurs, influencers, and beauty startups can develop professional lip products with lower investment and faster time to market.

This step-by-step guide explains how to start a lip gloss business successfully — from brand concept to production, compliance, and product launch.

Why Lip Gloss Is One of the Best Beauty Businesses to Start

Lip gloss remains one of the fastest-growing cosmetic categories worldwide. Consumers are increasingly looking for lip products that combine beauty, hydration, and treatment benefits, creating strong opportunities for new brands entering the market.

Several factors contribute to the popularity of lip gloss businesses:

• High demand driven by social media trends

• Flexible product positioning (makeup + skincare hybrid)

• Lower production complexity compared to many cosmetic categories

• Strong potential for brand differentiation through packaging and formulation

These advantages make lip gloss one of the most attractive entry points into the cosmetic industry.

Step 1 - Define Your Lip Gloss Brand Concept

Before anything else, you need a clear vision of your lip gloss branding.

Ask yourself:

• Who is your target audience?

• What style represents your brand? (luxury, clean, bold, minimalist, influencer brand)

• What makes your lip gloss different from others?

Your brand concept will guide every decision: formula, packaging, pricing, and marketing.

💡Tip: Create a vision board on Pinterest - helps guide your formula choices, packaging style, and marketing strategy.

Step 2 - Research the Market

Before creating your product, study what’s trending.
Look at best-selling glosses from major brands like Fenty Beauty, Dior, and Glossier — then identify what’s missing.
Are consumers looking for more natural formulas, vegan ingredients, or new applicator styles?

Understanding your market helps position your lip gloss brand with purpose and innovation.

Step 3 -Choose a Trusted Cosmetics Manufacturer or Supplier

Choosing the right cosmetics manufacturer is the most crucial step.
Traditional labs often require thousands of units and huge budgets, but a private label cosmetics manufacturer like DLAB Custom Cosmetics (dlabcosmetics.com) makes the process simple, fast, and accessible.

DLAB allows you to:

• Create custom lip gloss formulas starting from 500 units.

• Choose key ingredients: from jojoba oil, coconut oil  and more.

• Customize color, texture, and scent.

• Select packaging — from sleek transparent tubes to luxury metallic designs.

• Upload your logo directly on the website.

All formulas are dermatologist-tested, vegan, and cruelty-free, and the production process is EU-compliant (CPNP).
With delivery in 45 days, you can launch your brand faster than ever.

👉 Discover how working with a professional lip gloss manufacturer can support your brand development

Step 4 – Design Packaging and Branding

Your lip gloss should reflect your brand identity.
Decide whether you want a high-shine gloss, a tinted oil, or a non-sticky formula.
At DLAB, you can experiment with different textures and finishes: glossy, shimmer, metallic, or plumping.

Then, design your packaging — choose tube size, cap color, and applicator type. A cohesive look helps establish brand recognition and shelf appeal.

Step 5 – Ensure Compliance and Safety Documentation

Cosmetic products must comply with strict safety and regulatory requirements before being sold.

Depending on the target market, brands must ensure:

• Ingredient safety compliance

• Product safety assessment

• Product Information File (PIF) documentation

• Correct labeling and ingredient disclosure

Working with experienced cosmetic manufacturers simplifies regulatory processes and ensures products are market-ready and legally compliant.

Step 6 - Create a Marketing and Launch Strategy

Now it’s time to introduce your lip gloss brand to the world.
Build an online presence with a strong e-commerce website, professional product photos, and engaging social media content.

Use influencer marketing, TikTok trends, and UGC (user-generated content) to build excitement.
Offer sample kits, gloss bundles, or limited-edition drops to attract early customers.

💡 Pro tip: Partner with micro-influencers — their authenticity helps your brand reach niche communities more effectively than paid ads.

Step 7 - Launch and Grow

Once your lip gloss is ready, start small — test your first collection, gather feedback, and refine your offering.
DLAB’s low-MOQ manufacturing model allows you to reorder quickly and scale as demand grows.

As you expand, consider adding lip oils, scrubs, or balms under the same brand umbrella to build a full lip care ecosystem.

Lip Gloss Supplier vs Manufacturer: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between suppliers and manufacturers helps brands choose the best production strategy.

• Lip gloss suppliers: usually provide stock formulas with limited customization options. 
• Cosmetic manufacturers: offer full product development, customization, compliance support, and scalable production solutions.

Brands aiming to build long-term cosmetic businesses typically work with private label manufacturers to maintain control over formula quality, brand identity, and regulatory compliance.

Key Facts About Starting a Lip Gloss Business

• Lip gloss is one of the fastest-growing beauty product categories

• Private label manufacturing reduces startup costs

• Custom formulation allows brand differentiation

• Global demand for lip care products continues to increase

These factors make lip gloss an attractive product category for entrepreneurs entering the cosmetic industry.

Is Starting a Lip Gloss Business Profitable?

Yes. The lip gloss market continues to expand globally, driven by social media trends, skincare innovation, and consumer demand for multifunctional beauty products.

Brands that focus on quality, branding, and strategic product positioning often achieve strong growth and customer loyalty.

Partnering with experienced cosmetic manufacturers helps ensure consistent product quality and scalable production, increasing long-term business success.

Ready to Start Your Lip Gloss Brand?

Launching a cosmetic brand requires the right combination of product quality, compliance, and manufacturing expertise. Working with an experienced European cosmetic manufacturer allows brands to develop customized lip gloss products while ensuring regulatory compliance and professional production standards.

DLAB Custom Cosmetics supports beauty brands worldwide through private label manufacturing, low minimum order quantities, and full product customization.

👉 Start your lip gloss brand with DLAB Custom Cosmetics

Why DLAB Is the Best Partner to Create Your Lip Gloss Brand

DLAB Custom Cosmetics isn’t just a supplier — it’s an innovation hub for beauty entrepreneurs.

✅ Low MOQ (starting from 500 units)
✅ Professional formulas tested by dermatologists
✅ 100 % customizable packaging
✅ Vegan, cruelty-free, and EU-compliant
✅ Fast production in 45 days
✅ Dedicated support for branding, marketing, and retail

With DLAB, you can go from idea to product launch in weeks — without needing a lab, large budget, or manufacturing experience.

FAQ

Do I need a manufacturer to create my own lip gloss brand?
Yes. A professional manufacturer ensures safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Can I start with small quantities?
Yes. Low MOQs allow you to test your market without large financial risk.

Can I customize everything?
Yes. Formula, packaging, branding, and box design can all be customized.

Is lip gloss a profitable product?
Yes. Lip gloss has strong margins, fast turnover, and high perceived value.