Sellers Guide

Launching a beauty business with lashes and lip gloss is a brilliant entry into the cosmetics industry. It’s low-cost, product-friendly, and visually marketable. But the truth is, success goes beyond aesthetics—it takes planning, consistency, and the right platforms like Brandlistry to reach customers faster.

This expanded 2025 guide will walk you through every phase of how to start selling lashes and lip gloss—from finding suppliers and crafting your brand, to sales, compliance, and growth.

Source Your Products the Smart Way

Your product quality sets the foundation for your reputation. Before you design a logo or post online, figure out what you’ll sell and how you’ll get it.

For Lip Gloss:

• DIY (Homemade): Use shea butter, wax, oils, and pigments to make lip gloss at home. Invest in squeezable or wand tubes, mixing bowls, pipettes, gloves, and clean packaging.

• Private Label/Wholesale: Not ready to formulate? No problem. Buy ready-made gloss from trusted suppliers and brand it as your own. Look for low MOQ (minimum order quantity) options.

For Lashes:

• Wholesale Lashes: Get strip lashes or individual lash trays from Alibaba, Tundra, or RMLash suppliers. Look for faux mink, silk, or 3D lashes.

• Custom or Handmade: Some businesses craft their lashes by hand. Great for exclusivity, though less scalable initially.

Always order samples first and test them yourself. Quality is non-negotiable.

Build a Beautiful, Memorable Brand

Branding isn't just logos and colors—it's how customers feel when they unbox your products or visit your website.

Branding Checklist:

• Unique business name (check domain/social handle availability)

• Logo (design on Canva or hire on Fiverr)

• Colour palette and fonts

• Brand story and values: Are you glam, inclusive, vegan, clean-beauty, luxury?

• Consistent packaging design for lip gloss tubes and lash trays

• Unboxing materials: mailers, thank-you cards, tissue paper

Tip: Spend time building a story customers can emotionally connect with—it drives loyalty.

Handle Legal and Product Compliance

Even small beauty brands must follow regulations to avoid fines or customer complaints.

What to Do:

• Register your business: Get a local license or EIN (Employer ID Number)

• Follow FDA guidelines: For lip gloss, label all ingredients, use safe colorants, and follow good manufacturing practices

• Liability protection: Consider business insurance, especially if you’re selling to the public

• Label correctly: Use net weight, ingredients (INCI format), and your business address

Legal compliance builds trust and opens doors to larger partnerships or retail listings later on.

Choose the Right Sales Channels

Selling beauty products isn’t just about listing them—it’s about visibility. Choose the platforms that align with your goals and target audience.

Start With Brandlistry:

Brandlistry is a curated beauty marketplace designed to spotlight independent and diverse brands.

Why List on Brandlistry?

• Get discovered by buyers across Nigeria and the UK

• Be featured in homepage collections and email newsletters

• No need to set up your own store from scratch

• Focus on growing your brand while Brandlistry handles visibility

Click here to apply as a vendor on Brandlistry

Additional Channels:

• Shopify or Wix: Full control of your website, branding, and customer experience

• Instagram & Facebook Shops: Sell directly through posts and stories

• Etsy or Amazon Handmade: Tap into a massive audience but deal with fees

• Pop-up shops: Sell at trade fairs, salons, or markets

• Wholesale partnerships: Offer discounts to boutiques or salons who buy in bulk

Promote Like a Pro

Marketing isn’t optional—it’s how people find and trust you. And good news: You don’t need a huge budget.

Zero/Low Budget Strategies:

• TikTok & Instagram Reels: Post how-tos, behind-the-scenes, and unboxings

• Before/After Photos: Showcase how lashes transform a look

• Micro-influencer Outreach: DM beauty creators with under 10k followers for collabs

• Referral Rewards: Offer 10% off for every friend a customer brings

• UGC (User-Generated Content): Ask your audience to tag you for reposts

• SEO and Blogs: Write tips like “best lip gloss for dry lips” to show up in Google

Keep your message clear: what problem do you solve, and why should someone choose your gloss or lashes?

Smooth Out Operations & Customer Support

Once orders start rolling in, your backend must stay tight. Organization = growth.

Must-Haves:

• Inventory System: Use Google Sheets or apps like Zoho Inventory to avoid stockouts

• Shipping Setup: Start with local couriers; add tracking to boost trust

• Order Packaging: Keep it consistent and on-brand

• Customer Support: Answer DMs, emails, and inquiries promptly

• Clear Return Policy: State if refunds are accepted or only exchanges

The faster and friendlier you are, the more repeat customers you'll earn.

Final Summary

Final Thoughts

Starting a lash and gloss business isn’t just about product—it’s about purpose. Why should customers choose you? When you pair quality with branding, visibility, and community, you create a business people love to buy from.

Whether you're mixing lip gloss in your kitchen or curating luxury lashes from top vendors, you're on your way. Focus on the essentials. Partner with platforms like Brandlistry. Grow with purpose.

Ready to build your beauty brand? Apply now to get featured on Brandlistry and start your journey.