Ultimate Guide to Launching Lip Crayons Like a Pro

Why Lip Crayons are Your 2025 Brand Launchpad (+Trend Data)

Lip crayons have quickly become a staple in the beauty industry, especially among consumers who value versatility, convenience, and clean formulations. For new beauty entrepreneurs, launching a private label lip crayon line is an excellent way to enter the market with a product that offers multiple benefits and appeals to a wide audience.

According to the NPD Group, multi-use makeup products, including lip crayons, saw a 31% growth in sales in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year. This surge is driven by busy consumers seeking products that simplify their routines without compromising quality or ethics. Vegan and cruelty-free lip products recorded a 22% increase in market demand, underscoring a powerful shift towards sustainable and ethical beauty.

Additionally, finishes such as satin and matte lip crayons grew by 27% in popularity, thanks to their flattering textures and long-lasting wear. These trends make lip crayons a timely product choice for startups wanting to make an impact.

Top Trending Shades for Lip Crayons (2024-2025)

• Warm Terracotta (#CC7722): This earthy, warm tone is perfect for fall and winter but versatile enough for year-round wear.
• Soft Mauve Nude (#B784A7): A flattering, muted shade that works beautifully across skin tones and seasons.

Choosing shades that appeal to broad demographics while reflecting seasonal color trends enhances your chances of commercial success.

Step 1: Formula Foundations - What Beginners MUST Know

Formulating your lip crayon is arguably the most crucial step. For beginner beauty entrepreneurs, understanding the basics of a vegan lip product formula can save time, money, and stress. Here’s an expert breakdown:

Multi-Use Formulation Benefits

Lip crayons that double as cheek tint or even subtle eyeshadow are trending because they offer consumers simplicity and value. Multi-use formulas require a balance between pigmentation, texture, and safety to ensure they’re gentle enough for all intended application areas.

Key Ingredients to Consider

• Plant-Based Waxes: Candelilla wax and sunflower wax provide structure without animal-derived ingredients like beeswax.
• Moisturizers: Shea butter, jojoba oil, and castor oil give hydration and smooth glide, keeping lips nourished.
• Natural Pigments: Iron oxides, mica, and synthetic organic pigments can be combined for vibrant, stable color that’s vegan-friendly.
• Emollients & Texture Enhancers: Ingredients like caprylic/capric triglyceride maintain a creamy yet non-sticky finish.

Formulation Tips for Cost Efficiency

• Start with semi-matte or satin finishes to avoid costly additives needed for ultra-glossy or velvet textures.
• Use pigment blends instead of pure single-color pigments to reduce costs while achieving rich shades.
• Incorporate natural antioxidants like vitamin E to improve shelf life.

Safety & Compliance

Ensure that all ingredients comply with FDA regulations and that your formula is tested for skin irritation and stability. Vegan certification requires that no animal testing or animal-derived ingredients are used throughout the supply chain.

Formula Foundations Checklist

• Confirm all ingredients have vegan and cruelty-free certification.
• Test formula for multi-use safety on lips, cheeks, and eyes.
• Validate pigment stability under heat, light, and humidity.
• Check for non-sticky, comfortable wear lasting at least 4-6 hours.
• Never skip stability testing!

Step 2: Packaging That Sells - Budget to Luxury Options

Packaging is more than just a container; it’s a storytelling tool that embodies your brand identity and influences purchase decisions. For lip crayons, packaging needs to be both functional and visually appealing, especially when targeting conscious consumers.

Affordable Packaging Options (Under $0.80/Unit)

• Plastic Twist-Up Tubes: Reliable and cost-effective, available in matte or gloss finishes.
• Cardboard Sleeves: Eco-friendly, customizable with vibrant printing, and easy to ship.
• Simple Caps: Clear or colored caps that showcase the product tip.

Premium Packaging Upgrades

• Aluminum or Metalized Casings: Provide a luxurious feel and increased durability.
• Dual-Ended Designs: Combine two complementary shades or lip and cheek crayons.
• Custom Embossing & Foil Stamping: Add a tactile, high-end touch that elevates branding.

Sustainable Packaging Alternatives

Eco-conscious consumers demand sustainability. Consider tubes made from sugarcane bioplastic or recycled ocean plastics, paired with FSC-certified cardboard boxes. These options often carry a slight premium but can be a major selling point and brand differentiator.

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Considerations

MOQs vary widely but typically range from 500 to 1,000 units for custom packaging. Negotiating lower MOQs or opting for semi-custom or stock packaging can significantly reduce upfront investment and risk.

Packaging Checklist

• Assess packaging cost per unit against your product pricing goals.
• Evaluate packaging durability to prevent damage during shipping.
• Confirm eco-friendly certifications if sustainability is a brand pillar.
• Request packaging prototypes before placing bulk orders.
• Consider the unboxing experience as part of your brand storytelling.

Step 3: Color Selection Science - From Pantone to Profit

Color selection is where creativity meets market strategy. Picking the right shades ensures your lip crayon line appeals to a broad audience and remains relevant throughout the seasons.

Building Your Five-Shade Starter Palette

Think of your shades as a capsule wardrobe for lips — each color should be versatile and seasonally adaptable.

• Neutral Base: Pantone 12-1210 TPX (Warm Sand) – perfect for everyday wear and layering.
• Classic Red: Pantone 19-1664 TCX (Fiery Red) – timeless and bold for all skin tones.
• Modern Mauve: Pantone 17-3628 TCX (Lavender Mist) – trendy and flattering for younger demographics.
• Warm Terracotta: Pantone 16-1448 TCX (Spicy Mustard) – seasonal favorite that complements warm skin tones.
• Soft Berry: Pantone 19-2330 TCX (Fig) – great for evening looks and cooler seasons.

Color Matching and Consistency

Using Pantone color references helps maintain consistency across production batches and packaging. Always request color matching services from your manufacturer and approve physical samples before mass production.

Color Strategy Checklist

• Choose shades with broad appeal and seasonal relevance.
• Include at least one bold and one neutral shade.
• Use Pantone codes to ensure color accuracy.
• Test color payoff on different skin tones for inclusivity.
• Consider multi-use functionality when selecting pigments.

Step 4: Cost Control Tactics - Manufacturing Insider Tips

Launching a private label lip crayon line involves many cost factors. Keeping these in check will protect your margins and help you price competitively.

Typical Cost Breakdown at MOQ 500

• Formula & Filling: $1.50 - $2.20 per unit
• Packaging (Standard Plastic Tube): $0.50 - $0.80 per unit
• Labeling & Finishing: $0.20 - $0.40 per unit
• Shipping & Import Fees: $0.30 - $0.60 per unit
• Certification & Testing (One-Time): $500 - $1,500

Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Tooling Fees: Custom molds or packaging designs often require upfront fees ($1,000+).
• Certification Fees: Vegan, cruelty-free, or organic certifications add cost but boost credibility.
• Testing: Stability, safety, and allergen testing are essential and vary in cost by complexity.
• Shipping Delays: Plan for potential delays and extra costs related to logistics.

Budget Control Checklist

• Request detailed quotes including all hidden fees.
• Negotiate MOQs and payment terms to ease cash flow.
• Consider phased product launches to spread costs.
• Choose packaging wisely to balance cost and brand impact.
• Factor in marketing and fulfillment expenses early on.

Manufacturer's Corner: How We Make Lip Crayon Development Painless

Our manufacturing process is designed to guide beauty entrepreneurs from concept to shelf with minimal friction. Here’s how we streamline lip crayon development:

Step-by-Step Collaboration

• Concept Consultation: We help you define your brand vision, target audience, and product goals.
• Formulation & Sampling: Our chemists formulate vegan, multi-use lip crayons tailored to your specifications with fast turnaround on samples.
• Packaging Selection: Access to budget-friendly and premium packaging options with sustainability in mind.
• Color Matching: Pantone-accurate color development and approval process.
• Quality Assurance: Comprehensive stability and safety testing to ensure product reliability.
• Low MOQs: We accommodate startups with MOQs starting at 500 units.

5 Critical Questions to Ask Your Lip Crayon Supplier

• What is your minimum order quantity, and can it be customized?
• Do you provide vegan and cruelty-free certifications for your ingredients and finished products?
• Can you share packaging samples and customization options before ordering?
• What kind of testing and compliance certifications do you support?
• What is your typical production timeline from sample approval to shipment?

Red Flags to Avoid

• Lack of ingredient transparency or refusal to disclose formulations.
• Inflexible MOQs that don’t suit small startups.
• No evidence of vegan or cruelty-free certification.
• Poor communication or inability to provide packaging samples.
• Unclear timelines or vague testing protocols.

Launching your private label lip crayon line can be a game changer for your beauty brand. By focusing on multi-use, vegan formulas, smart packaging choices, trending colors, and savvy budgeting, you position yourself for success in 2025’s competitive marketplace.

Ready to formulate your lip crayon collection? Request our Lip Crayon Starter Kit today and let’s bring your vision to life! Visit our Contact Page to get started.