What Happened To The Indie Makeup Community?

Let's get ready and chat about how the indie makeup community changed, what I have seen these past 7 years. What happened to the indie makeup community?

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Check out this related video:
What Really Is Private Labeling? (and why is it not necessary bad)

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[foxwaffles]

As an illustrator, never ever take work for free, to all clients never ask for work for free, and to all creators never accept a gig for free. You can't eat product, you can't pay your bills in exposure. We all need to participate in the normalization of compensation for work in the form of actual money.

Obvious disclaimer that there are many instances of charitable causes where people do wonderful work for free but that's different 😮‍💨

[laurahall]

I have video idea. "Same look, two pallets" Here's my thought process. Sometimes I see looks that want to recreate, but I don't have the pallet or money to buy. So I'd love to see the look just similar with another pallet. I know that could be tough.

[veronicahayes]

I agree. Some Indy brands are rude in the comments to their customers. I never think it’s ok for anyone to work for free. Brands should never ask that.

[peachesxsan]

as an owner of many indie palettes...these days it seems to me that the formulas and the colors of many palettes across brands are VERY similar. so many squishy duochromes and multichromes....makes me wonder what brands are actually unique and innovative. if i buy another indie palette, is it just going to be the same as all the others?

[lyndseymoye]

What makes me mad is when an Indie Brand sales an item as “in stock” and then it isn’t shipped for literal MONTHS!!! Domestic brands!!Ya my get my money once but ya won’t again!

[emilymakescoffee]

As someone who has worked in private labeling for other industries, there are really good things that private label companies can assist with. They can reduce costs in components, expedite distribution, ensure higher levels of safety (documentation, etc), and have high levels of quality control. For instance, if a facility manufactures for Costco (kirkland brand) they have to meet exceedingly high safety and quality control measures. Every product manufactured in that facility benefits from that level of scrutiny and expertise. I think a lot of people don’t understand the private labeling process and the pros/cons of that system. For some, it could be the right choice. Not all, but certainly some.

[killerfreckles]

I feel like Unearthly Cosmetics in particular is beloved by influencers because they are very good at sending Influencers their new palettes before launch to hype. But their customers who actually pay for the palettes have a very different experience with their orders taking a month to arrive to customers who live in the same country. If a customer complains about this absurd turn around time you are told just to suck it up because they are only a two man show. But it’s like - no that’s not good business. Fix it. Stop making new palette after new palette and focus on improving your turn around time!

[jennteal]

Something I really appreciate about Amanda from Unearthly is she really does seem to really care about what she's doing, enjoys the interaction and takes criticism really well. There's a reason I have so many of her company's items.

[NaomiDollxoxo]

Ok so as someone launching my indie beauty brand I appreciate this bc I have a bone to pick with Etsy makeup brands….if you order products from a lab, you cannot label the products handmade. They almost all do. Please look. You’ll see. So people like myself that do handmade things are put at a comparison that is absolutely not the same & it reflects in reviews when people don’t understand they have bought private label prior and compare to handmade. Handmade is truly made with love. The mixing, the blends, the passion that goes into handmade is incomparable and I have the upmost respect for brands being honest about this. I’m not saying I don’t have appreciation for private label indie brands, I just wish the boom of private label were more honest about this as well as the preorder for private labeling

[mymagicemily]

I never even thought about the preorder system that way. That if brands aren't testing the shipping process, there's no way to know if your products will even survive the commute to the consumer which then causes so many more issues for consumers.

[jacquelinealbin]

I've also seen some new indie brands that steal pictures/art, sometimes not even done using their products! I saw an ad for one handmade company... Using pictures of influencers who clearly weren't using their products since they only had like 4 shades made as single testers! It doesn't take somebody with a business or law degree to know that you just... Don't do that. 😬

[ccchic]

Indy brands that go radio silent about restocks or questions is my pet peeve. They will be promoting products (sometimes those are out of stock too)on social media and ❤ things they like but won’t answer a question about a shade color or formula, for example.

[blendofdays]

You're dead on! There are even manufacturers that have a moq of 50 palettes! That's incredible! There are loads of indie brands now who do pre orders, take the money, then buy the product, then ship out once they have the product in hand & I think it's okay to start out that way but to continue on that way for YEARS? STOP.

[kalliepetersonkikibright]

Pay for PR sounds like some MLM bs. Yikes!

[beautybubble]

I just had a horrible experience with an indie brand, I purchased a palette back in December and never got it. I emailed them numerous times and she always said next month we will ship, we are a small indie brand and are trying to catch up. As of now I am not able to get my money back from my bank it has been too long. 😡 I messaged them many times in Instagram and nothing. She then posted saying to all customers that if wanted a refund text her and we will receive the refund and of course Many people including myself have reported them to the BBB. I have to just forget about getting money back. It is so evil, many of us work hard to sometimes spoil ourselves. They have changed their name on Instagram and they will not allow comments. Anyhow thank you for all your content. 💕

[moot.aesthetik]

People see the massive profit margins, as private label makeup can be dirt cheap (e.g. $6.00 palette that can be sold for $50.00.) Now everyone has a brand. Many lack a vision, good customer service, and quality products. It's funny when you see the same palette sold by multiple brands who just slap a different sticker on it.

And customer service varies wildly. I had just had an experience with a brand who ignored a DM I sent on a product I wanted to purchase. At least a week or two later, I commented on a post about it and they chose to delete the comment rather than acknowledge someone WHO IS TRYING TO SPEND MONEY ON THEIR PRODUCTS!

[micheller]

What has been making me crazy lately is when makeup brands do all kind of sneak peeks of products that are coming but then don't follow up with great swatches or people trying the products before they are released, . I want to see all the products swatched and be able to view them up close and not having to hunt to find that is so helpful. I have to plan ahead to know which launches I want to purchase and when to log in for the sale. This is even more important to me at holidays when I may be shopping for gifts.

[charmedbymeghan]

Personally I don't mind a preorder. BUT I also would love to see the REAL palette and swatches beforehand. Not some computer mock-up. I also prefer to see Influencers swatches beforehand too.

[antoniac]

Completely agree with you regarding the "brand ambassador" bit. People need to demand that they be paid for their work. That is time that you could have spent doing something else, so get paid for it. I used to bartend when I was in my 20s. I've never been a physically attractive person, so I didn't pursue those "brand girl" gigs. However, I always insisted on being paid if some distributor wanted me to wear their t-shirt for whatever thing they were promoting. Nope, I won't wear that for free. I could be wearing something I actually like lol. They'd give me money too even if I am ugly.

[vsprsgdby]

I admire her ability to do her face makeup and lipstick before her eyeshadow. My face would be a mess if I did that and I go through 6 different lipsticks before I choose the one I want to use 😂😂 ETA: This video made me realize how much I miss Shiro Cosmetics 😭 I still have a bit of their eyeshadows left (I don’t use them though lol) because I can’t bring myself to throw them out. They were so good and had colors no one else was doing at the time. 😭