{"id":115,"date":"2020-02-03T21:30:26","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T21:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/how-to-ship-makeup\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T20:10:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T20:10:06","slug":"how-to-ship-makeup","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/how-to-ship-makeup\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips to Help You Pack and Ship Makeup and Cosmetics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Shipping makeup has its challenges<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 tips when shipping makeup<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How a 3PL can help you scale your online makeup brand<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scale your brand faster with ShipBob<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping cosmetics & makeup FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What do you want to learn?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Way To Ship Makeup<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Why Makeup Brands Outsource Shipping<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Request Fulfilment Pricing from ShipBob<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Key Takeaways<\/h2><\/span><\/div>
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1<\/p><\/div>

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Shipping makeup presents challenges due to product fragility, varying shelf lives, and strict international regulations on certain ingredients.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2<\/p><\/div>

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Proper packaging, including multiple layers of protective material and leak-proof containers, is essential to prevent damage during transit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3<\/p><\/div>

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Understanding carrier-specific rules and the ingredients in your products helps ensure compliance and safe delivery, especially for items with restricted or hazardous components.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4<\/p><\/div>

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Partnering with a third-party logistics provider can streamline fulfilment, offer faster shipping options, and support brand growth through scalable warehousing and international shipping solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

DTC makeup<\/a> and other types of beauty products are taking over the globe. In fact, <\/span>52%<\/span><\/a> of online shoppers said they have purchased a beauty product from a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand in the past. This goes to show there is high demand for independent online beauty brands<\/a>. But even with so much opportunity, there are challenges \u2014 especially when it comes to shipping delicate makeup products. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll go over the challenges and best practices of shipping makeup. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping makeup has its challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cosmetics come in both liquid and solid form, as well as different types of containers from plastic to glass. Depending on the type of makeup and the container it comes in, some makeup products are more challenging to ship than other less breakable items. Here are three reasons why makeup can be difficult to ship. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelf life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to popular belief, makeup <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> expire. Although makeup doesn\u2019t always come with a \u201cbest by\u201d date, they do expire at some point. Unopened, foundations and mascara last up to three years and lipsticks can last up to five. From ingredients to environment, there are so many different factors that determine the shelf life of makeup products. One important factor to keep in mind is if you\u2019re selling organic or natural makeup products, the shelf life is significantly shorter. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fragile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s the makeup itself (e.g., powders) or the container (e.g., glass or easily broken plastics), makeup products tend to be extremely fragile shipments<\/a>. Some makeup products even come with small, delicate pieces like applicators that can easily break. Before you ship a product, consider ways to provide extra protection. A little bit of tape to keep makeup containers sealed shut or an applicator in place goes a long way. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping internationally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many DTC makeup brands have found success by going global. If you\u2019re looking to ship cosmetics internationally, be aware of any limitations. For instance, alcohol-based fragrances are considered hazardous materials<\/a> and cannot be shipped by air without certification. <\/span>
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain makeup ingredients may also be banned in certain locations around the world. ShipBob has fulfilment centres in multiple countries and can help with international fulfilment<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 tips when shipping makeup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is worse than receiving an order in the mail that you\u2019re excited about only to find that it\u2019s been damaged. Here are six tips on how to ship makeup orders to your customers safely. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Wrap it!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pack makeup in dunnage, bubble wrap, a shipping box, or other leak-proof packaging material to protect it from any shock damage while it\u2019s being shipped. For more fragile items like pressed powders or eyeshadows, make sure to wrap it at least four times \u2014 the more padding the better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Stick with high-quality warehousing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A high-quality, well-organised warehouse will ensure your products are stored in a safe and secure place. Many tech-enabled third-party logistics (3PL) companies offer multiple warehousing<\/a> locations so you can store your inventory closest to your customers, also known as distributed inventory. That way, an order can reach its destination faster, which lowers the chance of any damage during shipping. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Opt for insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From loose pigments to small pieces like eyeshadow palette applicators, makeup is highly prone to <\/span>shipping damage<\/span><\/a>. Even if you prepare the order properly before shipping, anything can happen while it\u2019s being shipped via truck, rail, or air \u2014 especially if it has a long way to go before it reaches its destination. Most of the time it is out of your control, so opting in for <\/span>shipping insurance<\/span><\/a> to protect your shipments is worth the extra cost.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Add package fillers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adding extra <\/span>dunnage<\/span><\/a> can help keep your product in place, especially if it\u2019s a fairly small makeup item. Kraft paper is a cheap, <\/span>eco-friendly option<\/span><\/a> and can help protect your package from movement. You can also consider packing peanuts. For makeup products that come in liquid form or loose pigments, and you\u2019re hearing customers complain about damaged shipments, it may be beneficial to wrap your products in a small plastic bag to avoid it from spilling. This will also add extra protection from humidity or moisture. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Know the ingredients of your product<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Understanding what ingredients are in your product will help you decipher if it will ship safely and comply with carrier regulations. By knowing what your makeup products are made of, you\u2019ll avoid the possibility of your products melting in a hot warehouse or finding out it\u2019s not allowed to ship to certain locations, especially internationally (e.g., makeup with CBD or alcohol-based products). <\/span>
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6. Understand different carrier rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Major shipping couriers including USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL have their own set of rules when it comes to shipping makeup, especially any that may contain flammable liquids. Be sure to read through your shipping carrier\u2019s rules and guidelines beforehand to ensure your products ship on time without any issues. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How a 3PL can help you scale your online makeup brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shipping makeup can be a challenge and it can take up a lot of your time as you build your business. Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to figure it all out on your own. Partnering with a <\/span>3PL<\/span><\/a> can help ensure your products are fulfilled and shipped properly while saving you time and money. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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