![How to plan and track the budget of your makeup brand [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-4_336189a1-dad3-40b7-972a-db324bc8e161.png?v=1715856424&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your makeup brand's budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for makeup brand owners, we saw a lot of entrepreneurs struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial sales.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your makeup brand's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for makeup brands
Most makeup brand founders don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for makeup brands
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a makeup brand, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for office and production space | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for production and office | $600 | $7,200 |
| Water | Water usage for production | $150 | $1,800 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $200 | $2,400 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $100 | $1,200 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $400 | $4,800 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Developer | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Production Staff | 3 | $2,500 | $7,500 | $90,000 |
| Customer Service | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Warehouse Staff | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Manager | 1 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $54,000 |
3. Product & Packaging Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Materials | Ingredients for makeup products | $8,000 | $96,000 |
| Packaging | Bottles, boxes, labels, etc. | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Shipping Supplies | Boxes, tape, packing materials | $500 | $6,000 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Sanitizers, cleaning agents | $200 | $2,400 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, printer ink, etc. | $150 | $1,800 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $600 | $7,200 |
| Influencer Collaborations | Partnerships with beauty influencers | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $150 | $1,800 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $200 | $2,400 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $300 | $3,600 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of production equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and protective gear | $150 | $1,800 |
| Licenses & Permits | Health permits, business licenses, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $200 | $2,400 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
Some makeup brands make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best makeup brands in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a makeup brand?
Watch out for these pitfalls. Here are five major costs every makeup brand owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them wisely.
- Raw material and ingredient costsThese can take up a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with ingredients that can vary in price based on seasonality, supply chain issues, and quality. To keep these costs in check, focus on bulk purchasing, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for high-end ingredients that don’t add enough value to your products.
- Your teamYour team is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be expensive. This cost is always high because you need skilled employees to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your team, as this can lead to high turnover and poor morale.
- Rent and utilities of your workspacePrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more customers and talent. Utilities like electricity, water, and heating are essential but add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too big or too fancy for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your makeup brand, but advertising can be pricey, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we give in our pack. Overspending can happen if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Packaging and product development costsThis includes everything from product containers to the design and formulation of new products. These are expensive because quality packaging and innovative products are crucial for customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Optimize by investing in durable, eco-friendly packaging and maintaining a streamlined product development process. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech packaging solutions you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your makeup brand?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a makeup brand owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Raw Materials | Partner with local suppliers for high-quality, sustainable ingredients at competitive prices. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install energy-efficient lighting and equipment in your production facility. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your makeup brand and collaborate with beauty influencers for free exposure. |
| Packaging | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts for customers who return containers for recycling. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular equipment checks and servicing. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Product Development | Conduct market research to focus on high-demand products and streamline your product line. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle excess materials. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional production equipment and utilize management software for inventory and orders. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital order systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Product Testing | Partner with certified labs for cost-effective testing and ensure compliance with safety standards. |
| Customer Service | Use a CRM system to manage customer interactions and improve service efficiency. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
Copy the tactics of the best makeup brands in the world!
There are makeup brands that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a makeup brand
Yes, some expenses for your makeup brand are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or enhancing customer satisfaction.
| Makeup Brand Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Luxurious Packaging | Overly extravagant packaging doesn't necessarily attract more customers and can be a drain on the budget. |
| High-End Celebrity Endorsements | Unless you are a luxury brand, most customers are satisfied with influencers or micro-influencers. |
| Excessive Product Lines | A large product range increases inventory costs and leads to more unsold stock. |
| Top-Tier Manufacturing Equipment | State-of-the-art manufacturing equipment is not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Print Advertising | Traditional print ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your makeup brand. |
| Multiple Packaging Designs | Having various packaging designs increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for industry reports or magazines often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Ingredients | Using rare ingredients can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Store Fixtures | High-end store fixtures are not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Bags | Personalized shopping bags are a minor detail that most customers overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most customers are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Delivery Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Store Redesigns | Constantly updating store decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Store Displays | Elaborate store displays are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Product Containers | Luxury product containers are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Product Designs | Frequently redesigning products is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Event Equipment | Specialized event equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your makeup brand!
Managing a budget for a makeup brand when funds are tight can feel overwhelming. It's like being trapped in a cycle where any unexpected expense can throw you off balance.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth initiatives, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, pinching pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more flexibility and more resources to invest in your brand.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend a lot to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of makeup brands just like yours. Get them now!
Make your makeup brand more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best makeup brands in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
