It’s shocking and embarrassing how many lipsticks I own that I literally never wear. Like, never.
So let’s get philosophical for a second: Why invest in a drawer full of not-quite-perfect lipsticks if you can have a shade that’s literally made for you?
That’s where the Bite Beauty Lip Lab in SoHo, New York, comes in. I just got back from there and thought it would be super helpful to do a quick review so you know what to expect if you head in!
I can’t stress this enough: Book ahead of time!
My mixologist told me that they book ahead for weekends especially, so if you’re planning on being in town, or even if you’re a local, it pays to book ahead to reserve your spot. You can do so here. And they’ll even text and email you a reminder!
When you get into Bite Beauty’s SoHo lip lab, you’ll notice right away that it’s a tight space, but it’s super cozy and set up to maximize the experience with barstools facing all the lipstick-making tools… kind of like a chic, minimalistic bar where the staff is on one side and you’re on the other.
You’re assigned a mixologist (not what they called themselves, but I’m calling them that 😉 ), and then you start!
Do you want a your-lips-but-more-vibrant look? Or maybe you want a bold color? You can pick any vibe you want for your final product, and they’ll start there.
I asked for a color that matched my natural lip color, but was a little punched up. The thought is that I want to be able to wear it to school pickup and around for daily errands to look polished, but not too “done.”
I was assigned an awesome woman named Sarah who is a makeup artist and was so knowledgeable! Just so you know, everyone they hire at Bite Beauty Lip Lab has to have a background in color theory, so they understand the basics of mixing colors. I just love that you’re in the hands of someone who truly understands how to make what you’re looking for.
Your mixologist will give you a swipe of Bite Beauty’s sugar scrub to get rid of any dead skin that might be on your lips, then a swipe of their Agave Lip Mask, which will give you a quick shot of moisture. And then it’s off to your first decision of the customized lipstick process… the texture.
The options are matte, satin, luminous and sheer. I wanted a creamy, moisturizing feel as well as full coverage, so I went for satin.
Now this is when it gets fun!
You get to see your mixologist put together colors to make your shade, one option at a time.
The pigments are in pots right in front of you, so if one catches your eye—the bright violets did for me—you can ask your technician to include them in your formula to see where it takes it!
We started off with nudes—shades 1, 2, 3 and 4 below—and even though I thought I wanted a more natural color, I just had to try some bolder options with that incredible violet shade, so Sarah whipped them up for me! They’re options 5 and 6 below.
You try each customized shade on as they’re made, wiping off the color in between tests with micellar water and a cotton round.
Can you guess which one I with?!
I have to say, I was so tempted to pick one of the vibrant shades, because I just loved the way they popped, but in the end I stuck with my first instinct, which was to stay in a more neutral shade range so I could really get some wear out of it.Shade 2 was my pick–the one on the top right.
…because what customized lipstick would be totally custom without the option to pick how it smells?!
The options are cherry, citrus mango, lime, violet, vanilla, wild berry, coconut, mint and fresh citrus. Violet was my pick here.
The final customizable option is what you want to engraved on the cap. Sarah told me the cap can easily fit 5-6 letters, but much more than that and it starts looking crunched.After toying with ideas like “Badass Bitch,” or “Don’t Talk to Me While I’m PMS’ing,” I went with… “Sonni.” Because, you know, simplicity.
After taking into account all of your personalized picks, the lip lab tech now mixes the final formula, puts it into a bullet mold, chills it, and then drops it into the lipstick tube.
This whole process takes about 10 minutes, and it’s super fun to watch. And that’s it! You get your fresh, perfect-shade lipstick in a cute little shopping bag, and better yet, the information on your shade is stored in their system, so that when you run out, you can call or email their store and have another one made.
Sarah did say—and I agree—that it’s a good idea to take a picture of your mixing sheet, which has all the color info, just in case something happens to their system and the information gets lost.
When everything is rung up, it was around $65.
Expensive for lipstick? Maybe. But knowing I have a shade I will always reach for because it’s literally made for me? Worth it.
I would absolutely recommend this experience to any beauty junkie out there! The whole thing takes about an hour, and it’s enjoyable from end to end. And the souvenir you walk away with in the end, not so bad either.Have you tried the Bite Beauty Lip Lab? If not, would you?
Let me know your thoughts in or any questions you might have in Comments, below!
If you’re launching a lip gloss brand or expanding your cosmetic company to include gorgeous glosses, it’s important to source high-quality cosmetic containers that protect and show off the quality inside. Lip gloss tubes are more than just a functional necessity – they are the core of your customer’s first impression. Cheap-looking lip gloss packaging or a messy, leaking tube can instantly ruin a buyer’s experience, regardless of whether or not they like the gloss itself.
This comprehensive guide is filled with essential questions and insider tips to help you determine your brand’s unique style and find the right packaging partner.
Tubes are the most common packaging choice, but it’s not the only option. If you’re creating a thicker, more balm-like lip gloss formula with firm beeswax or shea butter, you might want to consider a jar! Jars are also an option for highly-pigmented glosses that need to be applied with a specialized makeup brush. For the rest of the guide, let’s assume that you’re choosing traditional tube packaging.
Some wholesale suppliers of lip gloss containers offer a wide range of size options, but 3ml is standard for empty lip gloss tubes. Also, you should consider if you need tester and sample-sized tubes. Ask your packaging partner if they can do both.
Both style options have their perks! Pigmented and iridescent lip gloss formulas typically look best in clear tubes because it makes it easier to compare colors and see shimmer. Frosted tubes add a level of luxurious sophistication and look stunning with lighter or non-pigmented glosses.
The packaging that you choose should reflect the core personality of your brand. The classic tube is designed that way for a reason – it allows customers to access the maximum amount of product and offers a compact, travel-friendly design. However, if you’re launching an off-beat, avant-garde lip gloss brand, you might prefer to break away from the norm with a uniquely molded bottle shape.
Most lip gloss brands choose neutral colors like black, silver, and gold to support the unique color and shine of the formula inside. A matte cap adds a modern sense of contrast, whereas a shiny cap reinforces the reflective, glossy finish!
A ‘doe foot’ applicator is the industry standard for lip gloss containers, and it has an easy-to-use contoured shape that your customers are already used to. Some suppliers offer different kinds of applicator shapes and styles, but the material quality is often most important to consumers. For clean application, look for a durable applicator that is made with synthetic hytrel and natural fibers.
If convenience is your top priority, you may want to find a supplier that offers in-house design and printing for a one-stop-shop, but it will come at a price. You are more likely to find better wholesale prices by working with separate tube suppliers and printers. Enjoy both affordable packaging and convenience by asking your supplier if they can ship directly to the label silk-screen company!
This one is a no-brainer, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Unfortunately, some cheap suppliers cut costs too low to support quality. Run tests before launch with a variety of different formulas and tubes at different temperatures to make sure that your products never leak, spill, or risk contamination once they’re in the hands of your customers.
Minimum order quantities (MOQ) are fairly common in the industry, but it’s more difficult to make packaging changes, fulfill last-minute orders, and boost stock in small batches. Look for a supplier with no MOQ so that you have flexibility to purchase what you need, when you need it. This also allows you to purchase low-cost samples for testing before committing to a large order.
Fast shipping times and clear communication are essential, especially during the launch phase of your lip gloss brand! While comparing cost-effective, high-quality packaging options that fit your brand style, you should also consider the supplier’s native language, time zone, and shipping speed. For domestic suppliers, you shouldn’t accept anything longer than 24-48-hour order fulfillment!