Heya! My name is Ellie Johnson and I am a highschool student who is trying to start a makeup brand. The first product I want to create is a lip and cheek tint. Everyone I know is quite uninterested so I was hoping if anyone here would help me with some feedback on some questions I have!
Here is a list of my top 15 questions and if you think of anything else I would love to hear it!
1. How important is it to you that a product is hypoallergenic, or dermatologically tested?
2. What skin concerns or sensitivities do you have when choosing makeup products?
3. When it comes to lip and cheek products, do you prefer a natural finish, a dewy finish, or a matte finish?
4. How much time do you typically spend on your makeup routine for lips and cheeks?
5. What type of applicator do you prefer for lip and cheek products?
“Hypoallergenic” doesn’t really mean anything in cosmetics since (in the US) products should go through some level of safety testing anyway. Also, anyone can be allergic to nearly any ingredient. It’s hard to claim any product won’t cause an allergic reaction for anyone. So I completely ignore the word “hypoallergenic.”
“Dermatologically tested” is also meaningless to me, just like “ophthalmologist tested” on eye makeup and eye care products. All that tells me is a doctor oversaw (or was otherwise involved in) testing a product. It doesn’t mean a doctor approved the product. Plus, the tests are often very small (under 20 test subjects) and not monitored—meaning, test subjects just self-reported their results within a short timeframe, instead of having a test team member evaluate their skin for results. Heck, I can go grab 10 of my neighbors today, watch them apply a body lotion, have them write down their results, and then claim that lotion is “WinglessOne tested.” 😂
2. What skin concerns or sensitivities do you have when choosing makeup products?
My skin is quite reactive/inflammation-prone, and certain ingredients trigger bad reactions. I try to avoid all forms of lavender (oil, extract, water), for instance. And since I have mostly-dry combo skin, I need makeup products to play nice with my dry and oily areas. Oh, and I’m migraine-prone, so I generally avoid heavily floral fragranced makeup.
3. When it comes to lip and cheek products, do you prefer a natural finish, a dewy finish, or a matte finish?
Lip: natural, satin/cream, semi-matte, dewy, and glossy are my favorites. Straight-up matte is fine once in a while.
Cheek: my fave finish is natural, but I also love a good matte or dewy blush.
4. How much time do you typically spend on your makeup routine for lips and cheeks?
Lips: 5 minutes tops, unless I’m doing a multi-color ombre look (3+ different lipsticks) that may need a couple extra minutes for proper blending.
Cheeks: another 5 minutes, though this depends on the blush. Some blushes need building up, or I might layer 2 blushes.
5. What type of applicator do you prefer for lip and cheek products? (Doe-foot applicator, Stick, Squeeze tube, Brush, Finger application, Other?)
Lip: I prefer bullet lipsticks and I apply them straight from the bullet. I do also love liquid lipsticks (liquid cream/satins, glosses, and even a few mattes); for those, I like a doe foot applicator but will sometimes use a lip brush instead. If I need to blend 2+ lipstick shades on my lips, I use a lip brush.
Cheek: brush is my favorite, but I’ll also use my fingers for certain cream blushes.
6. When using a lip and cheek tint, do you want the product to be multi-purpose, or do you prefer separate products for lips and cheeks?
I prefer separate products for sanitary reasons. But I can safely use a multi-purpose product by applying some of it to the back of my clean hand or a makeup palette, and then using a brush or fingers to apply from my hand/palette to either lips or cheeks. That’s how I use Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix - Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment Matcha (can’t tag product without randomly selecting a shade) in multiple places on my face, including my eyes.
7. What’s your ideal packaging design for a lip and cheek tint? (Compact, Sleek, Eco-friendly, Travel-friendly, Luxury-style, Fun and colorful, Minimalist, Other or combination?)
I care far more about the product inside the component/packaging than the component itself. Well, except when it comes to usability design—not how pretty/luxe/colorful the component is, but how easily functional it is. I’ll drop the rest of my long answer in a spoiler:
I’m a big supporter of accessible makeup components, partly because I have some usability design experience. Also because several of my loved ones have illnesses that affect their ability to open/close, hold, and apply cosmetics; I’ve watched them struggle with it. And there are just day-to-day annoyances that some components have, even for able-bodied folks.
Example: I hate the Westman Atelier Lip Suede Hydrating Matte Lipstick with Hyaluronic Acid component because it’s too big and completely smooth and rounded (hard to hold for many folks with limited hand strength/dexterity), plus the lipstick’s not easy to twist up. The lipstick formula itself is stellar, so it’s a shame it’s housed in that case. Another component that drives me nuts is GUERLAIN Rouge G Refillable Lipstick Case - Limited Edition Embrasse-moi ! (any design; I can only tag this LE one): it’s big, heavy, and clunky, and the mirror pops open (and stays open) whenever the bullet’s pulled out. I only have one Rouge G case and very rarely use it. Thank goodness the refills are usable without the case.
By comparison, the NARS Explicit Refillable Satin Lipstick component’s better: it’s also round but not as big; the raised NARS logo on one side offers some texture that makes the component easier to grip and hold onto; and the lipstick inside is easy to twist up. Lisa Eldridge’s new Rouge Experience lipstick component has ridges all the way around, and though it’s weighted, it’s doesn’t feel clunky.
8. Would you prefer packaging that’s clear (so you can see how much product is left) or opaque?
Eh, clear would be nice for liquid products… even if it’s not a fully clear component, just a window on the side would be helpful. For solid products like bullet lipsticks, I’m a big fan of clear caps: I’ve bought many for my MAC, ColourPop, and Bite bullet lipsticks. That’s really more for seeing which color a lipstick is, though. (I have hundreds of bullets arranged by color, so it’s nice to be able to see the color I’m after.)
9. How do you feel about refillable packaging for cosmetics?
I LOVE refillable packaging to reduce waste and consumer cost, with 2 caveats:
Refill is usable without the case/component - I mentioned the Guerlain Rouge G lipsticks earlier, which can be used without the fancy case (refills come with a simple plastic cap).
All or most available shades are also available as refills - here’s where I’ll ding NARS and their Explicit lipstick. So few shades are available as refills, NARS might as well have not made this lipstick refillable in the first place.
10. What types of ingredients do you avoid in makeup or skincare products?
All forms of lavender (oil, extract, water); that stuff is my facial skin’s nemesis. Also: nearly all essential oils, too many fragrance components (limonene, linalool, etc.) in a single product, anything with a prominent scent that may trigger a headache or migraine, and I don’t like “plumping” ingredients like capsicum and menthol/mint.
11. What would make you more likely to try a new makeup product for lips and cheeks? (Positive reviews, Influencer recommendations, Price, Sample size, Unique features, Packaging design, etc.)
Honest meaningful reviews (positive and negative), samples to try, an interesting INCI list + marketing claims (I usually check to see if a product contains ingredients that support the marketing claims) that doesn’t contain ingredients I can’t use, and ideally no “clean beauty” marketing. The only “influencers” whose feedback really matters to me are my fellow BICers, plus friends outside BIC and family members—folks I personally know and trust.
12. What brands do you currently trust for lip and cheek products?
Lip: MAC, Lisa Eldridge, NARS, Pat McGrath, Fenty, Gucci, and (for the most part) Dior.
Cheek: NARS (even though they recently reformulated their powder blush), Patrick Ta, Phytosurgence, BASMA, and LYS.
13. How important is it to you that makeup products are free from artificial fragrances?
The natural vs. artificial/synthetic fragrance debate is kinda pointless to me. From a product formulation perspective, synthetic fragrances are generally more reliable than natural, and most of them originate from natural sources anyway. For me personally, I don’t want certain scents in my makeup that may trigger headaches or migraines, like sharp floral scents, whether they’re synthetic or natural.
14. Would you prefer a tint that’s oil-free or one that contains natural oils (like jojoba, argan, or almond oil) for hydration?
My dry lips do like oils in lip products, and not just natural oils: squalane can be natural or synthetic, and both types are a very good moisturizer. For cheek products though, I don’t always want oil involved, even though my cheeks are dry skin. I don’t rely on makeup to act as skincare, so my cheeks will already have plenty of hydrating and moisturizing products on ‘em before I apply blush anyway.
15. How likely are you to purchase a product from a brand that is highly transparent about its ingredients?
Depends on what you mean by “highly transparent about ingredients.” In the US, all brands have to follow the INCI standard and shouldn’t leave things out of their ingredient lists. But the FDA doesn’t make brands call out specific fragrance ingredients/components like the EU does; brands can just use the word “fragrance” as an umbrella for all that stuff on their INCI lists. I highly doubt big brands will ever list out each fragrance component since they consider that a trade secret.
Other than that though, I’m not sure there’s anything brands aren’t already transparent about in terms of ingredients, at least here in the US. EDIT: I did just think of something, but it’s more to do with skincare than makeup. Some brands refuse to state the % of certain active ingredients used in their products, claiming it’s a trade secret. That info can help those of us with sensitive/reactive skin ensure we’re not overdoing things. I can’t think of an example of this in makeup though.
1. How important is it to you that a product is hypoallergenic, or dermatologically tested? Not that important, like it should be tested for safety, but I look at "hypoallergenic" that same way I look at "free ranged" - marketing terms.
2. What skin concerns or sensitivities do you have when choosing makeup products? Whether or not I'll react to it, but that's a gamble with most products.
3. When it comes to lip and cheek products, do you prefer a natural finish, a dewy finish, or a matte finish? Matte.
4. How much time do you typically spend on your makeup routine for lips and cheeks? Varies for cheeks, lips might be 10 minutes daily, that's taking lip prep and reapplying, which is fairly quick. Cheeks might be the same time, but if I touch up, maybe 15-20 minutes.
5. What type of applicator do you prefer for lip and cheek products?
(Doe-foot applicator, Stick, Squeeze tube, Brush, Finger application, Other?) Lip - stick, pencil or doe-foot. I do like brushes, but they tend to get bent out of shape being pulled in and out of a tube. I don't like fingers for lip products, I'll blot with them, but I prefer not to use my fingers for initial application. Cheek - powder, stick, fingers, sponge - I use them all. But, I like using brushes with cheek products THE MOST.
6. When using a lip and cheek tint, do you want the product to be multi-purpose, or do you prefer separate products for lips and cheeks? Depends on the product, but having the option for both is nice.
7. What’s your ideal packaging design for a lip and cheek tint?
(Compact, Sleek, Eco-friendly, Travel-friendly, Luxury-style, Fun and colorful, Minimalist, Other or combination?) Lux! Or anything with cool or different packaging, for example, BASMA The Cream Blush , I like the way it opens.
8. Would you prefer packaging that’s clear (so you can see how much product is left) or opaque? A little window is helpful.
9. How do you feel about refillable packaging for cosmetics? Love it.
10. What types of ingredients do you avoid in makeup or skincare products? Vitamin C in high percentages breaks me out, salicylic acid, too.
11. What would make you more likely to try a new makeup product for lips and cheeks?
(Positive reviews, Influencer recommendations, Price, Sample size, Unique features, Packaging design, etc.) Price, sampling, unique features, if someone on here (BIC) loves it.
12. What brands do you currently trust for lip and cheek products? Nars! Fenty (the powder one is a nah, but all other products are gems). Dior!
13. How important is it to you that makeup products are free from artificial fragrances? Fairly important, fragrances can be really triggering for folks, most of the time I am okay but I feel bad if something I love gives other people migraines.
14. Would you prefer a tint that’s oil-free or one that contains natural oils (like jojoba, argan, or almond oil) for hydration? Natural oils.
15. How likely are you to purchase a product from a brand that is highly transparent about its ingredients?Likely, transparency is important.
1. How important is it to you that a product is hypoallergenic, or dermatologically tested? Pretty important. This ensures the product is safe for the majority of people.
2. What skin concerns or sensitivities do you have when choosing makeup products? fine lines
3. When it comes to lip and cheek products, do you prefer a natural finish, a dewy finish, or a matte finish? I enjoy all finishes depending on the day,but natural is always safe.
4. How much time do you typically spend on your makeup routine for lips and cheeks? 10 -15 minutes
5. What type of applicator do you prefer for lip and cheek products?
(Doe-foot applicator, Stick, Squeeze tube, Brush, Finger application, Other?) makeup brush for lips, brush or sponge for cheeks.
6. When using a lip and cheek tint, do you want the product to be multi-purpose, or do you prefer separate products for lips and cheeks? I don’t tend to use multi purpose products on my lips. If it is moisturizing enough for my lips it’s too greasy for my cheeks. And if it’s just right for my cheeks it’s going to be drying on my lips. Plus going from lips to cheek is a recipe for breakouts without proper sanitation.
7. What’s your ideal packaging design for a lip and cheek tint?
(Compact, Sleek, Eco-friendly, Travel-friendly, Luxury-style, Fun and colorful, Minimalist, Other or combination?)
A pot or pan with a spatula that’s not meant to be used directly on my face.
8. Would you prefer packaging that’s clear (so you can see how much product is left) or opaque?
Opaque for liquids and creams as light will make them expire more quickly.
9. How do you feel about refillable packaging for cosmetics?
I’ve never actually refilled anything beyond luxury cases.
10. What types of ingredients do you avoid in makeup or skincare products?
I don’t pay too much attention 11. What would make you more likely to try a new makeup product for lips and cheeks?
12. What brands do you currently trust for lip and cheek products?
Danessa Myricks, MakeUpForever
13. How important is it to you that makeup products are free from artificial fragrances?
Not important
14. Would you prefer a tint that’s oil-free or one that contains natural oils (like jojoba, argan, or almond oil) for hydration?
it depends on what kind of makeup I’m applying.
15. How likely are you to purchase a product from a brand that is highly transparent about its ingredients? makeup is transparent and does contain ingredients so likely?
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