Improve your brand’s look with custom lipstick labels

Lipstick has always been the centerpiece of the beauty industry, maintaining an unshakable spot in every makeup lover’s collection. With constant innovation and evolving trends, the competition in this segment is fiercer than ever. In such a crowded market, first impressions matter immensely and that impression often begins with your lipstick labels.

Your product’s packaging is not just a protective layer; it’s your brand’s silent ambassador. A well-designed lipstick label communicates elegance, quality, and personality, influencing purchase decisions even before the customer tries the product. A label that lacks creativity or brand alignment can make even the finest lipstick go unnoticed.

In this blog post, we’ll explore:

Why lipstick labels matter for branding and sales
Key elements of an eye-catching lipstick label
Design tips to elevate your packaging game
Trendy styles and printing finishes that attract customers
Practical considerations for durability and compliance

Match Your Lipstick Labels with Your Brand Identity

You’ve probably heard this advice countless times, but what does it actually mean in practice? It means that your lipstick labels should visually and emotionally convey what your brand stands for. Your packaging is an extension of your brand personality, and when done right, it creates instant recognition and trust.

Let’s break it down with a few examples:

1. Affordable, Youth-Oriented Lipsticks

If your target audience is young women looking for affordable, fun, and trendy lipsticks, your labels should reflect that energy. This means:

Vibrant Colors: Bright pinks, corals, neon accents, or pastel shades that scream playfulness.
Bold Fonts: Fun typography that’s easy to read yet stylish.
Glossy Coatings: A shiny finish gives a lively and approachable vibe.
Patterns & Graphics: Think cute illustrations, holographic accents, or funky shapes.

Your lipstick boxes and tube labels should maintain the same visual consistency to reinforce your identity as a brand that’s fun, trendy, and easy to use.

2. Premium or Luxury Lipstick Line

On the other hand, if you’re selling high-end lipsticks, your approach should shift to sophistication and exclusivity. Your labels must whisper elegance before the customer even opens the product. Consider:

Minimalist Design: Simple yet refined layouts, less clutter, more whitespace.
Neutral or Rich Color Palettes: Black, gold, silver, or deep jewel tones.
Matte Coatings: A soft-touch matte finish instantly signals luxury.
Special Printing Techniques: Embossed lettering, foil stamping, or spot UV for a tactile and premium feel.

This communicates luxury, quality, and exclusivity, which aligns perfectly with the premium positioning of your brand.

Why Consistency Matters

Lipstick labels are more than just decorative stickers they are a vital part of your brand storytelling strategy. Every detail, from the font choice to the color scheme, sends a message about your product. If your label design doesn’t align with your brand’s overall identity, it can create mixed signals that confuse customers and weaken brand trust.

Imagine a luxury lipstick brand using bright neon labels or a youth-oriented brand opting for plain black-and-white designs. Such mismatches make customers question your credibility and commitment to quality. Inconsistent branding can even lead to lost sales because customers may not recognize your products on crowded shelves.

When your lipstick labels and boxes maintain visual and thematic consistency, they deliver:

Instant Recognition

Consistent design elements such as logos, colors, and fonts make your products easily recognizable. Customers should be able to identify your lipstick from a distance without reading the brand name.

Emotional Connection

Brand loyalty isn’t built on price alone it thrives on emotional association. When your packaging speaks the same language as your brand values, it creates trust and a sense of familiarity that keeps customers coming back.

Stronger Brand Recall

A cohesive design system strengthens your brand memory. Every time customers see your lipstick label, it reinforces your brand in their minds, increasing the chances of repeat purchases and word-of-mouth referrals.

Professional Brand Image

Uniform and well-thought-out packaging makes your brand appear reliable and professional, whether it’s displayed in retail stores, online marketplaces, or influencer unboxing videos.

Pick the Optimal Size for Your Lipstick Tube Labels

Lipsticks may have a big impact on beauty routines, but they are physically small products and that size limitation creates unique challenges for labeling. Unlike larger packaging, lipstick labels have limited real estate, which means every millimeter counts when balancing design, branding, and compliance requirements.

Why Size Matters in Lipstick Labeling

Choosing the right size for your lipstick tube labels isn’t just about aesthetics it affects:

Brand Visibility: Too small, and your logo or brand name won’t stand out.
Information Placement: Customers need quick access to product name, shade, and essential details.
Compliance: Regulatory information (ingredients, net weight, manufacturer details) must be readable and legally accurate.

If your label is too small, you risk cramming text into tiny spaces, making it unreadable. On the flip side, a label that’s too large may wrinkle, peel, or overlap the lipstick mechanism—leading to a poor customer experience.

Smart Solutions for Limited Space

1. Use Double-Sided Labels

One of the most effective ways to maximize limited space is by using folded or double-sided labels.

Front Side: Highlight your logo, product name, and key brand elements.
Back Side: Include mandatory information like ingredients, net quantity, and manufacturer details.
You can also experiment with contrasting colors on each side for a striking visual effect.

2. Opt for Metalized Labels for Premium Appeal

For luxury lines, metalized labels paired with bold or darker colors create a sophisticated look that immediately signals premium quality.

3. Utilize the Cap Space

Many brands leverage the small round sticker on the lipstick cap to display:

Shade name or number
Brand logo
Color indicator
This makes it easier for customers to identify their favorite shade instantly without opening the tube.

Font Size and Readability

Given the small label size, font selection becomes critical:

Use legible sans-serif fonts for clarity.
Avoid overly decorative typefaces that reduce readability.
Maintain a minimum font size recommended by industry standards (usually around 4-6 pt for small packaging).

Mandatory Information for Lipstick Labels (FDA Guidelines)

The FDA classifies lipstick as a cosmetic product, which means it falls under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). All cosmetic labels, including lipstick, must meet certain standards to ensure consumer safety, transparency, and proper branding. Failure to comply can result in warnings, fines, or even product recalls.

Here’s a breakdown of the required elements:

1. Statement of Identity (Type of Product)

This is the common name of your product, such as “Lipstick,” “Lip Color,” or “Matte Lipstick.”
It must appear on the principal display panel (PDP) the part of the package most likely to be seen by consumers at purchase.
The text should be prominent, clear, and easy to read, using a size proportionate to the PDP.

2. Product Name

This refers to the specific name or shade name of your lipstick (e.g., “Ruby Red,” “Velvet Rose,” or “Mocha Matte”).
Helps consumers identify different variants or shades within your collection.
Keep it consistent across all marketing materials and product packaging.

3. Manufacturer, Packer, or Distributor Details

Include the name and full address of the responsible party (manufacturer, packer, or distributor).
If you choose to list only the city, state, and ZIP code, the street address can be omitted provided your business is listed in a recognized directory (like a phone book or online business directory).
This is essential for traceability and consumer inquiries.

4. Net Quantity of Contents

State the amount of product in the package in both metric (grams) and U.S. customary units (ounces). Example:
“Net Wt. 3.5 g (0.12 oz)”
Must appear on the PDP, usually at the bottom.
The font size should be proportional to the PDP dimensions for visibility and compliance.

5. Full List of Ingredients

List all ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, except:
- Ingredients present at 1% or less can be listed in any order after those above 1%.
- Color additives may be listed in any order after other ingredients.
Use approved cosmetic ingredient names (e.g., INCI names).
Place the ingredient list on the information panel (usually the back or side panel), not on the PDP.

Additional FDA Requirements to Consider

Warning Statements: If your lipstick contains certain ingredients or colors that require warnings (e.g., coal tar colors), include these as per FDA guidelines.
Language: All mandatory labeling information must appear in English (except products marketed only in Puerto Rico or U.S. territories where another language is predominant).
Legibility: The text must be in contrasting colors for readability and in a font that meets minimum size requirements (usually 1/16 inch height for lowercase letters).

The ideal material for lipstick labels

Since it’s all about looks, you should pay great attention to the material of your lip stick labels. The key is to choose a material that will keep the label intact and clean. The lipstick will be carried most likely in a bag. It will also be handled a lot, so the label should stay in place. In case it will be applied in a bathroom or outdoor, it should also be able to face contact with water or changes in temperature. The boxes can offer some protection. However, just like with lip gloss boxes, customers might choose to leave them behind and only carry the product. Make sure the ink on the label doesn’t smudge or transfer to the customer’s hands.

BOPP is an ideal material for lipstick labels. Biaxially-oriented polypropylene has great resistance and can fit any color or shape. All cosmetic labels usually have some kind of lamination.

Lamination can help to increase the resistance of the label, as well as to give it a nice look.

Here are the most popular types of lamination for lipstick tube labels:

Glossy – this laminate will make the label highly reflective. The result is a trendy and fresh look.
Matte – this laminate will make the label non-reflective. The result is an elegant look.
Soft – this laminate will make the label soft to the touch. The result is a premium look, with a nice smooth feeling.

Other ways of making your lip stick labels stand out

Your lipstick labels are a great tool for giving your product a shelf-appeal. We put together a list of other ways to maximize their use.

Include some compelling words

Sometimes, a simple word can make the difference on makeup labels. People tend to be attracted to trying new things, so even having the word “new” on the label can help to grab attention.

You can also add a tag to the lipstick if you don’t have space on the tube. Other words that you could include are “long-lasting”, “waterproof”, “glossy”, “deluxe”.

Pair the label with a box

Pairing the lipstick label with a box can win you extra points at getting that wow effect.

With techniques like embossing, debossing, and foiling, a box can bring a lot of spark to how you market your product.

Stand out with an approachable brand

With products that have been around for a long time, it’s more difficult to come up with something 100% original. However, you can differentiate your brand by using casual language.

It’s a brave move, but approaching your customers with a genuine message they can relate to could win you the sale.

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Get your lipstick labels printed today

Now that you know how to make appealing lipstick labels, it’s time to get to action. Print your labels at newyorkprintinghub, and you will get:

Free glossy or matte laminates for your labels
Free proofing before printing
Free samples

We work with businesses of all sizes, and we have over 29 years of experience. We know the market and understand your needs, so we put together an easy process. Our orders start from as low as 250 pieces, and we will assist you throughout the whole project. We can even help with guidelines for your designer. Walk us through your ideas, and we will get your lipstick labels ready in no time.

Get your quote!