The Difference Between ODM and OEM Makeup Brushes

Most product lines don’t have in-house production units. So they source their products from different manufacturers or suppliers.
Sourcing makeup brushes or even general products requires studying the difference between Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
ODM manufacturers have generic products which they tweak and label as per the specs provided by the sourcing companies. OEM manufacturers produce products that are based on the R&D (research and development) provided by the company that is sourcing products.
In this update, we will discuss both models in detail. Then we will evaluate the pros and cons of each model for your cosmetic brush line.

ODM Explained

ODM manufacturers have generic designs and templates. They have their own in-house R&D teams that make sure the products they design and manufacture are competitive and market-oriented.
When you contact ODM suppliers, they can possibly show you a catalog of their products. If you like their products, you can place the order and may ask the supplier for little tweaks. This is a fast method of product sourcing.

OEM Explained

OEM manufacturers have production facilities that you as a business owner utilize for producing your products.
In this case, you do all the research and provide the Original Equipment manufacturers with the product design. Once agreed on terms and conditions, the manufacturers produce the products in bulk. This is relatively a slow method of product sourcing and you may incur huge R&D costs.

ODM & OEM makeup brush

The makeup brush industry, like other industries, has the same methods of sourcing. But there’s a trick.
The R&D costs aren’t high in our industry. All you need are entrepreneurial spirit, experience in the makeup industry, and strong research skills to design a makeup brush mockup.
A makeup brush mockup is a design template that specifies the length, dimension, size, and materials in a makeup brush. The manufacturers see this as a guideline for the mass manufacturing of cosmetics brushes. (You can contact our in-house designers for converting your ideas into mockups, your ideas will be safe with us).
Sourcing ODM makeup brushes is even simpler.
You see the catalog of suppliers. Then you specify your brand labeling designs and some tweaks that you would want for your brand. For example, in the product catalog, the kabuki brush has synthetic bristles, but you want natural bristles for your cosmetic brushes. You should specify these changes to suppliers when you make a Request For Quotation (RFQ).
You may see our product catalog and the wide range of products that we offer if you plan to source cosmetic brushes for your cosmetics line.

Pros and cons of ODM and OEM makeup brushes

Choosing between ODM and OEM depends on the objectives and requirements of a company. For a firm aiming to swiftly enter the makeup brush market, ODM could be a suitable choice as it offers faster product availability and cost efficiency. In ODM, the design and production are managed by another company, allowing the firm to concentrate on marketing and sales.
However, relying on an ODM company for product quality and design limitations can be disadvantageous. Brands may not have the flexibility to modify the design, leading to products that do not align with their image.
On the contrary, OEM offers more control over the production process, allowing companies to determine the materials, design, and quality standards for their brushes. This leads to a unique and high-quality product that aligns with the company’s brand and aesthetic.
Whether you choose to import ODM makeup brushes or OEM makeup brushes, whom you contact matters the most. It is a well-known fact that suppliers make or break the business.
Make sure that your supplier has vast industry experience, a huge production facility, and the supplier holds all the necessary certifications. The sub-quality products that don’t meet the market expectations are bound to fail.

Private label makeup brushes & white label makeup brushes

The concept of private label makeup brushes and white label makeup brushes is similar. It is what you should know as well if you seek to source your cosmetic brushes.
White label makeup brushes are general cosmetic brushes without any tag. And if you import white label makeup brushes, the whole responsibiltiy of labeling, branding, and packaging lies on you. Sourcing white label makeup brushes is the cheapest option.
Private label makeup brushes are ready-to-sell products. You have made the suppliers provide you with customized products as per your brand packaging and labeling. Private label makeup brushes can be both ODM or OEM makeup brushes.

It is important to ensure that the suppliers of cosmetic brushes possess makeup brush certifications, as these brushes come into direct contact with the skin and sub-par quality can pose a risk. Additionally, suppliers do not have any legal responsibility for your brand products and do not own any ownership of your brand.

How to source makeup brushes?

When you have made a decision about the sourcing method (ODM Vs OEM), the next step is to find the suppliers.
It is generally recommended to visit the suppliers’ production facilities but there are other methods of vetting suppliers’ profiles. Some of them include assessing credibility through video calls, sample requests, or hiring a sourcing agent.
Carefully reviewing the terms and conditions and keeping a tab on lead times is also crucial.


Post time: Oct-07-2023