As a beauty brand, you must have “hopefully” noticed that packaging has become a key marketing and branding ingredient. Brands these days are super conscious about their product packaging and the related customer experience. Why?
Because, regardless of what products you are offering to your customers, your packaging is likely the first tangible interaction between your customer and your brand. In such a competitive and visually driven industry, packaging isn’t just about being ‘functional’; it also needs to be eye-catching, memorable, and protective. This way, your product stands out while staying safe.
So, are you a beauty brand seeking ideal packaging for your products? Then read at the risk of mastering your solutions and wowing your customers with every purchase and every delivery!
We’re excited to share some technical details for your custom boxes, along with unique features, so you can easily choose the best packaging solutions for your products.
But who doesn’t love a few interesting industry facts before deep diving into the technicalities? Not us for sure.
The Growing Importance of Packaging in the Beauty Industry
Here’s a paradox: The beauty industry isn’t just about looks.
E-commerce is a major driver of the beauty industry, and a brand’s success depends on several factors, including logistics, protection, branding, and sustainability.
A well-formulated product means little if it arrives broken, dented, or leaking. On the other hand, even an average product can feel high-end if it’s presented in thoughtful, attractive packaging.
The beauty and personal care market has been a powerhouse of growth and innovation over the past few years, with self-care and wellness becoming increasingly critical to consumers worldwide.
Despite a minor setback in 2020, the global cosmetics market has experienced almost uninterrupted growth since 2004 and is forecast to generate revenues of nearly $ 140 billion by 2030 (Statista, 2025).
A significant portion of this is due to the growth in online beauty sales and customer expectations to live the unboxing moment, which they have just seen on social media. This means that, as a beauty brand, we must find the perfect balance between the form and function of our packaging.
Looking to find out more about how custom boxes enhance your beauty brand’s visibility? This linked article explains 5 key ways in detail: https://themailerbox.com/Blog/cosmetics-packaging-for-brand-visibility/
Now it is time for the technicalities. *Excited claps*
What fun!
Let us walk you through some packaging options you can choose for your product to maintain its form and function.
Custom Boxes: A Brand’s Best Friend
Customization is key to standing out as a beauty brand. Custom boxes do more than just hold your products; they tell your brand story, reinforce your brand values, and create emotional connections with your customers.
There are multiple customization options:
● Full-Color Printing: Showcase your color palette, brand typography, and imagery.
● Special Finishes: Select from matte or gloss lamination, spot UV coating, or foil stamping for a luxurious finish.
● Sustainable Materials: Align with eco-conscious consumers by using recyclable or biodegradable materials.
● Inserts and Compartments: Use die-cut inserts to hold products in place, enhancing the unboxing experience and preventing damage.
According to Ayyaz (2024), 30% of businesses have reported a sales and profit boost after improving their packaging. Similarly, 72% of American Consumers have agreed that product packaging design influences their product purchase decisions. If you’re not putting the needed effort in your packaging, your beauty brand could be missing out a on substantial branding opportunity.
When it comes to premium packaging, there is no end to how premium you can go but naturally, there are budgets and brand values to be considered. Cardboard boxes and corrugated mailer boxes are two of the most used packaging types in the beauty industry.
Cardboard Boxes: Ideal for Individual Product Packaging
Cardboard boxes or folding cartons are the standard for product packaging. They are a great alternative if you’re looking for lightweight and versatile packaging that ships like a dream and doesn’t break your bank!
Within the beauty industry, lighter-weight products, such as mascaras, lipsticks, and compact powders, among others, are conveniently packed in cardboard boxes.
Cardboard boxes are particularly useful because of their:
– Customization and Branding Capabilities: Brand colours, logos, and various design elements can be incorporated or printed with ease on the selected cardboard. Whether with minimalist elegance or bold graphics, cardboard can deliver a striking effect. Smooth finishes, embossed details, foil stamping, and straightforward typography all contribute to a product’s visual impact.
– Lightweight: Cardboard adds negligible weight to the product, which helps reduce shipping costs, especially when it is placed within larger mailer boxes for delivery.
– Eco-Friendly Options: Brands can opt for FSC-certified cardboard or recycled paperboard, making them an environmentally responsible choice.
However, while cardboard boxes are excellent for primary display and product presentation, providing strength and protection isn’t their strongest point. This is where corrugated mailer boxes come in handy.
Corrugated Mailer Boxes: Built for Strength and Presentation
Corrugated boxes consist of three layers: an inner liner, an outer liner, and a fluted medium that separates them. The type and thickness of the flute determine the box’s protective capacity (Collinbox, 2024).
Levels of Corrugation
1. Single Wall Boxes
● Made with one layer of fluting between two linerboards.
● Best for lightweight items such as makeup brushes, powders, or plastic tubes, as well as everyday shipping needs.
2. Double Wall Boxes
● Two layers of fluting for extra strength.
● Ideal for heavier products, such as glass bottles, oils, multi-product kits, or items that require more protection.
3. Triple Wall Boxes
● Three layers of fluting for maximum durability.
● Perfect for industrial or bulk shipping.
4. Die-Cut Boxes
● Custom-designed boxes tailored to your product’s shape and size.
● Often used for retail packaging or e-commerce.
More fragile or heavier products, such as glass serum bottles, foundation bottles, or even makeup palettes and multi-product packs, are often packed in corrugated boxes with A or B type flutes. Corrugated mailer boxes are there to provide the strength and protection needed to ensure everything arrives beautifully intact. We recommend corrugated mailer boxes to beauty brands that have the following priorities:
– Product Protection: Corrugated walls absorb shock and resist pressure, making them perfect for shipping fragile items like serum bottles and eyeshadow palettes.
– Unboxing Experience: Mailer boxes feature securer closures and more premium unboxing styles. Their use can contribute significantly to the premiumness of a beauty brand.-
– Brand Storytelling: Just like custom cardboard boxes, custom mailer boxes can be designed to reflect your brand’s identity. You can print on the outside, inside, or both.
– Versatility: These boxes are excellent for gift sets, PR packages, subscription deliveries, and seasonal bundles.
Here is a detail of 8 ways in which custom mailer boxes can serve your brand: https://themailerbox.com/Blog/how-custom-mailer-boxes-can-serve-your-brand/
Beauty Subscription Boxes: Why Corrugated Mailers Win
Beauty subscription services are thriving, and it’s easy to see why! Whether it’s receiving skincare samples, enjoying monthly self-care routines, or unboxing makeup kits, everyone loves the excitement of a beauty bundle arriving at their doorstep, be it surprised or planned.
Of course, creating a truly special subscription package isn’t just about selecting the perfect products but also about innovating and designing the most attractive beauty subscription boxes.
Custom mailer boxes work extremely well as beauty subscription boxes, not only because their design can be uniquely tailored to package and brand requirements, but also because they are simpler to manufacture and recycle, therefore making both the brands and customers’ lives easier.
Here are a few reasons by custom mailer boxes are an excellent choice for subscription beauty brands:
● Durability for Transit: Beauty subscription boxes often contain 4–8 items of varying sizes. Packing in corrugated mailer boxes can ensure the products arrive intact.
● Unboxing Appeal: Customers often share beauty subscription boxes on social media. A beautifully printed, well-structured box boosts your chances of going viral.
● Flexible Sizing: Mailer boxes are developed to fit your product’s unique dimensions, thereby accommodating monthly themes or seasonal promotions.
● Eco-Friendly Options: Many brands now offer recyclable or reusable subscription boxes to align with sustainability goals.
Choosing the Right Packaging: Key Considerations
So how do you decide between cardboard boxes and corrugated mailer boxes? Here’s a quick guide:
Still not sure? Various beauty brands use a combination of both: an exquisitely printed cardboard box inside a durable custom mailer box. The result? Protection + presentation = spot-on delivery.
Investing in custom boxes isn’t just about brand aesthetics; it’s a wise business decision. Here’s how it pays off:
● Lesser Returns: Protective packaging reduces the risk of damaged goods.
● Customer Retention: A memorable unboxing experience increases satisfaction and drives repeat purchases.
● Brand Awareness: Custom packaging is shareable and recognizable.
● Lower Shipping Costs: Corrugated boxes can be custom-sized to minimise dimensional weight, resulting in lower shipping costs.
● Eco Perception: Sustainable packaging builds customer trust.
In today’s digital age, your packaging may be the only physical means of connecting with your customers. Make it memorable and meaningful.
Conclusion
A perfectly packaged product not only keeps your product safe, but it also reflects your brand’s name, value, and aesthetics.
Whether you’re sending out a single jar of face cream or an entire luxury skincare collection, your packaging should beautifully showcase the quality and personality of your brand.
We ensured that this guide helps you select between the ideal mailer boxes or cardboard boxes that accurately represent your brand. It aims to make your product stand out in the market and create a memorable unboxing experience for your customers.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at The Mailer Box. We’re here to offer additional insights and gladly assist you in choosing the perfect packaging for your brand’s products.
References:
https://www.statista.com/topics/3137/cosmetics-industry/#topicOverview
https://www.collinbox.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-corrugated-boxes-everything-you-need-to-know
