With a revolutionizing global industry, the realm of cosmetics is no exception. Combined with the dynamic interplay of innovation and creativity, the importance of cosmetic packaging reaches new unprecedented heights with each emerging brand.
It has transformed from a mere vessel to contain a product into a powerful storyteller – a tangible embodiment of a brand’s essence and values.
Research shows globally, the market value of cosmetic packaging expects to reach $32.86 billion by 2025. Cosmetic packaging also significantly impacts buying decisions for females more than the product advertisement itself.
The first impression is paramount in the cosmetic industry and a gateway to limitless possibilities.
We will explore the top 9 cosmetic packaging trends for 2023 that redefine the essence of elegance and sustainability, help you empower your brand, and propel it toward the heights of success.
Let’s dive in!
Embracing Cosmetic Packaging: Transcending Brand Presence
As we step forward in 2023, cosmetic brands strive to captivate customers by providing them with an irresistible blend of beauty, functionality, and sustainability in packaging more than just exceptional beauty products.
David Luttenberger, president of David Luttenberger Consulting, LLC, presented the concept of PESTEL packaging based on “political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal” factors. And the outcomes of this new insight came out to be awe-inspiring – leveraging the brand message, building trust, and fostering the brand position.
From luxurious textures to bold, eye-catching designs to sustainable packaging, we have listed the top cosmetic trends 2023.
1. Sustainable Sensations: Green is the New Glam
Sustainable packaging takes center stage in every era, capturing eco-conscious cosmetic customers. Research supports that 75% of companies globally make clear-defined commitments for sustainable packaging.
The European Union is aiming and taking measures to keep increasing the concept and usage of recyclable packaging by 2030. French citizens also demand refill packaging under the idea of a refill revolution.
Moreover, cosmetic packaging suppliers keep launching eco-friendly packaging to meet the market demands of beauty brand owners, such as all-in-plastic dispensing lotion pumps, bioplastic green PE tubes, and PCR lip balm bottles. Brands can use biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable materials such as bamboo, glass, and Post-Consumer Recycled plastics to keep up with sustainable packaging. Sustainable packaging will boost a brand’s environmental credibility and retain eco-conscious customers.
2. Luxurious Minimalism: Less is Exquisite
Minimalist Packaging is like a breath of fresh air in the cosmetic industry in 2023. With simplicity as the ever-hallmark of minimalism, the minimal design, color, and information characterized by simple forms and structures convey true elegance and sophistication.
In addition, skin and beauty brands use a “minimalist” approach of using fewer and more essential simplified skincare products with minimal Packaging. This less-is-more approach embraces a more natural look and enhances the brand’s unique identity.
For instance, Muji, the beauty brand, uses minimalist Packaging – focusing on minimal text and sophisticated colors. At the same time, the packaging containers of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna come with minimal branding and a soft touch of luxury embossed on them.
3. Bold and Artistic Expressions: Celebrating Individuality
The neutrals are ever-green, and you can still seduce your customers with the bold hues in the packaging!
Customers make 50% of their purchase decisions merely by looking at the product. Furthermore, it enhances brand recognition by 80%. Regardful of this impact, brands are now filling new lines by embracing color playfulness and popping up as a unique color identity.
From different shades of lipsticks to unexpectedly colored mascaras, brands are striking vivid gradient contrasts. You can use bold colors and playful schemes to invite exploration and ensure you stage out from the rest.
For instance, Pat McGarth Labs’ bold and artistic packaging reflects a proactive, avant-grade, and high-fashion approach to cosmetics. The Benefit Cosmetics packaging is known for its colorful, playful, and whimsical designs, creating a fun and eye-catching look.
4. Interactive Packaging: Engaging Customers
Artistic packaging develops a strong connection with the customers making them spellbound by the impressions printed on the products. Moreover, you can also use tactile packaging for cosmetic products that will help you create embossing, foil printing, etc.
Moreover, beauty brands are putting forth unique packaging, called Accessible packaging, that comes in handy to carry anywhere with you. They are now creating openings and pumps for the bottle or tube to ensure no wastage of your cosmetic product by extra spilling. This will enhance customer engagement focusing on their needs and aesthetic appeal.
Marc Jacobs Lipstick features a stylish design inspired by a stylized pencil crafted using exquisite metallic materials. Its unique shape adds a touch of elegance to the product.
Axilone developed the “One Hand” lipstick mechanism that caters to customers’ busy lifestyles. This allows females to apply lipstick easily with just one hand while multitasking.
All these packaging trends engage the customer with the brand and ultimately transcend it to new heights.
5. Recall- The Cosmetics We Used in The Old Times
If you want to enhance your brand presence in 2023, you can also bring on the challenge of reviving nostalgic beauty with depth. The Retro Revival trend creates a sense of connection with the past while adding a modern twist.
Retro cosmetic packaging trends show a delicate balance of old and new, capturing the essence of bygone eras while catering to contemporary preferences.
You can include vintage-inspired designs, retro color palettes, and classic typography infused with a fresh perspective. For this, you can draw inspiration from iconic periods like the 60s, 70s, or 80s; brands can create packaging that transports consumers to a different time while maintaining a modern aesthetic.
The printed tin jars and kraft paper boxes will be good options for such packaging.
6. Label Transparency: Your Beauty Products are Reliable and Organic
Another trend that fosters the brand’s credibility is transparency. 94% of customers choose a brand that has label transparency.
Brand showcasing ingredients’ originality reveals their transparency, making them authentic. This transparency will help them reinforce their commitment to integrity and foster their actual presence in the market.
You can also enhance transparency in packaging and make your brand look premium by adding the following ways.
- Brand labels,
- QR codes
- Screen printing
- Stickers
- Holograms
- Paper Inserts
- Textured packaging, etc.
7. Personalised Perfection: Truly Yours
Custom packaging is an ongoing trend as people prefer to cater to their needs well. The customization creates personalized perfection and also builds stronger customer connections.
This trend enhances explicitly online eCommerce stores or brands, where you can prioritize your needs and get the package you imagined. Cosmetic brands also introduce miniature-sized packaging, which comes in unit dose, trial size, travel/amenity, sample, or limited use.
Moreover, brands utilize online tools like Canva, photoshop, etc., to design the boxes and technologies like variable data printing to offer personalized labels, color options, and packaging designs.
By allowing customers to create their unique cosmetic packaging, brands can foster a sense of exclusivity, build customer loyalty and differentiate themselves in the market.
8. Gender Neutrality: Packaging for all
Customers shed the old ways of differences in the products but now embrace the unisex packaging. Packaging for all neutralizes the color standards–pink is for girls, and sophisticated blue hues are for men. Brands focus on creating a contrast that goes well for both genders.
9. Technological Temptations: Smart Packaging, Brilliant Experience
Besides the trends of color hues and sustainability, cosmetic brands are now emerging as the fusion of beauty and innovation. They are now adapting to tech-centric packaging while offering customers convenience, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.
From virtual try-ons to skincare trackers, smart is just an impulsive adjective for cosmetic packaging, materials, and manufacturing. Brands incorporate QR codes, augmented reality AR labels, interactive features, and unique opening mechanisms. This makes the packaging more than just a bottle or tube.
Moreover, 3D printing is revolutionizing the industry. This innovative technology adds a new dimension by enabling the creation of intricate and customized packaging designs.
You can also cater to your brand engagement by incorporating an innovative high-tech twist in your packaging of cosmetic products.
Unleashing Limitless Trends in Cosmetic Packaging
The cosmetic industry is forging new trends globally. Let’s have a look at the innovations made by brands.
- Airless compact packaging ensures the formula remains fresh and dispenses smoothly, providing a seamless application experience. Promen’s Slidissime is a closed jar that combines protection and sensuality. It allows for the easy release of cosmetic creams with a simple slide mechanism while ensuring the product remains fully protected.
- Unit Pack introduced the Foil Pillow Pouch, a revolutionary packaging solution with a metering channel and an iris tip. This packaging design allows precise control of the dispensed liquid without spillage. The high-barrier foil material ensures product stability and prevents contamination.
- Arcade Beauty’s Fusion Pack is an ideal sampling format for products that need to be kept separate until use or for single formulas that should not come into contact with an applicator until applied. This innovative packaging design ensures product integrity and freshness until the user is ready to use it.
- Vaposphere, created by Axilone, also delivers easy handling use. It features a single-handed capping system, where turning the locking ring with two fingers opens the sphere-shaped cap and activates the spray. Closing the lid is just as straightforward, with a counter rotation of the ring securely locking the container. This packaging design ensures user safety and is suitable for various beauty products, including makeup, skincare, and perfumes.
Conclusion
In the era where businesses strive to leave an incredible mark on the global stage, the adage, “Better packaging, better living,” now goes to “better packaging, great branding. Undoubtedly, packaging being the rallying cry for success in every business in 2023.
Keeping up with the above cosmetic packaging industry trends, you can transform your cosmetic brand and create a lasting impression on your customers. Thus ultimately, you will foster loyalty, authenticity, and recognition and stay ahead of the curve in the dynamic cosmetic industry.