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​Working with a contract manufacturer is like finding the perfect dance partner. When it works, it’s seamless; when it doesn’t, you’re stepping on each other’s toes. For hair care and skin care brands, this relationship can make or break your business! Whether you’re just starting out or managing a well-established line, aligning with your manufacturer on production and inventory planning is crucial. Here are some strategies to help you build a smooth, profitable partnership with your contract manufacturer:
 
1. Forecasting Like a Pro
Forecasting is your best friend. Work closely with your manufacturer to create realistic production projections based on your brand’s growth and market demand. Consider both short-term and long-term goals:
Short-term projections: Look at the next quarter or six months. Base these forecasts on recent sales trends, upcoming marketing pushes, and anticipated seasonal demands.
Long-term projections: Discuss the next 12-18 months. Major launches, potential retail partnerships, or increased ad spends could impact demand significantly. Keeping your manufacturer in the loop about these bigger plans will give them the lead time they need to prepare. Most manufacturers can guide you through the numbers based on their experience with similar brands, so lean on their insights!

2. Plan for Ingredient Lead Times
Ingredient availability can be tricky, especially with global supply chain challenges. Hair and skin care brands often rely on specific, sometimes exotic, ingredients that may not be readily available. You’ll want to:
Understand sourcing timelines: Know how long it takes to source each ingredient. Natural, sustainably sourced, or niche ingredients can take longer to procure.
Plan for pre-orders: If you know you’ll need large quantities, pre-order your ingredients. This is especially crucial for ingredients prone to scarcity or price fluctuations. Talk to your manufacturer about setting up blanket orders or quarterly pre-orders, so they always have what they need to keep your line running smoothly.
Build a safety stock: Ingredients can be unpredictable, so if possible, keep a small reserve of key ingredients that would be hard to replace on short notice.

3. Don’t Forget Components & Packaging
The packaging world has its own timelines and challenges. Think about the bottles, pumps, jars, and caps that hold your products. Components are sourced from different suppliers than your ingredients, and their timelines might not always match up perfectly.
Plan for component lead times: Just like with ingredients, get familiar with how long it takes to source your components. If your bottle supplier has a three-month lead time, you’ll need to be planning at least three to six months ahead for a new launch.
Over-Order on Essentials: If there’s a particular pump or cap that’s difficult to replace, consider ordering a bit more than you immediately need. Running out of a unique component can stall your production line in a big way.

4. Inventory Projections: Balance Is Key
Your goal here is to avoid having too much or too little inventory. Too much, and you’re sitting on cash; too little, and you risk stockouts and disappointed customers.
Set reorder points: Identify the lowest inventory levels before you need to reorder. Your manufacturer can help you set these based on production times and minimum order quantities.
Factor in Sales Trends and Seasonality: Sales can ebb and flow based on the season, special promotions, or even viral trends. Consider these when planning your inventory to avoid those costly “Oops, we’re out of stock!” moments.

5. Keep Communication Open
The best results come from open, ongoing communication. Regular meetings with your manufacturer to review forecasts, discuss upcoming launches, and monitor inventory can go a long way in preventing issues. Think of these meetings as a chance to align and stay nimble in an industry where trends (and supply chains) can shift quickly.
Navigating production projections and inventory planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By aligning closely with your contract manufacturer on ingredient sourcing, component procurement, and inventory management, you can set your brand up for steady growth without those pesky production hiccups. A little planning goes a long way—trust me, it’s worth the effort. Let’s make production smoother, inventory more predictable, and ensure that your amazing products are ready to meet demand when the market calls!

EIG PERSONAL CARE
EI GLOBAL GROUP PACKAGING
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#inventory #production #productionplanning #workingtogether

Hey there, beauty enthusiasts! Let's dive into the juicy details of what's been going on in the beauty world, according to our pals over at www.circana.com, the gurus of consumer behavior complexity. Brace yourselves for some exciting stats and trends from the past year that'll have you reaching for your favorite lip balm in no time!

Makeup Marvels: Makeup mavens, rejoice! Despite a slight dip in the mass market, the prestige makeup category strutted its stuff with a solid 5% growth. Lip lovers, listen up – balms and oils took center stage, boasting a whopping 26% increase from last year. And guess what? Artistry brands stole the spotlight as the largest and second-fastest-growing segment in the makeup game.   
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Skincare Sensations: Move over, makeup – skincare is making moves! Our beauty crystal ball predicts that skincare might just steal the spotlight from makeup this year. With a stellar 10% growth in the prestige lane and a respectable 4% in mass channels, skincare is flexing its muscles. Clinical brands are leading the charge, with body sprays and facial serums stealing the show as top gainers.
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Hair Heroes: Hair today, fabulous tomorrow! Prestige haircare saw an impressive 11% growth, leaving mass market brands in the dust with their measly 1% uptick. Salon brands led the charge, but celebrity brands turned heads with a jaw-dropping 64% surge. And can we talk about hair wellness? Products for thinning hair, scalp care, and heat protectants are having a moment, with sales soaring between 13% and 25%.

Fragrance Frenzy: Ah, the sweet smell of success! Fragrance fanatics, rejoice – the fragrance category spritzed its way to a delightful 13% growth in the prestige lane. Luxury fragrances stole the show, growing at double the rate of prestige overall. And guess what? Gift sets are having a moment, with a 22% swell in popularity. Who doesn't love a little luxury in a cute little package? So, what's the tea on the beauty industry slowdown? According to our beauty whisperer, Jensen, it's just a case of the industry catching its breath after a whirlwind of double-digit growth. But fear not – there's still plenty of excitement in the air, from trendy new brands to fresh product launches. With Mother's Day, Father's Day, and summer fun on the horizon, there's no doubt that beauty products will continue to be at the top of everyone's wish list.🌟

Every time you step into the shower, you're not just cleansing your body—you're also exposing your hair to the unique qualities of the water in your area. From hard water rich in minerals to soft water with low mineral content, the type of water you shower with can have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your hair. In this blog post, we'll explore the effects of different shower water types on your hair and recommend products tailored to address specific water-related concerns.
Understanding the Water You Shower With
The quality of water can vary significantly from one region to another, depending on factors such as geological composition, treatment processes, and environmental influences. Two primary types of water commonly found in households are:

1. Hard Water: Hard water contains high concentrations of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. While not harmful to your health, hard water can leave mineral deposits on your hair, causing it to feel dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Additionally, the mineral buildup can weigh down your hair, making it appear dull and lifeless.
2. Soft Water: Soft water has low mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium. While soft water is gentle on the skin and hair, it may lack the minerals necessary to provide structure and support to your hair strands. As a result, hair washed with soft water may feel overly smooth and slippery, lacking volume and manageability.

Effects of Different Water Types on Your Hair

1. Hard Water Effects: Hair washed with hard water may experience:
   • Dryness and Frizz: Mineral deposits from hard water can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness, frizz, and flyaways.
   • Buildup and Dullness: The accumulation of minerals on the hair shaft can create a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating, resulting in buildup and dullness.
   • Color Fading: Hard water can cause colored hair to fade more quickly due to the mineral deposits that cling to the hair's surface.
2. Soft Water Effects: Hair washed with soft water may encounter:
   • Flatness and Lack of Volume: Soft water may not provide the necessary structure and support to hair strands, resulting in flatness and lack of volume.
   • Overly Smooth Texture: The absence of minerals in soft water can leave hair feeling overly smooth and slippery, making it difficult to style and manage.
   • Potential Product Buildup: Without mineral deposits to bind to, hair products may not rinse away as effectively, leading to potential buildup and residue.

Choosing the Right Products for Your Water Type
Fortunately, there are products specifically formulated to address the effects of different water types on your hair. Consider the following recommendations based on your water type:

1. For Hard Water:
   • Clarifying Shampoos: Use clarifying shampoos regularly to remove mineral buildup and restore hair's natural shine and vibrancy.
   • Chelating Treatments: Incorporate chelating treatments into your hair care routine to effectively remove stubborn mineral deposits from hard water.
   • Moisturizing Conditioners: Opt for moisturizing conditioners enriched with hydrating ingredients to replenish moisture and combat dryness caused by hard water.
2. For Soft Water:
   • Volumizing Products: Choose volumizing shampoos and conditioners that add body and lift to your hair, helping to combat flatness and lack of volume.
   • Texturizing Sprays: Use texturizing sprays and mousses to enhance texture and grip, giving soft water-treated hair more hold and manageability.
   • Lightweight Formulas: Look for lightweight styling products that provide hold and definition without weighing down the hair, ideal for soft water-treated strands.

Conclusion: Navigating the Waters of Hair Care
In conclusion, the type of water you shower with can significantly impact the health and appearance of your hair. By understanding the effects of different water types and choosing the right products accordingly, you can effectively address common concerns and maintain vibrant, healthy-looking hair regardless of your water source. Whether you're combating mineral buildup from hard water or seeking to add volume to soft water-treated strands, there are solutions available to help you achieve your hair care goals and unlock your hair's full potential.

In the ever-evolving landscape of hair and beauty products, packaging plays a crucial role in not only preserving the integrity of the formulations but also enhancing the user experience. Traditionally, aerosol packaging has been a popular choice for dispensing products such as hairsprays, dry shampoos, and mousse. However, a revolutionary alternative has emerged in the form of Bag on Valve (BoV) packaging, offering a host of benefits that are reshaping the industry landscape.
What is Bag on Valve Packaging?
Bag on Valve packaging is a novel dispensing system that consists of a flexible bag containing the product formulation, housed within an aerosol can. The product is dispensed through a valve system, which separates the propellant from the product, ensuring that they do not come into contact until they are dispensed. This innovative design offers several advantages over traditional aerosol packaging, particularly in the realm of hair and beauty products.
Advantages of Bag on Valve Packaging for Hair and Beauty Products:

1. Preservation of Formulation Integrity: One of the primary benefits of Bag on Valve packaging is its ability to protect the product formulation from degradation. By isolating the product from the propellant, BoV packaging helps prevent oxidation, contamination, and exposure to air, ensuring that the formulation remains stable and effective over time.
   
2. Propellant-Free Dispensing: Unlike traditional aerosol packaging, which relies on propellants such as butane or propane to dispense the product, Bag on Valve packaging utilizes compressed air or nitrogen as the propellant. This propellant-free dispensing mechanism offers a more environmentally friendly alternative, minimizing the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.
   
3. 360-Degree Dispensing: Bag on Valve packaging allows for 360-degree dispensing, providing greater flexibility and ease of use for consumers. This feature enables precise application and coverage, making it ideal for hair styling products such as mousses and sprays, as well as for targeted skincare formulations.
   
4. Extended Shelf Life: The hermetically sealed design of Bag on Valve packaging helps extend the shelf life of hair and beauty products by minimizing exposure to oxygen and moisture. This not only preserves the efficacy of the formulations but also reduces the need for preservatives, making it a preferred choice for natural and sensitive skin-friendly products.
   
5. Versatility and Customization: Bag on Valve packaging offers versatility in terms of product formulation and customization. From lightweight mists to rich creams, the flexible bag design accommodates a wide range of viscosities and textures, allowing brands to innovate and tailor their offerings to meet the diverse needs of consumers.
   

Embracing Innovation in Hair and Beauty Packaging:
As consumer preferences continue to evolve towards more sustainable, user-friendly packaging solutions, Bag on Valve packaging emerges as a game-changer in the hair and beauty industry. With its ability to preserve formulation integrity, minimize environmental impact, and enhance user experience, BoV packaging represents a significant step forward in unlocking innovation and meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers.
In conclusion, Bag on Valve packaging offers a multitude of benefits over traditional aerosol packaging for hair and beauty products, making it a compelling choice for brands looking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market landscape. By embracing this innovative dispensing system, brands can not only enhance the performance and sustainability of their products but also elevate the overall consumer experience.





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