Packaging is so important it can even justify the price of a product: it is the first impression of a customer and therefore, has the responsibility of representing the brands’ image.

However, there seems to be a new format that is revolutionizing the packaging sector because of its flexibility and commodity that adapts best to the accelerated lifestyle of the nowadays customer. The new Stick format also known as “solid beauty” is a format that is usually applied to products such as deodorants or lipsticks, but we can now also see them applied to new formats of makeup such as Max Factor who is using it for makeup foundations. Not to mention Lush, who is using solid beauty for solid soaps, bath bombs or other beauty and cosmetic products. 

Sustainable and practical packaging solutions are increasing the demand of products with stick format; especially in continents such as Asia, according to the “Stick Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis”,  a study published in Zion Market Research. The increase of stick demand is due to the fact that our current society pursues simple, sustainable and practical solutions and that the cosmetic market is investing in innovation to adapt to these new packaging challenges. 

In fact, according to Mintel, the leader intelligence market agency, the increase of stick solutions is not only because of the change of the consumer behaviour towards sustainable solutions but also the response to covid-19: we are looking for more hygienic packaging in which the product isn’t in direct contact with our hands. 

For one reason or another,  nowadays we can find any cosmetic product in solid format: from a facial tonic to a water bar or even exfoliants or face masks. There are even brands that only offer their product in stick format. This is the case of Nusa, their brand was born under the concept “more use and less waste”, a claim that represents an ethical and sustainable philosophy. Their product is also vegan and with a really instagramable look. 

Why is stick format a good option for consumers?

The solid beauty concept has many benefits for the nowadays consumer since It is a travel friendly product. If you’re going to catch a flight  and you can’t live without your cosmetic products, don’t panic. With stick products, you don’t have to follow any restrictions like when you use liquid solutions. Another benefit is that you will never spill your favorite foundation since the product composition avoids the use of water. Last but not least, stick format is comfortable to carry since you can save up space in your suitcase. 

Which brands are using stick format?

Brands such as Milk is one of the most demanded brands from young consumers and open to innovation. Milk was born at a creative agency at the South of New York, their main values were to express street culture through a collection of formulas such as CBD + Solid Arnica body oil, cannabis or other non psychoactive substances extracted from Tennessee that surprise consumers. Furthermore, Milk chooses recyclable packaging that comes from hemp fiber post-consumer waste; or Melatonin night serum, a night serum made of extracts of the silk tree (Albizia, considered like the Prozac of herbs, commonly used as an antidepressant in asia) which helps to balance the levels of melatonin that the skin produces to keep a fresh and healthy skin. 

Makeup is also a category that is taking advantage of this practical format. Brands such as Marc Jacobs and their innovative body tan or the luxurious Westman Atelier created by the famous Gucci Makeup artist Westman with creative blushes that come in stick format. Westman Atelier claims to follow the “Clean Beeauty” trend with natural products that avoid chemical formulas and synthetic ingredients that can harm the skin, instead she uses ingredients such as: alcaparra extract, camelia oil and mango seed or extracts Cupuaçu butter through biotechnology. All in all, brands are not only taking care of the consumers’ skin through natural ingredients but also of the natures’ health through eco-friendly packaging and processes. 

Other products that are following the stick trend are also the after-shave balsam from House 99. A stick that permits a precise application of the product since it elevates facial hair at the perfect angle to allow the user to focus only on the areas that need to be shaved. Other examples are solid shampoos with a purifying effect for oily scalps produced by vegan brands such as Cut By Fred. 

Where can I find stick solutions for my packaging?

From Molpack we have stick solutions for innovative cosmetic brands that are looking for these types of solutions to adapt to the new lifestyle of consumers. 

We offer stick solutions for 8ml and 12ml made of sustainable plastic and with many decoration possibilities: from varnish, to serigraphy, lacquer finish, termo or engraved.