Hey beauty lovers! 💄✨
Let’s talk about something that might not be as glam as our fave new lipstick drop—but could totally change what’s on our shelves (and in our wallets). Yep, we’re talking tariffs, specifically Trump’s new proposed tariffs aka Trump Tariffs and how they could affect the beauty industry, especially in the U.S.
Before you scroll past thinking, “Ugh, politics? Not my vibe,” hear me out—this impacts your makeup bags, your skincare shelves, and your wallet.
💰 First Things First: How Big Is the Beauty Industry?
First, let’s talk numbers because the cosmetic industry is HUGE it is worth around 400 billion +
According to Statista, the cosmetics market is projected to hit over $680 + billion by 2028, with skincare leading the way, followed by makeup and fragrances. Experts expect the industry to keep growing at a steady pace thanks to innovation, social media, influencer marketing, and the rise of skincare.
🛍️ What Are Trump Tariffs & Why Do They Matter for Beauty?
Okay, so let’s simplify this. Donald Trump has proposed increasing tariffs on imported goods—and that includes cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, and more.
A tariff is basically a tax on stuff we import. So if a U.S. company brings in eyeshadow palettes from Italy or serums from Korea, they might have to pay more money to do that. And that extra cost is gets passed onto us, the consumers.
The whole goal of these tariffs is to promote American manufacturing and reduce reliance on countries like China, Canada, South Korea, France, and Italy, which are all huge players in the beauty industry.
The U.S. Beauty Industry: A Billion-Dollar Powerhouse
In 2023, the U.S. cosmetics and beauty market was valued at over $100 billion and it’s only growing. Skincare, makeup, haircare—you name it. From drugstore gems to luxury French perfumes, America loves its beauty. And a big chunk of that comes from imported products
Basically USA is beauty-obsessed, and the global beauty economy knows it.
How Trump’s Tariffs Could Shake Up the Beauty Industry in the U.S.
1. Higher Prices for Imported Beauty Products
If tariffs are imposed, brands importing ingredients or finished products from China, Europe, or South Korea will face higher costs—and guess who’s likely to absorb those? Consumers!
Known for innovative formulas and 10-step skincare to glass skin goals. (snail mucin, anyone?), K-beauty has exploded in the U.S., with brands like COSRX, Laneige and Heimish dominating shelves.
Many Korean brands manufacture in Korea, meaning tariffs could make
- Higher prices on sheet masks, essences, serums and cushion compacts more expensive. Smaller Korean brands disappearing from U.S. retailers
- Fewer launches in U.S. markets due to profit pressure
🇮🇹 Italian Beauty
When we think aboutItalian brands luxury is all that comes to mind but Italian brands are diverse from affordable high quality color cosmetics to luxury eg: Kiko Milano, Acqua di Parma, Pupa Milano, or luxury brands like Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana that many of us splurge on.
Tariffs here might mean:
- Luxury brands getting even pricier. High-end products already come with a premium price tag. Additional tariffs could push them even further out of budget for some shoppers.
- Mid-tier Italian makeup becoming less accessible
- Beauty retailers cutting down on imports
🇫🇷 French Beauty
Oh la la, French beauty is all about effortless elegance. Brands like Lancôme, Dior, Bioderma, and La Roche-Posay are French staples in the U.S.
A tariff hike here could:
- Affect high-end fragrance prices (Chanel, YSL, Hermès, etc.)
- Make pharmacy faves like micellar waters more expensive
- Reduce availability of French skincare in U.S. drugstores. Even affordable brands like L’Oréal (French-owned) and Maybelline rely on global supply chains.
With Trump’s proposed tariffs (which could be as high as 10% or more on imported goods), the prices of these beloved products might shoot up. But is that the only effect? Let’s explore.
2. Possible Shift to U.S.-Made Products
On the flip side, this could be a win for American-made beauty brands. Companies might start sourcing ingredients locally or manufacturing in the U.S. to avoid tariffs. Brands like E.l.f., Drunk Elephant, etc could see a boost. And due to Less competition from international brands, it might make easier for new U.S. startups to shine.
But here’s the catch: not everything can be made here. Some ingredients (like certain botanical extracts or specialized chemicals) are only available from specific regions. So, while some brands may adapt, others will have no choice but to raise prices.
3. Impact on Small Businesses & Indie Brands
Small beauty businesses that rely on imported packaging from China or unique Korean/European formulas could struggle. Higher costs might force them to:
- Increase product prices
- Reformulate (which could change product quality)
- Or worse—shut down
This could reduce innovation and limit the variety in stores.
📦 Will We See Immediate Price Hikes?
Not overnight, but soon enough.
Retailers may try to absorb the cost at first, or tweak their supply chains. But if tariffs stay in place long-term, expect to see:
- Price hikes across luxury and mid-tier segments
- Possible decline in promotions or discounts
- Smaller product sizes at the same price (yep, shrinkflation hits beauty too!)
The Consumer Experience: Pros & Cons of Trump Tariffs
Potential Benefits:
✅ More support for U.S. brands – A chance to discover homegrown beauty gems.
✅ Possible push for sustainable/local sourcing – Could lead to cleaner, eco-friendly production.
✅ Encourages brands to negotiate better deals – Some companies might find ways to keep prices stable.
Major Drawbacks:
❌ Price hikes on imported favorites – Your holy-grail French moisturizer or Korean sunscreen could get pricier.
❌ Limited product availability – Some brands might pull out of the U.S. market if tariffs make business too hard.
❌ Less innovation – Many breakthrough beauty trends (like glass skin or BB creams) came from global influences. Tariffs could slow that down.
❌ Black markets – There could be alternate black market for beauty products (or other products) emerging globally to bypass tariff
❌ Impact on Influencer Content
International brands will collaborate with influencers from all over the world other than USA to reach new markets. And as a result many US based beauty gurus will not get as many international freebies as of now. This could affect unboxings, comparisons, and dupe testing videos.
What’s Next for the Beauty Industry?
The future isn’t all doom and gloom, but it’s definitely changing. Here’s what we might see:
- More U.S. brand collaborations with international labs to keep costs down.
- Subscription & direct-to-consumer models gaining traction to offset retail price increases.
- A surge in “dupe” culture – shoppers may seek cheaper alternatives to high-end imports. (Don’t worry, I’ll be doing a blog on dupes soon! 😉)
🧠 Final Thoughts: Should You Stock Up Now?
If tariffs go into effect, we might see gradual price increases over the next year. If you have a must-have imported product, it might be worth grabbing a backup—just in case orexplore U.S.-based alternatives.
At the end of the day, the beauty industry is resilient, and brands will adapt. But as consumers, we should stay informed and be ready to adjust our shopping habits.
What do you think? Will you switch to more U.S.-based brands, or will you keep splurging on your favorite imports? Let me know in the comments! 👇💖
In the meantime, keep your eyes open, shop smart, and stay fabulous. 💅💕
P.S. : Best is to befriend a Chinese, South Korean, Italian, French person who could send you your favorite items labelled as gifts to bypass tariff