If you find a lash product you like from another brand, marketplace, social media post or retail store, you can use it as a reference when discussing your own product with a lash manufacturer.
You do not need to know every technical specification before contacting the manufacturer.
A photo, product link, screenshot or physical sample can be enough to start the discussion.
The goal is not necessarily to make an exact copy.
A better approach is to identify what you like about the reference product, decide what you want to keep or change, and develop a version that fits your own brand, customer and packaging direction.
What Kind of Reference Lash Product Can I Send?
Your reference can come from many places.
For example:
- a lash product you bought yourself
- a competitor product you saw online
- a product from Amazon or another marketplace
- a TikTok Shop product
- a product you saw on Instagram
- a lash style from a beauty retailer
- a product already sold in your local market
- a product from your current supplier that you want to improve
The important point is that the reference helps the manufacturer understand your target direction.
Do I Need to Buy the Competitor Product First?
Not always.
If you are still at the early discussion stage, you can often begin with:
- product photos
- screenshots
- a product page link
- close-up images
- packaging photos
- videos showing the finished look
This may be enough for the manufacturer to understand the general product direction.
However, if the product has details that are difficult to judge from photos, a physical reference sample can be much more useful.
For example, photos cannot clearly show:
- softness
- stiffness
- band thickness
- base structure
- actual lash weight
- exact strand arrangement
- magnetic structure
- tray fit
- physical feel
Learn more about developing lash products from a reference sample or photo.
What Should I Tell the Manufacturer I Like About the Product?
Do not only send a photo and say, “I want this.”
Tell the manufacturer which parts of the product attracted you.
For example:
- the overall lash style
- the softness
- the density
- the curl direction
- the length balance
- the wispy effect
- the spike placement
- the band or base
- the tray presentation
- the packaging concept
- the way the product looks when worn
This is important because two people may look at the same reference product and like completely different things about it.
The more clearly you explain your priorities, the easier it is for the manufacturer to understand the product you want to develop.
Can I Change the Product Instead of Making It Exactly the Same?
Yes.
In many cases, this is the better approach.
You can use the reference product as a starting point and then create a version that fits your own market.
You may want to change:
- the overall density
- the length distribution
- the curl direction
- the amount of wispy texture
- the spike pattern
- the band or base direction
- the tray presentation
- the number of styles in one collection
- the packaging direction
For example, you may like the general look of a competitor’s strip lash but want your version to appear softer and more natural.
Or you may like a cluster lash product but want a different length combination for your target customers.
The reference gives the manufacturer a starting point.
Your brand requirements determine the final direction.
Can a Lash Manufacturer Make the Product 100% Identical?
It is better not to assume that a different manufacturer can make another company’s product completely identical.
Different manufacturers may use different:
- materials
- components
- production methods
- molds or tooling
- band or base structures
- tray structures
- assembly processes
A practical development process is to use the reference as the target direction and then confirm your own version through physical samples.
You should also avoid asking a manufacturer to copy another brand’s logo, trademark, packaging artwork or other protected brand identity.
Your own product should use your own branding and packaging direction.
What If I Do Not Know the Product Specifications?
That is common, especially for a first-time buyer.
You may find a product you like but not know:
- the exact material
- the exact thickness
- the exact curl
- the exact length combination
- the base structure
- the band specification
- the tray dimensions
You can still contact the manufacturer.
Start with the information you do have.
For example:
- reference photos
- product link
- target market
- what you like about the product
- what you want to change
- estimated quantity
- number of styles you want to test
- your branding direction
The manufacturer can then discuss which details need to be confirmed through samples.
Can I Send a Screenshot from Amazon, TikTok Shop or Another Website?
Yes.
A screenshot or product link can be useful during the first discussion.
If possible, include several views rather than only one image.
Useful images may include:
- front view
- side view
- close-up of the lash structure
- tray view
- packaging view
- product being worn
If the manufacturer’s first evaluation suggests that the product can be developed, you can then decide whether a physical reference sample is needed.
What Should I Send in My First Message to a Lash Manufacturer?
You do not need to prepare a long technical document.
A useful first message can include:
- the reference photo or product link
- the lash category
- what you like about the reference
- what you want to change
- your target market
- estimated order quantity
- how many styles you want to develop
- whether you already have a logo or brand
- whether you need custom packaging
This gives the manufacturer enough information to begin a meaningful discussion.
What If This Is My First Lash Product?
You can still use a reference product as your starting point.
This is often easier than trying to describe a completely new lash product from zero.
If you are launching your first lash collection, you can send one or several reference products and explain:
- which style you like most
- who your target customer is
- whether you want a natural or dramatic direction
- which sales channel you plan to use
- how many products you want to test first
You do not need to finalize an entire collection before contacting the manufacturer.
You can begin with a small group of representative styles and confirm the direction through samples.
What If I Already Have a Beauty Brand but Do Not Sell Lashes Yet?
A reference product can also help an existing beauty brand add lashes as a new category.
You may already have:
- a logo
- brand colors
- a website
- a Shopify store
- an Amazon or TikTok Shop account
- existing beauty customers
- an established packaging style
In this case, you can send your existing brand information together with the lash reference.
The manufacturer can then understand both the product direction and how the new lash product should fit into your existing brand.
What If I Already Have a Lash Supplier?
You can still contact another manufacturer about a reference product.
There are several possible situations.
Your current supplier may:
- not make the product you want
- not have the right structure
- not be able to develop the new style
- not meet your target quality
- not fit your new product direction
You do not necessarily need to move your entire collection.
You can first evaluate another manufacturer for the new product only.
This allows you to test a new manufacturing relationship without immediately changing every existing SKU.
Can I Use a Competitor Product Only as Inspiration?
Yes.
Sometimes you may not want a close match at all.
You may simply like one idea from the product.
For example:
- the wispy direction
- the packaging format
- the style combination
- the natural-to-dramatic range
- the tray presentation
- the product concept
You can then combine that inspiration with your own brand direction.
This can help create a product that feels more original and better suited to your customers.
Should I Send More Than One Reference Product?
Yes, if each reference shows something useful.
For example:
You may like:
- the lash style from Product A
- the softness from Product B
- the packaging direction from Product C
You can explain this clearly to the manufacturer.
However, avoid sending too many unrelated references without explaining what you want from each one.
A small number of clear references is usually easier to understand than a large group of random images.
How Many Lash Styles Should I Develop First?
You do not need to begin with a large collection.
If this is your first discussion with a manufacturer, it can be practical to begin with a few representative directions.
For example, you might test:
- one natural style
- one wispy style
- one fuller or more dramatic style
Or you may focus on only one product if that product is the main reason you contacted the manufacturer.
The goal at the beginning is to confirm that the manufacturer understands your target product direction.
Can the Manufacturer Also Help with Private Label Packaging?
Yes.
Once the product direction is clear, the packaging can be developed around your own brand.
You can provide:
- your logo
- brand colors
- existing packaging style
- reference packaging
- product name
- SKU information
- barcode
- required text
If you already have a packaging design, it can also be reviewed for compatibility with the selected lash product and tray.
Read more about using your own packaging design for private label lashes.
Do I Need Custom Packaging Before I Test the Lash Product?
Not necessarily.
The lash product direction should normally be clear before final packaging dimensions and structure are confirmed.
For a new project, you can first discuss the product and sample direction.
Packaging can then be finalized according to the actual product and tray format.
This helps avoid developing packaging around assumptions that later change during product confirmation.
How Long Does Product Development Take?
The timeline depends on how clear the reference is and how much customization is required.
A straightforward reference-based product may require less discussion than a product that needs several structural changes.
The process may include:
- reviewing your reference
- confirming the target direction
- selecting or developing a sample
- confirming product details
- confirming branding and packaging
Learn more about how long private label lash development can take.
What Should I Send to Pingdu Lashes?
If you found a lash product you like and want to develop your own version, you can send us:
- the product photo
- the product link
- a screenshot
- a physical reference sample if available
- what you like about the reference
- what you want to change
- your target market
- estimated quantity
- number of styles you want to develop
- your logo or brand information if available
- your packaging direction
You do not need to know every technical specification before contacting us.
The reference product can be the starting point.
Start with the Product You Already Like
You do not always need to invent a lash product from zero.
If you have already found a product that shows the direction you want, use it to start the conversation.
The important questions are:
What do you like about it?
What do you want to change?
Who is your target customer?
How should your own version fit your brand?
From there, the manufacturer can help evaluate the reference and discuss a suitable sample direction.
Send the reference first. You do not need to prepare a complete technical specification before contacting a manufacturer.
Visit our Custom Lash Services page to discuss your private label lash product development project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a competitor lash product to a manufacturer as a reference?
Yes. A competitor product can be used as a reference for product direction. It is better to explain which characteristics you like and develop your own branded version rather than assume the product can be copied exactly.
Can I start with only a photo or screenshot?
Yes. Photos, screenshots and product links can be enough for an initial discussion. A physical reference may be more useful later if important details cannot be evaluated from images.
What if I do not know the lash specifications?
You can still contact the manufacturer. Send the reference product, explain what you like, describe what you want to change and provide your estimated quantity and target market.
Can I change the style instead of copying it?
Yes. The reference can be used as inspiration while you change the density, length balance, curl, texture, base, tray or other product details to fit your own brand.
Can I develop my own packaging too?
Yes. Once the product direction is clear, your own logo, colors, product information and packaging design can be developed around the selected lash product and tray format.
Is this suitable for a first-time lash brand?
Yes. A reference product can make the first conversation with a manufacturer much easier because it gives both sides a clear visual starting point.
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