Natural Nude Lip Gloss

Root Cause

Poor fit between tube, wiper, and cap; incorrect torque during assembly; material incompatibility.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Specify component material and dimensional tolerances. Require a leak-proof guarantee and ask for their standard leak test protocol (e.g., vacuum chamber test).

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Invert 5-10 samples and leave them on a white paper towel for 24 hours at room temp and 40°C. No oil rings should appear. Cycle test cap 20 times.

Root Cause

Inconsistent pigment dispersion; batch-to-batch color variation; no approved master color standard.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Provide a physical master standard or a Pantone color code. Define acceptable color variation using a spectrophotometer (Delta E < 1.0).

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Apply a drawdown of the production batch next to the approved master standard on a white card. Compare under a D65 lightbox. Colors should be visually identical.

Root Cause

Low-quality base ingredients (oils, solvents); fragrance instability or degradation; microbial contamination.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Provide an approved fragrance sample. Request the INCI list to check for undesirable base ingredients. Require stability testing data.

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Smell the product upon opening and compare it directly with the approved pre-production sample. The scent should be identical and pleasant.

Root Cause

Formula composition (e.g., high percentage of polyisobutene); incorrect viscosity.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Provide a benchmark product for the desired texture. Specify a target viscosity range in centipoise (cps) at a specific temperature.

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Apply to lips or back of hand. It should feel smooth and glide easily, not tacky or heavy. Compare sensory feel against the approved benchmark sample.

Root Cause

Poorly calibrated filling machines; lack of in-process weight checks.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Specify the net weight or volume (e.g., 5 mL) and the acceptable tolerance (e.g., ± 5%).

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Weigh a sample of 10-20 finished units and an equal number of empty components to calculate the average net weight. It must be within the specified range.

Root Cause

Poor ink adhesion to the component material (e.g., PETG, PP); insufficient curing time/temperature.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Specify the decoration method (e.g., silk screen) and require it to pass a 3M Scotch 610 tape adhesion test.

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Firmly apply a piece of 3M tape over the print and pull it off quickly. No part of the print should lift off. Vigorously rub the print with a dry cloth for 15 seconds; it should not smudge or fade.

Root Cause

Use of aggressive plumping agents like high concentrations of capsicum frutescens (pepper) extract.

What to Specify / Ask Supplier

Specify 'non-irritating' or 'mild' plumping effect. Request peptides or menthol derivatives instead of capsicum-based agents. Request INCI list.

QC Check (What "Good" Looks Like)

Conduct a user panel test on a small group to confirm the sensation is a mild tingle, not a painful burn.