Mink Printer Could Change the Face of Makeup Manufacturing

The $382 billion global beauty business, with $55 billion in makeup alone, may see an uglier side of the industry with the recent introduction of Mink, a proprietary 3D printer that allows users to print open-source cosmetics. Some of the top makeup manufacturers based in the United States and Europe could now face consumers manufacturing similar products in the comfort of their own home.

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According to Entrepreneur.com Mink’s inventor, Grace Choi, is, “looking to disrupt both the mass and prestige makeup categories. While a wide selection of shade offerings at high-end outlets like Sephora come at a steep cost, Choi explained, mass retailers stock cheaper items but in fewer shades.”

The printer, meant for the individual, may not interfere directly with the mass production of makeup products. It is unlikely that the small-scale product could provide enough production power to produce large quantities of makeup; however, it could change the need for consumers to buy, which could adversely impact the market.

The Daily Mail notes, “The Mink allows users to choose any color that they see online (or in nature captured by their iPhone), transmit it to Photoshop, and hit ‘print’ to create small tins of lipstick, eye-shadow, creams, and more.”

The printer uses ingredients found in everyday cosmetics. In the future, Choi plans to extend the printers capabilities to include foundation and other makeup products.

Choi aims to make cosmetic manufacturing affordable, and the makeup production itself is left up to the consumer – this approach is reflected in the printer’s price point.

The printer could signal new opportunities for the beauty industry; however, the product only recently debuted at Tech Crunch’s Disrupt NY, and is not yet on the market.

The Independent reports, “Ms. Choi hopes to launch Mink on the market later in the year, at a retail price of less than $200.” [/show_to]