Due to the Sino-US trade friction, the cost to import from China has increased. Many makeup and cosmetics brands who originally OEM makeup brushes in China are considering transfer the production lines to Southeast Asia. But to make the final decision, complete and deep analysis is essential, the following is the comparison of Chinese makeup brush manufacturers and Southeast Asia manufacturers from main aspects:
1. Comprehensive Cost & Efficiency
Chinese makeup brush manufacturers
① Mature full industry chain: The whole production process: bristles/ferrule/handle/packaging, can be completed locally, shortening the production cycle and reducing costs.
② Automation capabilities: high-precision machinery (such as 3D hair transplanting machines) are popular, the dependence on manual labor is decreasing year by year, the production efficiency is higher than Southeast Asia.
③ Hidden costs: complete logistics infrastructure (ports, railways), shorter delivery period, and faster response to sudden orders.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Labor costs: The monthly salary of workers in Vietnam, Indonesia is about 1/3-1/2 of that in China (about US$500-800/month in China, about US$200-400/month in Southeast Asia), which is suitable for labor-intensive links.
② Tariff advantages: Exports to Europe and the United States enjoy tariff preferences (such as the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement), offsetting some of the logistics costs.
③ Risk diversification: After the Sino-US trade war, international brands tend to adopt the "China + 1" strategy, and Southeast Asia has become the first choice for backup supply chains.
④ Infrastructure disadvantages: Port throughput capacity and power supply stability are weaker than China, increasing logistics costs.
① Mature full industry chain: The whole production process: bristles/ferrule/handle/packaging, can be completed locally, shortening the production cycle and reducing costs.
② Automation capabilities: high-precision machinery (such as 3D hair transplanting machines) are popular, the dependence on manual labor is decreasing year by year, the production efficiency is higher than Southeast Asia.
③ Hidden costs: complete logistics infrastructure (ports, railways), shorter delivery period, and faster response to sudden orders.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Labor costs: The monthly salary of workers in Vietnam, Indonesia is about 1/3-1/2 of that in China (about US$500-800/month in China, about US$200-400/month in Southeast Asia), which is suitable for labor-intensive links.
② Tariff advantages: Exports to Europe and the United States enjoy tariff preferences (such as the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement), offsetting some of the logistics costs.
③ Risk diversification: After the Sino-US trade war, international brands tend to adopt the "China + 1" strategy, and Southeast Asia has become the first choice for backup supply chains.
④ Infrastructure disadvantages: Port throughput capacity and power supply stability are weaker than China, increasing logistics costs.
2. Technical capabilities
Chinese makeup brush manufacturers
① Accumulation of traditional craftsmanship: China has a long history of manufacturing makeup brushes, and craftsmen are experienced and good at high-end animal hair brushes.
② High-end capabilities: Master the fine processing technology of animal hair, and can produce professional-grade makeup brushes.
③ Automation level: In recent years, the introduction of CNC machine tools, AI quality inspection, etc. has improved standardized production efficiency, synthetic fiber hair (such as ultra-fine nano-fibers) technology is leading, and eco friendly materials (bamboo brush handles) are popular.
④ Innovation speed: Quickly respond to popular trends , provide customized design and OEM service, IP cooperation services.
⑤ Scaled production capacity and flexibility: Can undertake large-volume orders (such as OEM makeup brushes for European and American brands), while supporting small-volume customization (relying on flexible supply chains in Yiwu, Shenzhen, etc.). Short lead time (usually 30-60 days), suitable for the needs of fast fashion beauty brands.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Low-end OEM: Good at basic makeup brush styles such as chemical fiber and wooden handles, suitable for fast fashion brands or large circulation markets.
② Production efficiency and quality fluctuations: Workers have lower technical proficiency, high-end handmade brush quality control is difficult, and the lead time may be extended by 20%-30%.
③ Handicraft potential: Indonesia & Thailand retain traditional hand-woven technology, suitable for niche natural material brushes (coconut shell brush handles).
3. Supply chain stability① Accumulation of traditional craftsmanship: China has a long history of manufacturing makeup brushes, and craftsmen are experienced and good at high-end animal hair brushes.
② High-end capabilities: Master the fine processing technology of animal hair, and can produce professional-grade makeup brushes.
③ Automation level: In recent years, the introduction of CNC machine tools, AI quality inspection, etc. has improved standardized production efficiency, synthetic fiber hair (such as ultra-fine nano-fibers) technology is leading, and eco friendly materials (bamboo brush handles) are popular.
④ Innovation speed: Quickly respond to popular trends , provide customized design and OEM service, IP cooperation services.
⑤ Scaled production capacity and flexibility: Can undertake large-volume orders (such as OEM makeup brushes for European and American brands), while supporting small-volume customization (relying on flexible supply chains in Yiwu, Shenzhen, etc.). Short lead time (usually 30-60 days), suitable for the needs of fast fashion beauty brands.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Low-end OEM: Good at basic makeup brush styles such as chemical fiber and wooden handles, suitable for fast fashion brands or large circulation markets.
② Production efficiency and quality fluctuations: Workers have lower technical proficiency, high-end handmade brush quality control is difficult, and the lead time may be extended by 20%-30%.
③ Handicraft potential: Indonesia & Thailand retain traditional hand-woven technology, suitable for niche natural material brushes (coconut shell brush handles).
Chinese makeup brush manufacturers
① Raw material advantages: China is the world's largest producer of animal hair (such as goat hair and pony hair) and synthetic fibers. There are mature brush raw material supply chains in Hebei,Henan and Guangdong.
② Vertical integration: From hair processing to electroplating and packaging, the entire chain is localized, with strong risk resistance.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Import dependence: high-end raw hair materials and metal accessories need to be imported from China or Japan and South Korea, which are easily affected by international logistics fluctuations.
② Industry dispersion: Vietnamese factories are concentrated in Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City, while Indonesian factories are scattered on Java Island, with low collaboration efficiency.
4. Sustainability and social responsibility② Vertical integration: From hair processing to electroplating and packaging, the entire chain is localized, with strong risk resistance.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Import dependence: high-end raw hair materials and metal accessories need to be imported from China or Japan and South Korea, which are easily affected by international logistics fluctuations.
② Industry dispersion: Vietnamese factories are concentrated in Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City, while Indonesian factories are scattered on Java Island, with low collaboration efficiency.
Chinese makeup brush manufacturers
① ESG investment: Some leading manufactures have passed B Corp certification and promoted renewable packaging and carbon neutral production lines.
② Compliance costs: Social security must be paid compulsorily and comply with ISO 9001/14001 standards, which increases management costs.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Low-cost cost: Some factories have labor rights issues (such as the child labor dispute in Cambodia), which affects the brand's ESG rating.
② Green transformation: The governments of Thailand and Malaysia promote the research and development of bio-based materials, but the commercialization process is slow.
① ESG investment: Some leading manufactures have passed B Corp certification and promoted renewable packaging and carbon neutral production lines.
② Compliance costs: Social security must be paid compulsorily and comply with ISO 9001/14001 standards, which increases management costs.
Southeast Asia manufacturers
① Low-cost cost: Some factories have labor rights issues (such as the child labor dispute in Cambodia), which affects the brand's ESG rating.
② Green transformation: The governments of Thailand and Malaysia promote the research and development of bio-based materials, but the commercialization process is slow.
Summary
| Chinese makeup brush manufacturers | Southeast Asia manufacturers | ||
| Cost | The labor cost is high, but the overall cost is competitive | Low labor costs, but supply chain relies on China | |
| Technology | High-end technology + automation, more diverse products | Mainly low-end and mid-range, low manual costs | |
| Market response | Suitable for fast delivery and complex designs | Suitable for tariff-sensitive orders | |
| Risks | Impact of Sino-US trade friction | Political stability and exchange rate fluctuation risks |
Trend Warning
China: The industry is transforming towards "intelligentization + branding", and low-end OEM capacity may be reduced in the future.
Southeast Asia: The labor costs in Vietnam and Indonesia may catch up with those in China's second- and third-tier cities within 5 years, so automation needs to be deployed in advance.
Suggestions:
The advantages of Chinese makeup brush manufacturers lie in the entire industrial chain and innovation capabilities, while Southeast Asia is more suitable for cost-oriented production. In the future, as RCEP deepens, the synergy between the two places may be further enhanced.
High-end customization/fast delivery orders: Pursuing high-end quality, fast iteration, and complex processes (such as gradient bristles), or needing to cooperate with the "small order and fast response" of cross-border e-commerce, give priority to Chinese makeup brush manufacturers.
Target cost-sensitive markets: avoid high tariffs on China. Move the assembly process to Southeast Asia, but retain the core of the Chinese supply chain.
Diversify risks: Adopt the "China + Southeast Asia" dual supply chain model, high-end makeup brush heads are produced in China, and low-profit brush handles/packaging are completed in Southeast Asia, balancing cost and quality.
