I still remember the first time I picked a makeup manufacturer.
Great prices. Big promises. Fast turnaround.
It sounded perfect—until the samples came in.
The texture was off. The shades were inconsistent. And when do I ask questions? No replies.
That mistake cost me time, money, and trust in my brand.
Since then, I’ve worked closely with manufacturers and chemists, to figure out what actually matters. I’ve reviewed dozens of factories and tested real product batches myself.
If you’re here, you probably don’t want to risk picking the wrong partner.
This article gives you 7 trusted makeup manufacturers based in New Zealand. You’ll get clear info on their size, location, when they started, and what they’re good at—and not so good at.
By the end, you’ll have everything you need to choose a reliable partner who can actually deliver quality makeup.
So let’s begin!
Quick Comparison Chart
Before diving into each manufacturer’s details, here’s a quick side-by-side look. This table gives you a snapshot of their strengths, specialties, and limitations.
| Manufacturer | Location | Product Focus | Strengths | Certifications | Limitations |
| Shieling Laboratories | Auckland, New Zealand | Skincare, haircare, cosmetics | Scalable production, full-service R&D | GMP | May have longer lead times for small brands |
| NZ Cosmetic Laboratories | Auckland, New Zealand | Skincare, color cosmetics, toiletries | High-volume capacity, long-standing reputation | GMP | Not ideal for very small batch runs |
| Pauling Industries | Auckland, New Zealand | Skincare, cosmetics, pet care | End-to-end support, hands-on collaboration | GMP | May be better suited for mid-size brands |
| The Cosmetic Company | Cambridge, New Zealand | Skincare, personal care | Personalized service, custom formulation | GMP | Limited batch size for fast scaling |
| Peerage Products Ltd | Christchurch, New Zealand | Skincare, toiletries, candles | Flexible white label, strong communication | GMP | Limited in-house design/branding services |
| Creme Factory Ltd | Nelson, New Zealand | Organic skincare, body care | Organic focus, small-batch care | GMP | Not suitable for synthetic or color cosmetics |
| Cosmed Group | Auckland, New Zealand | Skincare, personal care, pet care | Modern systems, global certifications | GMP, ISO 22716, 9001, 14001 | Limited flexibility for creative/formula iteration |
Let’s move from the snapshot to the full picture—starting with the first manufacturer on the list.
1. Shieling Laboratories
- Year Founded: Early 1980s
- Founders / Key Leadership: CEO – Richard Shiel
- Headquarters Location:
- Mount Wellington, Auckland
- New Zealand
I remember walking into their 5,000-square-meter facility and being struck by how calm yet efficient everything felt. Dozens of staff moved in sync—like they’d done it a thousand times. Shieling has over 130 employees today and produces thousands of product batches every year. They’ve become a trusted name in New Zealand’s beauty manufacturing space.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, makeup, body care, haircare, candles, toiletries
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Natural, organic, and botanical blends
- Best-Selling Products: Facial moisturizers, cleansers, cosmetic base formulas
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Holiday packs and promotional gift items
- Unique Selling Points: Scalable production, private label services, flexible packaging formats
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: In-house laboratory with a full development team
- Development Process: Brand-guided formulation from idea to lab sample
- Product Testing: Performance, shelf-life, and compatibility checks
- Trend Adaptability: Rapid sampling for fast-changing trends
- Patents / Tech: Custom scent technologies and plant-based actives (source: Shieling)
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: From certified, traceable local and global suppliers
- Manufacturing Practices: Fully GMP-compliant (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- Product Testing: On-site stability, micro, and patch testing
- Audits: Passes routine third-party quality checks
- Defects/Recalls: No major public recalls found
- Customer Feedback: Dedicated QA support and detailed batch tracking
Final Verdict
Shieling is a smart pick for brands needing stability, lab support, and scale. However, smaller orders might experience longer lead times during peak production cycles.
2. New Zealand Cosmetic Laboratories (NZCL)
- Year Founded: 1946
- Founders / Key Leadership: Not publicly listed
- Headquarters Location:
- Auckland
- New Zealand
If you’re looking for a manufacturer with serious experience, NZCL is worth considering. They’ve been around for over 75 years. That kind of history doesn’t happen by accident. They’ve helped brands—big and small—create everything from face creams to full makeup lines. You won’t be guessing here. You’ll be working with a team that’s seen almost everything before.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, makeup, personal care, toiletries, and cleaning products
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Natural extracts, color cosmetics, alcohol-free options
- Best-Selling Products: Lotions, facial cleansers, liquid foundations
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Gift sets and custom short-run items
- Unique Selling Points: Large batch capacity, fast filling lines, broad formulation library
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: Fully in-house with dedicated chemists
- Development Process: You’ll collaborate directly with their team to create or adjust formulas
- Product Testing: They perform quality and texture testing during development
- Trend Adaptability: They keep up with clean beauty and eco-conscious trends
- Patents / Tech: No public patents, but wide formulation catalog is available
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: Global suppliers with documented traceability
- Manufacturing Practices: GMP-certified and ISO-compliant facility
- Product Testing: Bacteriological testing on all final products (source: NZCL)
- Audits: Internal and external quality checks
- Defects/Recalls: No public recalls listed
- Customer Feedback: Offers sample reviews and revision support during production
Final Verdict
NZCL is a great fit if you want a stable partner with decades of know-how and the ability to scale. However, their large production setup may not be ideal for you if you’re launching with very small batch sizes.
3. Pauling Industries
- Year Founded: 1990
- Founders / Key Leadership: Not publicly listed
- Headquarters Location:
- Hillcrest, Auckland
- New Zealand
If you’re looking for a hands-on partner, Pauling might be a great fit. They’ve got around 70 full-time staff and over three decades of experience. When I visited, the team was welcoming and involved. You’ll work with real people—not a faceless machine. They help you bring ideas to life, and that support shows in the final product.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, cosmetics, personal care, and pet care
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Natural ingredients, clean label products
- Best-Selling Products: Facial serums, pet grooming creams, and baby care items
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Flexible enough to create themed or promotional runs
- Unique Selling Points: End-to-end support, from concept to packaging
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: Fully in-house with a dedicated formulation team
- Development Process: You can bring your own formula or work with their chemists to create one
- Product Testing: Checks for texture, pH levels, and shelf life
- Trend Adaptability: Responsive to clean beauty and cruelty-free trends
- Patents / Tech: Focuses more on brand-specific innovation than proprietary patents
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: Trusted local and international suppliers
- Manufacturing Practices: GMP-compliant with modern processing equipment
- Product Testing: Safety and microbial testing before batches leave the factory
- Audits: Third-party and internal audits done regularly
- Defects/Recalls: No public recall history found
- Customer Feedback: Open to feedback and supports revisions when needed
Final Verdict
Pauling is great if you want help through every step of building your product line—not just making it. However, their scale and setup may feel too involved if you’re only testing a small batch.
4. The Cosmetic Company
- Year Established: 1995
- Key Leadership: Allyson Gofton, Warwick Kiely; General Manager – Grant McKinlay
- Headquarters Location:
- Cambridge
- New Zealand
You’ll probably like how approachable this team is. They have around 20 staff and work closely with clients at every step. If you’re tired of being passed around by larger factories, this place feels different. One of my clients told me they finally felt “heard” here—and that made all the difference. It’s a small team, but one that truly gets involved.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, body care, personal care, and home care
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Gentle, clean-label formulas for sensitive skin
- Best-Selling Products: Creams, serums, and natural cleansers
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Holiday gift packs, custom short runs
- Unique Selling Points: Custom formulations with hands-on service
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: In-house with direct collaboration
- Development Process: You help shape the formula with their team
- Product Testing: Texture, stability, and scent testing done in-lab
- Trend Adaptability: Tracks popular ingredients like peptides and niacinamide
- Patents / Tech: No public patents, but known for clean, custom blends
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: From certified local and global suppliers
- Manufacturing Practices: Fully GMP-compliant (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- Product Testing: Routine batch testing for consistency and shelf life
- Audits: Passes regular internal and third-party checks
- Defects/Recalls: No public recalls listed
- Customer Feedback: Known for strong communication and follow-up
Final Verdict
The Cosmetic Company is ideal if you want personal support and the freedom to create something custom. However, they may not be the best fit if you’re looking for a large team that offers high-speed mass production.
5. Peerage Products Ltd
- Year Established: 2014
- Key Leadership: General Manager – Ross Butler; Director – John Michael O’Callaghan
- Headquarters Location:
- Christchurch
- New Zealand
Stepping into Peerage’s facility, you’re greeted by the subtle aroma of essential oils and the gentle hum of machinery. The environment is both calming and invigorating, reflecting their dedication to quality. With a team of approximately 12 employees, they offer a personal touch that’s often lost in larger operations. If you value close collaboration and attention to detail, this could be the partner for you.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, makeup, haircare, body care, candles, and toiletries
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Natural and cruelty-free product options
- Best-Selling Products: Body lotions, serums, and oil-based formulas
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Small-batch holiday products and custom promotional lines
- Unique Selling Points: White label options, flexible batch sizes, and full-service manufacturing
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: In-house team with formulating experience
- Development Process: Start with your idea or choose from ready-to-brand formulas
- Product Testing: Texture, shelf life, and user performance checks
- Trend Adaptability: Keeps up with clean beauty, vegan ingredients, and eco-conscious packaging
- Patents / Tech: None published, but known for flexible private-label support
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: Trusted, traceable suppliers across New Zealand and abroad
- Manufacturing Practices: Follows GMP protocols with attention to hygiene
- Product Testing: Samples reviewed for look, feel, and ingredient safety
- Audits: Internal checks and documentation in place
- Defects/Recalls: No reported public recalls
- Customer Feedback: Praised for clear updates and collaborative communication
Final Verdict
Peerage is ideal if you want a close-knit team that supports you through development with flexibility and care. However, they don’t offer a wide in-house design or branding service, so you may need to manage packaging and visual identity separately.
6. Creme Factory Ltd
- Year Established: 1991
- Key Leadership: Director – Michelle Armour
- Headquarters Location:
- Nelson
- New Zealand
The scent of rosewater and chamomile filled the air the moment I stepped into their workshop. Soft natural light came through the windows. Everything felt calm and deliberate. This wasn’t a big industrial space—it felt handcrafted. Creme Factory has been creating organic skincare for over 30 years. Their focus is on small-batch quality, using clean ingredients and simple formulas that feel good on the skin.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, body care, and natural beauty treatments
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Organic, plant-based, and essential oil blends
- Best-Selling Products: Face creams, body butters, and botanical serums
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Small-batch seasonal lines with fresh botanicals
- Unique Selling Points: Dedicated to natural, gentle skincare for sensitive skin
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: In-house, led by an experienced formulator
- Development Process: Collaborative process with brand input at every step
- Product Testing: Stability, safety, and texture tests done in-house
- Trend Adaptability: Focused on organic, preservative-free, and minimal packaging trends
- Patents / Tech: No published patents; specializes in essential oil formulations
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: Certified organic and traceable suppliers
- Manufacturing Practices: GMP-compliant and eco-conscious
- Product Testing: Conducts microbiological and shelf-life testing
- Audits: Strict internal checks and cleanroom practices
- Defects/Recalls: No public recall history found
- Customer Feedback: Known for craftsmanship and attention to ingredient quality
Final Verdict
Creme Factory is best for brands that want to build clean, natural skincare lines with a small, passionate team. However, if you’re aiming for synthetic cosmetics or high-gloss makeup, this isn’t the right match.
7. Cosmed Group
- Year Established: 2015
- Key Leadership: CEO – Jayesh Pabari
- Headquarters Location:
- East Tāmaki, Auckland
- New Zealand
I remember walking through Cosmed’s facility thinking, “This feels different—cleaner, quieter, faster.” One of their staff looked over and smiled. “We’re proud of this place. Want to see how we fill 10,000 units a day?” he asked. I nodded, and in that moment, I knew they weren’t just another startup. Cosmed may be younger than other manufacturers, but their systems feel sharp and efficient.
Product Range
- Core Products: Skincare, personal care, pet care
- Specialized Formulations or Innovations: Vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable packaging options
- Best-Selling Products: Face moisturizers, baby creams, and cleansing gels
- Seasonal / Limited Editions: Custom launches for influencers and brands
- Unique Selling Points: Large-scale production with eco-focused formulas
Research & Development (R&D)
- R&D Type: In-house with full formulation and testing team
- Development Process: Work closely with chemists to build or adjust your formula
- Product Testing: Stability, preservative challenge testing, and performance checks
- Trend Adaptability: Responds fast to trends like waterless skincare and refillable packaging
- Patents / Tech: Uses proprietary filling equipment and green manufacturing tech
Quality Control & Assurance
- Raw Material Sourcing: From approved, traceable suppliers
- Manufacturing Practices: GMP-certified, ISO 22716, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001
- Product Testing: Batch-level tests for consistency and contamination
- Audits: Regular internal and external audits to meet global export standards
- Defects/Recalls: No public recalls to date
- Customer Feedback: Known for transparency, clear timelines, and quick resolutions
Final Verdict
Cosmed Group is a smart pick if you’re scaling fast and need modern systems with global certifications. However, their corporate-style approach and focus on efficiency may not suit founders looking for deep creative input or slow-paced, hands-on development.
Looking for a Manufacturer Outside the New Zealand?
You’ve looked into a few manufacturers, but something’s missing. Maybe they don’t offer makeup. Maybe they only take large-volume orders. Or maybe they just don’t feel like the right fit. It’s tough when you’re trying to build a product you believe in—and the support just isn’t there.
That’s why many brands explore manufacturers outside New Zealand. At TY Cosmetics in China, we’ve worked with clients globally—from salons to indie brands to established companies.
Here’s what we offer:
- Custom formulas developed with our in-house chemists
- GMP, ISO22716, cruelty-free, and MSDS certifications
- Flexible batch sizes to support small and large runs
- A wide range of skincare and makeup options
- Private label and full packaging solutions
- International shipping with export documents included
Contact us today—we can support you with flexible production and expert care.
Conclusion
You’ve just explored 7 trusted makeup manufacturers in New Zealand. You know what they do, where they shine, and how they compare.
Whether you’re building your first product or scaling your brand, this list gives you real options.
I’ve made the hard calls, so you don’t have to.
This is your next step—your product, your brand, your story.
Contact us today—we can help you take that first leap.
Explore More Helpful Resources
Interested in more? Here are some additional articles with insights and tips to keep you informed:
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re available around the clock to assist you.
