How to Start a Profitable Cosmetics Business in Kenya.

The cosmetics industry in Kenya is booming, with a market valued at over Ksh 100 billion. With increasing demand for beauty and personal care products, starting a cosmetics business is a lucrative opportunity. If you’re passionate about beauty and want to tap into this growing industry, this guide will walk you through the steps to start and grow a successful cosmetics business in Kenya.
Why Start a Cosmetics Business in Kenya?
Beauty is big business. Kenyan consumers, especially women, prioritize spending on cosmetics, often before other essentials like rent and savings. The rise of social media influencers, a growing middle class, and increasing beauty consciousness have fueled the demand for skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance products.
With a well-planned strategy, you can establish a thriving cosmetics shop that serves this eager market.
Steps to Start a Cosmetics Business in Kenya
1. Write a Cosmetics Business Plan
A business plan is essential for structuring your cosmetics venture. It should include:
- Startup Costs – Estimated capital for rent, inventory, licenses, and marketing.
- Product List – Determine what you’ll sell (makeup, skincare, hair products, perfumes, etc.).
- Target Market – Identify your ideal customers (youth, professionals, salons, etc.).
- Competition Analysis – Study existing beauty shops and identify gaps you can fill.
- Marketing Strategy – Plan how you’ll attract and retain customers.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure how to create a business plan, consider hiring a professional or using online templates.
2. Choose a Profitable Business Location
Your business location plays a huge role in its success. Look for areas with high foot traffic, such as:
- Busy town centers or estates.
- Near salons, beauty parlors, and barber shops.
- Malls and shopping complexes.
- Markets with limited competition.
If rent is too high in prime areas, consider starting an online cosmetics shop and using social media for marketing.
3. Choose the Right Cosmetic Products to Sell
Not all beauty products sell equally. Focus on fast-moving and highly profitable items:
✔ Makeup: Foundation, lipstick, eyeliners, mascara, powders.
✔ Skincare: Moisturizers, body lotions, toners, serums, acne treatments.
✔ Haircare: Weaves, wigs, hair relaxers, oils, shampoos, conditioners.
✔ Fragrances: Body mists, deodorants, perfumes.
Stock popular brands like Nivea, Nice & Lovely, Maybelline, Mac, Dark & Lovely, Venus, Miadi, and Revlon to attract customers.
4. Secure Startup Capital
The amount of capital you need depends on the business size. Here’s a rough estimate:
Expense | Estimated Cost (KES) |
Business licenses | 10,000 – 30,000 |
Initial stock | 50,000 – 300,000 |
Shelves and display | 20,000 – 50,000 |
Rent (3 months) | 30,000 – 100,000 |
Marketing | 5,000 – 20,000 |
Working capital | 20,000 – 50,000 |
Total Estimate | 100,000 – 500,000 |
If you don’t have enough capital, consider getting a business loan or saving up gradually.
5. Find Reliable Suppliers
To maximize profits, buy cosmetics at wholesale prices from reliable distributors. Some popular suppliers in Kenya include:
📍 Best Lady, Kamukunji, River Road, and Dubois Road (Nairobi) – Offer wholesale prices on beauty products.
📍 Mombasa & Kisumu wholesalers – Great for those outside Nairobi.
📍 Direct imports – You can import from Dubai, China, or Turkey if you plan to expand.
Compare different wholesalers and negotiate better deals to keep costs low.

6. Obtain Business Permits & Licenses
To operate legally, you’ll need:
✅ Single Business Permit – Costs between Ksh 3,000 – 15,000, depending on your county.
✅ Health & Hygiene Certificate – If you’ll be selling skincare or haircare products.
✅ Fire Safety License – Some counties require fire extinguishers in business premises.
Visit your county government offices to apply for these permits.
7. Market Your Cosmetics Business
Your marketing strategy determines how fast your business grows. Here’s how to attract customers:
💡 Social Media Marketing – Use Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to showcase your products. Post beauty tips and before-and-after transformations to engage customers.
💡 WhatsApp & Bulk SMS – Create a WhatsApp group for promotions and send SMS alerts on discounts.
💡 Referral Program – Offer small discounts to customers who bring in new buyers.
💡 Salon Partnerships – Work with local hairdressers and beauty therapists to recommend your products.
Is the Cosmetics Business Profitable in Kenya?
Yes! A small cosmetics shop can make Ksh 3,000 – 7,000 per day in a good location. That’s over Ksh 100,000 per month in revenue!
To boost profits:
✅ Sell high-margin products like perfumes and imported brands.
✅ Build a loyal customer base by offering excellent service.
✅ Source your stock at the lowest prices possible.
Conclusion: Your Beauty Empire Starts Now
The cosmetics business in Kenya offers high returns if done right. Whether you start with a small beauty kiosk, an online store, or a full-scale beauty shop, the key to success is good location, smart pricing, and strong marketing.
Ready to start? Take action today, find a good supplier, and launch your cosmetics business!
How Pesabook Supports Your Cosmetics Business
Running a cosmetics business is exciting and profitable, but managing finances, tracking stock, and keeping up with customer demands can be overwhelming. That’s where Pesabook comes in—a powerful tool designed to streamline your operations and help you grow effortlessly.
💄 How Pesabook Makes Your Cosmetics Business Easier
📊 Track Income and Expenses
Monitor your daily earnings from makeup, skincare, perfumes, and haircare sales, and keep track of expenses like inventory purchases, rent, licenses, and marketing costs. With Pesabook, you always know your profits and cash flow.
💰 Automated Payments
If you buy stock from wholesalers or pay employees, Pesabook simplifies and automates transactions, ensuring you never miss a payment or miscalculate your expenses.
📦 Inventory Management
Never run out of fast-moving beauty products like foundations, lipsticks, hair products, and skincare items. Pesabook helps you monitor best-sellers, restock on time, and reduce losses from expired or slow-moving stock.
📞 Customer & Order Management
Build a database of repeat customers and track their favorite products. With Pesabook, you can send personalized offers, introduce new arrivals, and increase customer loyalty.
📩 Bulk SMS Marketing
Boost sales by notifying your customers about:
💋 New beauty products now in stock.
💰 Limited-time discounts on best-sellers.
🎉 Exclusive VIP offers for loyal customers.
📈 Real-Time Reports & Business Insights
Generate daily, weekly, or monthly reports to analyze:
✔ Which products are selling the fastest.
✔ Peak shopping hours to schedule promotions.
✔ Ways to cut costs and boost profits.
📱 Manage from Anywhere
Whether you’re at your beauty shop, sourcing stock, or attending a beauty expo, Pesabook’s mobile-friendly platform ensures you can manage your business on the go.
Why Cosmetics Retailers Love Pesabook
✅ Easy to Use – Simple and designed for beauty entrepreneurs.
✅ Saves Time – Automates stock tracking, payments, and customer engagement.
✅ Boosts Profits – Helps you optimize pricing and marketing strategies.
✅ Affordable – A cost-effective tool with no hidden fees.
Take Your Cosmetics Business to the Next Level with Pesabook!
Join successful beauty retailers who track their sales, manage inventory, and grow their businesses effortlessly with Pesabook.
🔗 Sign up for free today at www.pesabook.com! 💄✨