Pigment Cosmetics Inc
Pigment Cosmetics is a privately held, US-based professional cosmetics company founded in 1998 that sells cruelty-free, vegan makeup products, kits, and workstations through direct-to-consumer e-commerce to makeup artists, beauty schools, and individual consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersNevada City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Pigment Cosmetics Inc does
Pigment Cosmetics, Inc. is a privately held, US-domiciled (California) professional cosmetics company founded circa 1998 that formulates, distributes, and sells cruelty-free, vegan makeup products through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at pigmenetcosmetics.com. The product portfolio is organized into core color categories — Foundations (Compact Creme, Liquid Foundations in Gen V and Water Proof variants, Matt Loose Powder), Lips (Kiss Proof and Charming glosses, lip pencils), Eyes (concealers, creme eyeliner, eye pencils, creme/diamond/matt shadows, mascara, pearl powder), and Cheeks (blushes, contour/highlight compacts) — plus a dedicated PRO Shop targeting working makeup artists and students with Beauty Kits ($312–$1,326.50), professional brushes, makeup artist workstations ($1,100–$1,500), customizable palettes and refills ($5–$8.50 refills, $32.50–$75 full palettes), PRO Foundation Adjusters, and PRO Skin Primers.
The underlying technology is formulation rather than software: high-pigment, long-wearing professional-grade cosmetic chemistry paired with refillable palette systems that drive consumable repeat purchases. There is no public API, no developer platform, and no AI/ML components disclosed. Distribution is entirely US-domestic via the company website and select US retail stores, supported by phone (415-357-1117 / 415-279-9070) and email customer service.
Revenue mechanics are pure transactional one-time sales with no subscription model. The go-to-market targets three segments: licensed professional makeup artists (primary), beauty schools and cosmetology colleges (primary, served via 17+ named institutional partnerships and 2024 AACS Premier Partner status), and individual consumer enthusiasts (secondary). Marketing relies on the website storefront, organic Facebook/Instagram/YouTube presence, and a referral-style partner channel through cosmetology schools. The company operates from a single San Francisco office at 1 Embarcadero Center, Suite R-1206, with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, M&A history, or management team in the public record.
Pigment Cosmetics Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pigment Cosmetics Inc
- Legal name
- Pigment Cosmetics, Inc.
- Website
- https://pigmentcosmetics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pigment Cosmetics is a privately held, US-based professional cosmetics company founded in 1998 that sells cruelty-free, vegan makeup products, kits, and workstations through direct-to-consumer e-commerce to makeup artists, beauty schools, and individual consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pigment Cosmetics Inc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Cosmetics
- NAICS
- Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (45612), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Face Makeup (Foundation, Concealer, Powder, Blush, Bronzer, Highlighter) (CRABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Makeup Palettes & Sets (Curated Palettes, Gift Sets, Multi-use Kits) (CRABACAF), Lip Makeup (Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Lip Liner, Lip Stain, Lip Balm-Tint) (CRABACAC), Beauty Accessories (Puffs, Shields, Mixing Tools, Sharpeners) (CRABAKAL)
Keywords
Where Pigment Cosmetics Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nevada City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pigment Cosmetics Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: Primary revenue through direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales of professional makeup products including foundations, eyeshadows, lip products, concealers, brushes, and professional kits. Products range from individual items ($5-$30) to complete professional beauty kits ($300-$1,500+).
- Professional Equipment Sales: Sale of professional-grade equipment including makeup artist workstations, brushes, and tools to beauty schools and professional makeup artists.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Makeup Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Kits and Equipment |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Palette and Refill Products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pigment Cosmetics Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pigment Cosmetics manufactures and sells professional-grade, cruelty-free, vegan makeup products including foundations, lip products, eye products, cheek products, professional beauty kits, brushes, and makeup artist workstations. The portfolio serves professional makeup artists, beauty school students, and individual consumers seeking high-pigment, long-wearing formulas at accessible price points.
Product overview
Pigment Cosmetics Inc is a professional makeup company offering professional-quality, cruelty-free, vegan makeup, kits, and tools. Founded 26 years ago starting with 6 shades of liquid foundations, the company has grown to offer an extensive product portfolio organized into core makeup lines (Foundations, Lips, Eyes, Cheeks) and a PRO Shop segment. The PRO Shop includes professional tools (brushes, workstations), Beauty Kits (PRO, STYLIST, MINI variants), Palettes (eyeshadow, concealer, blush, lip), and Palette Refills. The company also provides educational support through partnerships with cosmetology schools, offering courses in beauty makeup, special effects, photography makeup, high definition makeup, and editorial hairstyling. Products are primarily sold directly to consumers and professional makeup artists through the e-commerce platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Foundations Professional-grade foundation products including Compact Creme foundations, Liquid Foundations (Gen V and Water Proof variants), and Matt Loose Powder formulated for professional makeup artists and individual consumers requiring high-pigment coverage.
- Lip Products Lip cosmetics including Kiss Proof and Charming lip glosses and professional lip pencils designed for precise, long-wearing lip application.
- Eye Products Eye makeup line including High Density concealers, Creme eyeliners, eye pencils, eye shadows in Creme, Diamond and Matt varieties, mascara, and pearl powder for eye enhancement.
- Cheek Products Professional blush products in compact form plus contour and highlight compacts for cheek color enhancement and facial sculpting.
- Beauty Kits Bundled professional beauty kits for makeup artists and beauty school students, including the PRO Beauty Kit ($1,326.50), STYLIST Beauty Kit ($523.00), MINI Beauty Kit ($312.00), and Modified MINI Beauty Kit ($380.00).
- Professional Brushes and Tools Professional-grade makeup brushes including Kabuki brushes, foundation brushes, angled brushes, and professional artist tools such as Brush Cleaner PRO and Hydrating Makeup Remover PRO.
- Makeup Artist Workstations Professional makeup artist workstations and retail displays, including the Makeup Artist Workstation 1 ($1,500.00) and TESTER/RETAIL Display units ($1,100.00), for use by beauty schools and working makeup artists.
- Palettes Professional makeup palettes including Eyeshadow palettes (Neutral, Brights, Lights), Concealer palettes, Blush palettes, Lip palettes, and Contour/Highlight compacts.
- Palette Refills Individual refills for professional palettes including Blush Palette Refills, Compact Creme Palette Refills, Corrector Palette Refills, Lip Pans Palette Refills, and Neutral Eye Shadow Palette Refills.
- PRO Foundation Adjusters Professional foundation adjuster products (SKU: LFADJ01-06) used to modify and customize foundation formulas for professional makeup artists.
- PRO Skin Primers Professional-grade skin priming products including PRO Skin Primer 01 ($25.00), PRO Skin Primer 02, PRO Skin Primer 03, and PRO Skin Primer 04 for HD and professional makeup applications.
Companies that use Pigment Cosmetics Inc
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pigment Cosmetics Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Pigment Cosmetics Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)coreAACS Premier Partner 2024 - formal partnership with the leading association for beauty and cosmetology schools in the United States, providing professional makeup products and educational support to member schools
- Gould's AcademycoreBeauty school partner utilizing Pigment professional makeup products for student education and training programs. Long-term relationship spanning nearly 30 years according to testimonial from David Hearn.
- Lincoln TechcoreTechnical education institution with beauty programs using Pigment products for student training. Ongoing partnership with educational events and product support.
- TIGI Hairdressing AcademycoreHairdressing academy partner in Colorado Springs and Newtown locations using Pigment products for beauty education.
- Artistic Nail & Beauty AcademycoreBeauty academy partner hosting educational events with Pigment representatives for student training on professional makeup techniques.
- Salon InstitutecoreBeauty school partner using Pigment professional makeup kits for student education. Testimonial indicates high satisfaction with kit quality.
- Atelier Esthetique InstituteminorBeauty education partner providing feedback on product needs and partnership responsiveness.
- Clary Sage CollegeminorCosmetology education partner institution.
- Lake Area TechminorTechnical college beauty program partner.
- Toni GuyminorInternational hairdressing academy network partner.
- AE InstituteminorBeauty education institute partner.
- Protege AcademyminorCosmetology academy partner.
- Austin Kade AcademyminorBeauty education institution partner.
- Tint Cosmetology SchoolsminorCosmetology schools network partner.
- NBC CosmetologyminorCosmetology education partner.
- ANLI AcademyminorBeauty education academy partner.
- Fountain of Youth Academy of CosmetologyminorCosmetology education institution partner.
- Vegas Academy SchoolminorBeauty education institution in Las Vegas area.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Pigment Cosmetics Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bobbi Brown Cosmetics: Professional artistry-founded brand known for natural-finish foundations and comprehensive face/eye/lip ranges. Directly comparable to Pigment on pro-grade positioning, education-channel presence, and shade-range depth.
- MAC Cosmetics: Industry-leading professional makeup brand with broad foundation, lip, eye, and cheek assortments sold through DTC, department stores, and freestanding pro stores. Most directly comparable to Pigment on pro-grade positioning, foundation-heavy catalog, and B2B/MUA focus.
- Kryolan: Professional makeup company with a foundation-, concealer-, and palette-heavy catalog serving film, TV, theater, and beauty schools. Comparable to Pigment's professional-kits-and-palettes model and school-distribution focus.
- Make Up For Ever: Pro-artistry heritage brand with HD foundations, long-wear lip/eye products, and dedicated pro/education channels. Closely comparable to Pigment's emphasis on HD/film/photography-ready formulas and academy partnerships.
- RCMA Makeup: Cult-favorite pro brand anchored by its foundation line and palette system; sells through DTC and select retailers. Closely comparable to Pigment's foundation roots, palette/refill system, and professional-artist customer base.
- Morphe: Brand built around eyeshadow palettes, brush sets, and MUA collaborations sold DTC and through Ulta. Comparable to Pigment on palette-centric assortment, pro/influencer marketing, and accessible price points.
- Tarte Cosmetics: Mid-prestige brand with strong foundation and palette franchises sold through Sephora/Ulta and DTC. Comparable on shade-range-led foundation positioning and palette-heavy assortment.
Others
- GlamGlow: Estée Lauder-owned skincare-adjacent beauty brand with selective makeup extensions. Included as an adjacent/portfolio peer illustrating how independent niche makeup brands get absorbed into larger beauty houses.
Broad incumbents
- e.l.f. Cosmetics: Mass-prestige brand with deep foundation, lip, eye, and brush ranges distributed through mass and specialty retail. Comparable to Pigment on accessible-pricing, vegan/cruelty-free positioning, and broad category coverage.
- Sephora Collection: Retailer-owned private-label makeup line spanning foundations, lips, eyes, palettes, and brushes at accessible prices. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same face/eye/lip categories Pigment competes in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pigment Cosmetics Inc social profiles
Digital presencePigment Cosmetics Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pigment Cosmetics Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Pigment Cosmetics Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pigment Cosmetics Inc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pigment Cosmetics Inc
What does Pigment Cosmetics Inc do?
Pigment Cosmetics manufactures and sells professional-grade, cruelty-free, vegan makeup products including foundations, lip products, eye products, cheek products, professional beauty kits, brushes, and makeup artist workstations. The portfolio serves professional makeup artists, beauty school students, and individual consumers seeking high-pigment, long-wearing formulas at accessible price points.
Is Pigment Cosmetics Inc a public or private company?
Pigment Cosmetics Inc is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Pigment Cosmetics Inc founded?
Pigment Cosmetics Inc was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pigment Cosmetics Inc based?
Pigment Cosmetics Inc is headquartered in Nevada City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pigment Cosmetics Inc make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are professional Equipment Sales.
Who are Pigment Cosmetics Inc's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Kryolan, Make Up For Ever, RCMA Makeup, Morphe and Tarte Cosmetics. GlamGlow is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are e.l.f. Cosmetics and Sephora Collection.
Does Pigment Cosmetics Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pigment Cosmetics Inc.
What industry is Pigment Cosmetics Inc in?
Pigment Cosmetics Inc's product category is Professional Cosmetics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABACAA, Face Makeup (Foundation, Concealer, Powder, Blush, Bronzer, Highlighter), with a secondary code of CRABACAF, Makeup Palettes & Sets (Curated Palettes, Gift Sets, Multi-use Kits). Its NAICS code is 45612 and its SIC code is 2844.