The Qosmedix Journey: How Disposable Cosmetic Applicators Changed the Industry
Between expanding our EQO-Friendly line, launching salon supplies, and increasing our philanthropic endeavors, it’s been an exciting time here at Qosmedix. We are constantly refining our assortment and strive to provide our customers with the very best supplies and tools. That’s been our goal since day 1, when we first started providing retail locations with disposable applicators to make shopping safer for customers.
Qosmedix was founded back in 1987, after our founder, Stuart Herskovitz, took what would be a life-changing trip to a department store. While walking by the cosmetic section, he noticed shoppers trying on various lipstick shades directly on their lips before returning them to the makeup counter. While this was commonplace and a standard practice at the time, with Stuart’s background in the medical industry, it struck him as unhygienic and potentially even dangerous. He was concerned that sharing lipstick could lead to the spread of infection.
Stuart realized there was a need for disposable cosmetic applicators that would reduce the risk of cross-contamination, and thought: “If doctors and hospitals use medical disposables to reduce these risks, why not apply the same principle to the beauty industry?” Qosmedix was founded with the idea of making high-quality, disposable cosmetic applicators easily available and affordable for a variety of retail locations.
This innovative approach was made possible thanks to Stuart’s experience building Qosina, which supplies medical device components to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. With these fields requiring unparalleled standards in hygienics and precision, Stuart aimed to apply Qosina’s high-quality, sanitary production processes to the cosmetic industry.
In the decades since, our disposable applicators have remained among our best-selling products. Vogue has even recognized disposable sponges as some of the best sanitary tools for makeup. Disposable applicators let shoppers try a variety of colors and different cosmetic formulas with confidence that these single-use tools won’t lead to any cross-contamination. They also help retail locations and salons waste less product by sharing formulas, but not applicators, between clients. Disposable applicators have become an irreplaceable tool for makeup artists as well, offering a way to keep their kit sanitary without having to wash their brushes several times a day between clients. With retailers having countless cosmetics for customers to experience and makeup artists needing a variety of tools, we began offering disposable applicator kits with a collection of brushes, spatulas, applicators and more.
We aim to embody Stuart’s innovative spirit and continually offer new products that meet the needs of beauty retailers, makeup artists, salons, and spas. Our Product Development team's focus on trend forecasting has led us to release specialized disposable applicators like our Flocked Doe Foot Lip Gloss Applicator after recognizing glossy lips were trending. When our spa and salon partners shared the high demand for brow lamination services, we introduced our Mini Lash and Brow Micro Spoolie Brush with Cap along with a comprehensive guide for salon professionals.
As the beauty industry progressed over time and we became aware of its impact on the planet, we introduced our EQO-Friendly line, full of earth-conscious disposable applicators, biodegradable mixing bowls, and other environmentally-friendly beauty products. These supplies are made with a variety of renewable materials like bamboo, FSC® Certified paper, PCR (post-consumer recycled plastics) and cotton to reduce the strain on the Earth’s precious resources. We are continuously researching new materials and production capabilities to offer additional sustainable options. Some recent arrivals include our WaterWipes Biodegradable Original Baby Wipes in response to disposable makeup wipes being one of the worst ocean polluters, and the sustainable version of our lip gloss applicators made with bamboo handles. We are firm believers in marrying high-quality supplies, innovation, and sustainability and we’re excited to continue adding to the EQO-Friendly line as new research and trends emerge.
Crafting our high-quality, competitively-priced products is a meticulous process spanning various departments here at Qosmedix. Our process begins with thorough market research and ideation, where we collect insights and brainstorm, prioritizing trends and pinpointing gaps in our current offerings. The most recent round of research and brainstorming has led us to launch salon supplies, providing our favorite hairstylists with color application tools and a variety of brushes and combs. We love seeing our new waxing and tanning tools in action at spas around the country too!
As we expand into new product categories and launch unique supplies, we plan to build on our legacy of innovation, affordability, and high-quality production. This includes revisiting our original designs and updating them so our clients can enjoy modern improvements. As we do so, we will always come back to our founding story, finding ways to make products that solve problems, offer the best in hygiene, and remain competitively-priced and expertly crafted. Reflecting back on our journey since the first Qosmedix disposable applicators hit the market back in the 80s, we are endlessly thankful for our incredible team and all of our fantastic partners. We’re looking forward to a future with more innovation and an even greater focus on sustainability. We can’t wait for you to see what solutions we have in store next!
FAQs about Disposable Applicators
What are the benefits of using disposable applicators?
There are a myriad of benefits that disposable applicators can provide for both retail locations and makeup artists, including:
- Hygiene: single-use tools maintain cleanliness by reducing the risk of contamination and preventing the spread of bacteria.
- Convenience: they offer an easy way to test and apply a variety of products without the time-consuming task of sanitizing brushes between each use.
- Precision: each applicator is expertly designed for a specific function, making it the ideal tool to apply its corresponding formula.
What eco-friendly disposable applicators or sustainable options are available?
Qosmedix offers EQO-Friendly disposable applicators that are made with environmentally-friendly materials and produced in a less resource-intensive way. These supplies are made with biodegradable and renewable materials including bamboo, FSC® Certified paper, PCR and cotton.
What products or formulas can be used with disposable applicators?
We carry a variety of disposable lip brushes, sponges, mascara wands, spatulas, doe foot applicator, and spoolies for every cosmetic and skincare formula. Our wide variety of tools can be used to apply creams, serums, lip gloss, eye shadow, foundation, eyeliner, color cosmetics, and more.
Which disposable applicators, and how many, should be ordered?
With decades of experience supplying disposable applicators to beauty retailers, our dedicated team can help determine your unique needs based on your number of stores, employees, customers, or other factors.