Tariff Survival Guide for Stylists
Imagine this: You’re mid-wedding trial, lashes halfway on, foundation blended to perfection—and suddenly, your favorite glue decides it’s empty. You dig through your kit like a raccoon at midnight only to remember: the shipment’s late. Again. Why? Tariffs.
You heard me. The same word that gives economists job security is now the reason your go-to disposable spoolies are mysteriously $9.99 instead of $4. It all started with those 2018 tariffs—yes, the Trump ones—that slapped extra fees on imported goods, including most of the brushes, glues, lashes, and packaging we rely on.
the Pause IS the cause
Fast forward to 2025, and while we’re all still catching our breath from shipping delays and import spikes, a temporary 90-day tariff pause has just been announced—buying time, not solving the root issue. The beauty industry, like every industry, is realizing that global trade policies now impact local bookings.
Why You Should Care
A few months ago, when those big 145% tariff threats hit the news, a bunch of retailers canceled or paused shipments. Now? Fewer ships, fewer goods, and higher costs to move everything. That slowdown is already baked into the system—and it’s gonna hit your kit this fall.
What Glam Shortages Actually Look Like
Let me break it down:
- Your lash vendor? Imports from China.
- Lash glue? Might double in price by September.
- Curling wand? Backordered 'til 2026.
- That one glitter pot you swear by? Gone.
- Clients still want Pinterest-perfect glam—and you’ll be scrambling for a dupe.
When customs gets cranky, your kit gets hungry. And if your business depends on being stocked and ready (which it does), every shipping delay becomes a mini crisis.
My Stylist Survival Guide
(aka: Don’t Panic, Plan Like a Pro)
**1. Forecast Like You're Running Sephora’s Secret Warehouse**
If you’re waiting until you’re down to one pair of lashes to reorder—you’re not forecasting, you’re gambling. I track what I use each month. That means I don’t just plan styles, I plan SKUs. Nerdy? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
What You Need to Do (Like, Now)
- Order Now: Pre-tariff stock is all that’s left on shelves.
- Think Ahead: Stock up for fall/winter weddings and events.
- Go Local: Build relationships with in-state suppliers.
- Set Aside a “Prompocalypse” Bin: Save supplies for seasonal surges.
**2. Double Up on Dual-Use Products**
When a lip stain doubles as a cheek tint, or your thermal spray works for straight and curly sets—you win. The less stuff you need to reorder from different vendors, the better you sleep.
**3. Know a Local Supplier Like You Know Your Star Client’s Latte Order**
Find out who’s distributing *in your state*—not across the ocean. I’m in Dallas and Sherman Oaks, and I’ve got backups in both. No one’s flying in for their quinceañera only to hear I’m out of setting spray.
**4. Bulk Order Before the Prompocalypse**
Every spring and winter, we hit a glam surge. Weddings, proms, family photos, and production calendars align like Mercury in retrograde. Beat the rush. Order heavy. Hoard mascara like it’s 2020.
**5. Create a Backup Kit That Could Save a Sitcom**
I’ve got backups for my backups. I once did an entire film cast with what I call my “car glam kit”—a bootleg bundle of sample sizes and brands I still trust. Because panic is the enemy of polish.
💼 From Warehouse Floors to Wedding Venues
Here’s a little secret: my husband runs logistics companies and full-scale manufacturing companies. We talk about inventory like other couples talk about Netflix. What I’ve learned? Whether you’re shipping pallets or prepping lashes, the supply chain rules don’t change.
Bonus Wisdom from the Warehouse Whisperer (aka My Husband)
He runs actual factories. And even he says:
- The ships have slow down now, very few suppliers shipped when the tariff spiked at 147% Expect empty shelves, backorders, and prices spike in 90 days.
- What’s “in stock” today is already a discount.
- Spring 2026 is when things *might* chill out. Until then? It’s war paint and spreadsheets.
- Know your lead times. (how long it takes to get to you after you order it)
- Don’t trust “in stock” unless you’ve seen the manifest.
- Always have a Plan B that doesn’t involve explaining yourself to a stressed-out client.
Your Clients Don’t Know There’s a Trade War
They just know if their brow pencil smears or their lash curls collapse before the cake cutting. So while they’re sipping mimosas, you better believe I’m watching shipment ETAs and contingency plans like a military commander with a flat iron.
Cue Ariel (That’s Me)
You don’t need to be a supply chain expert—you just need to think like one. Keep your kit stocked. Keep your rates honest. And don’t let a shipping delay be the reason a bride goes viral for all the wrong reasons.
🖤 Stock smart. Glam hard. #CreatedByAriel
I’m not just the girl with the glam—I’m the girl with the spreadsheet. Licensed in two states. MUD-trained. IMDb-credited. And stocked like a prepper with good taste.
📍 Serving Downtown Dallas and Sherman Oaks
🖤 Come for the artistry. Stay for the inventory management that could shame a logistics firm.
Sources.. (YES - I look this stuff up too!)
- ASI Central – Tariff Pause Update (May 2025): https://members.asicentral.com/news/industry-news/may-2025/us-china-agree-to-substantially-lower-tariffs-for-90-days/
- Reason.com – Supply Shortage Fallout:
Supply Chain Disruptions and Ingredient Shortages:
The industry is grappling with shortages of key ingredients and packaging materials due to global supply chain disruptions.
These shortages are causing raw material and finished good prices to rise, impacting both large and small beauty brands.
Supply chain issues create an opportunity for counterfeit and potentially hazardous products to enter the market, posing a risk to client safety and business reputation.
