Yes, You Can Trademark a Shade Name—But Only If It’s Distinctive In order for any name to qualify for trademark protection, it must identify the source of the product, not just describe the product itself. So if you’re naming your lipstick “Soft Red” or “Coral Nude,” it’s probably too generic or descriptive to qualify. But […]

Collabs and influencer partnerships have become a go-to growth tool for beauty brands. Whether it’s a co-branded product drop, affiliate campaign, or exclusive launch party, partnerships can build major buzz. But here’s the part many founders overlook: a beauty collab is not just a vibe—it’s a business deal. Without a clear contract in place, even […]

1. What is a Fractional General Counsel (FGC)? A fractional general counsel is a senior attorney who plugs into your business for a set number of hours each month—think “on‑call legal department”—providing the same strategic advice as an in‑house GC, but part‑time and on a flat or capped retainer. Because you buy only the capacity you […]

Setting the stage Whether you’re a contract manufacturer scaling K‑beauty dupes or a boutique lab whipping up CBD serums, iron‑clad agreements are your barrier cream against scope creep, recalls, and margin melt. Here are five clauses my team rewrites on every manufacturing contract — plus the red‑flag language to delete today. 1. Scope of Services […]
