Cosmetics Display Props for Retail Counters

Start with three numbers, not a sketch

A cosmetics display looks like a design problem and behaves like a tolerance problem. If the tier spacing is 10 mm short, the lipstick touches the shelf above. If the tier is 20 mm shallow, the perfume bottle tips forward the first time a customer picks up the one behind it. We ask for three measurements before quoting: the tallest unit on the shelf, the widest unit, and the depth available inside the fixture.

Category	Typical unit height	Recommended tier spacing	Recommended tier depth
Lipstick, liquid lip	80–95 mm	120 mm	90 mm
Fragrance 50 / 100 ml	100–160 mm	180 mm	90 mm
Skincare (toner, lotion, cream)	120–200 mm	220 mm	110 mm
Palettes and compacts	15–25 mm laid flat	80 mm	200 mm
Sheet masks	150 × 110 mm	Box height + 20 mm	130 mm
Gift sets	200–260 mm	280 mm	150 mm

Light position means the LED channel under each tier. The usual detail is to set it back 20–30 mm from the front edge so the light lands on the product face rather than in the customer's eyes — and set it back further if a price strip sits on the front lip, otherwise the strip blocks half the output.

The five units we build most for beauty retail

Tiered risers — three to five steps, square or angled. Angled is easier to shop from; square saves depth. Set step heights from the table above, not from the rendering.
Tester and try-on stations — counter tops with a mirror position, tissue well and a waste well for used applicators. 900–950 mm working height suits a standing customer.
Divider trays and drawer inserts — for stock behind the counter. Movable dividers are worth specifying: seasonal ranges change and the tray should change with them.
Sample and sachet trays — shallow multi-cell trays, 30–40 mm cell depth is enough for sachets and small bottles. Size the cell count to the campaign, not to the annual peak.
Price stands and card holders — L-shape, T-shape, angled inserts. 2–3 mm sheet is enough; thicker stock starts to block the sight line.

Sheet, thickness and edge

Acrylic is the default material for beauty because it can be clear, frosted or opaque, cuts to complex outlines, and weighs far less than glass. But "clear acrylic" covers a wide range, and the difference shows in the finished unit.

Decision	Options	Effect
Sheet	Cast or extruded acrylic	Cast cuts and polishes better and resists edge whitening; extruded costs less and suits flat panels and simple bends.
Thickness	2–3 mm panels · 5–8 mm load-bearing tiers · 15–30 mm bases	Tiers spanning more than 500 mm unsupported should go to 8 mm or gain a centre support.
Surface	Clear, frosted, black, white, mirrored	Frosted resists fingerprints but is harder to clean. A common compromise is frosted front face, clear edges.
Edge	Flame polish · diamond polish · raw cut	Flame polish is the value option; diamond polish approaches optical clarity for eye-level surfaces.
Combination	Wood base + acrylic cover, acrylic + metal fittings	A wood base adds weight and warmth. Both materials come from the same floor, so no second supplier.

One specification worth raising early: acrylic does not like alcohol. Store staff wiping counters with 75% alcohol is normal practice, and repeated contact dulls the surface and makes fine scratches visible. Either move to a neutral cleaner with a microfibre cloth, or specify frosted finish on the surfaces that get wiped daily — frosting hides the wear that clear sheet advertises.

Lighting and cable routing

Allow a 12–15 mm wide, 10 mm deep channel per tier — enough for common rigid strips and aluminium profiles.
Wire each tier separately and make the tier removable, so a failed strip does not mean dismantling the fixture.
Route cables inside the back panel or the upright, never across a visible face.
Lighting components are sourced to your specification or supplied by you. Certification requirements differ by market and we do not substitute electrical parts on our own authority — we build the channel, the fixing points and the cable exits.

Sampling and multi-store roll-out

Beauty clients usually sample one unit, run it in a pilot store for a week, revise once, then order by store count. The step that causes trouble is not production — it is version lock. If the signed sample's sheet, thickness, finish and light positions are not written down, the second batch drifts.

Drawing or reference. CAD is ideal. A dimensioned hand sketch plus a photo of a display you like is enough to quote.
DFM review and quote. Sheet recommendation, thickness, finish, unit price at your quantity, lead time — with the assumptions stated in writing.
Sample. About 7 days after the drawing is confirmed. MOQ is 1 piece, so a single pilot unit is a normal start.
Sign-off and production. Lock the parameters, then produce every store from the same version.
Packing. Protective film both faces, PE foam, individual cartons. Flat-pack cuts freight if the store can assemble on site.

Only a photo, no drawing? Send the photo with the overall size and the width available on the shelf. We will mark up the dimensions we assumed and send them back for confirmation before quoting — that removes most of the ambiguity that causes rework.

Acrylic display propsRisers, step stands and cases. Acrylic storage boxesDivider and drawer units. Jewelry displaySame small-part, high-value logic. Materials & finishesSheet, thickness, surface options. Buying guideThe five parameters that set price. How to orderDrawing to delivery in six steps.

Frequently asked questions

Will acrylic yellow over time?

It depends on sheet type and environment. Cast acrylic generally holds up better than extruded, and indoors — away from direct sun and alcohol-based cleaners — there is no noticeable change for years. For a sunlit window position we recommend glass or a shade detail instead.

Is frosted sheet easier to keep clean?

It hides fingerprints better but holds oil once it gets on. The practical compromise most retailers land on is frosted on the customer-facing surface, clear on edges and internal structure.

How much weight will a tier hold?

It comes down to span. Keep unsupported 5 mm spans under 500 mm; beyond that go to 8 mm or add a centre support. Tell us the expected load per tier and we size the sheet to it rather than guessing.

Can you match our brand colour?

Yes, two ways — coloured sheet, where the closest match is confirmed against a physical swatch, or clear sheet sprayed or UV-printed on the reverse. Deep and special colours usually carry a minimum sheet quantity.

How many pieces does one store need?

Count the shelves. A 30–60 m² beauty store typically lands between 30 and 80 pieces including risers, trays, divider boxes and price stands. Chains normally approve one standard kit, then scale it by store size.

Cosmetics Display Props & Counter Units