25 Beauty Brands Small Creators Should Be Pitching in 2026

If you're a smaller beauty creator waiting until you have 50K, 100K, or even 10K followers before you start reaching out to brands, I want you to stop.

Your follower count is not the only thing brands are paying attention to.

Your content matters. Your audience matters. Your ability to communicate who you are and what you can offer a brand matters.

And yes, small creators are getting PR, UGC opportunities, affiliate partnerships, and paid brand deals.

But one of the questions I hear all the time is:

“Krissy, what brands should I actually be pitching?”

So let's talk about it.

I put together 25 beauty brands I think smaller creators should have on their radar in 2026, especially if you're consistently creating beauty, skincare, fragrance, or lifestyle content.

But before we get into the list, there's something important I need you to know.

Don't Pitch Until You're Actually Ready to Pitch

Finding a brand email address isn't the hard part.

You need to know what the brand is going to see when they click on your profile.

Is your niche clear?

Can they immediately understand who your content is for?

Do you have examples of content that demonstrate what you could create for them?

Would a brand understand how you could help them?

That's exactly why I created Before You Pitch: The Creator Readiness Workbook.

It walks you through your creator brand, content, positioning, and overall readiness so you can identify what needs to be fixed before you start sending pitches.

First, What Do I Mean by “Brands That Work With Small Creators?”

I don't want you to read this list and assume that every brand below currently has an open PR application or that sending one email automatically gets you on a PR list.

It doesn't work that way.

Creator programs change. PR lists change. Agencies change. Campaign needs change.

But these are brands that are active in creator marketing and may offer opportunities through things like:

• PR and gifting

• Affiliate or ambassador programs

• UGC

• Influencer campaigns

• Retail campaigns

• Organic creator relationships

• Paid partnerships

Most importantly, these are brands where a smaller creator could potentially make sense if the creator, content, and pitch are a fit.

Let's get into it.

1. e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. should absolutely be on the radar of beauty creators.

The brand is incredibly active across social media and consistently leans into digital marketing, community, and creator-led content.

Don't just pitch them with:

“I'd love to be added to PR.”

Think about what kind of e.l.f. content makes sense for your audience.

Could you create:

• Drugstore vs. luxury comparisons?

• Mature skin tutorials?

• New launch reviews?

• Full-face e.l.f. content?

• Wear tests?

Pitch the idea, not just your desire for free product.

2. LYS Beauty

If your content focuses on complexion products, inclusive beauty, skin-forward makeup, or diverse beauty consumers, LYS is worth having on your list.

This is the kind of brand where knowing exactly who your audience is can make your pitch stronger.

Instead of simply asking to work together, show the brand why its products make sense for the people who already trust your recommendations.

3. Milani Cosmetics

Milani is another great brand to watch if drugstore beauty is part of your content.

Instead of simply saying you love Milani, show them what you already do well.

For example:

“My audience is primarily women 35+ looking for affordable makeup that performs like higher-end products, and I'd love to create a wear-test concept around…”

See the difference?

You're giving the brand context.

4. NYX Professional Makeup

NYX is heavily rooted in creativity, artistry, trends, and social-first beauty content.

Pay attention to the way the brand uses creators and community content.

What type of videos do they repost?

What products are they currently pushing?

What kinds of creators are showing up on their feeds?

That gives you clues about the types of ideas you could pitch.

5. Danessa Myricks Beauty

If you create colorful makeup, complexion tutorials, mature skin content, or educational beauty content, Danessa Myricks Beauty is a brand I would keep on the list.

This is where having a strong point of view matters.

Don't just show a product.

Show why your audience needs to see that product through you.

6. Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty is obviously a highly sought-after beauty brand, which means your outreach needs to be intentional.

Instead of sending a generic PR request, think about what separates your content from the thousands of other creators who also love Rare Beauty.

What is your specific angle?

That's the question you should be able to answer before pitching.

7. ColourPop

ColourPop produces frequent launches, collections, and trend-driven products, which naturally creates opportunities for creators to make timely content.

If you're pitching a brand like this, show that you can move quickly.

A creator who can turn a launch into engaging content while people are still talking about it can be incredibly useful to a brand.

8. Maybelline

Don't overlook established drugstore brands because you think they're “too big” for you.

Large brands need a tremendous amount of content.

They also need creators who speak to different ages, skin tones, beauty styles, and consumer groups.

Your job is to make it easy for them to understand which consumer you can reach.

9. L'Oréal Paris

The same principle applies here.

Don't approach a large beauty brand trying to appeal to everybody.

A specific creator can be much easier to position than a generic one.

Instead of:

“I create beauty content.”

Try:

“I create approachable makeup education for women 40+ who want products that work beautifully on mature skin.”

Now the brand knows exactly where you fit.

10. Covergirl

Drugstore complexion, mascara, lip, and everyday makeup content gives you plenty of potential angles here.

Remember that you don't necessarily need a brand to send you something before creating content about it.

Some of the best evidence you can give a brand is content you've already made because you genuinely use the product.

Knowing the Brands Isn't Enough

This is where a lot of creators get stuck.

They find the brand.

They find the email.

Then they send something like:

“Hi! I love your products and would love to collaborate.”

And then they wonder why nobody responds.

Knowing who to pitch is only part of the process.

You also need to know what to say, what value you're offering, and why the brand should pay attention to you.

That's exactly what I break down inside The Pitch That Gets You Replies.

If pitching makes you overthink every sentence, or you've been sending emails and hearing nothing back, this workbook was created to help you approach your outreach more strategically.

11. Makeup Revolution

Affordable beauty brands can be especially good targets for creators whose audiences value product comparisons, dupes, tutorials, and budget-conscious recommendations.

Again, don't make follower count the entire conversation.

Make your content concept the conversation.

12. Haus Labs

If your content is focused on complexion, artistry, or product performance, Haus Labs is another brand worth researching.

Before pitching, look at the brand's current launches and social presence.

Ask yourself:

What aren't they showing that I could show through my audience and perspective?

That's where the pitch idea starts.

13. Kosas

Kosas lends itself well to skin-focused makeup, natural makeup, complexion, and everyday beauty content.

Creators who can demonstrate products in a relatable way have an advantage because consumers want to see how beauty products actually perform on real people.

14. Tarte

Tarte has been heavily involved in creator marketing for years, which makes it a brand worth keeping on your radar.

But don't assume a well-known influencer brand only works with huge creators.

Brands need everything from awareness content to conversion content to UGC.

Your pitch should make clear what you can provide.

15. Tower 28

If you cover sensitive-skin beauty, easy makeup, or natural-looking complexion products, think about whether your audience aligns with Tower 28 before reaching out.

This is another reason niche matters.

The question isn't:

“Is my audience big enough?”

It's:

“Does my audience make sense for this product?”

16. Saie

Saie is a natural fit for content centered around glowy makeup, skin-like complexion products, and minimal beauty.

Pitch around the result you can show, not simply the product you want.

17. Fenty Beauty

Yes, even major brands belong on your list.

Your strategy may just look different.

With larger brands, pay close attention to specific launches, retailer campaigns, creator programs, and opportunities through influencer platforms rather than relying exclusively on cold outreach.

18. Morphe

Morphe gives creators plenty of opportunities to demonstrate actual application through lip combinations, eyeshadow tutorials, brushes, and full looks.

Tutorial-driven content can be especially valuable because you're doing more than holding up the product.

You're showing someone how to use it.

19. Juvia's Place

If your content serves Black and Brown beauty consumers, complexion matching, pigmented color stories, or inclusive beauty, research whether your audience and content align with the brand.

And remember:

Being specific about your audience is an advantage.

20. About-Face

Brands with bold products and strong visual identities need creators who can translate those products into compelling social content.

If that's one of your strengths, show it in your pitch.

21. ONE/SIZE

Think tutorials, wear tests, setting products, complexion, and long-wear makeup.

This is also a great example of a brand where proof of concept can strengthen your outreach.

Create the type of video you'd want them to hire you to make.

Then pitch them with it.

22. INNBEAUTY Project

Skincare-meets-makeup content, lip products, and visually interesting product demonstrations could all provide natural pitch angles depending on your audience.

Before reaching out, study what the brand has been posting recently.

Your pitch should feel like it belongs in their current marketing strategy.

23. Cocokind

Skincare creators shouldn't limit themselves to traditional product reviews.

Educational content around skin prep, ingredients, makeup preparation, and routines can give you much stronger concepts to pitch.

24. Innisfree

If skincare education is part of your content, think beyond:

“Here's my skincare routine.”

Consider angles like:

• Skincare prep before makeup

• Mature skin hydration

• Morning vs. evening routines

• Barrier-supporting routines

• Product layering

Again, specificity gives the brand something to actually say yes to.

25. Sephora

I'm including Sephora because I don't want smaller creators to automatically count themselves out of opportunities connected to major beauty retailers.

Pay attention to creator programs, affiliate opportunities, retailer campaigns, and applications when they're available.

And most importantly, don't decide you're “too small” before the brand ever gets a chance to decide whether you're a fit.

Before You Pitch Any of These Brands, Do This

Please don't copy this list, send 25 identical emails, and call it a pitching strategy.

That's exactly what I don't want you to do.

Choose a smaller group of brands that genuinely make sense for:

Your niche.

Your audience.

Your content style.

The products you already use.

The problems your content helps solve.

Then research each brand.

Look at what they're launching.

Look at the creators they're reposting.

Look at the types of campaigns they're running.

Look for gaps where your perspective could add something.

Then build your pitch.

Your Pitch Should Answer One Very Important Question

A brand already knows its product is great.

They don't need an email telling them that.

What they need to understand is:

Why should they work with YOU?

That's where so many creator pitches fall apart.

“I love your products and would love to collaborate” isn't enough.

You need positioning.

You need an idea.

You need to understand your value.

And you need a pitch that communicates all of that without writing a five-paragraph essay to a brand manager.

That's exactly what I teach inside The Pitch That Gets You Replies.

If you've been staring at your inbox wondering why brands aren't answering you, this workbook helps you rethink what you're sending and build a much stronger outreach strategy.

And If You're Thinking, “But I'm Still Small…”

Pitch anyway.

I started teaching this because I saw too many creators believing that follower count was some invisible permission slip they had to earn before they could start treating content creation like a business.

It isn't.

A smaller, engaged audience with a clear niche can be valuable.

Great content can be valuable.

Strong storytelling can be valuable.

Understanding your audience can be valuable.

Being able to make a consumer actually care about a product can be valuable.

Your job is to package that value so a brand can understand it.

Ready to Start Pitching Brands?

I've created two workbooks to help you go from wondering whether you're ready to actually reaching out to brands strategically.

Before You Pitch: The Creator Readiness Workbook

Start here if you're wondering:

Is my content ready? Is my profile ready? Is my creator brand clear enough? What would a brand see if they looked at my page today?

This workbook helps you get the foundation together before you start sending emails.

The Pitch That Gets You Replies

Then we move into the actual outreach.

This workbook helps you strengthen your pitch, communicate your value, and approach brand outreach much more strategically.

Get Both and Save 15%

If you need help with both sides of the process, add both workbooks to your cart and save 15% with code PITCHREADY15.

Because finding the brands is only step one.

Now you need to be ready when they click on your profile.

Want More Creator Tips Like This?

I send Creator Notes by Krissy, my free weekly newsletter for creators who are serious about turning their content into a business.

I share what I'm learning about brand deals, pitching, creator strategy, building relationships with brands, and navigating this industry as a working creator.

Brand programs, PR lists, agency relationships, and campaign availability can change at any time. A brand appearing on this list doesn't guarantee PR, gifting, or a paid partnership. Always research current opportunities and only pitch brands that genuinely align with your content and audience.