Cosmetic Chemist

Location: Vasanthanagar

Formulation Scientist / Cosmetic Chemist – Color Cosmetics (Lips & Face)

Experience band that works well in India for this scope:  2–4 years

Location:

Bengaluru (or “Bengaluru / hybrid with lab access in a small commercials pace”).

About the role
We are building a premium color-cosmetics line (lips, cheeks, eyes, and overnight lip care) with a strong focus on texture, wear, shade performance, and cleaner/natural-leaning ingredients (butters, oils, film formers, pigments). We need a hands-on Formulation Scientist / Chemist who can take concepts from lab bench to stable, manufacturable products.
This is not a theoretical R&D role. You will formulate, iterate, shade-match, stability-test, and work with manufacturing and packaging so products can actually launch.
Product categories you will own
Classic lipstick (bullet)
Liquid lipstick
Tinted lip balm
Lip gloss
Lip liner pencil
Blush stick
Highlighter stick
Cream eyeshadow stick
Contour stick
Cream bronzer stick
Lip sleeping mask
Key responsibilities
Develop and optimize formulations from brief to lab batch to pilot/scale-up.
Work on payoff, slip, melt, transfer, wear time, comfort, shine/matte finish, and shade accuracy.
Build and refine bases for anhydrous sticks, oil-wax systems, emulsions (where needed), and film-forming liquid lips.
Shade development and pigment dispersion (organic/inorganic pigments, lakes, pearls, iron oxides).
Select and evaluate raw materials: waxes, butters (cocoa, shea), oils (castor and others), esters, film formers, polymers, preservatives/antioxidants, flavor/fragrance, actives for lip mask.
Run and document stability (RT, 40/45°C, freeze–thaw, cycle), compatibility with packaging (bullet, doe-foot, pencil, twist-up stick), and basic performance tests.
Prepare formula sheets, batch records, specs, and tech-transfer packs for CMO / in-house production.
Support claims language that is honest and regulation-safe (India CDSCO/BIS; awareness of EU/US if we export).
Benchmark premium Indian and global lip/face products and close gaps.
Work with packaging, procurement, QA, and marketing on cost, sensory, and launch timelines.
Keep a clean lab notebook and digital formula library.
Must-have experience
Hands-on color cosmetics,  especially lips and/or stick formats  (bullet lipstick, liquid lip, gloss, balm, twist-up sticks). Face sticks (blush / bronzer / highlighter / cream shadow) is a strong plus.
Comfortable with wax–oil–butter systems, pigment wetting/dispersion, and stick moulding or filling.
Stability and packaging compatibility for makeup, not only skincare lotions.
Degree:

B.Sc / M.Sc Chemistry, Cosmetic Science / Technology,

B.Pharm / M.Pharm, or related. Diploma in Cosmetic Science is useful.
Good to have
Clean / natural / “no nasties” formulation experience without sacrificing wear.
Work with CMOs or tech transfer in India.
Knowledge of FSSAI is not required;  cosmetic  rules (Schedule S / BIS / labeling) are.
Sensory evaluation and shade library discipline.
Interest in luxury positioning and Indian skin-tone ranges.
What success looks like in 6–12 months
Stable hero SKUs in lipstick + at least one liquid lip / gloss / balm.
1–2 face stick formats (blush or highlighter) ready for pilot.
Documented formulas that a factory can repeat.
Clear shade architecture for Indian undertones.
Employment
Full-time. Compensation commensurate with color-cosmetics experience (not generic pharma/FMCG lotion experience). Lab-first role.