How To Make A Beauty Startup Pitch Deck [That Gets Funded]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- Feb 19
- 5 min read
Updated: May 12
Our client “Eveline” asked us a question while we were working on their beauty startup pitch deck. She said, “What do investors really want to see in a beauty pitch—product shots or business model?”
So, our Creative Director answered, “They want to know if you’re building a beauty brand or a beauty business.”
As a presentation design agency, we work on many beauty startup pitch decks throughout the year. And we’ve observed a common challenge with them: founders often try to sell the vibe, while forgetting to prove the viability.
Because the harsh truth is this: no one’s writing a million-dollar cheque just because your packaging is cute, or your serum has goji berry in it. They’re betting on growth. They’re betting on a brand that moves units, not just hearts.
In case you didn't know, we specialize in only one thing: making presentations. We can help you by designing your slides and writing your content too.
Why Beauty Startup Pitch Decks Are a Whole Different Beast
Beauty is one of those industries where everyone thinks they can disrupt the market because they like lipstick.
The barrier to entry is low, the competition is cutthroat, and the investor skepticism is sky-high. You’re not just pitching a product; you’re pitching an emotional transformation in a market that’s been milked dry by legacy giants, celebrity brands, and a hundred “clean beauty” clones.
So, when you walk into that investor meeting with your shiny pitch deck, you’re not just selling skincare or makeup. You’re selling belief. You’re selling differentiation in an oversaturated, hyper-emotional, trend-driven arena.
This means your pitch deck can’t look like it came out of a Canva template. It can’t open with a vague mission statement about “empowering confidence” and then jump straight into your product line like that’s going to move the needle.
Your pitch deck needs to tell a story and hold its ground under scrutiny. It has to balance art with numbers, emotion with logic, skin serums with spreadsheets.
And the worst part? You have to do all of that in 10 slides or less.
We’ve seen dozens of beauty startup decks fall flat not because the product wasn’t great, but because the story didn’t land. And if your story doesn’t land, nothing else matters.
How to Make a Beauty Pitch Deck [Storytelling + Design]
1. Start With the Why: The Emotional Hook
Before we dive into slides and aesthetics, let’s get one thing straight—beauty brands don’t just sell products; they sell emotions. Confidence. Self-care. Empowerment. If your pitch deck doesn’t capture that emotional core, it will fall flat.
Your opening slides need to answer one key question: Why does your brand exist? This isn’t just about the market gap; it’s about the personal or industry-driven insight that led you to create the brand in the first place. Maybe you struggled with acne and couldn’t find a solution that worked. Maybe you saw a lack of inclusivity in the industry. Whatever it is, your pitch needs to start with a compelling reason investors should care.
Think of it as your brand’s origin story. Keep it concise, but make it powerful. Investors hear a hundred pitches a month—what makes yours unforgettable?
2. Define the Market Opportunity (Without Boring Data Dumps)
Now that you’ve captured their interest, it’s time to prove the business potential. But here’s where most beauty founders go wrong: they overwhelm investors with too many stats, graphs, and industry reports.
Yes, investors need data, but they don’t need a research paper. Instead, present the market opportunity in a way that’s easy to grasp:
Size the market smartly. Instead of throwing out a vague billion-dollar market figure, break it down. Show how your niche (clean beauty, derm-approved skincare, or hyper-personalized cosmetics) is growing and why now is the perfect time to invest.
Highlight trends that back your vision. If your brand taps into sustainability, personalization, or science-backed skincare, showcase industry shifts proving your approach is the future.
Keep it visually engaging. Instead of dense text, use a bold market stat, a compelling chart, or a simple infographic. Less clutter, more clarity.
Remember, your goal here isn’t to drown investors in numbers—it’s to make them see the potential through a clear and compelling lens.
3. Position Your Brand: The Unique Edge
Every beauty brand claims to be different. Very few prove it effectively.
Your brand positioning slide needs to clearly define what makes you stand out in a crowded market. And no, “clean beauty” or “high-quality ingredients” won’t cut it—those are table stakes now. Instead, ask yourself:
What’s your unfair advantage? Do you have a patented formula? A dermatology-led approach? A community-driven business model?
Who is your core audience? Luxury skincare for women over 40? Gen Z-friendly makeup with bold colors? A niche focus can be a huge strength.
What’s your brand personality? Is it science-backed and clinical, or playful and trend-driven? Investors should instantly understand your brand DNA.
The best way to present this? A simple brand positioning statement and a visual breakdown that makes your unique edge undeniable.
4. Showcase the Product: Beyond Pretty Packaging
Here’s where many beauty pitch decks fall into a trap: they treat the product slide like an Instagram feed—stunning images, elegant packaging, but no real depth.
Yes, aesthetics matter in beauty. But investors care about more than just looks. Your product slide should answer:
What makes the product innovative? Is it the ingredients, the technology, the sustainability factor?
Why do customers love it? Use real testimonials, social proof, or key metrics (repeat purchase rates, influencer adoption).
How does it perform? If you have clinical results or comparison data, this is where it belongs.
A smart approach? Pair sleek product images with bullet points highlighting key differentiators. Keep it high-impact, low-fluff.
5. Build Trust With Your Traction
A common mistake in beauty pitch decks? Leaving traction as an afterthought. If you have numbers, lead with them.
Whether it’s early revenue, DTC sales growth, retail partnerships, or influencer reach, show investors that momentum is already on your side. If you’re pre-revenue, highlight waitlist numbers, pre-orders, or community engagement.
Use big, bold numbers on this slide. The goal is to make investors feel like they’re stepping onto a moving train—one that’s already gaining speed.
6. Financials: The Clarity Test
Most founders dread this slide. But here’s the reality—if your financials aren’t clear, investors will check out.
Use a simple table format. Revenue, gross margin, customer acquisition cost, and projected growth—keep it tight.
Highlight profitability strategy. If you’re burning cash now, show a clear path to scalability.
Be ready to explain assumptions. Investors will test your numbers. If you can’t back them up, they won’t trust the deck.
Make this slide visually clean and structured. No clutter, no jargon—just solid numbers that make investors nod.
7. The Ask: Close With Confidence
Finally, your pitch deck needs to end with a crystal-clear ask. How much are you raising, and what will it be used for?
The best way to do this? A simple breakdown:
$X Million to scale operations
$X Million for marketing and brand growth
$X Million for R&D and product expansion
This isn’t just about stating a number—it’s about making investors see exactly where their money will drive growth. Close strong, and leave them wanting in.
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