Hey, Beauty Besties! Who says looking beautiful is complicated? Nowadays, makeup brands are really pushing to create products that are easier for anyone to use. Let’s dive into how they’re making the beauty world more inclusive for everyone!
- Makeup brand innovations for accessibility, from brushes to formulas.
- Inspiring stories of makeup users who feel supported by accessible products.
- Brands like Kohl Kreatives, Inner Beauty Cosmetics, Guide Beauty, Olay, Revlon, Drunk Elephant, Rare Beauty, and Lancôme leading this trend.
- Practical tips for choosing and using more accessible makeup products.
Beauty Within Reach for Everyone: Makeup Innovations Go Global!
The beauty world never stops surprising us! Lately, many brands have been motivated to create makeup products that are not only amazing but also incredibly easy for anyone to use. This is all thanks to the smart thinking of innovators who recognize that everyone has different needs and abilities.
Inspiring Stories Behind Accessibility Innovations
We have an exciting story about Chiara Beer, a beauty influencer who has lived with hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) since contracting chickenpox at a young age. Despite this, Chiara has never lost her passion for looking stylish. Through her YouTube channel, “Chiara’s One-Handed Life,” she shares expert tips on makeup and hairstyling using just one hand. Her experiences led her to connect with Kohl Kreatives, a UK-based brand focused on creating accessible makeup products.
Kohl Kreatives offers a cool collection of makeup brushes that can stand on their own, unique handles that don’t roll away easily, and even brushes that can be bent to the desired angle. Not only that, but they also have Contour Stickies, which make the contouring process super easy – just apply, blend, and remove the sticker. “Everyone is unique and has different abilities, so creating products that anyone can use certainly makes life easier,” says Chiara.
Another story comes from Julie Rice, founder of Inner Beauty Cosmetics. After experiencing partial paralysis in her right hand due to an autoimmune condition, Julie redesigned her entire product line. She created magnetic closures for lipsticks and balms, matte-textured caps for foundation, and comfortable-to-grip packaging. Stephanie Cartin, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), found these innovations incredibly helpful. “Having magnetic closures on cosmetic products is life-changing,” she said.
Leading Brands Changing the Game
It’s not just them; makeup artist Terri Bryant, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, also refused to give up. With limited hand movement, she launched Guide Beauty in 2020. Her products feature brush handles with finger rests for better arm balance, larger grips for easier handling, rounded brush tips for eye safety, and wide, easy-to-open eyeshadow palettes. Even actress Selma Blair, who also has MS, was appointed Chief Creative Officer of Guide Beauty and admitted that these products have helped her regain her confidence.
Xian Horn, a disability advocate and beauty consultant, sees this trend growing. Major brands like Olay have released easy-to-grip product caps with contrasting labels and Braille text. Revlon introduced the Comfort + Control line of makeup tools with anti-slip textures and ergonomic designs. Drunk Elephant sticks to its pop-top caps and pump bottles. Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty uses anti-slip matte packaging and larger tubes, along with ball-shaped caps for its liquid products to facilitate rotation.
Most intriguingly, Lancôme has just released HAPTA, a sophisticated computer-controlled makeup applicator! It’s perfect for those who have difficulty lifting their hands or have weak grips. This device can attach lipstick or mascara and is claimed to stabilize trembling hand movements for more precise makeup application. Although not yet commercially available, the waiting list for registration is already very long!
Who Benefits?
These accessible products not only help people with neurological conditions like essential tremor, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, MS, traumatic brain injury, and autism. But, surprisingly, they are also incredibly beneficial for people who are injured, for example, with a broken arm or after surgery. Xian Horn adds, “When you make something easier for one community, you make it easier for everyone.” So, when brands invest in inclusivity, they are investing in all their customers!
Expert Tips for Easier Makeup, Beauty Besties Style
- Choose Squeezable Packaging: Tubes that are easy to press are super helpful. You can place the product on your arm or another surface if you need to use it little by little.
- Look for Pop-Top Caps: Caps that can be easily flipped or lifted are a big favorite.
- Try Different Formulas: Liquid products can sometimes be messy if not blended quickly. Try thicker balm or cream formulas, so you can blend them at your own pace. Stick or balm products are often multifunctional too!
- Be Patient and Practice: Just like Chiara learned to braid her hair, if you face difficulties, don’t hesitate to try multiple times until you find your best method.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If a product is difficult to use, like mascara that’s hard to open, ask a loved one for assistance. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help!
