With the rise of the 21st century and the internet, the beauty industry has changed its perspective from one typical kind of face and person to represent their style. The diversity that has been integrated into the beauty sphere has helped individuals from all walks of life enjoy the pleasures of makeup and skincare. Along with a wider range of colour pigments and skin specialised care, this allows for a larger group of people to purchase and take part in the beauty industry.
Although inclusivity has been an overarching subject of discussion within the cosmetic industry, accessibility has been a significant concern as well. For beauty products to truly be consumed by everyone, it has to be more accessible for those with disabilities as well. Individuals with ailments such as Parkinson’s, arthritis and more may have trouble operating the beauty products that are out there. Containers with packaging that is too tough or products that may be too hard to grip for someone with a disability are the ideals the beauty industry intends to move away from whilst being more accessible.
This form of accessibility can be achieved by investing in creating more accessible products. Cosmetic brands need to prioritise disabled consumers when creating their product design. This can also be achieved by hearing and listening to disabled folks that use makeup and skincare regularly. The input from individuals that are disabled will help understand the perspective of those with a disability.
Terri Bryant, a celebrity makeup artist who suffers from Parkinson’s tells Mic.com about her experience as a makeup artist with a disability. When it comes to makeup and different abilities, there has long been a misconception that you either create products for those that are ‘able-bodied’ or for some niche market with a specific disability and physical limitation,” Bryant says. “These are not mutually exclusive.” Therefore, we see it is necessary to talk about these issues within the cosmetic industry and understand the space many individuals are coming from.
Cosmetic brands need to prioritise disabled consumers when creating their product design
There have been some notable changes that have gone into creating beauty products with disabled people in mind. Some key products are the ones made by Guide beauty. Guide Beauty was founded by Terri Bryant herself, to help those with problems in hand dexterity. The product helps guide one’s hand during application. Soft Pinch Blushes by Rare Beauty is also a product that helps those with reduced grip strength. Singer Selena Gomez, who is the founder of Rare Beauty also suffers from the autoimmune disease called lupus. Her ailment causes her pain and reduced grip strength. The singer and actress made sure to include a disability-friendly feature in her makeup line.
Of the other products that are accessible is the Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar, this body scrub allows the user to have a strong grip on the bar and not slip out of one’s hand. This is because the scrub particles and the groove in the centre can be filled with cleanser. Therefore, cleansing and scrubbing can be achieved with this exfoliating bar. The Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil comes with a narrow cylinder with an easy rollerball for glide-on application. This helps with easy application and gives a smooth finish.
Accessibility is supposed to be a topic of precedence within the beauty industry today
Other than Terri Bryant and Selena Gomez, there have been memorable individuals in the making of accessible makeup. Kohl Kreatives is a cosmetic label from London that started as a charity service in 2015, offering free one-on-one and group cosmetology workshops for people that suffer from motor impairments and more ailments. The founder and director of Kohl Kreatives, Trishna Daswaney tutors people from the U.K., U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and other countries, both in person and virtually. Daswaney ensures that her teachings include adaptable skills for her students. To support her service, Daswaney created a line of makeup brushes, which offer a more fastened grip, twist 180 degrees; bend backward and forward and stand up, in 2017. This was made in consideration of individuals that had disabilities such as A.L.S., Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, and more. Daswaney wished to give individuals the power and control that they sometimes lose. Sumeira Latif, an individual that suffers from 97 percent blindness, is the accessibility leader at Procter & Gamble. Latif has campaigned both internally and externally for the products offered to consumers with cognitive, sensory, or physical disabilities. These individuals have set out to make a change within the beauty industry and therefore have started the wave of accessible cosmetics for everyone who needs it.
Accessibility is supposed to be a topic of precedence within the beauty industry today. It can only be achieved with empathy and consideration of those who are not able-bodied. Accessible beauty all around is the change the industry seeks to see.