Beauty and Accessibility
Tilt Beauty, the brand created by Aerin Glazer at 21, was the first makeup product to receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use certification. Inspired by her journey with psoriatic arthritis, Glazer launched the beauty brand with a mascara, lipstick, and a lip treatment. The products have been engineered in such a way that their non-slip and chunky cases make the products easier to hold and use. Even Tilt Beauty’s packaging has tear-away tabs and markings in Braille.
The conversation around product accessibility has become louder despite efforts to get rid of DEI programs and practices, and the beauty industry has been quietly albeit slowly exploring how to make their products friendlier towards people who are visually impaired or struggle with dexterity.
Last summer, E.L.F. Cosmetics partnered up with paralympic swimmer Anastasia Pagonis to create the 'Beauty For Every Eye' bundle which includes three of Pagonis’ favorite products in packaging that is blind and low-vision friendly. The packaging features scannable QR codes that play audio recordings of Pagonis describing the product in detail. This system was initially created by the swimmer, who is blind and loves makeup, and her mother who recorded similar messages describing the details, shade, and finish of each product she bought.
Guide Beauty is another cosmetics brand that re-engineered beauty products for people with dexterity issues, and features ergonomic and easy-to-hold makeup brushes, including a special eyeliner applicator or “Guide Wand”.
