Let’s be honest.

If you’ve ever tried to open a lipstick with swollen fingers or hold a mascara wand when your hands won’t stop shaking, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say…
Makeup wasn’t built for us.

And yet, beauty can be such a powerful part of how we show up in the world.
So if you’ve felt like doing your makeup is too hard now, or it hurts too much, I want you to know:
It’s not you. It’s the tools.

But good news — there are ways to make it easier.

Why does arthritis mess with makeup?

If you live with any kind of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteo, psoriatic), you’re probably no stranger to:

• Pain in your hands or wrists
• Limited grip strength
• Stiff fingers
• Random flare-ups that throw off your day

According to Arthritis Australia, around 3.9 million Australians live with arthritis. That’s 1 in 6 people. And your hands? They’re often one of the first places it shows up.

So yeah. Twisting open a mascara tube? Not so simple.

Tools that actually help

This is where design matters. And if no one has told you this yet — you’re allowed to want comfort and beauty. You’re allowed to want tools that don’t hurt to use.

Here are some that actually make a difference:

1. Chunky, soft grips

If it hurts to hold thin things (like eyeliner pencils or lipsticks), a tool that adds grip is a game-changer.

• Try: Betty by ByStorm — our soft, squishy grip that hugs your hand and fits on most beauty products.
• Bonus: it’s silicone, so you can wash it. Easy peasy.
• Also try: Sammons Preston Universal Cuff — originally for utensils, but works great with makeup brushes too.

2. Adaptive makeup tools

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re designed by people who know what it feels like to have shaky hands or weak grip.

• Guide Beauty Eyeliner Tool — created by makeup artist Terri Bryant, who has Parkinson’s. Helps you apply eyeliner without needing a steady hand.
• Kohl Kreatives Flex Brushes — flexible handles that bend and adapt to you. No “right” way to hold them.

3. Packaging that doesn’t suck

Avoid anything that needs a strong twist, squeeze, or precise grip. Look for:

• Pump dispensers instead of tubes
• Click-up crayons (like the Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon)
• Magnetic palettes like Rare Beauty’s Discovery Palette, that are easy to open

Even switching one or two products can reduce the strain.

Little hacks that make a big difference

These tips come from a mix of occupational therapists, beauty lovers, & people living with arthritis (aka the real experts):

• Rest your elbow on a table when applying mascara or eyeliner — it gives you way more control
• Store makeup in shallow trays so you don’t have to unzip or dig through bags
• Use cream or liquid products that blend with your fingers — no gripping brushes required
• Apply makeup sitting down with a mirror on a stand — your shoulders and wrists will thank you

Pro tip: Use rubber shelf liner or velcro dots to keep palettes or mirrors from slipping around.

5 makeup faves that don’t fight back

If you’re looking to upgrade your routine with arthritis in mind, here are a few we love:

Final thoughts (from someone who gets it)

If you’ve ever cried over a mascara tube you couldn’t open, or felt like giving up on makeup altogether…

Same.

But here’s the thing:
You’re not the problem.
Your hands aren’t too weak.
The products just weren’t made with you in mind.

But now they can be.
We’re building a future where arthritis doesn’t get to decide whether or not you feel beautiful.

You get to decide that. And we’re right here with you.

Sources & Links

• Arthritis Australia – What is Arthritis
• Guide Beauty – Adaptive tools designed with Parkinson’s in mind
• Kohl Kreatives – Inclusive beauty brush brand