The Best Makeup Tools for Shaky Hands and Sore Joints

If your hands shake, makeup can feel like a game of chance. Most products assume a steady grip. A few tools are built for the opposite. Here are six that help, and what each is best for.

How did we choose?

We looked for tools that reduce the grip you need, help steady your hand, work with makeup you may already own and are easy to keep clean. ByStorm makes Betty and Margie, so we list them first. Every other product here belongs to someone else, and we only included what we could check against the brand's own description or independent coverage.

1. Betty (ByStorm): best for a full-palm hold

A round silicone grip that slides onto products like mascara, lipstick, gloss and brow gel. It sits in your palm, so your whole hand holds the product instead of your fingertips. It suits tremors, wrist pain and reduced grip strength, and fits most products 15 to 25 mm across. Shop Betty.

2. Margie (ByStorm): best for fingers that do not curl easily

A flat paddle grip that rests between your index and middle fingers, so your hand stays open and relaxed. There is no gripping or squeezing required. Its wider paddle suits brushes and chunkier tubes. It is not designed for very slim products like eyeliner pencils. Shop Margie, or get both in the Better Together Pack.

3. Guide Beauty Wand: best for steadier eyeliner

Created by makeup artist Terri Bryant, who has Parkinson's. The tapered handle and rounded grip let you hold it upright in your fist, and you can lean it against your cheek for support. It is sold as part of an eyeliner duo. Guide Beauty.

4. Kohl Kreatives Flex brushes: best for forgiving brushwork

A UK range with bendable brush heads you can set at different angles. The brushes stand up on their own, have easy-to-hold handles and are used in a stamping motion that blurs small slips. Kohl Kreatives.

5. EazyHold universal cuffs: best for holding almost any tool

A silicone cuff that holds a tool in your hand so you do not need to grip it. It was designed for everyday items like cutlery, and some people use it with makeup brushes. EazyHold.

6. Tilt Beauty Lashscape mascara: best for a mascara built for control

A mascara whose packaging was designed for controlled application. It was the first product certified by the Arthritis Foundation's Ease of Use program. Tilt Beauty.

Free set-up tricks that help with every tool

• Sit down and anchor your elbow on the table.
• Rest your little finger on your cheek or chin while you work near your eyes or lips.
• Bring a magnifying mirror to face height on a stand.
• Choose cream products you can dab on with a fingertip.

There is more in How to Do Your Makeup When Your Hands Don't Cooperate.

Quick answers

What is the best makeup tool for shaky hands?
It depends where the shake gets in the way. A palm-sized grip like Betty helps with holding a product. A guided wand helps with eyeliner. Anchoring your elbow and resting your little finger on your cheek helps with everything.

Can the NDIS cover makeup tools?
ByStorm grips sit within the NDIS low-cost assistive technology range (under $1,500 per item) and may be claimable when they link to your goals. Your support coordinator or OT can help you frame it. Read more.