DIY Accessible Makeup Hacks
What people do when beauty isn’t designed for them
Stepping into Sephora should feel exciting. Colours, textures, tiny luxuries waiting to be chosen.
But for many people with upper limb disabilities, chronic pain, tremors, weakness, or fatigue, the real question isn’t “Which shade?”
It’s “How am I going to open this… and can my hands manage it today?”
Disabled people have always been innovators, not because we want to be, but because we’ve had to be.
These DIY accessibility hacks exist because beauty tools are still largely designed for perfect grip, steady hands, and unlimited energy. They don’t change the makeup itself.
They change how the hand interacts with it.
Let’s get into what people actually do to make beauty work.
Rubber Grips for Easier Handling
Sliding pencil grips, rubber tubing, or foam sleeves over eyeliners, mascaras, or brushes instantly increases surface area and friction.
Why it helps
- Reduces strain on fingers and wrists
- Makes slim handles easier to hold
- Supports shaky or weak grip
This is one of the most common adaptations used by OTs and support workers, and for good reason: it works.
Rubber Bands for Added Grip
Wrapping rubber bands around brushes or product packaging creates a textured, non-slip surface.
Why it helps
- Improves control without tools
- Easy to customise thickness
- Cheap, quick, effective
It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done.
Foam Tubes for Softer, Larger Grips
Foam tubing is a classic adaptive tool used across healthcare settings.
Why it helps
- Increases grip diameter
- Cushions painful joints
- Reduces pressure points
Simple. Proven. Effective.
The Backslap Method for Hard-to-Reach Application
Originally popular for sunscreen, the backslap method is now used for moisturiser, body makeup, and self-tan.
Why it helps
- Extends reach without shoulder strain
- Reduces twisting and overreaching
- Supports one-handed application
Think of it as borrowing an extra limb, without the gymnastics.
Hand Warmers for Pre-Application Comfort
A rechargeable hand warmer before makeup can make a big difference, especially in cold weather.
Why it helps
- Reduces stiffness and pain
- Improves finger mobility
- Makes fine motor tasks easier
Warm hands = less resistance = less frustration.
Velcro Fasteners for Easier Opening
Velcro strips on lids and packaging increase leverage and reduce the need for pinching or twisting.
Why it helps
- Supports weak or painful hands
- Reduces reliance on precision grip
- Makes opening predictable
A tiny change that saves a lot of energy.
Rotating Organisers for Seamless Access
Rotating organisers and silicone holders keep everything visible and reachable.
Why it helps
- Minimises reaching and knocking things over
- Keeps tools upright and stable
- Reduces visual clutter
Accessibility is also about layout, not just tools.
Anti-Roll Surfaces with Silicone Mats or Shelf Liners
Silicone mats and non-slip liners stop products from rolling, sliding, or falling.
Why it helps
- Creates a stable workspace
- Reduces dropped products
- Supports one-handed use
Gravity is already doing enough. No need to help it.
Stabilise Your Setup with Velcro
Self-adhesive Velcro can anchor products to a board or mat so they stay put while you use them.
Why it helps
- Prevents movement during application
- Increases confidence
- Reduces fine motor demand
Stability is accessibility.
Lighting and Mirrors That Actually Help
Good lighting and magnified mirrors aren’t luxuries, they’re access tools.
Why it helps
- Reduces leaning and squinting
- Improves precision
- Lowers physical strain
Seeing clearly saves energy everywhere else.
Sink Toppers for a Bigger, Safer Workspace
Sink toppers or even a large cutting board can turn an unstable sink into a proper makeup station.
Why it helps
- Creates a dry, flat surface
- Reduces bending and reaching
- Keeps everything within reach
Sometimes accessibility is just more space.
The honest truth
These hacks are clever. Resourceful. Necessary.
They’re also a sign that beauty design has failed to meet real bodies where they are.
At ByStorm, we don’t see DIY solutions as competition. We see them as evidence.
Evidence that people are doing extraordinary amounts of work just to participate in something that should feel joyful.
Our goal isn’t to replace ingenuity.
It’s to respect people’s energy and reduce the need for workarounds in the first place.
If you have a hack that’s changed your routine, share it.
If you’re tired of hacking, we see you too.
Accessible beauty isn’t about perfection.
It’s about participation.
And everyone deserves that.
💛