What Makes a Beauty Product Truly Accessible?
Accessibility in beauty isn’t just about making products usable—it’s about making sure people have the choice to use them independently if they want to. For some, that might mean applying makeup on their own. For others, it might mean getting assistance from a friend, caregiver, or makeup artist. Both are valid.
The problem isn’t that some people need or prefer assistance—it’s that beauty products are designed in ways that force dependency when it’s not necessary. If a product is difficult to open, hold, or apply because of poor design, then the barrier isn’t a person’s ability — it’s the product itself.
So what does true accessibility in beauty look like? It’s honestly a difficult thing to define because not all disability is homogeneous, we believe it comes down to three key things: autonomy, ease of use, and universal design.
1. Accessibility Means Choice, Not Forced Dependency
Everyone engages with beauty differently. Some people enjoy the independence of doing their own makeup, while others love the connection that comes from having someone else apply it for them. Neither is more “right” or more “empowering” than the other.
But when someone wants to do their own makeup and physically can’t—simply because of bad design—that’s the issue.
In our research, we heard this this frustration from so many people:
“I hate having to ask for help just to do my own makeup.”
“I am forced to reply on my support workers to help me, and I hate it.”
When we make things accessible we remove unnecessary barriers so that people have more control and independence.
2. Accessibility Is About Reducing Effort, Not Just Adding Workarounds
Makeup tools and packaging often require a level of precision and dexterity that isn’t possible for many people. Think about:
- Tiny mascara wands that require a steady grip.
- Twist-off lipstick caps that need grip strength to open.
- Liquid eyeliners that demand precise motor control
- Compact powders that are hard to open without two strong hands.
For someone with arthritis, limb differences, or tremors, these design choices don’t just make makeup difficult—they make it exhausting or even impossible.
A well-designed product should work with the user, not against them.
3. Universal Design Benefits Everyone
Here's the thing, we don’t need “adaptive beauty” as a separate category. We don't want to be sidelining pwd into the ‘special section’. What we need is beauty products that are designed with accessibility in mind from the start.
Take curb cuts. Originally designed for wheelchair users, they now benefit everyone—from parents with strollers to delivery workers with heavy carts. That’s what universal design does: it removes barriers without singling anyone out.
Beauty should follow the same principle. Instead of creating a special mascara for people with mobility challenges, why not design all mascaras to be easier to hold, open, and apply? A product that’s intuitive for a person with a disability is also just a better product, period.
The Future of Beauty Is Inclusive (And That’s Good for Everyone)
Right now, the beauty industry is leaving billions of dollars on the table by ignoring accessibility. Consumers are demanding more thoughtful, inclusive design—and the brands that lead in this space will be the ones that thrive.
It’s time to ask better questions:
- Can someone with limited grip strength open this lipstick?
- Can a person with low vision easily tell which product they’re holding?
- Can someone with tremors apply this eyeliner without struggle?
Because accessibility isn’t just about who can use a product—it’s about how easily they can use it. When beauty is designed for everyone, it becomes what it was always meant to be: a space for self-expression, confidence, and joy—on your own terms.