We live in a society where most things including beauty products are fashioned to be used by healthy, able-bodied individuals. If you are differently-abled, more often than not, you’ll struggle to find products that cater to your needs. As beauty brands around the world rush to satisfy the demands of people of every skin type and colour, individuals with special needs are often left behind. This seems ridiculous especially when about 15 per cent of the world’s total population–one billion folks–have some form of disability and one-fourth of them experience significant disabilities.
We’ve all heard the saying that make-up is a tool of self-expression. But, imagine if who are you are is what prevents you from accessing the means to show the world your real self. Inclusion and diversity are buzzwords in the world of beauty and we often see disabled models starring in campaigns. Last year, homegrown brand Earth Rhythm launched a new line of beauty products and roped in 21-year-old Daksha Agnihotri, a model with Down’s syndrome to be a part of it. Around the same time, Gucci Beauty launched its new mascara campaign, and it starred Ellie Goldstein, an 18-year-old model with Down’s syndrome, as one of the faces.
While this is a huge step and a much-appreciated one, the beauty industry can still improve by leaps and bounds if it keeps in mind certain factors like: How easy is the product to use for everyone? Will differently-based people feel comfortable going to a store and purchasing make-up? Will they be accommodated or included in the beauty world?
Rise of brands for specially-abled
Kohl Kreatives, a brand that launched in 2017 aims to make make-up truly accessible to everyone. Trishna Daswaney, the founder whose parents hail from India spent her childhood in Hong Kong and growing up, often struggled with her appearance. What she held close to her heart then was the transformative influence of make-up on how she felt. Today, Kohl Kreatives specialises in creating make-up brushes for people with impaired motor skills. Its kit of eye tools includes an easy-to-grip, rectangular brushes that don’t roll away, braille as well as a numerical system that makes it easy to identify each tool. The products are beautifully crafted keeping in mind the needs of the visually impaired as well as people who live with conditions like Dupuytren's (a hand deformity that develops over the years), multiple sclerosis (a progressive disease whose symptoms include numbness and lack of muscle coordination) and Parkinson’s (a progressive disorder affects movement).
Image source: Instagram/kohlkreatives
Another brand that’s gaining ground is USA-based Guide Beauty. It is founded by ex-Dior make-up artist Terri Bryant after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Her main aim? Since make-up often requires very fine motor skills, Bryant aims to create a range of products that are made to provide comfort and precise application to everyone who enjoys applying make-up. The brand’s eyeliner applicator is the star of the show because of its soft, flexible tip that makes swiping on liner super easy, regardless of your expertise.
Image source: Instagram/guidebeautycosmetics
Sometimes it does feel like every celebrity under the sun is launching their own make-up brand but if there’s one that’s being super inclusive at that, it is Selena Gomez. The American singer launched Rare Beauty last year and to the pleasant surprise of her fans, made sure the packaging of most products was arthritis-friendly. The rounded orb tops of the foundation, concealer, eye make-up, blush, and lipstick bottles make application easier for those who struggle with hand mobility.
Image source: Instagram/rarebeauty
If you’re on the lookout for some beauty products that offer greater independence for everyone, here’s our roundup of options that are a breeze to use.
asa Easy Blend Concealer
Image source: Instagram/asabeauty
The sliding top makes it easier to open than a traditional doe-foot screw-on top applicator. Plus, the full-coverage formula blends easily and doubles up as a great foundation.
llana Pop Tint
Image source: Instagram/be_ilana
Don’t know what we love more: the tint that goes on like a dream or the perfectly-sized bottle that we can hold and unscrew with one hand.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (Travel Size)
Image source: Instagram/toofaced
The intensely pigmented waterproof mascara is all you need for voluminous lashes. Bonus points for the water droplet texture that makes it easier to get a grip on the tube.
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Black Liquid Eyeliner
Image source: Instagram/benefitindia
The formula of this eyeliner is one for the books and the diamond shapes on the cap make uncapping with your thumb and index finger a trouble-free process.