When living with a disability or condition that affects mobility, whether that’s arthritis or cerebral palsy, many parts of everyday life that people take for granted can prove more difficult. And while keeping a steady hand when applying that winged eyeliner is tricky at the best of times, for many people it can pose a much bigger challenge.
Enter Grace Beauty – a make-up brand and community platform dedicated to making beauty accessible to all.
Launching soon, the brand recently unveiled three versions of a mascara add-on designed to make for easier handling: the first has a thicker grip, the second a ring holder, and the third an easy to hold rubber ball. The add-ons are not only compatible with all mainstream mascara tubes, but they are reusable and washable too, meaning they will last for years.
“Anyone, regardless of ability, should be able to use any beauty product they want to,” Grace Beauty write on their website. “To help this cause, we’re making accessories for people with disabilities. Starting with mascara, we created add-ons for better grip, control and safety.”
The brand is also actively inviting input and feedback from its followers on the upcoming products. “What do you think of it? Can it be helpful and do you like the design?” they ask in one post. “This product we’re especially interested to hear your opinion on!” they say in another. Fans can also join the Grace community where members get access to early prototypes, tell their stories and collaborate on future releases by giving feedback to the brand.
The response to Grace on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. “GUYS. ACCESSIBLE MAKEUP!!” wrote @jadetaylormarie in a tweet that has since been liked over 30,000 times.
“I just started crying when I saw this. Guess I didn’t realize how important this was to me until I saw it existed”, tweeted someone else in response, while another replied “this is honestly such a game changer. i work in an office, type all day, and hold my phone up - my hand HURTS. mascara wand with a ring to hold?? i’ll take twenty.”
