Talk Smack with Cosmac Podcast: Accessibility of Popular Cosmetic Packaging

By: Gina Park and Serin Chan

November 2nd, 2023

Podcast Transcript Available for download here:

Talk Smack with Cosmac_ Accessibility of Popular Cosmetic Packaging.pdf

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Podcast Summary:

The beauty and cosmetic trade is a very broad industry that contains a large use of packaging. The cosmetic industry advances each year through the use of technology and graphics to create accessible products for the public and individuals with disabilities. There is a large need to focus on creating packaging that works for people of all abilities. These may include and are not limited to: the visually impaired, individuals with arthritis, the elderly, and those with reduced strength or dexterity (Gale, 2023).

It is a known fact that brands within the cosmetic industry have a wide variety of packaging ranging from simple and minimalistic to complex and funky designs. Many makeup brands prioritize their packaging elements differently, some have a large focus on the overall design and aesthetics of their products, while others consider the easy use and accessibility. But in this podcast we go over the issue of designing packages so creatively that it takes away from the usability of the consumers.

From the incorporation of shape, openers, tactile components, text and graphics, we talk about the accessibility of many cosmetic packaging we see today. We take note of good and bad accessibility we find in multiple familiar beauty brands such as: Rare Beauty, Fenty, Dr Jart, Melanin, and Amika, to name a few. Rare Beauty displays a solid use of accessible designs within its packaging.

On a handful of her products like her base products, liquid highlighters, and blushes, you'll notice the sphere on top of the applicator. This feature was created so that her makeup can be more accessible for disabled people to open and apply the product, (Quezada, 2023). Similarly, the packaging for most of their other products has unique shapes to help with grip.

Accessibility is a major important component within packaging. The cosmetics industry manufactures products meant to be used completely by hand. If individuals are not able to use or take information from cosmetic packaging with complete ease, the product definitely does not showcase enough accessible features. It is finalized that the brand Rare Beauty exemplifies outstanding accessibility in their product line, and the brand RoseGlow Crème failed to utilize adequate packaging accessibility.

It is always important to maintain accessible design throughout beauty product packaging, to keep in mind the customers who have physical or visual impairments. All ranges of ability must be taken into account when designing packaging to enhance its ease of use. This is why we started Cosmac, to bring awareness to adding accessibility to cosmetic packaging and to keep all individuals and their abilities in mind to create easy-to-use products!

References

';;'. (2019, March 9). ';;' - YouTube. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/P477464

GAGA, L. (n.d.). Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask - amika. Sephora. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/amika-dream-routine-overnight-hydrating-hair-mask-P484025

Gale, S. B. (2023, August 10). Embracing inclusivity: The competitive edge of accessible packaging: WARC. WARC An Ascential Company. https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/opinion/embracing-inclusivity-the-competitive-edge-of-accessible-packaging/6285#:~:text=It%20is%20not%20only%20beneficial,friendly%20for%20a%20wider%20audience

Gillo, N. (2021, December 8). Herbal Essences designs bottles for visually impaired. Consumer Goods Technology. https://consumergoods.com/herbal-essences-designs-bottles-visually-impaired

Hui, K. (2023, April 29). 9 Beauty Brands That Make Packaging Accessible. Well+Good. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.wellandgood.com/beauty-brands-accessible-packaging/

McIntyre, M., & Hoshikawa, K. (2016, January 9). Best Beauty Products With Bad Packaging - Skin Care. Refinery29. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/beauty-products-bad-packaging#slide-15

Quezada, C. (2023, September 21). We’re just finding out about this rare beauty inclusive packaging feature. Fierce. https://fiercebymitu.com/beauty-and-style/were-just-finding-out-about-this-rare-beauty-inclusive-packaging-feature/#:~:text=On%20Rare%20Beauty’s%20base%20products,shapes%20to%20help%20with%20grip

Roberts, C. (2022, June 29). The changing face of the beauty industry. Veblen International. https://www.veblen-int.com/2022/06/29/the-changing-face-of-the-beauty-industry/