Creating Accessible Makeup: A Bristol Woman’s Inspiring Journey to Inclusivity
In the bustling beauty industry, the quest for inclusivity has often been a fleeting thought, with disabled individuals merely serving as tokens in campaigns. The makeup counters, products, and packaging remain largely inaccessible to those with physical disabilities, a reality highlighted by a 2019 Proctor & Gamble study that revealed a mere 4% of brands cater to this demographic.
Millie Flemington Clare, a resilient 26-year-old Bristolian grappling with the rare ailment cystinosis, found herself at the intersection of this disparity and her passion for makeup. Motivated by the absence of representation and her unwavering love for cosmetics, Millie embarked on a transformative journey that birthed the cosmetics brand, Human Beauty. This groundbreaking venture, designed with disabled individuals at its core, has not only garnered accolades but also secured funding from the prestigious national innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Millie’s Uphill Battle
Living with cystinosis has shaped every facet of Millie’s life, as this metabolic disorder causes the accumulation of the protein cystine in organs and cells, impacting vital body functions like the kidneys, bones, and eyes. Millie, a resident of Warmley with her supportive partner, vividly recalls the challenges she faced due to this rare condition, which bewildered even seasoned medical professionals, forcing them to resort to Google for insight. Despite being diagnosed in infancy, the label ‘disabled’ didn’t resonate with Millie until much later, despite her reliance on a distinct green Zimmer frame and a feeding tube.
Growing up posed a myriad of obstacles for Millie, with orthopedic surgeries interrupting her primary school years and relentless bullying clouding her secondary school experience. The cruelty she faced due to her stature and gait left indelible scars, inciting insecurities about her appearance and restricting her wardrobe choices to conceal her feeding tube. However, Millie’s indomitable spirit, nurtured by her father Darren’s unwavering support, propelled her to surmount these hurdles, culminating in her pivotal decision to forego the feeding tube at age 18, a feat that showcased her resilience and determination.
Defying the Odds
Millie’s journey is a tapestry woven with remarkable resilience and unwavering determination, attributes that were further honed by the numerous challenges her condition presented. Enduring four kidney transplants, one of which led to an arduous three-month stint in intensive care, Millie’s fortitude never wavered. Undeterred by adversity, she pursued academic excellence while grappling with dialysis machines and heart monitors, a testament to her unwavering resolve. Her profound belief in the transformative power of makeup as a therapeutic outlet fueled her ambition, paving the way for Human Beauty’s groundbreaking foray into inclusive cosmetics.
A Vision for Inclusivity
Human Beauty’s debut marked a watershed moment in the beauty landscape, heralding the launch of two groundbreaking products – Make Up Therapy, a versatile makeup palette, and Liquid Confidence, a transformative mascara. These products, meticulously crafted with the disabled community in mind, boast innovative features like QR codes for visually impaired individuals and anti-roll designs for enhanced mobility. The rave reviews from disabled patrons underscore the brand’s commitment to accessibility, with one praising Human Beauty for setting a precedent that larger brands can emulate.
Beyond crafting accessible makeup, Human Beauty’s ethos transcends inclusivity to encompass genuine representation, with disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill individuals at the heart of the brand. Millie’s unequivocal stance against tokenistic marketing underscores her commitment to fostering a truly inclusive beauty landscape, one where disabled individuals not only feature in campaigns but also shape the brand’s narrative. As Human Beauty charts its course towards broader horizons in 2025, Millie’s unwavering vision for inclusivity stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring that disabled individuals finally have a seat at the table in the beauty realm.
The journey of Millie Flemington Clare embodies the transformative power of resilience, determination, and inclusivity, underscoring the profound impact of creating accessible makeup beyond mere aesthetics. Through Human Beauty, Millie has not only redefined the beauty landscape but also paved the way for a more inclusive, representative industry where disabled individuals are not just consumers but also creators, shaping the narrative of beauty with authenticity and empathy.