Today’s woman wants it all. A successful career, a loving family and an active social life are all aspects of the millennium woman’s agenda. She may be tired, over-worked and stressed to the max, but her skin does not show it. As a result of the innovation of portable products that are quick and easy to use, flawless skin and perfect makeup even in transit have become effortless. Whether it is a lipstick touch-up on the way to junior’s soccer game or nail polish maintenance before the big board meeting, today’s cosmetic manufacturers have made primping-on-the-go a snap.
Essential to on-the-go cosmetics is packaging. Size and application are the primary components in the packaging of cosmetics for the road. If a product is too large, it will not function as an on-the-go cosmetic, as the ability to store the product in various small places such as purses and desks is vital. Many packaging companies are producing cosmetics and skin care in smaller forms, such as films. Secondly, the product should be easy to apply and not make a mess.
Lip products can be among the hardest to apply on the go. It generally requires a mirror and concentration, two elements that Paula Dorf has sought to eliminate with her Air Kiss Kit. The kit includes color cards in various shades of lip gloss, matte lipstick and glimmer lip stick, which are applied by peeling of the plastic cover and pressing to lips. The size of each card, smaller than a credit card, compared to the size of a tube of lipstick or lip gloss, makes the product more convenient and easy to store.
Aicello Chemical Co. Ltd. (Toyohashi, Japan) has recently launched Fusion Film, a film soap that dissolves in water. The company found that the average woman uses too much soap to wash her face and has reported that film soap is the solution, purportedly allowing just the right amount of soap per use. The product is available in a variety of sizes, formulations, fragrances, colors, logos and packaging.
The one touch-up women never thought they could perform on the go has become a reality thanks to innovations in nail enamel. In May 2006, Avon launched Instant Manicure Dry Nail Enamel Strips, which the company reported to be the first nail enamel that is applied dry. The enamel strips are said to last 14 days by combining normal nail enamel with base and top coat in one strip.
On-the-go cosmetics and skin care often address the issues on the surface, but deep down skin concerns can be addressed as well. Philosophy’s Unplastic Surgery swabs pack the company’s peptide technology into cotton swabs that reportedly tighten and firm deep wrinkles.
As women get busier and busier, on-the-go cosmetics will continue to evolve. Soon there may be little to no effort involved in quick touch-ups. Does this forebode an end to makeup drawers?
Katie Schaefer, C&T Magazine
