Battement Cosmetics is a line of high-end cosmetic packaging inspired by the sweeping movements of the ballet movement, battement, where the dancer begins standing with her feet together and sweeps one leg upward.

The products: a perfume, a blush compact, and a lipstick, reveal themselves in different ways and give a sense of intrigue to the dance of getting ready.

The perfume bottle has a top that swings around to spritz, the lipstick glides open with one thumb, and the blush compact sweeps open. The hypothetical brand uses metal packaging that the customer can refill with product as needed.

The prompt for this semester long studio project was to design something that embodied ‘anticipation.’ Cosmetics are inherently anticipatory in nature- whether she’s getting ready for a Friday night out, or a business trip, she’s anticipating how she needs to appear. My challenge was to design packaging as appealing as the contents and what they represent, in a way that solves existing issues with current market packaging.

Generally cosmetic packages do not wear well and quickly end up in the garbage. I decided to eschew the standard press fit closures and plastic bodies for a material with more perceived and actual value, metal. With this I aimed to design a luxe sustainable line of packaging that can address the waste issue while creating a more appealing experience for the customer.

To begin the research process, I went into the field and examined what was currently on the market from budget brands to designer label companies. I interviewed those who are religious users, moderate users, and the special occasions only users. I found common problems between them all such as ‘the lipstick smash’ and ‘the stealth explosion.’ The former is where the standard press fit lipstick cap is too narrow and is easily jammed into the product, effectively ruining the shape of the lipstick and pissing off the user. ‘The stealth explosion’ is when a compact full of pressed powder like a blush or eye shadow decides to snap open in a purse and scatter microscopic particles everywhere, again leading to a less than happy customer with a ruined product. I examined the industry’s trends, manufacturing and shipping practices, which led me to the conclusion of valuable yet refillable packaging. I went through many iterations of concept sketching, followed up with questions to users, and then back to paper for more revisions. I began ‘funneling down’ around the concept of intriguing movements that solve common usage problems.

The battement cosmetics line is sustainable and enjoyable. She can buy a compact of blush once, and keep it for life, refilling the blush insert as she needs. Hopefully, this line of luxury refillable cosmetics will prompt refillable products to become standard in the cosmetics industry.