the green mascara project
THE DESIGN PROCESS:
UNDERSTAND
One day as I was getting ready, in a rush, I accidentally got some mascara in my eyes. Within seconds, my eyes began to tear up and burn. I wasn't surprised by this sensation as this has occurred on many occasions, but it did trigger the question: what chemicals just went in my body? Curious, I looked at the packaging of the mascara, and I realized that other water, I did not recognize even one of the ingredients on the mascara bottle. I began to research some of the materials on the bottle, and found that many of the chemicals on the bottle were known carcinogens or toxins. As I researched, I found articles on articles about the harmful chemicals in mascara, whether it be on the environment or on our bodies. After coming to this realization, I decided I would interview other makeup user to see if they recognized any of the chemicals on these mascaras/recognized how harmful they are.
INTERVIEWS
IDENTIFY + DEFINE
At this point, I had determined my problem: mascara includes many harmful and toxic chemicals. And because of this I found my challenge: to make mascara safer and more friendly. However, I knew I had to scope my challenge, so I decided to look at the harmful effects of mascara on the human body, as it was what initially motivated me. My challenge was a feasible one as I recognized, I had perfect access to my user group: teenagers, as I went to school with them. Furthermore, it was applicable because if successful, it could very much be translated beyond my community.
HOW CAN WE PREVENT MAKEUP USERS FROM BUYING TOXIC MASCARAS FROM STORES?
IMMERSE
THE PROBLEM: DRUGSTORE MASCARA CONTAIN MANY HARSH CHEMICALS INCLUDING PROPELENE GLYCOL, PARABENS, VP COPOLYMER, STEARIC ACID, OLEIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, MYSTIC, AND LAURIC ACID, AND SURFACTANTS WHICH ARE ALL TOXINS OR CARCINOGENS. MY GOAL IN THE GREEN MASCARA PROJECT IS TO TACKLE THIS PROJECT.
THE USER: FREQUENT USERS OF DRUGSTORES MASCARA, MOSTLY AIMED AT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: HANDSHAKE(TECH START UP) + BAXTER (MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY)
THE PLACE: BARRINGTON, IL
EXISTING SOLUTIONS:
ORGANIC ALL NATURAL MASCARA:
-> PRO: doesn't cause users to change habits
-> CONS: $$$ + ,no trustworthy websites +
#NOMAKEUP MOVEMENTS
-> PRO: widespread impact + many influential figures involved
-> CON: no real impact+ incentives were different
IDEATE:
Ideation was a pretty a challenging project because finding an impactful solution was difficult, Through my research, I recognized that anything that is focused on changing consumer habits is generally less impactful, so I strayed away from doing an infosessions. After much ideation, I realized that my best solution was to improve the all natural mascara and create one that is impactful and cheaper.
Ideation was a pretty a challenging project because finding an impactful solution was difficult, Through my research, I recognized that anything that is focused on changing consumer habits is generally less impactful, so I strayed away from doing an infosessions. After much ideation, I realized that my best solution was to improve the all natural mascara and create one that is impactful and cheaper.
PROTOTYPE:
Before making my final product, I went through multiple rounds of prototyping to reach the perfect consistency and effectiveness. I made it my goal to make it using friendly materials which were friendly (since I knew I wasn't an actual chemist). My approach to my prototypes was a trial and run process. I began by looking through the function of each element in drugstore mascaras, and then replacing it with a natural alternative. For instance, for the black paint like consistency, I decided to use activated charcoal powder. As the base, I used coconut oil. For conserving the mascara, I used different types of essential oils and wax. There was a lot of issues along the way, including mascaras which were too oily. However, after four rounds of testing with different measurements, I finally made a mascara which was almost as effective as drug store mascara.
Before making my final product, I went through multiple rounds of prototyping to reach the perfect consistency and effectiveness. I made it my goal to make it using friendly materials which were friendly (since I knew I wasn't an actual chemist). My approach to my prototypes was a trial and run process. I began by looking through the function of each element in drugstore mascaras, and then replacing it with a natural alternative. For instance, for the black paint like consistency, I decided to use activated charcoal powder. As the base, I used coconut oil. For conserving the mascara, I used different types of essential oils and wax. There was a lot of issues along the way, including mascaras which were too oily. However, after four rounds of testing with different measurements, I finally made a mascara which was almost as effective as drug store mascara.
FINAL PROJECT:
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