"It Feels Like Taking a Gamble": Exploring Perceptions, Practices, and Challenges of Using Makeup and Cosmetics for People with Visual Impairments

Title of the Paper

“It Feels Like Taking a Gamble”: Exploring Perceptions, Practices, and Challenges of Using Makeup and Cosmetics for People with Visual Impairments

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Accessibility technology, qualitative research, application and challenges of makeup and beauty products for people with visual impairments
• Keywords: makeup, beauty, visual impairment, accessible design, assistive technology, qualitative research

Research Background and Issues

• Identified Problems or Challenges:
  • People with visual impairments face multiple barriers during the makeup process, such as reliance on visual information and difficulties in color recognition.
  • Current cosmetic designs lack support for visually impaired users, such as tactile markings and differentiation in color and formulas.
  • Existing assistive technologies have limited applications in makeup, focusing more on functional activities rather than expressive activities.
• Importance:
  • Makeup plays a significant role in self-expression, identity construction, and social life.
  • Enhancing support for the makeup needs of visually impaired individuals not only boosts their confidence but also drives advancements in accessible design technologies.
• Research Motivation:
  • To address the knowledge gap regarding how to support visually impaired individuals in makeup application and explore more effective technological solutions.
• Related Work:
  • Existing research has explored assistive technologies for daily activities such as cooking, indoor navigation, and object recognition.
  • Makeup technology development for general consumers involves optimizing makeup steps, recommendation systems, and creative enhancements, but heavily relies on visual abilities, making it less accessible for visually impaired users.

Research Methods

Data Collection and Analysis

1. YouTube Video Analysis:

   • Keywords related to visual impairment and makeup themes (e.g., “blind makeup,” “visually impaired beauty”) were used for searches.
   • Analyzed 145 videos from various content creators with visual impairments.
   • Open coding and affinity diagramming were employed to summarize data, categorizing makeup-related behaviors into four main themes: learning makeup, product selection, application, and post-makeup evaluation.

2. Semi-Structured Interviews:

   • Conducted interviews with 12 visually impaired individuals who had experience using makeup products.
   • Explored their perceptions of the significance of makeup, its role in social interactions, and the main challenges during the makeup process.
   • Data analysis also utilized open coding and affinity diagramming.

Research Findings

Typical Makeup Behaviors

1. Learning Makeup:
   • Often inspired by watching videos uploaded by content creators with similar visual impairments.
   • Prefer tutorials from creators with similar skin tones and backgrounds to reduce the need for feedback.
2. Product Selection and Identification:
   • Favor products that are easy to use and minimize the chance of errors (e.g., pump bottles for controlled dispensing).
   • Use tactile markers (e.g., Braille labels, rubber bands) to distinguish products.
3. Makeup Application Strategies:
   • Rely on finger touch to locate or control the use of makeup products.
   • Utilize specific guiding tools (e.g., tape) to improve precision.
   • Manage the makeup process by memorizing steps (e.g., number of brush strokes).
4. Self-Evaluation and Feedback Communication:
   • Assess makeup results using tactile methods, mirrors, or phone photos.
   • When seeking external feedback, prioritize friends or family, followed by crowdsourcing platforms (e.g., BeMyEyes).

Perceptions of Makeup Among Visually Impaired Individuals

1. Significance and Self-Expression:
   • Makeup serves as a way to boost self-confidence and helps create a better self-image.
   • Participants refuted societal stereotypes about visually impaired individuals not needing makeup.
2. Social Role:
   • Makeup can help adjust “visibility” in social settings, such as achieving a more professional appearance for recognition.
   • Makeup also acts as a social activity, fostering connections with friends.

Existing Challenges

1. Learning Barriers:
   • Online tutorials lack detailed descriptions of the makeup process, often assuming viewers have visual abilities.
   • Online shopping platforms lack relevant reviews and recommendations, and video content overly relies on visual elements.
   • There is a shortage of tactile learning materials tailored for visually impaired users.
2. Insufficient Feedback Mechanisms:
   • Difficulty in obtaining color information (e.g., color codes, shade levels).
   • Challenges in tracking makeup steps and ensuring tool precision.
   • Crowdsourced feedback is inconsistent, lacking accuracy and immediacy.
3. Physical and Environmental Barriers:
   • Cosmetic packaging is difficult to identify (e.g., lack of tactile markings, unreadable text descriptions).
   • Shopping environments are complex and lack effective navigation support.
   • Outdoor makeup touch-ups are challenging and often require third-party assistance.

Design Recommendations and Future Research Opportunities

1. Enhancing Learning Experiences:

   • Develop makeup tutorial videos with detailed voice descriptions, reducing the use of demonstrative pronouns.
   • Provide tactile-enhanced learning tools and specially adapted editing support for visually impaired users.

2. Improving Feedback Mechanisms:

   • Utilize computer vision technology to offer real-time makeup suggestions, such as symmetry checks and color matching tips.
   • Design automated makeup evaluation services to reduce reliance on third-party feedback.

3. Addressing Physical and Design Barriers:

   • Promote the use of QR codes and RFID technology to help users access product information.
   • Develop product packaging with tactile markings and differentiated shapes to enhance accessibility.
   • Design portable makeup mirrors and navigation tools to support shopping scenarios.

4. Socially Inclusive Design:

   • Consider makeup as a community activity, enhancing social and cultural adaptability.

Conclusion

This paper reveals unique patterns, perceptions, and challenges in the makeup behaviors of visually impaired individuals through qualitative analysis and user interviews. The study not only highlights the importance of makeup in improving the quality of life and social recognition for visually impaired individuals but also provides actionable design recommendations for future development of accessible makeup technologies.