Tilt Is Making Makeup Accessible—and Fun—For People With Chronic Pain

Beauty brands love to throw out the word “innovation.” A lot of the time their usage makes sense, but most of the time, it just… doesn’t. You can usually tell what’s what fairly early on.

However, there’s a new line on the market that has some genuinely interesting, new ideas to supply. If you’re looking for products that prioritize accessible design and ergonomic principles (while remaining safe for extra-sensitive skin), it’s time to go full Tilt.

Tilt, which launched on February 4, was founded by 21-year-old Aerin Glazer, who (like over 51 million other Americans) lives with chronic pain.

“Growing up with Psoriatic Arthritis, I found that many makeup products were just too difficult to use. My hands would shake when applying mascara and I kept thinking, there has to be a better way,” the founder tells Byrdie.

Thus, she had the idea for a line that would someday become Tilt.

“I wanted to create a brand that made beauty accessible—where the products are not only easy to use but still bring joy and fun to your makeup routine,” she says. “With Tilt, my mission is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can find products that work for them and make them feel included and empowered. It’s personal because it’s about making sure no one has to choose between accessibility and enjoyment when it comes to beauty.”

Ahead, everything to know about the brand—including how to shop it.

The Inspiration

Tilt’s tagline is Seriously Comfy Beauty. And being comfy has a lot to do with being easy.

“Every detail had to be easy to use, from the packaging to the actual makeup application,” Glazer shares. “The shape of the product components was also important in developing the first two products. And of course, the formulas had to meet very specific standards They had to be safe for sensitive skin and still perform at a high level. But beyond all of that, I wanted Tilt to feel fun and welcoming for everyone. It was important that the brand didn’t just meet functional needs—it had to feel like a joyful experience, no matter who was using it.”

As far as the name goes, Glazer and a designer were meeting early on in the brand-building process when he asked her what she wanted to achieve with the line.

“I told him I really wanted to tilt people’s perspectives on accessibility. He stopped me and thought it was a great name! And so, now we are Tilt,” she says.

The Products

Tilt’s initial launch includes two refillable, calming products: Grip Stick Hydrating Lip Treatment and Lashscape Mascara. Glazer’s vision is that you can create a full look with just these products.

“Our Grip Stick Hydrating Lip Treatment can also be used on your cheeks. And our mascara is really special to me because this is one makeup product I personally struggled the most to use,” she explains. “Applying mascara was a challenge with shaky hands and a problem I wanted to solve. I can’t wait for people to experience Tilt’s Lashscape Mascara and use the custom wand, with a patented grip that is designed to make application easier.”

The mascara features the brand’s bespoke Tilt Calm Complex, which includes peptides (that Hailey Bieber-loved ingredient) which support darker, fuller looking lashes, plant-based keratin to strengthen and support the lash structure, Ceramide 3NP to lock-in moisture and help reduce breakage, colloidal oatmeal to calm the lash line, and curcumin to help prevent lash loss.

Meanwhile, the lip tint and treatment comes in four sheer shades and one clear everyday go-to. Also formulated with colloidal oatmeal, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it replenishes moisture, visibly smooths, and plumps your lips with a luxe demi-shine finish.

It’s worth noting that Tilt is also the first beauty brand to receive The Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use certification, which means their products and packages were proven easy to use for people living with arthritis and chronic pain (and in general, for everyone). Both formulas have also received the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition, which ensures they’re non-irritating and safe for all.

The Packaging

Glazer had a lot of non-negotiables when developing Tilt—that’s why it took five years for the brand to officially land. One of the most important things to tackle was the packaging.

“Most makeup products come in hard, rigid plastic, which I found difficult to hold, especially for people with joint mobility limitations. Finding the right material was crucial, and it took many rounds of testing to land on a material with just the right balance of flexibility and softness,” she explains.

Now, you’ll find that both products feature an ergonomic, cushy case that’s gentle on the joints. Braille on the cartons, website, and products themselves helps direct more people to the right shade and product, and a custom wavy pull tab makes it so easy to open up the products’ outer boxes and get to the good stuff.

“I hope we can create a larger conversation about accessibility. I would love to see more and more brands designing accessible, ergonomic products,” Glazer says. “I hope that Ease of Use eventually becomes the industry standard. I’m sure that along the way we are also going to learn so much from our customers, which will help us continue to innovate and become even more accessible.”