Estel is a makeup brush organizer designed to improve hygiene and efficiency in daily makeup routines. Featuring a rotating metal core for magnetic brush storage and a clear acrylic door for protection. Estel keeps brushes accessible, clean, and properly dried offering a more organized and hygienic solution to traditional makeup bags.
Studio Project: Organization Redesign
Duration: 1 Month
January 2024
Skills: Prototyping, Thermoforming, Wood & Metal Working
The Problem
Finding the Right Brush
Digging through a makeup bag to find the right brush can be frustrating, especially when you’re in a rush.
Dust and
Pet Hair
Brushes left out easily collect dust and pet hair, making them feel unclean.
Unhygienic
Storage
Storing brushes in closed makeup bags can trap moisture and lead to bacteria growth.
Improper Drying After Cleaning
Brushes need to dry facing downward to prevent water damage and extend their lifespan.
Ideation
These ideation sketches explored various ways makeup brushes could be stored and organized. The goal was to make brushes easy to find while keeping them protected, clean, and visually cohesive. Different shapes, layouts, and attachment methods were sketched to explore the balance of accessibility, hygiene, and aesthetics.
User Testing & Prototypes
User testing focused on evaluating how easily makeup brushes could be stored, used, and returned. Based on the feedback below, the fourth prototype was selected for further development, as it performed best in terms of overall usability, accessibility, and intuitive interaction.
Prototype 1
Returning the brush required users to tilt their head, and brushes were left exposed to open air.
Prototype 2
Limited space made brush retrieval difficult, though the slots fit a range of brush sizes.
Prototype 3
A three-panel layout was tested, and the sliding doors proved intuitive to use.
Prototype 4
A stationary panel and rotating center improved accessibility, protection, and overall usability.
Laser Cutting Wood
Gluing & Clamping Wood
Heated Acrylic in Oven
Thermoforming Acrylic with Jig
Estel is a makeup brush organizer that simplifies the makeup application process while promoting hygiene and convenience. Estel saves users time by eliminating the need to rummage through makeup bags and offers the option to dry brushes in a downward position, increasing their longevity.
Features
The design features a central rotating metal tube, allowing magnetic makeup brushes to attach securely and remain easily accessible. A clear acrylic door protects the brushes from dust and germs, ensuring cleanliness. The wooden rotating handle spins the steel tube by having bearings at either end of the dowel.
Use Cycle
Open the acrylic door
Rotate the wooden handle to find the right brush
Select a brush
Apply makeup
Return the brush to the central metal tube
Close the acrylic door to keep brushes protected from dust