Arthritis-Friendly Liner That Actually Fits

Tilt Beauty’s latest launch, The Easy Way Effortless Lip Liner, is a refillable, ergonomic lip liner that’s already making waves as the first beauty product to carry the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use certification. Designed with a patented, grippy handle that’s heavier in the middle for steady control, a hydrating Tilt Calm Complex and refillable cartridges, it’s makeup made kinder for hands that ache. We sat down with 22-year-old founder Aerin Glazer to talk design, accessibility, certification, and how beauty can feel better for everyone—read our Q&A to hear how this small change is aiming to make a big difference. —Noa Nichol

The Easy Way Effortless Lip Liner was designed specifically with ergonomics in mind — can you walk us through the design thinking (and user testing) that led to the heavier, grippy middle and how that physically changes the application experience for people with arthritis or shaky hands?

When we began creating The Easy Way Effortless Lip Liner, I knew that I wanted to create a lip liner with comfort and control that is a better experience for everyone. As someone who experiences shaky hands from arthritis, I’ve personally struggled with makeup products that require precision. Lip liner, in particular, can be one of the hardest products to apply neatly.

The Easy Way Effortless Lip Liner features a patented, ergonomic handle that  naturally balances in your hand. Your fingers can rest comfortably around the wider middle section, giving you more stability and control. During testing, we worked closely with individuals who have arthritis or chronic pain to ensure it truly made a difference in real use.

Just as important, I didn’t want it to look like a school pencil grip. My goal was for the product to be functional but also look sleek, design-forward, and like something anyone would be proud to pull out of their bag! 

Tilt Beauty is the first brand to earn the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use® certification — what concrete design or formula choices were non-negotiable for you in order to achieve that recognition, and were there any surprising trade-offs along the way?

Truly accessible design has been a non-negotiable for Tilt Beauty from day one. Every product must be easy to hold, open, and use. To earn the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use® certification, we went through extensive testing and design reviews to make sure our components met those standards.

Our ergonomic, refillable packaging was key. The grippy handle and easy refill system were all designed with intention. We refused to compromise on performance,  accessibility, or aesthetics, and that took five years of iteration, testing, and refinement.

Your mission goes beyond arthritis to include people with psoriasis, low vision and other accessibility needs — how do features like Braille on packaging, Atkinson Hyperlegible font, and the refillable system reflect your broader approach to inclusive beauty?

My journey with psoriatic arthritis opened my eyes to how many people face similar barriers in beauty, whether it’s chronic pain, dexterity issues, or visual impairments. This is why building accessibility into every touchpoint was important for us. 

Our secondary packaging includes Braille text, and we use the Atkinson Hyperlegible font developed by the Braille Institute to make reading easier for those with low vision. The refill system also plays a role in accessibility: it reduces waste while making it easier to replace products without the struggle of having to open new packaging.

I look at every detail through the lens of real human experience and ask myself, “How can this feel better?”Every element is designed with intention and to make beauty more inclusive and empowering for everyone.

The liner’s formula includes the TILT CALM COMPLEX™ and skin-supporting actives — how did you balance performance (pigment, lasting power) with gentle, hydrating ingredients to meet both beauty and dermatological needs?

Formulating this liner was all about finding harmony between artistry and our core ethos of accessibility, clean beauty and sustainability. I wanted high-performance color payoff that is smooth, blendable, and long-wearing, yet nourishing and gentle on lips.

Our proprietary TILT CALM COMPLEX™ brings together ingredients that support hydration and comfort: hyaluronic acid for plumping and moisture, vitamin E to protect and nourish, ceramide NP to reinforce the skin barrier, and glycerin to relieve dryness. The result is a creamy, blendable formula that glides on effortlessly, never drags or tugs, and stays put with a lightweight, comfortable finish. 

The Easy Way Effortless Lip Liner is dermatologist-approved for sensitive skin, holds the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition®, and of course, like all Tilt Beauty products, is certified by the Arthritis Foundation for Ease of Use®.

Looking ahead, what’s next for Tilt in terms of product categories, accessibility innovations, or partnerships — and how do you measure success beyond sales (community impact, clinical validation, representation, etc.)?

As we grow, our focus remains on innovation, continuing to design products that are ergonomic, accessible, and refillable while pushing creative boundaries.

Success for Tilt goes far beyond sales. It’s about the real impact we’re having on our community. We’ve seen an incredible response from both our customers and the broader beauty world, especially as top influencers, makeup artists, and disability advocates have begun sharing our products and mission. That awareness has helped us grow our community in such an authentic and meaningful way.

We also measure success through the partnerships and certifications that validate our approach, including collaborations with The Arthritis Foundation, National Psoriasis Foundation, and the Braille Institute. 

We have more exciting makeup innovations coming later this year and into next year, and I can’t wait to show everyone what’s next for Tilt!