Company: Untitled No 1
Designing and printing make-up tray prototypes
Developing COVID-19-compliant make-up applicator trays
Untitled No 1 is a start-up based in Gainford, County Durham, aiming to develop 3D-printed make-up applicator trays that can be easily sanitised, helping to reduce COVID-19-related constraints for make-up artists. The trays will allow artists to decant exactly the required amount of make-up (e.g. lipstick, mascara, eye shadow) for one client, for instance as required for bridal make-up or in-store demonstrations. By ensuring make-up is only used for one client, the trays will help to reduce the spread of the virus. This product will also add value to the make-up industry after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
CPI was approached for expertise and support with formalising the design of a prototype with consideration for scale-up. This work was carried out as part of CPI’s Project IMPACT (Innovative Materials via Precision Additive Coating Technologies), which was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-tray-quote.png?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593072&s=58f25a26cdc139fad303d62456699a20 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-tray-quote.png?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593072&s=4297a27130d406865289514f71cc423e 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-tray-quote.png?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593072&s=2bc5e6f7ddb14036dc00f5193ed4a2ef 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-tray-quote.png?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593072&s=b60bb45fe7b288517f86b6ff0f645738 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-tray-quote.png?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593072&s=f59ef76c9aff5989c9784d0be353041c 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-tray-quote.png?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593072&s=b799adc84ce9b09b3e77c709ead7963f 960w)
“ Developing new, COVID-19-compliant make-up trays is one of the best ways to keep this sector on track throughout the pandemic and beyond. CPI has helped us identify potential materials and printing methods for our make-up applicator trays, bringing us one step closer to making this a marketable product. ”
Achievements
Inputs
- ERDF funding via Project IMPACT
- Access to 3D-printing expertise and facilities
- Literature review of suitable 3D printing methods and materials
Outputs
- Computer-aided design (CAD) of a tray, which can be customised for customers’ requirements
- Suitable 3D-printing methods and materials determined
- Next steps before commercial-scale manufacturing identified
Outcomes
- Development of a new manufacturing process
- A new innovative product with market potential
- Designing and printing custom applicators, to be defined pending further discussions
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-trays.png?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593094&s=efc5cc00f80b1ce5ac7d8f724c21c358 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-trays.png?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593094&s=7c9c7f880aeaa537169f607313097679 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-trays.png?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593094&s=ea68533ed4e52e7927c6d154d9867cff 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-trays.png?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593094&s=480b740ccb84b8d99f902a5af303011d 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-trays.png?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593094&s=9bb378c9d7cbf3421dfcb2b3fb159869 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/makeup-trays.png?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1611593094&s=2bf15077678f6e32d31ce5718f2f4063 960w)
The challenge
COVID-19 restrictions have impacted industries worldwide, and this has undoubtedly included the make-up industry, where make-up artists are looking for new ways to maintain safety. Although this sector has always followed excellent hygiene regimes, less make-up can now be shared due to the potential of spreading the virus. This has resulted in a need for make-up trays that can be filled with the required amount of make-up for one person.
In order to develop this product, Untitled No 1 needed support to progress with the design of their make-up trays and to determine appropriate materials for 3D printing.
How CPI helped
CPI conducted a literature review to determine potential materials and appropriate 3D printing methods for the make-up trays. These were selected based on the sustainability of the materials (e.g. biodegradable or recyclable), biocompatibility and how they perform with Barbicide, a steriliser commonly used by make-up artists. After examining the advantages and drawbacks of the different methods and materials, two suitable polymer-based 3D printing methods and two sets of materials were shortlisted.
Subsequent steps for Untitled No. 1 will be defined through further discussions. As the cosmetics industry is at an early stage of exploring the potential use of 3D printing, CPI can further support Untitled No 1 in the future. This may include the creation of custom, sustainable applicators. Other plans may include testing the compatibility of materials with sterilisers, refinement of the design and more printing prototypes.
Related
Technologies
Markets
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/3d-printing-pod.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607595557&s=f203432b9bc1067e09c4b70e4083a20a 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/3d-printing-pod.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607595557&s=16e1f2e2469f2b5961352a20f198a79c 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/3d-printing-pod.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607595557&s=bb1c4003a8e359849ea0bf5a54b2050b 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/3d-printing-pod.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607595557&s=331377a1c8ed980519a0212bbf7ebeed 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/3d-printing-pod.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607595557&s=03ab3245457431e90657e6ad69838261 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/3d-printing-pod.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607595557&s=3c738f44efa98cf8862dc9caebd6ff64 960w)