Beyond Smart Packaging

AS technology continues to consume our lives, devices –and the way we use them – are influencing beauty brands and suppliers. The sophisticated and exacting nature of electronics has also transitioned to ultra-precise dispensing methods with a state-of-the art laboratory quality. Even the word "smart" now serves as a commonly used adjective for beauty terms, regarding packaging, manufacturing and materials technology.

In fact we're so tied up in our electronics world, we frequently have at least one hand engaged with a device at all times. Beauty brands and suppliers have tapped into this behavior, enabling consumers to apply cosmetics single-handedly, with no need to put down the phone or stop scrolling even for an instant. What's more, as computers and phones get thinner and slip into fashionable carrying cases, consumers take for granted the benefits of a light weight, easy mobility and accessory-like essentials.

This 21st century phenomenon served as the inspiration for increasing number of beauty brands.

One Handed Lipstick, recently developed by Weckerle Cosmetics, enables consumers to easily apply the product in multitasking situations. The idea behind this special lipstick case is that most high-tech devices are designed for use with only one hand. According to the company, it's an innovative approach that combines "a fashion-forward look with the convenience of an intuitive-to-use and go-anywhere one-handed operation that appeals to today's 24/7 consumers.
The lip stick was developed for quick, easy and precise handling in any situation where you have only one hand to apply your lip product - in the car, while talking on the phone, etc. It opens by turning the upper part of the packaging, and the bullet appears by turning it further. The product is the same size as a regular lipstick case and offers a special "flower opening" mechanism.

A 350° twist to move between closed and up position and a lock to ensure against a mess in handbags makes this packaging unique. And what's more, women will no longer have to "fish around" for missing lipstick tube tops.
STIKS COSMETIKS is a lipstick that would fit into a back pocket, a flat wallet or a tiny clutch. Keeping pace with technology and the need to text – in addition to women's desire to consolidate cellphone, wallet and cosmetics into an easy-to-access clutch with on-the-go essentials – inspired businesswoman and inventor Laura Heilman to create the STIK.

The top of the STIK is created using clear plastic so the user can always identify which color they would like to apply. Additionally, the hinge on the flip-top makes using it a snap – so the Lipstik can be applied with just one hand. What's more, for anyone who likes to change colors throughout the day, three Lipstiks can be carried via the STIK KIT featuring a flip-top as well as an oversized, mirror on the front for easy touch-ups anywhere, any time.

According to Ms Heilman, one of the most unique functionalities of the STIK, is that you don't have to propel the product for each use – it's specifically designed to have enough product "live" above the base so you only have to flip the cap open, apply your Lipstik and flip the cap closed with the same hand. While the mechanism and the gesture are somewhat unusual, the lipstick incorporates a traditional element – the base retaining the native functionality of a regular lipstick, turning clockwise to raise the bullet and the reverse to lower it.

Pochet's E-motion, described as "a smart packaging development program," uses light as the ultimate decoration without requiring any additional action such as a battery charge. Much as we can view our devices in the dark as well as in the light, the light and dynamic effects with the bottle design, the decoration and texture were part of the concept from the very beginning of the creation process.

According to Pochet: "The light effects can either be in the packaging or projected all around: The brand's identity and expression is no longer limited to the packaging itself, but can now be enlarged to a much wider and unreal space, and create a genuine 'aura.'"

The new E-motion bottle features a totally new process, which according to the glassmaker, "offers endless possibilities for the internal design of the glass distribution inside the bottle by injecting air in pre-form between the first and second stage." The method creates wavy effects on the bottom of the inner glass, creating a feeling of movement and shape. When combined with surface effects such as engraving and printing, it becomes truly multidimensional and offers a tactile quality.

Australian Gold is using "botanical individuality" as the branding strategy for its new tanning products, and in the packaging produced by TricorBraun, no two bottles look alike. The bottles are embellished with a wood grain design as, in nature, all wood grains differ. To address the branding objective, TricorBraun chose to use hydrographic printing so the wood grain images would vary from bottle to bottle.

Custom molds were created for the Australian Gold project. The two-piece, 8.5-oz. bottles are ergonomically designed to fit into the user's hand. The lower portion of the container is extrusion blow molded HDPE and features a shrink sleeve label. The upper part of the bottle showcases the wood grain decoration and is manufactured with injection-molded polypropylene. The bottles use reverse-taper dispensing closures that are manufactured with injection-molded polypropylene. They also are finished with the wood grain image.

ClickStick (shown at right), launched on Kickstarter as the world's first smart deodorant applicator with a mobile app, boasts of "a unique electronic dispensing mechanism that makes sure that you deliver the right amount of deodorant to exactly the right place every time." This new application idea was developed by Gilad Arwatz and Carla Bahri, two graduate students at Princeton University.

Described as the first technology innovation in deodorant application, the stick features push-button delivery, adjustable amounts, LED indicators and a free mobile app – not to mention, a one-handed application feature. According to Mr. Arwatz, the features of ClickStick make putting on deodorant a better experience. With a personalized amount control set by the mobile app, users don't have to worry about getting irritations or putting on too much or too little deodorant. ClickStick's internal microprocessor delivers the same amount every time. It is also eco-friendly, as it eliminates waste with its refill option. In addition, this application technology can also be used with virtually anything.

Innovation Everywhere

From humble personal care items to luxury skincare and fragrance products, the high-tech world continues to inspire new ways to look at products and packages designed to entice consumers. What remains essential is that innovative packaging derives from a partnership between brand and supplier.