Design Thinking: 19/99 Beauty

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)

In Graduate School, one of the buzzwords professors love to discuss is "Design Thinking." Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding (Dam and Siang). Design Thinking enables companies to understand consumer needs to serve their audience better. For this project, I contacted different companies to learn how organizations apply design thinking. I spoke with 19/99 Beauty founder Stephanie Spence to learn how the company incorporates its mission and vision into its products.

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)

1. What makes 19/99 Beauty different from other companies?  

Whether you are 19 or 99, we believe in doing what you want. 19/99 Beauty creates products for individuals to define their beauty. Our customers are the focus of everything we do - developing tools for joy and creativity with their makeup. Our products are formulated to work across skin tones and textures at all stages of life. 

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)

2. How does the company define beauty?

19/99 doesn't have a definition of beauty as it is such a personal experience and so subjective. For us, beauty is all about attitude. 

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)

3. How does 19/99 Beauty incorporate its mission and vision into its product offerings? 

Our products are intuitive, easy to use, and multipurpose. We encourage our customers to use them how they want. We tend to focus on cream-based formulas, which go on smooth and blend beautifully and will wear nicely regardless of skin texture and tone. Our products' multipurpose aspect means you can do more with less. For instance, our Precision Colour Pencils can be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks. 

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)

4. What advice would you give to students and young professionals who want to enter this realm? 

There are no rules on how to go about things, so be creative & persistent. - Stephanie Spence

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)

5. What is the future of the company?

Hopefully, very long. 

(Image courtesy of 19/99 Beauty.)