Back in 2018, Selma Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition where the body's immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. This means that, unfortunately, the actress has struggled with walking, breathing, and other day-to-day activities, like applying makeup. But recently, Blair has discovered a makeup brand that helps her get all dolled up in the morning. Here's how she became the creative director of Guide Beauty.
Guide Beauty was founded by Terri Bryant, who has Parkinson's disease. When creating her company, her focus was to make products that assist the needs of those with dexterity and fine motor challenges. There are numerous conditions that can cause these difficulties, like MS, Parkinson's, autism, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and more. So there are many people out there who probably find it hard to find makeup that works for them. "It's amazing how bonding it can be to play with makeup," Bryant explained. "So the idea that somebody would be left out of that world is devastating. It doesn't have to be so serious, but it does matter."
When Bryant started her journey with Guide Beauty, she realized that normal makeup brushes and products aren't made to be used on ourselves. She "realized that regular makeup tools and products were actually designed for makeup artists to apply to someone else, not for you to apply to yourself," she said. "I wanted to make artistry easier for anyone." And that is what she did!
The new Chief Creative Director has been a big fan of the brand for some time. "The products are a game-changer," gushed Blair. Thanks to the designs of the tools, it feels "like an extension of my hand," she added. Ever since the Cruel Intentions star's eyesight has become "off," she applies makeup by using her sense of touch. "When I first met Terri, I had really stopped looking in the mirror," she admitted. "I had cut my hair short because I couldn't always raise my hand above my head [to style it], I dyed it blonde to help hide my spots of alopecia, and when I couldn't put on eyeliner in the morning, it would curse myself and my day was ruined... But when I started using Guide and wearing makeup again, it really woke me up." Now, she gets to work with the brand to help other women "wake up." Along with the announcement of Blair as creative director, Guide Beauty will be launching a six-color eyeshadow palette that has extra-wide edges for easy opening and other revolutionary products. Check them out here.