Otis Batterbee is a British beauty brand that began with a vision to create makeup brushes that made everyone look flawless no matter what their skin type. After noticing that most makeup brushes were constructed from the same one-size-fits-all low-grade bristles, Otis set about developing his unique high-performance brushes that would apply beauty products from liquids to fine powders for a natural finish, no matter what your age.
“Not all bristles are the same, and how they are put together and constructed has a huge impact on how beauty products actually blend into the skin. How you combine crimped and straight bristles in a brush will determine how well powder will be picked up and dispersed.” Otis remarks on his obsession with perfecting the perfect makeup brush.
“I studied design at Central Saint Martin’s and unexpectedly found my way into the beauty industry. I had designed everything from handbags to ready-to-wear, and through my work in fashion, I often assisted on photoshoots. What fascinated me most was watching the makeup artists work, transforming the models. As a product designer at heart, I became curious about the tools they were using,” Otis explains on his transition from fashion to beauty.
Inspiration for the look and feel of Otis’s products range from the bold designs of the 1980’s Memphis Group, to his obsession with the Art Deco buildings and architectural details. The idea for his now iconic colour blocked handles came directly from the images of the bold buildings that line Miami’s South Beach.
Otis Batterbee products have been tried and tested by some of the biggest international makeup artists and can now be discovered in a roster of inspirational retailers that include Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fenwick, Printemps, El Corte Inglés, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
From the beginning, Otis was committed to making his products as sustainable as possible. With fully recyclable packaging and the brand’s "One Brush – Two Lives" recycling program, the brand endeavours to be as kind to the planet as possible. “We’re the only brand offering a complete product return concept. When your Otis Batterbee brush is ready to be replaced, you can send it back, and we’ll have it dismantled and fully recycled,” Otis explains, highlighting the uniqueness of his recycling initiative.
Otis's true calling lies in providing the perfect tools to help us all look our best. “I really love it when people feel empowered by beauty, but you need good tools.”
