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Breaking Barriers, One Lipstick at a Time
Storm Menzies, ByStorm Beauty
Storm Menzies never set out to build a beauty brand, she just wanted to do her makeup.
Living with mild cerebral palsy, Storm had adapted to doing almost everything one-handed. But when she broke her dominant hand, even simple daily routines suddenly became impossible. When she searched online for “accessible makeup,” she was stunned to find nothing available that shipped to Australia.
That moment changed everything.
What started as personal frustration became her mission. With over a decade of experience in the disability sector and postgraduate qualifications in mental health, Storm had the perfect mix of empathy, insight, and determination to create real change. A neurodivergent problem-solver with ADHD, she’s wired to see what others miss.
She saw a beauty industry that simply wasn’t built for everyone.
So, she rolled up her sleeve (literally) and got to work. Storm taught herself 3D modelling, transformed her garage into a prototype lab, and began co-designing products with hundreds of people with disabilities. Her approach wasn’t just about adapting beauty tools, it was about reimagining what beauty could be.
Today, ByStorm Beauty is redefining accessibility and inclusivity in the beauty world. Their innovative snap-on grips make makeup products easier to hold and use for people with limited dexterity, creating independence, confidence, and joy for the 700 million women worldwide who’ve been excluded by default design.
Storm’s mission is simple yet radical: beauty that everyone can hold.
Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest innovations come from personal challenges. What began with a broken hand is now a brand breaking barriers, showing the world that beauty belongs to all of us.
On November 20, Storm will take her place in Parliament House, pitching Shark Tank–style for the $30,000 Kickstarter Grand Prize. That’s equity-free funding as well as mentoring and business support.
One thing’s for sure — she’s already changing the face of beauty.
Follow her journey via Instagram @ByStorm.Beauty or her website www.ByStormBeauty.com