ICONS|ICS have been featured in Beauty Packaging Magazine’s July/August 2020 Issue on Staying On-Trend with Lids, Caps and Closures! Marketing Manager, Eleanor Bunting, discusses aesthetics and functionality in packaging design.

“In the fast-moving beauty industry, concept to shelf-ready delivery is increasing in demand in order to capture the latest trends and consumer needs. As a result, ICONS|ICS has a variety of stock caps available for ease and speed to market. At ICONS|ICS we specialize in a variety of caps and closure designs in many shapes and sizes for various cosmetic, skincare and pharmaceutical packaging. Our most commonly requested caps are our classic screw-caps, click-fit caps, flip-top caps and locking caps, suitable for a variety of packaging options such as lipsticks, tubes, jars and bottles. We also have our own in-house multidisciplinary design and development team with expertise in creating custom caps or customizing stock caps based on the newest trends and our clients’ needs. Having a unique aesthetic is key for clients to stand out on the shelf and on Instagram within the competitive beauty market. We have had a rise in the demand for custom shaped caps or 3/D embossed and debossed designs on caps to give our clients’ packaging a unique, stand out identity. Pharma style screw-caps and locking jar caps are also in demand as a more sophisticated wellness alternative.”

Bunting continues, “As the wellness industry continues to merge with the cosmetics industry, we’ve noticed a shift from simple cosmetic closures to more advanced multifunctional closures, with our latest caps including twist-lock caps and tamper-evident caps as a result of a rise in more active cosmetic and skincare formulations on the market. Due to the impact of COVID-19 consumers are also becoming more conscious of touching their face and contaminating their formulations creating an increased demand for new cap designs with built-in applicators, such as built-in brushes or doefoots for makeup application. The shift of consumer trends towards a more natural and sustainable approach has also increased more tactile shapes and features, with caps becoming the increasing point of interest to a pack. Caps are the first touchpoint and increasingly are representing a brands’ image, from edgy geometric shapes to playful and multifunctional styles. Recently our clients have been asking for caps that are an alternative shape or disproportioned shape compared to the shape of the body of packaging, such as a small round cap on a square jar, or a octagon cap on a round tube, emphasizing this organic and tactile trend.”

“At ICONS|ICS we believe that a great design should be the perfect marriage between functionality and aesthetic and as the modern consumer grows even savvier this pairing rings even more true. You cannot produce a beautiful product if functionally it does not work, and consumers will not choose a product if it’s not aesthetically pleasing. However with the integration of the wellness industry, some cap aesthetics are changing course to a more pharma style. Premium formulations like serums and oils may need locking caps for leakage and tamper proof functionality, whilst other only require simple screw caps. An ideal example of having both good functional design and aesthetic goes to our ICONS|ICS design caps with edges, which not only offer a unique and modern visual impact but also provides an easier grip for users. Sliding and flip-top caps are another good example, where smooth and elegant design meets easy, single handed, fool proof use.”

Bunting also states, “For premium beauty brands the “luxe” look is still one of the most important features for their brand image. There are multiple ways you can make a simple cap design seem more luxurious by adding a magnet to the cap for a premium weighted feel or by adding a second process finish like metallization, an aluminum sheath or a by a two part cap with a sophisticated locking system. A cap that we had so much fun designing was Karen Murrell’s Natural Lipstick cap. This sleek, elegant Lipstick is adorned with our custom embossed flower design on the top of the cap for a fun and fresh feminine touch. The cap and base of Karen Murrell’s Natural Lipstick have a luxe rose gold metallic spray and a smooth, effortless click-fit closure. Using the decorating process of embossed and debossed designs not only provide brands with a more intimate and customized aesthetic, but also are a more sustainable finish alternative.”

At ICONS|ICS we are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable innovation and offer a variety of caps made from PCR plastic, as well as 100% recyclable PP mono-material caps. We also have our own ICONS|ICS Exclusive biodegradable packaging that is 100% biodegradable, 100% compostable and 100% recyclable. Our biodegradable cap designs use flush-fit friction closure, no hinge, no magnets, for the ultimate sustainable cap choice for compacts, palettes, sticks and pots. We also offer Aluminum cap options which are 100% recyclable and are a more premium alternative to plastic.

Beauty Packaging is the premier global media source dedicated to the cosmetic, fragrance and personal care packaging industry, providing in depth coverage throughout the year on leading beauty companies, beauty news, beauty trends and exhibitions. See our feature below and find the link here!