TIPSY NAILS
Project Summary :
A press-on nail brand that lets you plan your manicure up to a year ahead. Choose your designs, pick your pace, and the rest arrives on schedule — sustainable packaging included. A thoughtful approach to beauty that doesn't cost the planet anything extra.
Niche :
UI/UX · Packaging Design · Sustainable Concept
Problem :
Press-on nails have exploded over the last five or six years, especially through small online businesses — but the packaging hasn't kept up with the demand. Between protective padding and "unboxing experience" extras, most orders arrive wrapped in far more material than the product actually needs. Good for the reveal, bad for the planet.
Decision :
I threw out the standard box entirely and designed a slim tube instead — small enough to toss in a handbag, no wasted material, no wasted space. Inside, the nails sit in a simple cotton pouch rather than layers of plastic. On the business side, I built three subscription tiers around real usage patterns: a Weekly plan (1 design, lasts 4 weeks), a Seasonal plan
(7 designs, lasts 4 months), and a Yearly plan (14 designs, lasts 12 months) — so packaging waste scales down with how often someone actually needs a refresh, not the other way around.
Research :
I looked at how press-on nail brands package and ship their products, comparing what truly protects the nails in transit with what exists purely for the unboxing moment. I also looked at how people use press-ons in real life: how often they switch designs and how long a set lasts. That shaped the three subscription tiers. Finally, I explored eco-friendly and cost effective materials like paper board, bioplastic etc. based packaging to find a format that protects the nails in transit.