The Spectrum Of Beauty

In an industry where neurotypical is the default, how do neurodivergent individuals navigate their relationship with beauty? Vogue Singapore investigates.

- NATHALIA KELANA

As a neurodivergent individual, it’s safe to say that my relationship with beauty holds different considerations and nuances. Coined by Judy Singer in the mid-’90s, the term encompasses a wide range of neurological disabilities such as autism and Tourette’s. Bearing this in mind, it stands to reason that the needs of neurodivergent people vary greatly; a fact that is still largely disregarded by beauty conglomerates and brands.

“A key characteristic of my condition is that my mental and emotional bandwidth would often get drained in situations that wouldn’t faze most people,” explains Amal Husnah, community board member at the Disabled People’s Association. “So, I try to have everyday routines that take out most of the thinking beforehand.”

Indeed, a consistent skincare and make-up regimen poses a different set of challenges for neurodivergent folk. For instance, Ann Khoo, a TedxKL 2015 speaker, Tourette’s syndrome advocate and B2B strategic planning director, has to make specific accommodations for her heightened sensory processing.