Selena Gomez learned the importance of simple packaging from lupus and arthritis, and adopted it in Rare Beauty
Selena Gomez: Thoughts of Rare Beauty
Selena Gomez isn’t just a pop star or an actress — she’s a person who knows how to turn her challenges into strengths.
During a recent appearance on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, she revealed that she has arthritis in her fingers due to lupus, and that this was a major inspiration for the packaging design for her beauty brand Rare Beauty.
From pain to design
Selena revealed that before starting the brand, opening a simple water bottle was painful for her.
This discomfort was part of her everyday life until she found the right medication.
Rare Beauty’s initial products became easy-to-open “by chance,” but she later intentionally designed them to be easy to use for people with limited hand strength or flexibility.
Features of Rare Beauty
Launched in 2020, Rare Beauty is set to reach a $2 billion valuation in 2024.
The brand has been praised not just for its makeup quality, but also for its accessible packaging.
Their recently launched perfume is a great example of this — there’s no hassle of removing the cap, just a button that can be easily pressed with a lock-toggle.
Selena says, “It may seem like a small thing, but it’s very helpful for a person of any age.”
Life with lupus
In 2013, Selena was diagnosed with lupus — a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.
In the My Mind & Me documentary, she revealed that the pain when she wakes up in the morning is so severe that tears come to her eyes.
In 2023, when her weight was discussed on social media, she clearly stated that it is normal to gain or lose weight due to medication, but health comes first.
The definition of real beauty
Selena’s message is clear — “You are beautiful the way you are.
Yes, there are bad days, but I will prioritize my health.
My medications are important and they are what help me.”
The bottom line
Selena Gomez has turned Rare Beauty into more than just a makeup brand, but a symbol of inclusivity and empathy.
Her story is a reminder that real innovation happens when design is infused with humanity.