Bella first came up with the idea for Clens Cosmetics while working as a university lecturer, PhD researcher and product designer.

She noticed that dirty makeup brushes were often causing skin breakouts, infections and even serious illness due to insufficient cleaning and microorganism growth. Since this discovery, Bella has been developing a more hygienic alternative that is easier for consumers to clean.

Clens Cosmetics has redesigned makeup brushes featuring a quick-drying UVC sterilisation system, ensuring fast and effective cleaning. This allows makeup artists to avoid cross-contamination between customers and ensure the safety of their clients.

After winning the Innovate UK Young Innovators Award 2023 and the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award 2024, Clens Cosmetics is now taking its prototypes into the field and user testing stage. The company has also collaborated with multiple universities as part of its research, including the Brunel University of London and UCL.

Developing a product through rigorous research

Clens Cosmetics was in its early stages when Bella first joined the Young Innovators programme, having only developed rudimentary prototypes of its redesigned makeup brushes.

Since then, the company has accelerated its research and development stage and made significant improvements to its early product designs.

“We’ve worked with the Warwick Manufacturing Group to greatly develop the product and test its mechanisms,” Bella explained. “We also now have a stronger understanding of the finances and funding needed to progress our ideas further.”

The Young Innovators programme has opened doors for Clens Cosmetics, who is now working with a range of academic institutions.

“We’ve been able to collaborate with numerous agencies and research and technology organisations,” Bella said. “We’ve won the Women in Health Tech grant with UCL and will soon be conducting bacterial testing.”

“We’ve also won the Intellectual Property Office IP Audit and Access grant, which has secured patents for our designs. All of this is possible because of the Innovate UK Young Innovators programme.”

Building confidence as a founder

In the coming year, Clens Cosmetics plans to intensify product testing and development, aiming the secure additional funding to bring its innovations to market.

“We’ll be continuing to refine our design, conducting user testing and working with Plexus Ltd to support our product,” explained Bella. “We also want to begin fundraising and start approaching manufacturers to finalise our design for manufacturing requirements.”

After spending years in and out of hospital navigating chronic illness, Bella has had to find her own way of approaching entrepreneurship. “I must work differently. Learning how to be efficient and confident has been so important,” she said.

Her experience with the Young Innovators programme has helped her gain this confidence in planning and financing a startup. “Gaining the knowledge needed to develop and run my business has been brilliant,” Bella said.

The opportunity to learn from programme mentors and the Young Innovators community have contributed to Bella’s growth as a founder. “The camaraderie has been unrivalled,” she explained. “Even after the programme finished, we all keep in touch, chatting most days! I’ve worked with multiple other founders in the group and have made some very close friends.”

What advice would Bella give to other aspiring innovators? “Take everything offered with both hands, come with a positive approach. Speaking to your cohort members is the best bit!”