Introduction
Restore is an innovative app designed to provide users with a wealth of alternative, homemade recipes for beauty and personal care products. By promoting natural and chemical-free solutions, Restore aims to help users achieve their beauty goals while minimising their exposure to potentially harmful substances.
The app features an extensive collection of easy-to-follow recipes for a variety of products, including face masks, scrubs, lotions, and more. Each recipe is accompanied by detailed instructions, ingredient lists, and user reviews, allowing users to find the perfect solution for their unique needs.
Problem Identification
Many consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the potential health risks and environmental impact associated with the use of chemically-laden beauty products.
However, finding effective and accessible alternatives can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process.
Restore addresses this problem by offering a comprehensive platform that provides users with a wide range of easy-to-follow, homemade beauty recipes, empowering them to make healthier and more sustainable choices in their personal care routines.
Research
In order to gain deeper insights into the preferences, needs, and pain points of the target audience, interviews were conducted with Gen Z individuals who had expressed interest in DIY beauty solutions. Key findings from these interviews indicated a significant need for a centralized, user-friendly resource that offers reliable and easy-to-follow recipes. Participants also expressed a desire for features that enable them to save, share, and review recipes within the app, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Proto Persona
Andy
Student
University of Illinois
Demographics
Age: 22
Sex: Female
Marital Status: Single
Location: Chicago, IL
Annual Income: $0
Education: MA (Architecture)
Needs & Goals
Allergic to most of the skincare products
Always busy, likes someone to recommend good beauty brands
Need new friends to explore beautiful architecture of Chicago
Behaviour
Likes to appreciate different architecture
Loves to travel
Uses and tries organic skincare and tells about it on her beauty channel
Market Research
Identifying potential competitors to the Restore app involves looking at existing platforms that offer similar services, focusing on homemade beauty recipes, natural alternatives, and DIY solutions. Here are some potential competitors in this niche:
Wellness Mama: A popular blog and online resource that offers a wide range of natural health and wellness information, including DIY beauty recipes and natural alternatives to conventional products.
Crunchy Betty: A blog and online community centred around natural living, with a focus on homemade beauty products and DIY solutions using simple, natural ingredients.
Hello Glow: A website offering a variety of homemade beauty recipes, tips, and tricks for natural skincare and hair care solutions.
DIY Natural: A website providing recipes and tutorials for homemade beauty products, as well as a wide range of natural living resources and advice.
While these platforms share similarities with Restore, it is essential to identify areas where Restore can differentiate itself, such as offering a more comprehensive, user-friendly experience, fostering community engagement, and continuously expanding its library of recipes and resources. By staying informed about competitors' offerings and prioritising innovation, Restore can maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Qualitative Interview Notes
Interview Insights
01
I prefer using natural and chemical-free beauty solutions because I'm concerned about the potential health risks associated with conventional beauty products.
02
Environmental sustainability is important to me, which is why I seek homemade, DIY beauty recipes to reduce my environmental impact.
03
Connecting with other users through the app is essential, as it allows me to share my experiences, learn from others, and discover new tips.
04
Having a diverse range of beauty recipes is crucial for me, especially when it comes to addressing specific skin concerns and sensitivities.
User Persona
Emma
the Eco-conscious Beauty Enthusiast
Demographics
Age: 24
Sex: Female
Marital Status: Single
Location: Nashville, TN
Occupation: Freelance Designer
Annual Income: $20,000
Education: BFA (Fine Arts)
Background
Emma is a young woman working as a Freelance Designer. She is passionate about sustainability, natural living, and reducing her ecological footprint in all aspects of her life. Emma has sensitive skin and is always on the lookout for chemical-free beauty solutions that align with her values and personal needs.
Needs & Goals
Find affordable, sustainable, and natural beauty recipes that cater to her specific skin concerns and sensitivities.
Connect with like-minded individuals to share experiences and learn new tips for homemade beauty solutions.
Personalize and customize beauty recipes to fit her unique preferences and needs.
Continuously expand her knowledge of natural ingredients and their benefits.
Pain Points
Limited access to reliable and easy-to-follow DIY beauty recipes.
Lack of options for customization and personalization in existing beauty solutions.
Difficulty finding a supportive community to share experiences and learn from others.
Preferred Features
A diverse library of homemade beauty recipes, including options for sensitive skin.
User-friendly search and customization features to easily find and tailor recipes.
Community engagement and sharing features, such as reviews and discussion forums.
Educational content on natural ingredients and their benefits.
Empathy Map
Problem Statement
Gen Z consumers, passionate about sustainable, natural, and eco-friendly living, face challenges in finding reliable, customisable, and community-driven resources for homemade chemical-free beauty solutions. Existing platforms often lack diversity in recipe content, user-friendly search and customisation features, and integrated community engagement tools. This results in a fragmented and less-than-ideal user experience for individuals who wish to personalise their beauty routines and connect with like-minded peers while minimising their environmental impact.
Empathy Mapping
I Like
Calm, soothing color palette and minimalist design.
Encourages self-care and mental well-being.
Customisable daily routine and reminders.
User-friendly interface and easy onboarding process.
Integration of gratitude journaling.
Option to set daily goals and track progress.
Sleep quality assessment and recommendations.
In-app community for support and encouragement.
Motivational quotes and affirmations.
Customisable notifications for daily activities.
Smooth user flow and intuitive navigation.
Mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
Variety of guided meditations and breathing exercises.
Integration with popular health and fitness apps.
Progress tracker for self-monitoring.
Achievement badges to keep users motivated.
Habit-building features and streaks.
Weekly challenges and inspiration for self-growth.
Personalised content based on user preferences.
User data privacy and secure account management.
I Wish
More social features for connecting with friends and family.
Ability to set long-term goals and track progress.
A wider range of expert-led courses or workshops.
Audio or video-based relaxation techniques.
Advanced analytics and insights into user data.
Mindful eating and nutrition guidance.
Option to export journal entries for personal records.
Achievement leaderboards and friendly competition.
Interactive mindfulness games or activities.
AI-based personal wellness coach.
Personalized meditation playlists or tracks.
Support for multiple languages and localisation.
Additional customisation options for the interface.
Expert-led webinars or Q&A sessions.
Sleep tracking integration with wearable devices.
Integration with smart home devices.
Group challenges or events for community engagement.
Rewards or incentives for consistent usage.
Integration with productivity apps or tools.
Integration with therapy or counselling services.
What If
The app offered a virtual reality meditation experience?
The app integrated biofeedback to measure the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques?
AI could predict potential mental health issues & provide early interventions?
The app provided personalised meal plans and healthy recipes?
Users could earn points for activities, which could be donated to mental health charities?
Users could create personalised meditation playlists with background music?
An intelligent chatbot provided 24/7 support and guidance?
Users could participate in global wellness challenges?
A smart algorithm tailored content based on user's progress and goals?
The app offered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) techniques?
Users could connect with professional mental health experts?
There was a feature to track daily water intake and hydration levels?
The app could suggest local wellness events or workshops?
An intelligent system sent motivational messages at critical times?
There was a dedicated section for movement-based practices like yoga or tai chi?
The app included a dream journal and sleep analysis feature?
The app adapted its features based on user's mental health needs?
There was an in-app marketplace for mental health resources and tools?
Users could challenge friends or family members for healthy habits?
A gamified experience with rewards & achievements motivated users to maintain self-care habits?
Customisable daily routine and reminders.
Habit-building features and streaks.
Personalised content based on user preferences.
Encourages self-care and mental well-being.
User-friendly interface and easy onboarding process.
Integration with therapy or counselling services.
Achievement leaderboards and friendly competition.
An intelligent chatbot provided 24/7 support and guidance?
More social features for connecting with friends and family.
The app could suggest local wellness events or workshops?
Users could participate in global wellness challenges?
The app provided personalised meal plans and healthy recipes?
A gamified experience with rewards & achievements motivated users to maintain self-care habits?
AI-based personal wellness coach.
Value Proposition Statement
Restore is a comprehensive mobile application that empowers eco-conscious Gen Z consumers to create personalized, chemical-free beauty solutions by offering a diverse library of homemade recipes, user-friendly customization features, and an integrated community platform for sharing experiences and learning from others. With Restore, users can confidently take control of their beauty routine, reduce their environmental impact, and foster a sense of belonging within a community that shares their passion for natural, sustainable living.
STAGE 1
Awareness
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
First Use
STAGE 4
Ongoing Use
STAGE 5
Advocacy
Emma reads app reviews and watches a demo video on the app's features.
Emma signs up for a Restore account and customises her profile.
Emma regularly uses the app to discover new recipes and share her experiences with others.
The chatbot provides regular updates on new recipes and community activities tailored to Emma's interests.
Emma recommends Restore to friends and family who share her interest in natural, sustainable living, emphasizing the helpfulness of the AI chatbot feature.
She becomes intrigued and searches for the app in the app store.
She decides to download the app and explore its content.
She browses the recipe library, saves a few favorites, and tries her first DIY beauty recipe.
She engages with the community, reads reviews, and posts her own feedback.
Emma explores educational content on natural ingredients and expands her knowledge of chemical-free beauty solutions.
She leaves a positive review on the app store and shares her success stories on social media.
User Journey Map
