Archive · development material for ÉCLOS lipstick, kept for depth. The case study is the current presentation: its stage, tools and wording take precedence. ÉCLOS lipstick case study →
CodeÉCLOS
TitleRefillable lipstick — the case stays, the cartridge is replaced
DisciplineIndustrial design · CMF · packaging system (cosmetics)
DateSep 2026 · concept freeze 01
StatusConcept · concept freeze 01 Images AI-generated Highest claim: concept, concept freeze 01. Dimensions are proposed targets on paper. Physical evidence: none. Every image is AI-generated.

[ LAB · AS DESIGNED ][ INVESTIGATION · AS EVIDENCED ] [+]

The case you keep. The cartridge you replace.

A refillable lipstick concept: a champagne-anodised, 24-flute aluminium case that stays, around a cartridge on a supplier’s 12.7 mm mechanism that is replaced. Dimensions are proposed targets; every image is AI-generated.

AI-generated concept visualisation of the ÉCLOS lipstick, open: a satin champagne cap standing at left with a small É monogram; at right the fluted champagne body, a thin black reveal, a collar with an engraved lotus, and a muted rose bullet raised from its cup.
1 2 3 4 5

1Ø21.5 × 76 mm closed · targetSpecified intent · proposed, not measuredInitial tolerance ±0.15 / ±0.5 mm

2Replaceable cartridge on a supplier Ø12.7 mm mechanism cupSpecified intent · supplier-controlled

3Lotus on the collar — seen only once the cap is offConcept · interaction signature

41.0 mm dark reveal ±0.15Specified intent

524 flutes · 0.30–0.40 mm radial depthSpecified intent

  1. 1Ø21.5 × 76 mm closed · targetSpecified intent · proposed, not measured
  2. 2Replaceable cartridge on a supplier Ø12.7 mm mechanism cupSpecified intent · supplier-controlled
  3. 3Lotus on the collar — seen only once the cap is offConcept · interaction signature
  4. 41.0 mm dark reveal ±0.15Specified intent
  5. 524 flutes · 0.30–0.40 mm radial depthSpecified intent
Closed · from targets Exploded · one insertion axis Ø21.5 ±0.15 76.0
±0.5 ≈39 1.0 reveal ≈40 Ø12.7 01 02 03 04 05 1 2 3 4 5

1Proposed targets only — no CAD, drawing, prototype or test existsNot claimed · nothing measured

202 cartridge on a supplier Ø12.7 mm mechanism — supplier not yet selectedSpecified intent · supplier-controlled

3Refill release method — to be resolved with the mechanism supplierTBC · open

4Moulded carrier / 04 locking insert should set the functional datums — not the decorative shellConcept · tolerance strategy

5≈39 + 1.0 + ≈40 = 80 vs 76.0 overall — part heights not yet reconciledTBC · noted on this sheet

  1. 1Proposed targets only — no CAD, drawing, prototype or test existsNot claimed · nothing measured
  2. 202 cartridge on a supplier Ø12.7 mm mechanism — supplier not yet selectedSpecified intent · supplier-controlled
  3. 3Refill release method — to be resolved with the mechanism supplierTBC · open
  4. 4Moulded carrier / 04 locking insert should set the functional datums — not the decorative shellConcept · tolerance strategy
  5. 5≈39 + 1.0 + ≈40 = 80 vs 76.0 overall — part heights not yet reconciledTBC · noted on this sheet
Specimen 07 · ÉCLOS · AI-generated visualisation — illustrates design intent; not dimensionally accurate Concept visualisation · AI-generated Schematic from proposed targets — no CAD exists · teal: kept · ink: replaced · amber: target · cloud: TBC

Concept freeze 01. No CAD, drawing, prototype or test exists; nothing on this sheet was measured.

  1. [ On this sheet ]
  2. 02Question1 min
  3. 03Twist-up & finish2 min
  4. 04Five assemblies3 min
  5. 05Pigment & MFC2 min
  6. 06Set aside1 min
  7. 07Claim ledger2 min
  8. 08Provenance1 min
Code
ÉCLOS
Discipline
Industrial design / CMF / packaging system (cosmetics)
Date
September 2026 (files 6 Sep 2026)
Status
Concept freeze 01 · not production released
Physical evidence
None — no CAD, drawing or prototype
Image
AI-generated visualisation · vector schematics
Sheet
09 / 11

02 · Question

Why does the case leave with the formula?

Premium lipsticks are usually thrown away whole, so the metal case and its decoration live only as long as the formula inside. ÉCLOS splits the object in two: a permanent case — cap, fluted shell, keyed locking insert, retaining base — and a replaceable cartridge holding bullet, cup, elevator, helix and collar. Instead of inventing its own helix, it builds around a supplier’s 12.7 mm mechanism and spends the design on what stays: grip, finish, and the moment the cap comes off.

AI-generated concept visualisation of the ÉCLOS lipstick closed: satin champagne cap with a small É monogram over a fluted lower body, separated by a thin dark reveal line.

Closed equals restraint. Opened equals discovery.

ÉCLOS complete report · design principle
Closed master · AI-generated visualisation — illustrates design intent; not dimensionally accurateConcept visualisation · AI-generatedClosed elevation · schematic from proposed targets — no AI image in this reality

03 · Mechanism

Twist up. Then lift the whole cartridge out.

Twist-up and refill schematic Elevation of the open lipstick drawn from the proposed targets: cap parked at left, fluted shell, reveal, collar, Ø12.7 mm cup and bullet. Target bands mark 18–22 mm (normal use) and 28–30 mm (maximum) of exposed bullet. In state D the whole cartridge lifts out along the insertion axis. At right, a plan of the shell: 24 flutes at a 15° pitch. 18–22 · normal 28–30 · max 0 · cup rim Cap · off Shell · reusable Replaceable
Plan · 24 flutes × 15° depth within 0.30–0.40 mm 0°
Schematic from proposed targets — not CAD, not to a drawing standard · lengths without a target (cup, bullet, collar) are arranged, not sized · ring advances one flute per step for legibility

User sequence · cap off → twist → refill

A · Cap off · bullet retracted · the lotus on the collar shows

Exposure values are proposed targets (specified intent) and supplier-controlled. Rotation per millimetre belongs to the supplier mechanism and is not specified, so no angle is claimed — only the 24 × 15° flute index. The refill release method is still open (TBC).

Finish hierarchy · gloss at 60°

0 50 100 GU 5–10 15–25 70+

Satin shell + cap · champagne · 15–25 GU at 60° · bead blast + anodise · target

Gloss targets are specified intent; the band is drawn to show the hierarchy, not measured or rendered. One champagne family: the hierarchy is carried by gloss and texture, not by unrelated gold colours. The cylinder is tinted with the sampled shell champagne in every metal state.

04 · Inside

Five assemblies on one insertion axis.

Kept · reusableReplaceable cartridgeProposed targetHiddenDatum

AI-generated exploded visualisation, top to bottom: cap with a black carrier ring; refill cartridge with rose bullet, gold cup, lotus collar and black keyed carrier; fluted shell; black keyed locking insert; champagne retaining base. 0102030405
Exploded master v1 · É-monogram set · shown wholeConcept visualisation · AI-generatedAI-generated visualisation — illustrates design intent; not dimensionally accurate. Part numbers added on this sheet.
Section A–A through the fluted shell, and detail B, from proposed targets Plan section: aluminium shell Ø21.5 mm with 24 shallow flutes, the shell-to-carrier clearance, the moulded polymer carrier / locking insert proposed as datum A, and the Ø12.7 mm supplier mechanism. Detail B, enlarged: wall target 0.6–0.8 mm, flute depth target 0.30–0.40 mm, clearance target 0.15–0.25 mm per side. Schematic; no CAD exists. Section A–A · through the shell Ø21.5 ±0.15 Ø12.7
supplier A B Detail B · enlarged 0.6–0.8
wall 0.30–0.40
flute 0.15–0.25
per side A
Section A–A + detail B · wall, clearance and flute targetsSpecified intent · proposed target Concept · tolerance strategySchematic from proposed targets — no CAD exists; carrier and mechanism radii are arranged, not sized. Datum A: per the report, a moulded carrier or locking insert should set the functional datums; the decorative shell should not locate the mechanism.
The five assemblies on one insertion axis Left: the assembled stack. Right: the same parts exploded along the axis — 01 cap assembly (reusable), 02 refill cartridge (replaceable), 03 fluted outer shell (reusable), 04 keyed locking insert (reusable or service part), 05 retaining base (reusable). Schematic from proposed targets; offsets drawn for legibility. Assembled Exploded on the axis 01 Cap assemblyReusable 02 Refill cartridgeReplaceable 03 Fluted outer shellReusable 04 Keyed locking insertReusable · service 05 Retaining baseReusable
Explode on the insertion axis · scroll-linkedSchematic from the target table and the report’s architecture table. Explode offsets are drawn for legibility; lengths without a target are arranged, not sized.
  1. 01Cap assemblyReusableProtects the formula and provides concealed retention.
  2. 02Refill cartridgeReplaceableBullet, cup, elevator, helix and collar, supplied as one unit.
  3. 03Fluted outer shellReusableGrip, brand surface, stiffness and premium mass.
  4. 04Keyed locking insertReusable · serviceLocates the cartridge and prevents relative rotation.
  5. 05Retaining baseReusableCloses the shell and retains the locking insert.

Proposed assembly flow

  1. Inspect finished metal shells
  2. Install cap carrier
  3. Fit locking insert into the shell
  4. Secure retaining base
  5. Insert filled cartridge to its keyed stop
  6. Verify twist torque and lift travel
  7. Fit cap · inspect the reveal line
  8. Clean, pack, lot-identify
Concept · proposed, not run

05 · Pigment & material

One champagne family, three gloss levels.

Champagne satin anodised

#C8AE85

≈ sampled · AI visualisation

Cap + shell · bead blast + anodise · 15–25 GU target

Rose bullet

#9E5A55

≈ sampled · AI visualisation

Muted warm rose · shade dependent

Charcoal reveal / carrier

#1C1C1C

≈ sampled · AI visualisation

Polymer · fine matte · 5–10 GU target

Studio cream

#EEE2D2

≈ sampled · AI visualisation

Image ground — not a product colour

Evening oxblood

#3A0A0E

≈ sampled · AI visualisation

Evening image ground — not a product colour

Rose-gold exploration

#D2B49A

≈ sampled · earlier AI exploration

Off-system · not carried into the masters

MFC hierarchy · proposed · none sampled
PartSubstrateColour targetFinishGloss · 60°
Cap shellAluminium 5xxx or supplier equivalentChampagne gold · master chip requiredFine bead blast + decorative anodise · laser-engraved mark15–25 GU
Outer shellAluminium 5xxx or supplier equivalentMatch cap within approved limitFine bead blast + decorative anodise · shallow flutes15–25 GU
Collar highlightAluminium or plated metalWarm pale goldPolished edge or selective high gloss70+ GU
Cap carrierEngineering polymer · compatibility to confirmCharcoal blackLow-sheen moulded texture5–10 GU
Locking insertEngineering polymer · compatibility to confirmCharcoal blackFine matte moulded texture5–10 GU
BulletCosmetic formulaMuted warm rose · shade dependentFilled and finished by the formula supplierFormula dependent
Lotus + markBase material, exposed or tonalTone on toneShallow laser engraving or embossingNot separate
Specified intent Every row is a proposed target from the technical report; no sample has been made.

06 · Decisions

Three things set aside.

A · Mechanism Concept · report decision

Own helix, from first principles

Tooling and performance risk the project does not need to own.

Selected

Supplier-integrated Ø12.7 mm mechanism

ÉCLOS engineers the shell, interfaces, finish and experience around it.

B · Grip Concept · report decision

Aggressive knurling

The report asks for grip “without sharp knurling or residue traps”.

Selected

24 shallow flutes · 0.30–0.40 mm

Micro grip, easy to wipe, and a family mark that scales.

C · Refill unit Concept · report decision

Formula bullet alone

Not chosen: refill exchange removes the complete cartridge rather than the bullet alone.

Selected

Complete cartridge

Bullet, cup, elevator, helix and collar as one keyed unit — clear alignment, positive retention.

07 · Claim ledger

What is claimed, at what level.

ClaimValueLevelQualifier
Closed envelopeØ21.5 × 76.0 mmSpecified intentProposed target · initial tolerance ±0.15 / ±0.5 mm
Cap · lower body≈39 · ≈40 mmSpecified intent“Approx.” ±0.3 mm · sum vs 76.0 not reconciled (noted on this sheet) TBC
Reveal line1.0 mm ±0.15Specified intentAssembly break and alignment control
Mechanism cupØ12.7 mmSpecified intentSupplier-controlled · commercial mechanism benchmark
Bullet exposure18–22 mm normal · 28–30 mm maxSpecified intentProposed targets · maximum supplier-controlled
Grip24 flutes · 0.30–0.40 mm (±0.05)Specified intentAngular index controlled
Wall · clearance0.6–0.8 mm · 0.15–0.25 mm per sideSpecified intentProcess dependent · to be tolerance-stacked
Gloss at 60°15–25 GU shell · 70+ GU collar · 5–10 GU polymerSpecified intentApproval on physical samples under D65
Architecture5 assemblies · 1 insertion axisConceptReport architecture table
Ergonomics≈30–40° to the lower lip · grip on the flutesConceptApplication intent, not observed with users
StatusConcept freeze 01ConceptNot production released
ImageryAI-generated (gpt-image)AI-generatedC2PA manifest in each file’s metadata: trained algorithmic media

Not claimed

  • A physical prototype, CAD model or engineering drawing
  • Any test result — cap retention, twist durability, refill exchange, drop, thermal storage, formula compatibility, finish durability, transport
  • Any environmental figure: refillability is an architecture, not proof of lower impact
  • Prices, costs or margins
  • Production release, tooling or a supplier quotation
  • Photography of a made product, or of real people

Open items

  • Select two qualified 12.7 mm mechanisms; get the interface drawing TBC
  • Refill release method, with the chosen supplier TBC
  • Tolerance stack on supplier datums; reconcile ≈39 + 1.0 + ≈40 with 76.0 (gap noted on this sheet) TBC
  • Physical champagne master chip; ΔE limits after sampling TBC
  • Controlled CAD and a dimensional drawing TBC

08 · Provenance, credits, revisions

Where every image comes from.

  • Hero (lab), closed specimen, exploded plate — concept visualisation, AI-generated (gpt-image). Each master carries a C2PA manifest: trained algorithmic media.AI-generated
  • Hero cut-out — background removed by automatic subject lift; the object’s pixels are not retouched. The soft floor shadows are drawn by this page.Cut-out
  • Hero (investigation), closed elevation, twist-up, gloss cylinder, explode, section A–A — vector schematics drawn for this sheet from the proposed target table. No CAD exists.Schematic
  • One image set only: the É-monogram masters. The ÉCLOS-wordmark set is not mixed in.Rule
  • Not shown: six lifestyle visualisations (wordmark set; several show AI-generated people or hands) and the earlier explorations.Withheld
  • Sources: ÉCLOS technical report & MFC (9 pp.) and complete design, technical & business report (12 pp.), both September 2026. Not published here. The complete report calls itself “a reconstructed portfolio case study at concept and supplier-brief level”.Documents
  • Studio: MALINYX. The image set and both reports come from the project files; no other contributors are named in them.Credit
RevDateChange
A6 Sep 2026Visualisation brief (“portfolio visualization specification”); closed, open and exploded AI masters (É-monogram set)
B6 Sep 2026Technical report and MFC specification — concept freeze 01
C6 Sep 2026Complete design, technical and business report
D2 Oct 2026This sheet: vector schematics drawn from the target table

09 · Next specimen

Field notes

Fragments from systems under pressure. Twelve principles — text only, no test data.

Open sheet 10
MALINYX · INDEX /09
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