Augmented reality try-on technology is making its way to your makeup kit, allowing you to swatch, snap and shop all from your mobile phone. And makeup giants Estee Lauder, Sephora, YSL Beaute and Lancôme are already on board.
If you’re anything like me, the latest try-on-technology will come as a beauty Godsend.
A new Augmented Reality feature has just landed on Pinterest in the US that allows you to try on lipsticks before you buy them, which means all those drawers and tubs full of never worn, why-did-I-buy-this-colour lipsticks, glosses and pencils will no longer be getting any new additions.
Dubbed ‘Try On’, the virtual reality feature will be accessible through the mobile app and works by opening Pinterest’s camera ‘Lens’ through search, which lets you window shop and try on all the shades and brands available. The US has already locked in cult favourites like Estee Lauder, Sephora, bareMinerals, Neutrogena, NYX, YSL Beaute and Lancôme.
The technology allows you to see exactly what the colour and finish will look like, being as close to real-life as possible. Pinterest is even promising that you won’t find skin smoothing or image altering filters or effects on the app. There’s also other features – like trying on a shade you see someone wearing in a Pin and a skin tone range option where you can see similar lip shades on skin tones that match yours. Once you find your perfect match just swipe up to shop.
Although AR beauty tools aren’t new, they’re pretty hit and miss and when it comes to makeup they’re hard to get right. But with continuous innovation and technological capability advancements they’re becoming more and more realistic and are set to revolutionise the way we shop.
Hair Color by ModiFAce (free on the App Store and Google Play) and Sephora Virtual Artist (free on the App Store and Google Play) are a couple of lifelike apps doing it right. Big sites likes YouTube also have an AR experience which enables you try on makeup while watching videos and L’Oreal have a virtual online gadget, too.
Since lipstick is one of Pinterest’s most searched beauty terms they decided to kick off this new feature with bold pouts with more try-on enabled beauty products and categories coming soon. Although it’s currently only available in the US it will be rolled out globally, so stay tuned!