Earlier this month, virtual makeover specialist ModiFace [1] released a new application that allows users to experiment with different make-up products on photos of themselves.
The Ultimate Beauty Application, which is available to iPhone, iPad and Android users, is free to download on iTunes. It has already had 100,000 downloads worldwide, according to ModiFace director of products, Nikki Gatto.
The application allows users to experiment with different eye shadow colours, mascaras, lipsticks, foundations and blushes, from a range of well known brands, like Rimmel, Clinique, Mac, Neutrogena and Dior.
"It will give you an instant and realistic look. It doesn't just put colours on your face but it shows the effect of the real product, like the exact shade, and whether it's glossy or shimmery," said Gatto, in an interview with Tech Boutique.
"For example, foundation will look different depending on whether it's powder or cream," she added.
Users can either upload a photo to experiment with, or take one with their smartphone camera. The application also syncs with Facebook to give users a bigger choice of photos to makeover.
Then when a user is happy with their look, the application will take them directly to the brand's website for them to purchase the product.
"They will be able to see before and after pictures so they can decide whether they like the makeover. Then they can either add products to their favourite list in the application, or purchase them directly from a brand's website," said Gatto.
"Lots of people don't like trying products on in stores, and lots of stores actually won't let you try on make-up anymore, so this application is to give people an idea of what the product will look like before they buy it."
So what do we at Tech Boutique think of the application? Well, we are excited to find the out the new application is available, and the time it can save us at different beauty counters in Selfridges, but we did find it a bit too US focused.
Many brands that are regularly used by consumers in the UK were not available for testing, and the application referred to many US brands that are not sold in Europe, such as CoverGirl.
Also, it is hard enough testing out different types of foundations in stores or at home, let alone online using a picture on your smartphone.
Gatto acknowledged there are difficulties in trying out make-up products virtually.
"We have got the effect of lipsticks, eyeshadows and blushes dead on. Foundation though is tough either way," she said.
ModiFace has launched a number of makeover products in recent years, including a Makeup application, which is similar to Ultimate Beauty but is less mature in features and functionality, and WeightMirror, which allows users to visualise their weight loss.
24 Jul 2011
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