Digital mirrors let customers try on cosmetics without applying

Earlier this year, we wrote about Shisheido’s Digital Cosmetic Mirror, installed at a Tokyo department store to let women test makeup without actually applying anything to their skin. Following in Shisheido’s augmented reality footsteps is L’Oréal, which will be trying out digital mirrors in the UK this summer. How it works? Customers snap a digital self-portrait using the mirror’s camera. They can then scan a product’s barcode to see it ‘applied’ to their self-portait, using the system’s touchscreen interface to select different colours or get recommendations for shades or products that match their skin tone or eye colour. Customers will also be a Besides offering customers a convenient and hygienic way to try new shades and products, the mirror could help prevent buyer’s remorse and therefore reduce (costly) product returns. The system used by L’Oréal was developed by EZface, which has also partnered with Boots and Walmart. As reported by Brand Republic, “L’Oréal will be trialling the kiosks later this month offering products from brands such as Maybelline, ahead of a possible commercial deal.” Letting customers try before they buy (dubbed tryvertising by our sister-site trendwatching.com) can be a remarkably potent way of advertising products. And a virtual approach, using augmented reality, seems like a natural fit for the fashion and beauty industries.