Is a virtual makeup try-on worth it? Key benefits of virtual try-ons for cosmetic brands

Technology has affected all aspects of our lives, including the beauty industry, bringing beauty brands and consumers closer together than ever before.

The growth of AI (artificial intelligence) and AR (augmented reality) has revolutionized the beauty experience, allowing consumers to enjoy virtual try-on tools, such as foundation shade finders and virtual makeup, before purchasing. 

This way, consumers can see the effects of beauty products on their skin entirely realistically. It doesn’t come as a surprise, then, that virtual try-on tools have boosted customer engagement by about 80%.

This article presents the benefits of virtual try-ons and why they’ve become a must-have for beauty brands.

Understanding virtual try-on technology 

✧ What is a virtual try-on?

A virtual try-on uses augmented reality to allow customers to try on makeup without any physical contact.

Imagine trying makeup from the comfort of your home while relaxing or having fun with your friends. A virtual try-on works like a mirror, allowing you to try on all the different shades and styles of makeup, including lipsticks, foundation, eye shadows, and even complete makeup looks.

Thanks to advanced technology, the experience is increasingly realistic and lets you quickly discover what suits you best, giving you a completely new shopping experience from anywhere, anytime.

Virtual try-ons meet the expectations of today’s modern, digital-first customers who like to research products online first but still want to try them before they buy them.

✧ How does virtual try-on work?

Transforming real-life makeup into hyper-realistic virtual versions involves several steps.

It begins with advanced face tracking to map key points like the eyes, nose, and lips, ensuring the virtual makeup aligns accurately and moves naturally with facial expressions.

Using these points, custom meshes are created for each makeup product, serving as a framework for application. A black-and-white mask is then applied to define where makeup appears, followed by the addition of the desired color to replicate the real product’s shade and intensity.

Finally, post-processing techniques seamlessly blend the virtual makeup with the user’s face, incorporating realistic lighting effects and natural skin interaction, resulting in an engaging and lifelike experience.

This process helps create hyper-realistic virtual makeup that looks just like the real thing. It allows brands to display their products as faithfully as possible, creating an authentic experience in the virtual world that gives users confidence in their choices. 

5 key benefits of virtual try-on technology

Did you know that more than 71% of customers are loyal to brands that offer virtual try-on tools?

And that’s only one of the reasons why a virtual try-on should become an indispensable part of your shopping journey. And there are plenty of other benefits your brand stands to gain. Here are the top five.

1. Enhanced customer experience

Virtual makeup try-ons significantly improve the customer experience. This fast and personalized technology allows users to try makeup wherever they want, providing an interactive and creative experience.

Nearly 90% of customers believe that a company’s overall shopping experience is as important as the products and services themselves. Therefore, brands offering virtual makeup try-ons are at a great advantage because they directly contribute to customer satisfaction.

2. Reduced return rates

We all know the frustration when we buy something that doesn’t suit us, so we must return it. Virtual try-on tools can significantly reduce return rates – by up to 64%. This is because customers can try different makeup and be more confident in what they are buying and what suits them.

3. Higher conversion rates 

Virtual makeup try-ons increase sales by giving customers confidence and reducing the uncertainty of online shopping. A realistic product display motivates them to complete their purchase because they can see what they’re buying and how it suits them. Plus, it will also motivate customers to return to the same brand more often. 

4. Cost savings and sustainability 

A significant benefit of virtual try-ons is cost savings. Virtual tools can save makeup brands money on physical space, samples, and inventory. This allows brands to invest more resources in people, knowledge, and customer satisfaction.

Virtual try-ons help beauty companies follow trends and consumption, which can prevent the production of cosmetics that don’t sell well. Also, waste is reduced this way because virtual testing does not require extra physical products or traditional retail practices.

5. Competitive advantage 

Virtual try-ons bring a considerable advantage to brands by enabling an innovative and personalized shopping experience. In the beauty industry, where only 1% of retailers currently use this technology, brands can offer each customer a unique, engaging experience.

Moreover, with virtual consultations and advanced technology, beauty brands can ensure a seamless customer journey that reduces costs and contributes to their customers’ sustainability and long-term satisfaction. 

The future of virtual try-ons in beauty

The future of virtual makeup try-ons brings endless possibilities for the beauty industry. With the advancement of technology, consumers expect sophisticated experiences where they can easily find the ideal products from the comfort of their homes.

Thanks to this technology, brands such as Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and L’Oréal have already seen engagement and sales growth. Moreover, the global virtual fitting market is predicted to reach $1.3 billion by 2026, growing at 22.6% annually.

Elevate your brand with virtual makeup try-on

Virtual makeup try-ons represent a crucial innovation in the cosmetics industry that benefits brands and customers.

Using advanced technologies such as AR and AI, brands can offer authentic and personalized experiences, allowing consumers to try products from the comfort of their homes realistically.

This increases engagement, customer satisfaction, and conversion rates while reducing return costs. As virtual try-on tools become more accessible and sophisticated, the beauty industry will continue to grow toward convenience and personalization, which will undoubtedly continue to shape and advance how we experience beauty shopping in the digital age.

At Arbelle, we are dedicated to empowering beauty brands and keeping them competitive in this new technology era through in-house research, 100% proprietary technology, and a professional team.

If you want to revolutionize your brand, provide a personalized interactive customer experience, reduce return costs, and increase conversion rates – all while being sustainable and cost-effective – contact us today to discover what we can do for your brand.