Publications
- Online browsing has become the preferred method of shopping, with many people choosing to stay at home rather than brave busy shopping malls over the festive season.
- However, according to Google, many still yearn for that in-store shopping experience, whether it’s seeing a product in ‘real-life’, trying it on, or getting advice from in-store specialists.
- To improve the online shopping experience, Google has partnered with ModiFace and Perfect Corp to bring in-store benefits online with new features launching this week in the United States.
Try on products and visualise makeup looks
Shopping for cosmetic products is already a very personal experience that is made even harder when you can’t test a shade to make sure it suits your complexion.
However, Google’s new (AI)-based augmented reality (AR) technology helps to solve this problem by allowing consumers to ‘try on’ lipstick and eyeshadow shades.
READ MORE: Rihanna confirms Fenty Skin products will be in stores worldwide this month
According to Google, brands such as L’Oreal, MAC Cosmetics, Black Opal, and Charlotte Tilbury are all participating in the new feature.
“Now, when you search for a lipstick or eyeshadow product, like L’Oreal’s Infallible Paints Metallic Eyeshadow, you can see what it looks like on a range of skin tones and compare shades and textures to help you find the right products,” reads an article by The Keyword, Google’s corporate blog.
As mentioned by Tech Crunch, the features work similarly to the Snapchat and Instagram filters that allow one to use AR and virtual makeup to alter the appearance of videos and photos.
Get advice from experts and recommendations from other consumers
Google has introduced another new feature to make the online shopping experience more beneficial.
As consumers browse Google Shopping on their phones or scroll through the Discover feed in the Google app, they will be able to see recommendations from beauty, apparel, home, and garden enthusiasts and experts about their favourite products, claims the company.
“If a product catches your eye, you can hear directly from experts on why they love the product and how they use it,” says Google.
READ MORE: Chanel unveils its first-ever 12-hour perfume and beauty boutique in SA at the V&A Waterfront
As argued by Tech Crunch, the launch arrives at a time when beauty sales are at an all-time low. This is not only due to store closures and work-from-home orders, but because people are no longer seeing the point in wearing a full face of makeup if half of it is being covered by a mask.
Are you looking forward to virtually trying products on? Tell us here.
SOURCES: The Keyword, Tech Crunch
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