Why Virtual Makeup Try-Ons Are a Must-Have for Online Beauty Retailers
Buying makeup online can be tricky for shoppers. They spot a gorgeous shade of lipstick or foundation that looks like a perfect match, but it doesn’t quite look as expected once it arrives.
This explains why virtual makeup try on apps are shaking up the beauty industry, making the online shopping experience as close to the in-store buying experience as possible. For online beauty retailers, adopting this tech is a cool perk for buyers and boosts customer satisfaction, engagement, and sales.
What is a Virtual Makeup Try-On? (And Why Should You Care?)
Using a virtual makeup try-on app is like trying on makeup at the store, in your living room, or on the go. Using augmented reality (AR), these tools overlay different makeup products onto your face in real-time using your phone or computer camera.
Customers can simply upload a selfie or turn on their camera, and get to see exactly how every cosmetic your store offers looks on them. These easy-to-use applications allow them to switch colors, products, and brands. It’s like having a full makeup counter at their fingertips before they’ve even purchased a product.
This isn’t just a fancy toy; it’s a real solution to a glaring problem in online beauty retail: uncertainty. Customers want to know how a product will look on them before they commit to making a purchase. Virtual try-ons provide that reassurance and keep them adding things to their cart with a lot more confidence.
How Virtual Makeup Try-Ons Help Online Retailers
Reducing Cart Abandonment
Buying makeup online can be a challenge for shoppers. Will the foundation match? Is that blush too pink? Without the luxury of swiping products across your face, you’re left relying on stock photos or swatches that might not match your skin tone.
With virtual makeup try-ons on makeup websites, customers no longer have to guess. They can experiment with shades, check their look in different lighting, and find the right fit without leaving their couch. With the power of AR, they can finally say goodbye to hesitation and cart abandonment.
For retailers, this translates to fewer abandoned carts and more completed purchases. When customers can visually confirm that the product is right for them, they’re much more likely to click “buy now” with confidence.
Reducing Return Rates
Returns are the bane of any online retailer’s existence. For beauty brands, they’re even trickier. Customers often return products because they don’t match their expectations, especially with something as subjective as makeup. Getting the color or texture wrong can be a dealbreaker.
But when customers get to try on products before they hit that checkout button virtually, the risk of disappointment drops dramatically. If they know exactly how a foundation looks on their skin or how vibrant the eyeshadow is, they’re much less likely to send it back. For retailers, fewer returns mean happier customers and fewer logistical headaches. It’s a win-win.
Keeping Shoppers Engaged
Shopping for makeup should be fun, right? But clicking through endless product pages can feel more like a chore than a beauty adventure. Virtual try-on tools available on makeup websites bring that sense of fun back to the online shopping experience.
It’s interactive. It’s creative. It allows customers to play around with different looks, whether experimenting with bold eyeliner or seeing how they’d look with a dramatic lip color. And guess what happens when customers have fun? They stick around longer. They browse more. And the longer they stay, the more likely they are to add that lipstick, blush, and highlighter to their cart.
Plus, it opens new opportunities for cross-selling and upselling. Trying on a new lipstick? Why not match it with a recommended blush or eyeshadow? The more time customers spend experimenting, the more likely they are to build that perfect bundle.
The Future of Beauty Retail is Virtual
Online shopping is now the norm, and a virtual makeup try-on option could bridge the digital and physical beauty experience. They empower customers to make confident, informed decisions and help retailers stand out in a crowded market. The benefits are clear, from building customer confidence to reducing returns and increasing engagement.
So, if you’re an online beauty retailer, it’s time to get on board. The future is virtual, and it’s already here.