Want a new lipstick? Try it on for free with Pinterest's AR feature

Digital beauty is heating up 
Mireya Acierto/Getty Images
Amelia Heathman29 January 2020

Pinterest has joined the likes of YouTube and Instagram by employing augmented reality (AR) technology to allow users to try on make up digitally before they go ahead and buy it.

AR is when computer-generated images are superimposed in the real world, usually with the help of a smartphone camera. For Pinterest, it is using its Lens computer vision technology to help people visualise how a product will look on their skin, as a way to help the millions of people that use the platform for beauty inspiration.

Using the new Try On service, users on Pinterest can try out different lipstick shades from brands including Estée Lauder, Bare Minerals, YSL Beauté and Urban Decay. Beauty fans can either open up the Pinterest camera in the search function directly to find the ‘Try On’ button, or when they’re searching for a particular product such as matte lipstick.

After trying on a new lip shade, users can snap a picture of the look and save it as a pin to shop later.

Lipstick is high on the search agenda when it comes to Pinterest. Unsurprisingly, the top searched for lip style in 2019 was red lips, whilst interest in lip liner and gloss was up 144 per cent between 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Pinterest says it has ensured that its new AR make up feature is as inclusive as possible, so people using the platform can see similar lip shades on skin tones that match their own. In addition, it will not be employing skin smoothing or image altering effects, which can be found in other AR filters.

“We believe in celebrating you, and so our AR won’t be augmenting your reality, but rather helping you to make happy and real purchases for your life,” said the platform.

The platform says it will ensure people can see lip colours on different skin tones, in a bid to be inclusive
Pinterest

Helping consumers to try on makeup is just one of the ways the social networks have flocked to using AR. Facebook and Instagram added some AR features to allow people to try on Sephora make up as well as Nike trainers back in 2018. In addition, YouTube teamed up with MAC to let fans of the platform’s beauty YouTubers to try out their lipstick recommendations at the same time an influencer is in a video last year.

Unfortunately, Pinterest’s AR make up feature is only available in the US at the moment, on its iOS and Android apps, but the company says it will be rolling the function out globally in the future, so you can look forward to posing in new beauty looks very soon.

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