The question of whether one shade of blush looks better than another can now be answered with the simple touch of a screen. At least that's the hope of the beauty retailer Sephora, which is using new 3D augmented reality mirror technology at one of its stores in Milan to enable a customers to see how various cosmetics will look without having to actually apply anything to their faces.
The technology, developed by ModiFace, uses a video feed from a camera to precisely track a user's facial features and apply colors in the proper location. An extensive variety of cosmetic colors make it easy for customers to try numerous looks in a very short period of time. Antonio Ferreira de Almeida, general manager, Sephora Italy, called the technology a "breakthrough" for the chain's customers.
A video on YouTube shows the ease of use and accuracy of the new technology, which took three years to develop.
![[Image: ModiFace 3D]](/public/images/discussions/17559/sephora-still.jpg)
Sephora is not the first in the beauty space to use augmented reality to improve the customer experience. A report on Mobile Commerce Daily pointed to digital campaigns run by Estee Lauder and Maybelline that used augmented reality to help drive brand sales.