How to create a virtual lipstick try-on effect for brands?

Consumers crave interactive digital experiences. But sometimes, they feel hesitant while clicking’Add to Cart’ or ‘Buy Now’ buttons at the time of purchasing lipsticks for themselves. What if they pick the wrong color? They also wonder: Is there any possibility of returning the product after opening and trying it? Now, beauty brands are coming up with a solution: a virtual lipstick try-on effect. 

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It eliminates the need for messy testers or guesswork. Even your customers won’t need to step out of their homes. Virtual lipstick try-on solutions are playing the role of a makeup shop assistant who helps shoppers find the right shade of lipstick. No matter if your customers are swatching lipsticks or testing foundations, virtual try-on tools will assist them in creating perfect looks through a mobile camera or a webcam. 

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For your e-commerce, virtual lipstick try-ons can enhance conversions and minimize return rates in this way. Overall, many AI and AR-enabled virtual try-on tools offer highly realistic shopping experiences that closely resemble in-person shopping. As the global beauty tech market is booming, the real-time online shopping experience has become the secret sauce for brands looking to meet their customers’ demands. 

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In 2025, the US Beauty Tech market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.63% from 2025 to 2030. Considering the evolving needs of digital tools, I researched and tested different SDK providers of virtual lipstick try-ons. Also, I explored the process to create virtual lipstick try-on effects. Let’s discover this procedure for your beauty brands:

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What is the virtual lipstick try-on effect?

Virtual lipstick try-on is a marketing innovation for beauty and cosmetics brands. It represents the combination of technology and cosmetics. Thus, it offers your customers an interactive experience to try on lipsticks virtually. The AR-enabled lipstick try-on uses facial tracking and recognition technologies to map your customers’ lip contours accurately in real-time.

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It enables the perfect application of virtual lipsticks that can follow their facial movements. The virtual lipstick try-ons support different lip shapes, sizes, and skin tones. So, every consumer will get a realistic and personalized shopping experience. They can try on various shades and textures of lipsticks through a smartphone or web browser. Therefore, it is a convenient and hygienic solution to make a confident purchasing decision. 

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Tech stacks behind the realistic effect of virtual lipstick try-on

Technologies behind virtual lipstick try-ons can transform a mobile or computer screen into a personal makeup mirror for your customers. It is a smart beauty tech solution that enables personalized online shopping. Now, I am going to reveal the tech stacks behind virtual lipstick try-on solutions:

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1. Face tracking & real-time AR

AI-powered face tracking technology is at the heart of virtual lipstick try-ons. It uses computer vision and deep learning to map 20+ facial landmarks. The face mapping technique enables virtual lipsticks to follow your customers’ facial expressions. 

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Thus, it can create a realistic and dynamic effect of virtual lipsticks. AR technology provides these accurate face tracking solutions to improve the shopping experience of consumers. It blends the virtual lipstick try-on effect with your live image or video to deliver a real-time experience. 

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2. Product simulation

Apart from face tracking technology, product simulation will elevate the experience of your shoppers. The more accurate the simulation of textures, finishes, and tones of real-life products, the better the customer experience. High-end algorithms are behind this magic.

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It uses a fusion of light modeling and texture mapping to replicate how makeup products, such as lipsticks, reflect light on different skin tones. To enhance color matching, texture replication, and application techniques, AI learns from user data continuously. 

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3. Personalization capability

The base tech is not enough to expand the possibilities of virtual lipstick try-ons. The combination of AI and AR technologies allows your customers to try on customized shades and textures.

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Some platforms already offer personalized try-on experiences based on skin undertone, trendy looks, and event type. Regardless of age, ethnicity, and gender, consumers can get customized shopping experiences online and in-store if you can integrate virtual try-ons. 

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How does a virtual lipstick try-on effect work?

It is essential to ensure a proper display of your lipstick products. For this, you need to bring their flawless look to the digital platforms. There are the foundational steps to create a virtual lipstick try-on effect:

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1. Face detection & mapping: The virtual try-on software detects 150+ key facial landmarks, such as eyes, nose, lips, etc., with computer vision and machine learning algorithms. Then, it uses the landmarks to create a detailed mesh of the consumer’s face.

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It enables the virtual lipstick to adapt to their unique lip shapes. Also, it continuously follows the movements of their heads and lips to adjust the virtual lipsticks. Thus, the technology maintains a natural appearance of the products while trying them on. 

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2. Color & texture matching: The virtual try-on software can generate an accurate visual match between virtual and real-life lipstick with sophisticated rendering techniques. Cosmetic brand owners need to provide accurate color codes and digital swatches. Thus, you can ensure the virtual lipstick can match the real-life shade. 

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Plus, the algorithms can adjust in different lighting conditions so that the colors will remain consistent as much as possible in different settings. Every finish of the lipstick reflects light in the same way the physical product would. It also incorporates fine details like shimmer or metallic effects to enhance realism. 

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3. Product recommendations: According to your customers’ try-on behavior, the AI-driven software can recommend similar products or shades. In this way, it offers an integrated shopping experience for your customers. It will keep your customers more engaged.

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4. Quality testing & updating: Before launching the software, you need to conduct quality testing and assurance. The expert team does extensive and in-house testing to make your virtual lipstick try-on reliable across various skin tones, lighting conditions, and device types.

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So, it is mandatory to monitor and evaluate your virtual products to update them with the new trends and releases. Plus, the feedback from professional makeup artists and consumers will help you improve the realistic effects of virtual lipstick try-ons. 

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Benefits of launching virtual lipstick try-ons for beauty brands

Virtual lipstick try-on solutions are now resolving age-old shopping problems. So, it has a significant impact on the beauty industry. Let’s discover the advantages of virtual lipstick try-on effects: 

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1. Less return rates with minimal waste

Since beauty returns are wasteful, especially if consumers open or use the products. Virtual try-on tools bring certainty in shopping and help your customers make a confident purchase.

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Overall, your brand will face fewer product waste, lower return shipping emissions, and a thinner supply chain. Thus, you can also minimize logistical expenses and ensure satisfaction among shoppers. 

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2. Inclusive shopping experience

AI is playing an important role in elevating the inclusivity of your beauty brands. Advanced algorithms are trained on expansive datasets, including diverse skin tones, facial structures, and age groups.

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This means that the same lipstick shade will render differently on darker and lighter skin tones with accuracy. In this way, your brand can showcase respect to every consumer. 

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3. Social media marketing

Virtual try-on software enables consumers to take selfies or short clips of their virtual looks to share on their social media platforms. It transforms a beauty discovery into a shareable moment. Following this, like other brands, you can encourage social sharing within your virtual lipstick try-on platform. It will work as a marketing channel for your brand. 

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Challenges of virtual lipstick try-ons

Despite having business prospects, virtual lipstick try-ons have some technical limitations or defaults. Read on to learn the challenges you may face while creating virtual lipstick try-on effects:

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1. Technical barriers

You need to consider customers with weaker camera systems or low lighting conditions in their space when it comes to developing virtual lipstick try-on solutions. For example, a bright shade of lip color would not look as bright in low lighting. 

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2. Blending factors

It is important to determine how well the lip color products cover your customer’s skin tone. For instance, transparent lip colors display a softer color outcome. It allows some natural lip color to show through.

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Since skin and lip tones are unique, lipstick products will not look similar on fair and tanned faces. So, it is essential to showcase how the product behaves on different skin types and prepare color swatches for successful digitization. 

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3. Data protection

While trying on virtual lipsticks, sometimes, consumers need to upload their images. You should train your virtual try-on software not to store and use those photos for further purposes. Thus, you can ensure data security for your customers with reliable data privacy policies. 

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Best providers of virtual lipstick try-ons

I have been writing about and using virtual lipstick try-ons for some time. So, I am familiar with them. According to my research and evaluation, here I am presenting some of the best platforms for creating virtual lipstick try-on effects: 

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1. GlamAR

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If you want to grow your beauty or cosmetic brand, you will need a virtual try-on platform. It will provide your customers with an interactive and real-time purchasing experience. As a leading tech provider, GlamAR offers a wide range of AR beauty try-ons for e-commerce and retailers. 

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It allows your shoppers to experiment with makeup, accessories, hair colors, eyewear, etc., using a live camera or photo mode. In the makeup category, they can try on different shades of lipstick, blush, eyeliner, eye shadow, lip liner, mascara, eyebrows, etc., in different lighting conditions. 

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Recently, I have tried its lipstick try-on solution. Single and dual-color Lipsticks are available on this platform with three different finishes. With a slider, I can compare my look after applying virtual lipstick. The best part is that I can increase or decrease the intensity of the lip color according to my choice. 

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Features: 

• Virtual lipstick try-on: Consumers can get a personalized lipstick try-on experience. They can test different lipstick finishes and colors in real time. Then, they can choose the perfect one for themselves.  

• User-friendly platform: GlamAR offers Web, iOS, and Android SDKs. So, you can add virtual lipstick try-on software to your existing website or online platform. It lets your customers try on lipsticks anytime, anywhere. They can do it from their mobile or computer’s camera. 

• Customized experience: Consumers can customize their look using different lipstick finishes. They can use those lip shades as per their skin tone, style, and preferences. Then, they can compare their looks and save the best one for future purchases. Also, they can select a model to test lipsticks according to their age or ethnicity, if they don’t want to upload their images. 

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2. Perfect Corp

Perfect Corp provides a complete suite of enterprise-grade AR and AI beauty tech solutions. It enables your customers to try on makeup products and get a realistic shopping experience. Here are different AR makeup categories available: lip color, lip liner, lip plumper, blush, foundation, highlighter, concealer, bronzer, contour, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, and eyelash.

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I experienced the ‘lip color try-on’ tool. It translates the shade, texture, intensity, and application patterns of physical products into digital try-ons. On this platform, various realistic textures and versatile patterns are available. You can create virtual try-on experiences for your customers with minimal coding work. 

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The ‘lipstick shades finder online’ tool helps consumers see how they would look after applying virtual lipsticks. According to their unique lip shape, they can try on single, dual, and ombre colors of lipsticks with various finishes. Plus, lip shape matching technology helps your customers find out their perfect lipstick texture and shape. 

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Features: 

• Lipstick shades finder: It enables your customers to experience an accurate lip color try-on. They can also explore lip plumpers with adjustable effects to get fuller-looking and softer lips. You can add this technology to your online and in-store platforms. 

• Lipstick color match: The lip color virtual try-on, which is now enhanced with AI-powered lip size features. It allows consumers to see the effects of different lipstick textures in real time, through a photo or live mode. Otherwise, they can choose a model to try on the virtual lip colors on themselves. 

• Personalized experience: The AI-powered lip shape and shade matching lip shape and shade matching tool allows your customers to mix lip textures for a personalized match. Thus, they can check how different shades and finishes look on their lips. They can also preview their lip-filler look with many lip colors and adjust their lip size.

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3. OrboAI

OrboAI provides a personalized experience for customers of brands, retail, or e-commerce businesses. It offers makeup, hair color, hairstyles, foundation shades, skin analysis, and facial attributes enhancement. It is a web-based virtual try-on. So, consumers do not need a separate mobile application for the virtual try-on experience. 

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They can test lipstick colors and finishes simultaneously, from the comfort of home. After experimentation, they can select their perfect color cosmetics and quickly purchase them. I have tried the lipstick try-on through my webcam. I can automatically apply lipstick to my lips. Also, I got customized beauty product recommendations. 

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Thus, cosmetic brands can create virtual beauty counters for their customers. Plus, OrboAI has introduced ‘Beauty GPT’.  On this platform, consumers can give text-intuitive prompts to customize the lipstick products and get the best recommendations according to their choice, skin tone, and type. You can integrate it into your brand’s platform, using a digital product catalog. 

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Features: 

• Compatible solution: You can integrate OrboAI’s virtual try-on technologies into multiple platforms. Now, your customers will get it on in-store smart mirrors, digital kiosks, websites, tablets, and mobile applications.

• Lipstick try-on: It allows you to offer virtual beauty counters for your customers through the ‘virtual makeup’ platform. They can try different lip shades from anywhere. It will help them make a quick purchasing decision with minimal return tendency.

• Accuracy: The calibration tool of OrboAI accurately extracts and identifies the shades from the entire range of the digital product catalog. It can detect six different skin types and ethnicities. So, consumers will get a real-time experience of virtual makeup applications. 

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4. Modiface

Since 2007, cosmetics brands have started to use Modiface’s AR technology for their beauty products. It allows your customers to try on makeup, nail, and hair products virtually. The software displays how products will look on their faces. On its virtual try-on platform, I have tried lipsticks online through a live scan. 

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It is a very useful and quick application for testing lip shades. Here, I can compare looks using a slider. If you add it to your website, app, or in-store virtual mirror, consumers can try lipsticks by clicking on ‘start my camera’. They will see instant results that appear on their faces. Apart from this, your customers are able to capture and save their best product try-on look. 

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Modiface is available on Android, iOS, Web, Windows, and WeChat platforms. Besides lipsticks, it supports every makeup category. It includes eyeshadow, blush, foundation, eyeliner, highlighter, etc., across different finishes. I find its multiproduct comparisons and product page integrations very useful. 

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Features:

• Lipstick try-on: There is a free baseline web try-on option (or at least product setup) via their CMS. You can display your beauty products to let consumers try them on for free using the CMS. In this way, consumers can experience a variety of lipstick shades and compare their looks. 

• Color-match technology: Your customers can select the perfect makeup shade to suit their look. They need to scan a pair of shoes, a dress, or other items with which they want to match their makeup. Then, the technology will sort out the matching lipstick color from the product catalog. 

• Face tracking: Modiface’s face tracking tools process your image directly on your device. The best part is that the technology maintains data safety. As a result, they have an ultra-realistic effect, focusing on your lips and eyes.

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5. MirrAR

MirrAR’s AR makeup tools enable you to offer virtual makeover experiences to your customers from your website or e-commerce platform. It provides realistic product visualization to transform traditional shopping across online and in-store channels. Unlike other platforms, the multi-platform web AR solutions of MirrAR will help you reach global shoppers. 

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Your customers can try on a wide range of makeup products, such as lip color, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and blush, with no commitment. They will receive dozens of shades for each beauty product, including lipstick, to experiment with. The facial mapping technology of this software delivers accurate results for your customers. 

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The technology can track wide-angle facial profiles, movements, and lighting conditions. I have explored its lipstick try-on through my webcam. After testing and trying different lipstick shades, I chose the perfect one for my desired look. The best part is that it is jitter-free and gives quick outcomes to consumers. 

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Features: 

• Virtual lipstick try-on: Your shoppers can try on different lipsticks and lip glosses from anywhere, on this platform. It makes the beauty product shopping easier and exciting for them.

• Personalized shopping: You can give your customers flexible and personalized shopping options. They can find their perfect lip color after trying on different lip shades through a live camera or photo mode. So, it would be better to add MirrAR SDK to your platform.

• In-store & web-based solution: By adding this software to your website or app, your customers can experience a wide range of lipsticks. They can try on different lip shades and find their ideal ones. Thus, shoppers can achieve a real-time experience through your online and in-store virtual try-on technologies. 

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Popular brands that are using virtual lipstick try-ons

Beauty and cosmetics brands are not only immersing in virtual try-on technologies, but they have also started to invest in them. Here, I am presenting how beauty giants are creating and using virtual lipstick try-ons to facilitate their shoppers:

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1. Maybelline

Maybelline has introduced virtual try-on tools for experimentation and product discovery. There are three modes available to try on lipsticks: live camera, photo mode, and selecting a model. I tried the virtual lip makeup categories and selected some lipsticks to try on. 

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After experimenting with different shades and styles, I picked an ideal lipstick. To my surprise, I can increase or decrease the lip color coverage on this platform. Plus, I can download my image wearing my favourite lip shade. With a slider, I can compare my before and after look. 

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2. L'Oréal Paris

In collaboration with Modiface, L'Oréal Paris offers an interactive makeup simulator. The L’Oréal Paris Makeup Virtual Try-On tool allows consumers to find their ideal product before buying it. I explored a range of lipsticks in various tones and shades, using this try-on tool. Your customers can use a live camera or upload their images to try on different makeup products, such as lipsticks. 

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It is an AI-driven, accurate, and inclusive skin tool that enables women of different ages and ethnicities to experience virtual try-ons. But it would be best to use Chrome on Android and Safari on iOS devices to get accurate results. 

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3. Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury offers a variety of lipsticks and lip care products with a try-on option. Charlotte’s Magic Mirror is the world’s first augmented reality magic mirror. It allows consumers to try on 10 of Charlotte Tilbury’s infamous makeup instantly, virtually. In this manner, it eliminates the hassle of applying and removing makeup and saves time. 

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The good news is that launching two original Charlotte's Magic Mirrors in London in 2016 has been a success. It has inspired them to introduce 11 global deployments in London, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

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4. Lancome

Lancôme’s virtual makeup try-on tool enables your customers to try on multiple shades of lipstick. Using this tool, online shoppers can take a selfie or choose a model to try on lipsticks. Then, they can discover their favorite ones that will suit them well. I have played around with its lip products through virtual try-on technology. 

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For this, I needed to maintain certain conditions, such as minimal makeup, hair tied back, and good lighting. I can compare my looks wearing lipstick and save it for the future. Finally, I achieved the expected outcome, which helped me make a confident purchase. 

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5. NYX Professional Makeup

It offers a free virtual try-on tool for makeup looks and products. Using this tool, your customers can browse and play around with different lipstick shades that will enable them to visualize how those shades would look on them. Thus, they can find their ideal match. 

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Plus, consumers can try on lipsticks and other makeup products by scanning the QR code on their phone. I tried on the lipstick shades in photo mode and compared my look. The best part is that I can adjust the lip shade application in real-time and download my image wearing my favorite lipstick. 

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How to choose the best virtual lipstick try-on?

First, see if the virtual try-on tool has feasibility. This means that it should have advanced AI and AR technologies so that it will provide realistic results. Pick the SDK providers of virtual lipstick tr-ons from my list for a spin or experience their free trials, if available on their platforms. Most of the software on my list is accurate and reliable. Therefore, you just need to determine which one will excel in what you need the most. 

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When it comes to an all-in-one platform, GlamAR and Perfect Corp are the best bets. Try their free trials and check if they fulfill your specific needs for virtual try-ons. Research on them and check reviews before selecting any of the platforms from my list. 

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Whichever tool you choose, it will give your customers personalized shopping experiences and help you capture potential leads. As a result, you can focus on what actually matters. 

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Conclusion

Therefore, your investment in a solid platform of virtual lipstick try-ons can prove profitable within a short time. It will bring you leads, increase conversions, and reduce return rates. AR beauty try-on is the future of the beauty industry, since shoppers are more likely to buy your products if they can try on them in real-time. But creating a virtual lipstick try-on effect is beyond technology.

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It is about accuracy, evaluation, and personalization. So, it would be best to pick a software that can transform your brand’s digital and in-store beauty experiences. GlamAR can provide closely approximate real-life makeup applications with its rendering, recommendations, and face tracking technologies. Talk to them directly.