With most of us spending more time staring at our phones than in the mirror, here’s our pick of apps to incorporate some beauty into your screen-time.
L’Oreal Makeup Genius
L’Oréal’s new makeup genius is a must for all make-up addicts. No more swatching testers of countless shades on your hand and holding them up to your face in store - this app has a real-time camera that allows you to virtually try on any beauty product or shade from the collection. The app transforms your camera into a mirror and allows you to try on different beauty looks, keeping the make-up on your face as you move. You can try on all L’Oréal’s make-up products available from eyeshadows to lip gloss, and also try different looks from the catwalk and red carpet, as seen on celebs like Eva Longoria, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez and Julianne Moore. We had a laugh making over some of the guys in the office too!
Skinbetter
This app uses dermatologist-grade scanning technology to identify your biggest skin issues. Just take a photo of yourself without make-up on, fill out your skin profile questionnaire, and let the app do its thing. It helps identify and rate your skin issues such as wrinkles, redness, and dark spots, along with using information from your skin profile to recommend products to treat them. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and you can even purchase the products straight from the app!
Think Dirty
Not just for the SLS, SLES, Paraben (…the list goes on) conscious, this app makes determining how toxic your beauty products are easy; with a rating and breakdown of the ingredients, and their potential harmful effects. Scan a product’s barcode or search the database by product name and the app ranks its ingredients from one to ten on a “Dirty Meter” and also suggests greener alternatives. Although the library isn’t the most extensive, especially for new releases, you can submit non reviewed products for consideration.
Beware of the rating system though, as I was in for a shock at first when I searched some well-known toxin free products only to find them with very dirty ratings - fragrance/perfume can hike up the rating, while the rest of the ingredients rated as low as zero and one. This is because they only rate products as low as their highest scoring ingredient, so be sure to click the details for the break-down, to further read why they are harmful, if they are known to have long term carcinogenic effects or contain allergens.
Beauty 365
Described by iTunes as a “one tap makeover”, Beauty 365 is Kim Kardashian’s secret to a flawless selfie - along with her round the clock glam-squad of course! You can get close though, with this easy to use touch-up app. The effects are surprisingly realistic if you’re easy on the editing. You can brighten your under eyes, blur skin imperfections, slim your face even add make-up - including fabulously transforming nose contouring. Tip: the lip-gloss tool, eyeliner and lashes tools are great to spruce up your make-up - again, if you’re subtle with them! Can’t afford that Hollywood smile? Well you can whiten your teeth and even change your eye colour. It’s a fix-all beauty tool that every girl needs in her selfie arsenal!
All the apps mentioned are FREE and available for iPhone and Android.