Google search new online shopping feature makes buying beauty products online a little less a gamble. You can now virtually “try” Google Shopping beauty products using professional models or, if you prefer, by your own face, thanks to augmented reality magic and your smartphone’s selfie camera.
At launch, only selected products from Black Opal, Charlotte Tilbury, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and MAC Cosmetics are supported, but Google says it plans to include it sooner. The company also hopes the new virtual test features will inspire more brands and expand the types of products users can preview in the app.
To preview makeup on models, search Google Shopping for a product from one of the supported brands. Android users can search using the Google search bar on their device, while iOS users will need to search using the Google app.
If a product supports the Google Virtual Trial feature, a new tab will appear on the “Overview” tab at the top of the Google Shopping page. The tool includes models of different shades and genres, so it shouldn’t be hard to match your specific skin. Tap a face at the top of the window to switch to the photo. You can also swipe between colors from the bottom menu if a product has different shades.
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To “try” your own makeup at RA, tap the button “Try it” below the photos of the model to activate the phone’s camera. Use the menu below to instantly test different color options. The app uses technology from beauty companies AR ModiFace and Perfect Corp. to “apply” makeup to the face in real time. It’s like using a SnapChat or Instagram filter, but without the added effects or distorted facial structure, these apps are usually applied.
Google says these new tools don’t have to be ads and companies don’t have to pay Google for users to try their products. However, Google will keep track of your search history so that it can offer you more relevant ads, unless delete this data from your Google Account.