Some lobes of the Beauty Brains (me included) have become obsessed with tracking all the iPhone beauty apps that are springing up all over the place. They’re certainly an interesting combination of science and beauty so they seem like an appropriate topic for the BB’s to discuss. Last time I blogged about a iPhone App that helps you track dangerous chemicals. This time the application is much more benign: it’s OPI’s new Nail Studio app.
iOPI
You can now browse and search over 200 OPI Nail Lacquer shades right from your iPhone or iPod Touch. You can even virtually try on colors by customizing the screen to match your skin tone. The feature is supposed to more closely represent how any given nail color will look on you. This ability to customize the app to your tastes is certainly an appealing feature, but this kind of “try before you buy” approach is limited by the companies ability to accurately capture YOUR individual skin tone.
What do you think? Would you trust in electronic gadgets to help you pick a makeup color you’ve never actually worn before? Or, are color cosmetics so personal that you have to try them on in the store on your own skin before you can tell whether or not they will work for you? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve used in style magazine’s Hollywood Makeover feature to try on makeup (just for fun), but I actually doubt the colors look like they would on me. The rendition of foundation colors is particularly poor. I’ve picked out foundations I already wear, and they don’t look at all true to life when I try them on “virtually” (on my uploaded photo).
Funny you mention this. I just downloaded it. Its ok. However the shine/luster of the colors is way to strong. Shades that are low luster/matte do not show up well. I wish companies would just post high quality pictures of the real shades. Not just computer generated equivalents. I like the way they do it in Japanese/Korean cosmetics. They always post the real color and they always post a picture of a female wearing the color. This gives a good idea of the coverage.
You know, it’s rather unfair. I don’t have an iPhone, nor do I plan to ever get one. So I never get to use apps that sound fun, like Ask The Hoff. Why can’t they make website versions for those of us who don’t want to hop on the iPhone boat?