Perfect Corp partnerships with MAC and SoPost to “tie virtual to reality” with AI-driven foundation matching

20 Jan 2022 --- To create a personalized virtual beauty experience, Perfect Corp, MAC Cosmetics and SoPost are partnering to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) so consumers can match make-up shades online and then sample MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid Foundation physically at home. This collaboration is the latest in the trend of using tech to “virtually try on” make-up.

Perfect Corp provides fashion services using AI and augmented reality (AR). MAC Cosmetics manufactures professional make-up globally and SoPost allows beauty brands to promote products via sampling services online, handling the packaging and postal service.

Virtual try-on is a “must-have interactive tool that consumers look for, with proven results,” Alice Chang, Perfect Corp founder and CEO, tells PersonalCareInsights.

She elaborates that the virtual try-on solutions have resulted in brands reporting a 2.5 times increase in conversion, 300% boost in digital engagement and 30% increase in add-to-cart.

“The growth of virtual try-on is a trend that we don’t see going away,” agrees Jonathan Grubin, founder and CEO of SoPost.

The partnership reflects the growing trend in digital beauty and new commerce solutions, primarily caused by post-pandemic trends.

“This first-to-market development in online sampling demonstrates how people’s buying habits are changing – and how sampling can adapt,” he adds. Perfect Corp has a client base of over 400 brand partners worldwide, with partnerships every month, says Chang.

Digital and physical worlds merge via sampling
The partnership targets a seamless consumer experience to tie the virtual to reality.

Specifically, the partnership focuses on enhancing the product sampling experience – matching foundation shades to various skin tones. The service includes 80,000 foundation samples and 67 foundation shades.

AI is used to personalize shade matching, and AR is used for a “hyper-real” virtual experience. The delivery service intends to bring convenience as customers will not need to leave their homes to try samples.

Consumers can access the service through various methods. These include social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, or across brand websites.

Focusing on boosting customer confidence
The partners aim to make consumers more confident in their sampling and purchasing decisions.

“Using AI and AR virtual try-on is a way to best match MAC customers with foundation samples that best fit for their skin tone to boost consumer purchase confidence and help companies better distribute physical samples,” states Chang.

She adds that virtual try-on is “an effective means for them to experiment and discover products.”The partnership focuses on enhancing the product sampling experience – matching foundation shades to various skin tones.

“In an ever-evolving market where physical and digital are merged, it allows for a trial-driven product like foundation to become more accessible than ever,” elaborates Fiona Sainty, vice president general manager of MAC Cosmetics UK & Ireland.

Fiona explains that since 2020, MAC has already provided a Virtual Try-on service. However, the partnership makes the VR experience unique by implementing AI and providing delivery services.

Alice assures that they take data and privacy seriously. The images of customers are not stored on their servers. The try-on service is expected to be launched in the UK.

In other stories on the rising digital beauty and personal care market, Coty partnered with Perfect Corp for Kylie Cosmetics and Covergirl, L’Oréal introduced AI-powered virtual hair-dye try-on and Fenty and Riot Games partnered to design game characters.

By Venya Patel

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