How to Test Beauty Products Practically in Google Shopping
The new online shopping feature in Google search makes buying beauty products online a little less risky. Now you can virtually “try on” beauty products from Google Shopping on professional models or, if you prefer, on your own face – thanks to a little augmented reality magic and your smartphone’s selfie camera.
At launch, only select products from Black Opal, Charlotte Tilbury, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and MAC Cosmetics are supported, but Google says it plans to include others soon. The company also hopes new virtual fitting features will inspire more brands and expand the types of products that users can view in the app.
To preview makeup on models, search Google Shopping for a supported brand. Android users can search using their device’s Google search bar, while iOS users will need to search using the Google app.
If your product supports Google Virtual Fitting, a new tab will appear in the Browse tab at the top of the Google Shopping page. This tool features models of different skin tones and gender, so matching your specific complexion is easy. Tap the face at the top of the window to go to the photo. You can also navigate between colors in the bottom menu if the product has different shades.
To “test” the makeup on yourself in AR, click the “Try on” button under the photos of the model to turn on your phone’s camera. Use the bottom menu to try different color options right away. The app uses technology from AR cosmetics companies ModiFace and Perfect Corp to “apply” makeup to your face in real time. This is similar to using the SnapChat or Instagram filter, but without the additional effects or distorted facial structure commonly found in these apps.
Google says these new tools are not intended for advertising, and companies do not need to pay Google to allow users to “try out” their products. However, Google will still track your search history in order to serve you more relevant ads – unless you delete this data from your Google account .