“How does virtual try-on work” is the first question beauty tech companies ask when they hear about advanced AR technology. The virtual try-on technology is based on augmented reality which layers visuals over the real world. Retailers can use AR tools to help customers try on items without physically touching them.
The 3D virtual fitting or AR technology overlays a realistic virtual image and streamlines the online shopping experience. The “real-life” dressing room experiences created for online shoppers enable brands to reduce the high product return rate. In this guide, we will help you understand how virtual try-on technology works and help customers try on makeup, jewelry, or clothing before purchasing.
What Are Virtual Try-Ons For Brands?
Augmented reality technology is only getting better with each passing year. Virtual try-on is a feature in AR apps that help customers try sunglasses, makeup products, clothing, etc., in the virtual world before making online purchases. Shoppers can point their smartphone’s camera at their bodies, and the technology will help them visualize products virtually.
Many beauty and fashion brands offer a virtual try-on solution to streamline the customer’s shopping journey from start to finish. Another main reason to offer a virtual try-on experience while online shopping is to reduce product returns. Customers who understand how a product looks on them are less likely to return the item. Furthermore, they can browse and shop for products at their own pace using AR apps.
How Does Virtual Try-On Work?
Now that you know the basics of AR technology, here is the answer to “how does virtual try-on work.”
Online shoppers require a camera-equipped device to try the virtual makeup try-on apps. When customers use AR tools to try accessories in a virtual world, the underlying AR technology overlays a realistic virtual image of the product over the real-world image.
Let us take a real-life example to understand how the virtual try-on tool works. Here we will explain the mechanism of the virtual makeup try-on tool SelfStylo.
- Brands can integrate the virtual makeup try-on tool with their website so their customers can try on products online.
- Once the app is integrated, customers can browse through the entire product catalog using AR fitting technology and a camera-equipped device.
- Users can click on the virtual try-on and explore all the makeup products, including lipsticks, eyeliners, mascara, blush, etc.
- The multi-screen feature helps users to test makeup products or combos on half of their faces.
- Once the new look is created, users can save the picture on their devices.
- Additionally, they can use the social media integration feature to share their AR experiences on social media platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.
Such interactive and fun shopping experiences help fashion brands to improve brand awareness. Additionally, it assists customers to eliminate the chances of purchasing the wrong or misfit products during online shopping.
Best Virtual Try-On Examples In eCommerce
Around 77% of AR users said that they use virtual try-on to see the possible color and style variation of a product. This helps them purchase the right product online and reduces unsatisfactory purchases. Witnessing the high demand for virtual try-on technology by customers, many brands have already jumped into the bandwagon. They offer augmented reality applications to help shoppers try products and get a more accurate fit. Now that you understand “how does virtual try-on work,” below are the top five brands offering AR experience to their customers.
Farfetch
Farfetch, in collaboration with Snapchat, introduced a virtual try-on to help users try on clothing. It is a unique part of the e-commerce experience where users stand in front of their cameras and test products. They can request items like “Show me a pattern windproof jacket” to try the brand’s inventory. The 3D body mesh technology maps the body and cloth fabric simulations to virtually puts clothes on the user’s body. Shoppers can use the voice command to change clothes and shop for products online.
Baume & Mercier
Baume & Mercier is one of the leading luxurious watch brands. The brand collaborated with Haptic Media to develop its virtual try-on solution for customers. With the help of virtual try-on, customers can point a camera to their wrist and see what a watch looks like in real life.
Wacoal
Wacoal collaborated with AI tech company Sizer to create a mybraFitTM bra sizing app. Users need to stand in front of their smartphones and perform various poses. Then, the virtual technology takes a few digital photographs of the users to help them with their bra size. All the information and the recommendations from the Wacoal product are sent via email, which allows shoppers to make quick purchases.
e.l.f Cosmetics
The beauty and cosmetic brand introduced its augmented reality feature through YouTube. They have added “Try It On” buttons on their in-stream ads. Users can just tap the button in the ad, and their camera launches and display the featured products. Customers can try cosmetic products on their faces, switch between multiple colors and shades, and test different versions of the same item.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker has always been at the forefront in helping their shoppers try out products at home and get inspiration on what to buy. Besides letting their customers try products in the virtual world, they also send five test models of glasses for free. This helps the brand to promote word-of-mouth marketing and boost engagement. Additionally, the brand used Apple’s ARKit along with a proprietary algorithm to get its own try-on app.
Grow Your Retail Business With AR Apps
The market of virtual try-on tools is growing rapidly, with more brands leveraging the power of technology. It is an impressive way that helps understand how a product would appear on the customer’s body in the real world via their device’s camera.
When shoppers stand in front of the camera and use AR technology during the consideration stage of their journey, they make smart buying decisions. As a result, brands can reap the benefits of enhanced awareness and sales while reducing expensive product returns.
If you’re a fashion and cosmetic brand wanting to introduce a realistic AR app or understand how does virtual try-on works, schedule a free demo with SelfStylo experts today.
