Category
Tech
Delegated Interfaces
Trend cluster
Category
Virtual
Cosmetic
Cosmetic brands are being more experimental with their virtual experiences.
7.6
Trend score
Trend
What is the Virtual Cosmetic trend?
Virtual Cosmetic: Distinct virtual experiences that are facilitated by cosmetic brands are on the rise as businesses look to balance customer and employee safety with their bottom line. Experiences include everything from virtual game pop-ups to virtual makeup studios.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Virtual Cosmetic trend
Despite being restricted in the activities they can take part in outside the home, consumers around the world still crave the sense of normalcy that comes with simple things like experimenting with makeup and skincare. Many are turning to brands in this space that prioritize their health without sacrificing the playful nature of cosmetic experimentation.
Trend themes
Themes within the Virtual Cosmetic trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Distinct virtual experiences
Cosmetic brands are facilitating distinct virtual experiences as businesses look to balance customer and employee safety with their bottom line, presenting an opportunity to explore new ways to enhance the virtual experience to suit the changing consumer needs.
02
Virtual Try-Ons
With the shift in the cosmetic industry, virtual try-ons are on the rise and can provide new opportunities for extended customization, virtual makeup. testing, and augmented reality applications.
03
Playful Brand Engagement
Brands can incorporate playful engagement strategies with virtual travel destinations, exercise platforms, and gaming experiences in their marketing strategies to enhance consumer connection and build brand loyalty.
Industry implications
What the Virtual Cosmetic trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Cosmetics
Cosmetic companies are leveraging technology to improve in-store and online experiences to create a safer shopping environment and improve customization to meet changing consumer needs.
For
Fitness
Fitness businesses can extend virtual services to include facial workouts, encouraging the development of virtual wellness offerings to drive engagement and revenue in uncertain times.
For
Retail
Virtual experiences can enhance product testing, allowing customers to make informed purchases despite the reduced in-store access to cosmetics professionals, and elevating the overall online shopping experience.
Workshop question
How could your brand balance safety and experience?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Virtual Cosmetic
Trend score 7.6 out of 10, from popularity 98%, activity 96%, freshness 33%.
Popularity98%
Activity96%
Freshness33%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Virtual Cosmetic trend
13 featured examples from Apr 8, 2020 to Jan 10, 2025CategoryFashion
Virtual Video Call Makeup
Microsoft Teams Video Calls Now Offer Maybelline Virtual Makeup
Virtual makeup integration presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the beauty and cosmetics industry, revolutionizing the way people can enhance their appearance during vi…
CategoryTech
AR Retail Kiosks
BIG Digital and DeepAR Bring Mobile & Desktop Try-Ons to Store Settings
The evolution of AR kiosks and interactive mirrors is revolutionizing the retail technology sector, offering new ways for brands to enhance customer engagement and drive sales.
CategoryMarketing
Virtual Cosmetics Shops
NYX Created a Virtual Reality Shopping Experience for Snapchat & Triller
Cosmetics industry could benefit from using virtual and augmented reality technologies to provide consumers with a more personalized and engaging shopping experience.
CategoryBusiness
Virtual Beauty Activations
Lancôme’s Virtual Pop-Up Aims to Reinvent The Future Of Beauty Retail
In the beauty retail industry, disruptive innovation opportunities lie in creating virtual try-on experiences, utilizing augmented reality to simulate makeup application, and inte…
CategoryTech
Mood-Based Makeup Mirrors
The L’Oréal Mood Mirror is a CES 2025 Beauty-Tech Innovation
The integration of AI and AR in cosmetics is transforming how brands engage with consumers by offering hyper-personalized experiences.
CategoryBusiness
Bag-Modeling AR Mirrors
Coach's Digital Experience Lets Shoppers Digitally Try Its Tabby Bag
With the increasing popularity of AR mirrors and storefronts, retailers can reduce the number of physical products, reducing inventory costs and environmental impact.
CategoryFashion
Virtual Facial Workouts
FaceGym Created a Virtual Exercise Platform for At-Home Facial Workouts
The virtual facial workout trend offers fitness professionals the chance to explore new revenue streams by developing and promoting online facial workout programs.
CategoryBusiness
Metaverse Beauty Shops
Charlotte Tilbury is Inviting Shoppers Into a Virtual Holiday Store
Virtual and augmented reality shopping experiences can help cosmetics brands provide innovative and immersive ways for their customers to interact with their products and services.
CategoryFashion
Virtual Makeup Consultations
Glossier Live Edit Connects Consumers to the Glossier Team
The beauty industry can leverage virtual makeup consultations to engage with customers and drive online sales.
CategoryFashion
Virtual Self-Care Experiences
Tatcha Created an Animal Crossing Island to Introduce New Skincare
The skincare industry can leverage virtual self-care experiences to introduce new products and engage with Millennial consumers.
CategoryBusiness
AR Retailer Haircare Experiences
Walmart Beauty Virtual Try-On Now Includes Hair Color Products
Implementing virtual try-on and augmented reality technologies to revolutionize the beauty shopping experience.
CategoryBusiness
Virtual Lipstick Labs
Lip Lab At Home Helps People Create Custom Lipsticks with an Expert
The beauty industry can leverage virtual platforms to offer customized experiences and reach a wider audience of beauty enthusiasts.
CategoryFashion
Virtual Makeup Studios
Burberry Beauty Launched a Virtual Try-on Makeup Counter
Cosmetic brands are using technology to create virtual try-on makeup counters for safer and more convenient exploration of their products.
