# Virtual Cosmetic Cosmetic brands are being more experimental with their virtual experiences. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Nov 23, 2020 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/virtual-cosmetic ## Key Figures - Trend score: 7.6/10 - Evidence articles: 13 ## 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. ## 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 13 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 8, 2020 to Jan 10, 2025 - Published: Nov 23, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Virtual Cosmetic trend ### 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. ### 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. ### 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. ## What the Virtual Cosmetic trend means for industry ### For 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 for Virtual Cosmetic Trend score 7.6 out of 10, from popularity 98%, activity 96%, freshness 33%. - Popularity: 98% - Activity: 96% - Freshness: 33% ## Examples of the Virtual Cosmetic trend 13 featured examples from Apr 8, 2020 to Jan 10, 2025. - [Virtual Video Call Makeup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-makeup): Microsoft Teams Video Calls Now Offer Maybelline Virtual Makeup (Category: Fashion) Implication: Virtual makeup integration presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the beauty and cosmetics industry, revolutionizing the way people can enhance their appearance during vi… - [AR Retail Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-digital-and-deepar): BIG Digital and DeepAR Bring Mobile & Desktop Try-Ons to Store Settings (Category: Tech) Implication: 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. - [Virtual Cosmetics Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-reality-shopping): NYX Created a Virtual Reality Shopping Experience for Snapchat & Triller (Category: Marketing) Implication: Cosmetics industry could benefit from using virtual and augmented reality technologies to provide consumers with a more personalized and engaging shopping experience. - [Virtual Beauty Activations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-popup): Lancôme’s Virtual Pop-Up Aims to Reinvent The Future Of Beauty Retail (Category: Business) Implication: In the beauty retail industry, disruptive innovation opportunities lie in creating virtual try-on experiences, utilizing augmented reality to simulate makeup application, and inte… - [Mood-Based Makeup Mirrors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loreal-mood-mirror): The L’Oréal Mood Mirror is a CES 2025 Beauty-Tech Innovation (Category: Tech) Implication: The integration of AI and AR in cosmetics is transforming how brands engage with consumers by offering hyper-personalized experiences. - [Bag-Modeling AR Mirrors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tabby-bag): Coach's Digital Experience Lets Shoppers Digitally Try Its Tabby Bag (Category: Business) Implication: With the increasing popularity of AR mirrors and storefronts, retailers can reduce the number of physical products, reducing inventory costs and environmental impact. - [Virtual Facial Workouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facial-workout): FaceGym Created a Virtual Exercise Platform for At-Home Facial Workouts (Category: Fashion) Implication: The virtual facial workout trend offers fitness professionals the chance to explore new revenue streams by developing and promoting online facial workout programs. - [Metaverse Beauty Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-holiday-store): Charlotte Tilbury is Inviting Shoppers Into a Virtual Holiday Store (Category: Business) Implication: 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. - [Virtual Makeup Consultations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/makeup-consultation): Glossier Live Edit Connects Consumers to the Glossier Team (Category: Fashion) Implication: The beauty industry can leverage virtual makeup consultations to engage with customers and drive online sales. - [Virtual Self-Care Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animal-crossing-island): Tatcha Created an Animal Crossing Island to Introduce New Skincare (Category: Fashion) Implication: The skincare industry can leverage virtual self-care experiences to introduce new products and engage with Millennial consumers. - [AR Retailer Haircare Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-beauty-virtual-tryon): Walmart Beauty Virtual Try-On Now Includes Hair Color Products (Category: Business) Implication: Implementing virtual try-on and augmented reality technologies to revolutionize the beauty shopping experience. - [Virtual Lipstick Labs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lip-lab-at-home): Lip Lab At Home Helps People Create Custom Lipsticks with an Expert (Category: Business) Implication: The beauty industry can leverage virtual platforms to offer customized experiences and reach a wider audience of beauty enthusiasts. - [Virtual Makeup Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-tryon-makeup): Burberry Beauty Launched a Virtual Try-on Makeup Counter (Category: Fashion) Implication: Cosmetic brands are using technology to create virtual try-on makeup counters for safer and more convenient exploration of their products. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)