YouCam Makeup

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YouCam Makeup
Developer(s)Perfect Corp
Initial release2014
Operating systemiOS, Android
TypeAugmented reality, virtual makeover, selfie editing
LicenseFreemium
Websitewww.perfectcorp.com/consumer/apps/ymk

YouCam Makeup is a virtual makeover and selfie editing application developed by Perfect Corp.[1] The app allows users to edit photos with various makeup effects, skin beautification tools, and virtual try-ons for makeup products using augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.[2][3][4] It has been downloaded over 590 million times as of July 2024.

History

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YouCam Makeup was launched in 2014 by Perfect Corp,[5][6] a company specializing in artificial intelligence and augmented reality applications for beauty and fashion, and gained popularity due to its AR and AI technologies, which provided realistic and customizable makeup simulations.[7][8]

Since 2016, YouCam Makeup has partnered with various beauty brands and media outlets to expand its functionalities.[9] Collaborations include partnerships with Ardell,[10] Laura Geller,[11] Elizabeth Arden,[12] and Glamour.[13] In 2017, YouCam Makeup expanded its partnerships to include movie and TV shopping collaborations with Paramount Pictures and QVC.[14][15]

In 2018, the app was named "One of the Best" at CES BeautyTech and won the CEW Best Beauty App Award.[16] The same year, YouCam Makeup partnered with Cosmopolitan magazine for the first print-to-digital virtual beauty service, allowing readers to try virtual makeup looks via their mobile devices.[17]

In 2019, the app was honored at the 32nd Edison Awards[18] and CEW's Beauty Awards.[19]

In 2022, the app collaborated with Paramount Pictures on the interactive Top Gun: Maverick movie experience and supported breast cancer awareness by sponsoring Pink Agenda events in May, June, and October.[20][21][22]

Overview

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YouCam Makeup operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free, while more advanced tools and effects are available through in-app purchases or subscriptions. The app also generates revenue through partnerships with cosmetic brands for virtual makeup try-ons. Its virtual try-on feature has been incorporated by beauty brands and retailers for digital product visualization for consumers.[23][24][25][26] The app is available for iOS and Android devices.[1]

Features

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YouCam Makeup can perform tasks of:[21][27][28][29][30]

Virtual try-on:

  • AR makeup: AR-powered application of virtual makeup looks with customizable lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes, eyeliners, and more;
  • AR accessories: Augmented reality feature enabling the application of virtual accessories, including glasses, hats, earrings, and other accessories;
  • AR effects: Integration of dynamic visual elements and background modifications.

Beauty tools:

  • Skin smoothing: adjustment of skin texture to remove blemishes, smooth wrinkles, and even out skin tone;
  • Face reshaping: modification of facial proportions, including sliming face, enlarging eyes, reshaping nose, and adjusting other facial features;
  • Body tuning: proportional alterations to body shape;
  • Teeth whitening;
  • Eye & lip enhancement: enhances eye color, removes red-eye, and adds sparkle.

Hairstyles:

  • AI hairstyle: Simulation of various hairstyle options;
  • Hair coloring: Visualization of different hair colors and shades.

Photo editing:

  • Photo makeup: digital application of makeup effects including lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, and more in photo editing mode;
  • Effects: application of photo effects with different styles and moods;
  • Editing tools: Functions for cropping, resizing, rotating, adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness;
  • AI removal: automatically removes unwanted objects from photos;
  • AI background: Modification of photo background, making transparent background, or changing the background color and image;

Generative AI tools

  • AI fashion: Visualization of virtual clothing and accessories;
  • AI avatar: Creation of personalized avatars with customizable features;
  • AI headshot: Generation of professional-quality headshots using AI technology;
  • AI studio: A creative space for visual effects and enhancements;
  • AI aging: Age progression simulation through AI-based algorithms.

References

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  1. ^ a b "6 Makeup Apps for a Whole New You". PCMag UK. 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  2. ^ "The 100 Best Inventions of 2020: Perfect Corp. YouCam Makeup". TIME. 2023-02-08. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  3. ^ "Revolutionizing Selfies: Providing Virtual Tools To Clients Help Put Company On the Map". CBS. 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  4. ^ Eaton, Kit (2016-08-10). "A Beauty Makeover With One Tool: Your Phone". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  5. ^ "How to use Google to pick the right makeup online". HT Tech. 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  6. ^ Fickenscher, Lisa (2016-07-08). "Makeover app gets behind the Kardashians". Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  7. ^ Sorokanich, Bob (2014-08-16). "Our Favorite Android, iOS, and Windows Phone Apps of the Week". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  8. ^ "SheMeets #Girl2Know, Alice Chang Reinforces the Need For More Women in Tech & The Power of Collaboration". HuffPost. 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  9. ^ Biron, Bethany. "The beauty industry is undergoing a transformation with the emergence of virtual try-on and artificial intelligence tools. Here are the 11 startups leading the charge". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  10. ^ Jaekel, Brielle. "Ardell helps quickly growing YouCam Makeup make leap to retail | Retail Dive". www.retaildive.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  11. ^ "Laura Geller Beauty teams up with YouCam Makeup". cosmeticsbusiness.com. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  12. ^ "YouCam Makeup App To Feature Elizabeth Arden Products". Beauty Packaging. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  13. ^ Samuely, Alex. "Glamour brings NYFW beauty looks to mobile via augmented reality | Marketing Dive". Marketing Dive. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  14. ^ "Perfect Corp. teams up with Paramount for 'Like A Boss' virtual beauty". FashionNetwork.com. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  15. ^ O’Shea, Dan (August 22, 2017). "QVC partners with YouCam Makeup for virtual try-on offer". Retail Dive. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  16. ^ "YouCam beauty apps most downloaded for virtual makeup". DIGITIMES. 2018-07-11. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  17. ^ Bargh, Becky (25 September 2018). "YouCam and Cosmopolitan enter new partnership to bring first print-to-digital AR experience". cosmeticsbusiness.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  18. ^ Mary, Prarthana (2019-04-06). "YouCam Makeup Wins Edison Award". Gadget Voize. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  19. ^ "'Oscars' Of The Beauty Product Industry Announce 2019 Winners - CBS New York". CBS News. 2019-05-17. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  20. ^ Shu, Catherine (2019-01-10). "The company behind YouCam Makeup app launches a new set of AR tools for beauty brands like Ulta". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  21. ^ a b "Perfect Corp. unveils Top Gun: Maverick Interactive AR experience". Retail Technology Innovation Hub. 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  22. ^ "In Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Perfect Corp. Partners with The Pink Agenda for Annual October Gala Event". Happi. 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  23. ^ Gagliordi, Natalie (August 22, 2017). "QVC looks to augmented reality to boost shopper engagement". ZDNET. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  24. ^ Elderkin, Beth (2016-07-24). "Augmented reality takes makeover tech to the next level". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  25. ^ Valloppillil, Sindhya (2021-01-18). "It may not be as glamorous as D2C, but beauty tech is big money". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  26. ^ "New reality: China, millennial and Gen Z consumers are driving the future of AI and AR beauty tech". Cosmetics Design Asia. 2019-11-07. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  27. ^ "Paramount debuts virtual makeup try-ons for 'Like A Boss' promo". Marketing Dive. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  28. ^ "Perfect Corp. Unveils Generative AI Technology for Hairstyling in YouCam Makeup App". Happi. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  29. ^ "Perfect Corp. Adds AI Fashion Feature To YouCam Makeup App". Beauty Packaging. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  30. ^ Flanigan, Tara (2017-01-04). "Now you can experiment with makeup in augmented reality". Mashable. Retrieved 2025-04-11.