YouCam Makeup

YouCam Makeup

Developer(s)	Perfect Corp
Initial release	2014
Operating system	iOS, Android
Type	Augmented reality, virtual makeover, selfie editing
License	Freemium
Website	www.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

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

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

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

1. "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. "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.