L’Oreal is the world’s largest cosmetics company, owning 28 brands including well known Urban Decay, Clarisonic, YSL, Lancome, Garnier, Maybelline, Essie, Kiehl’s and The Body Shop. The cosmetic giant launches the much talked about new free app, Makeup Genius. It’s been launched in the United States, France and China this month and will be available in other countries where L’Oreal is available in the coming months.

The app was developed with the company Image Metrics which also won an Academy Award for its work with the film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. The app uses your smartphone’s front-facing camera to let you try on eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip glosses and blushes in real time instead of uploading a photo and working on a photo of yourself.

What makes this app a game changer? ITS REALISTIC! Smoky eyes will look smoked out. Lipstick is glossy or matte depending on the formula. Blush blends in naturally allowing your skin to show through. You’ll know which colors look good and which don’t!

L’Oreal employees demonstrate how to use the company’s new app. (Image from: NYTimes.com)

The app works in real time and uses facial mapping (like the one used in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) to scan your facial features, allowing you to then instantly upload any product, shade or look onto your face with a touch of a button. It maps out 64 points on your face to identify your skin tone and features. You can choose products or runway looks to try on. The makeup is virtually applied to your face then moves with you as you smile. L’Oreal…absolutely genius!