Smart home living

In her efforts to glam up, Jennifer Phin discovers an unexpected app ally

>>> My mother has started pressing money into my hands and urging me to “Treat yourself,” which in Mom-to-Adult-Daughter-speak means “You’re a hot mess, put on some damn lipstick before the pitchfork-wielding villagers show up.” My make-up bag yields seven cotton balls and a Tic-Tac, so I do what any nerd would do and download the L’Oréal Make Up Genius app.

I’ll be honest; I fully intended to make fun of this. It’s a virtual mirror for iPhone that allows the user to “try on” L’Oréal cosmetics. I expect it to be a novelty promotional tool with strong potential for cat-makeover hilarity, but it is unexpectedly brilliant. I see what eyeliner should look like when properly applied (hint: not like a direct punch to the ocular cavity). I try costly lipglosses in outrageous colors — and on my lips rather than the back of my hand, very high-brow. Even better, the Snapchatlike AR means the virtual make-up moves with my face as I look into the camera; I can wink provocatively to get a better look at mascara. I can suck in my cheeks and the blusher follows along… which is how my family finds me on a quiet Saturday afternoon. A half-hour later and we know exactly how my mom, husband and one-yearold look with a glam smokey eye. ( Fabulous, obviously.)

Depending on where you live, it’s possible to order products online too, and I can suddenly see how virtual cosmetics apps could totally change the lives and looks of women – and men – who are too busy, remote, or self-conscious to set foot in a department store for a makeover.