3 Apps for the Modern Beauty Buff

Image Credit: PC Mag.
Cosmetic apps to help you buy, try, and beautify.

With our smart phones being such a huge part of our everyday lives, it is no surprise that the beauty industry is stepping into the fray of the tech world by creating its own apps to boost sales. However, the beauty app market goes far beyond mobile shopping, and once you find one that you like, it's likely that you'll be on the hunt for more. Here are three free nifty ones to get you started. 

1. BeautyU by CoverGirl

​Image Credit: CoverGirl.

You know those super fun filters on Snapchat that turn you into a rabbit or distort your face in ways unimaginable? Ok, now imagine that same concept but instead of being transformed into something bizarre or horrifying, you'll be turned into a glamorous version of yourself. CoverGirl's BeautyU allows for its users to try on a hefty handful of the brand's newest products without having to schlep over to the nearest drugstore. Whether you're interested in testing out a bold eye shadow or a fresh, bright lip for Spring, this app has you covered. When you first open the app, it scans your face via selfie and asks a variety of questions, from what foundation finish you prefer (dewy, matte, or my preference, natural) to basic things like your eye color. From there, the app provides three beauty looks you might like, as recommended by celebrity ambassadors, or it lets you go wild and create your own looks. 

2. Cocoa Swatches

Image Credit: Self.com.

Though Cocoa Swatches has a more targeted audience, it is a truly wonderful app for black makeup mavens, who often find it difficult to preview swatches of products on skin tones darker than "medium beige." From foundation to lipsticks, finding hues that won't make one look ashy (the appearance of having super dry skin) or washed out is one of the primary struggles in the beauty lives of women of color. After having made one too many unflattering purchases herself, Offune Amaka decided to create the app to swatch popular products on her own skin. As the app's audience grew, she began collecting pictures from other beauty bloggers to allow for people to see products on a variety of skin tones. 

3. Beauty Stash

Image Credit: Arbor Salon and Spa. 

Beauty Stash provides such a wide range of services that it acts as a pseudo beauty bible for the consumer who never, under any circumstances, leaves their phone at home. When you open it, you're greeted with a timeline reminiscent of Instagram's except instead of seeing photos from people you follow, it is dedicated solely to beauty products and news. Underneath each photo is a caption and a big white button with the word "buy" smack dab in the middle. Click that button and you're led to product details and a portal to actual purchase the item of interest. If you're looking for purchase recommendations, whether a new serum or pack of cotton swabs, Beauty Stash has your back. And if you save your favorite items on the app, by adding them to your "stash," the app will let you know when to replace it or when it goes on sale. So if you're forgetful or are trying to support a hoarding habit whilst living in your tiny chambre de bonne, this is the app for you.

Written by Elizabeth Segre-Lawrence

Elizabeth is a born-and-raised New Yorker who has been trying to masquerade herself as a Parisian for the past two years. In her spare time she enjoys reading, drawing, and "loafing around". She's been blogging for the past year on and off.