A clever use of augmented reality is making an appearance in a Takashimaya department story in Shinjuku.  The “Digital Cosmetic Mirror” by Shiseido uses some advanced image processing and facial recognition software to augment video of yourself with various cosmetics and mascara in real time.

All you do is sit down and let the camera scan your face. The terminal then gives you tailored recommendations. Pressing a few buttons on the touch-screen paints make-up onto your image in realtime, allowing you to see the results instantly. You also try out make-up that is currently making waves, along with printing out before and after photos with product information for you to go make the purchase of whichever colors caught your eye the most.

A powerful use of “tryvertising”, I would love to know just what impact this has had on sales.  See video of it in-action after the break.

via Augmented Reality Cosmetic Mirror in Tokyo.