When a shopper taps try on, a lot happens in a fraction of a second. You don't need to understand the code to choose well, but a basic picture of the steps makes it easier to compare your options.
Step one: finding the lips
The software uses the phone or laptop camera to locate a face, then maps the outline of the lips. Good tools keep that outline steady as the shopper moves, smiles or turns their head, so the colour doesn't slip onto the skin.
Step two: applying colour and finish
Each shade is stored with a colour value and a finish, such as matte, satin or gloss. The software blends that colour onto the lips while keeping the natural shadows and highlights, which is why a well-built try-on looks like a real product rather than a flat sticker.
Why finish matters
A matte and a gloss in the same colour look very different on a real mouth. If the software treats them the same way, shoppers will notice the difference when the product arrives.
Step three: showing the result
The shopper sees the result live and can switch between shades quickly. Many tools also let them take a snapshot or save favourites so they can compare later.
What to look for when you compare tools
- How steady the colour stays when the shopper moves
- How natural the finish looks in different lighting
- How quickly shades switch
- How the tool handles different skin tones and lip shapes
Ask to see your own shades in the software, on a range of faces, in ordinary room lighting. A demo with a sample palette tells you much less than your real range.
The short version
Try-on software finds the lips, blends your shade and finish, and shows the result in real time. The more accurately your shades are set up, the more believable the result.
Alba
Founder, Alba VTO
