In 2015, the Android phone and its portfolio of apps are helping to make our lives easier, healthier and far more stylish. Predominantly lifestyle-related, these apps outline daily routines, provide recipes, monitor weight loss and even tell us which bus to catch.
Given that many of us have become dependent on apps to navigate our modern, time-poor lifestyles, it’s no surprise the beauty industry has jumped on the bandwagon and produced apps of its own.
To save you from sifting through the hundreds (and counting) of beauty-related apps on the market, BD has compiled a list of 10 we believe are worth checking out.
1. Think Dirty
Think Dirty was born from one woman’s interest in avoiding the potentially ‘toxic’ ingredients in many cosmetic and personal care products. The app scans the barcode of your beauty product and provides information on the product, its ingredients and greener alternatives. Created by a former design and marketing pro, the app itself is not only functional and easy to use, but funky in design.
2. Facetune
If you're eager to perfect the selfie, than Facetune is for you. Essentially a miniature Photoshop for your face, the app’s tools can help to reshape your features, remove dark under-eye circles and blur blemishes. You need never worry about looking tired in photos again!
3. My Makeup Collection
Do you need help organising the beauty goodies spilling out of your bathroom cabinet? My Makeup Collection allows you to store lists of the products you own, helping you to keep track of purchases. It also offers graphs and table views to monitor what types, colours and brands it seems you favour.
4. Nailsnaps
Nailsnaps is designed with nail art lovers in mind. The app enables users to create customised nail adornments using photos from their phone, Instagram and Facebook. You can then place an order for your photos to be turned into nail stickers, which are sent out in a number of days.
5. Bangstyle
Bangstyle is rather like Pinterest for haircare. The app compiles images of different hairstyles and techniques from around the globe in a visual moodboard, and its search search features allow users to browse by stylist, style and product. The trend report section, which focuses on red carpet and celebrity looks, may also appeal to budding hairstylists.
6. SunSmart
Like a sun-safe parent, this app reminds users how and when to protect themselves from UV light and thus, skin damage. The free app can be personalised to note natural skin type, gender, age and location within Australia, which helps to determine your level of UV exposure. Sunscreen application reminders, calculated sunscreen requirements and a vitamin D tracker are all helpful tools.
7. Pretty in my Pocket
Pretty in my Pocket is an app designed to assist with cosmetic shopping expeditions. With Pinterest-like features, the app compiles hair, make-up and nail looks, which can be used to compile wishlists of products and find stockists. The app also has a review feature, called the Beautocracy, which publishes ratings in a public forum.
8. iDrated
iDrated is a handy app for those who forget to have enough water during the day. The phone addition monitors daily water intake and in doing so, keeps tabs on the percentage of water currently in your body. The cartoon figures are key to the app's visual appeal, particularly the figure that fills up with water with each new record.
9. L’Oréal Color Genius
This app embraces the idea of the virtual stylist, suggesting different make-up looks and techniques to go with your outfit. After uploading a photo of your ensemble, he app uses its portfolio of products to help create a personalised look that matches, blends or clashes your make-up with your clothes, depending on your mood and preference.
10. Mirror
Mirror is a classic app for every woman who cares about her appearance. It utilises the the camera capabilities of your phone to transform your screen into a reflective object, making on-the-go lipstick application and pre-meeting teeth checks easy.
