HP Demonstrates Makeup Color Matching Tech

Using a cell phone and a color chart, women can get expert makeup advice without a trip to the beauty counter.

Ladies, your boat has come in. Despite the guy-centric slant of a lot of technology (you really don’t need a 50-inch TV and 5.1 surround sound for anything but explosions), HP has announced one new technology that could actually serve to benefit the fairer sex. On the Wednesday, the company demonstrated its new color-matching technology, which can be used to match makeup to a woman’s skin tone using only a photo from a camera phone and a special chart.

To start, a woman has her picture taken holding HP’s chart, which features a number of different color samples. The image is sent to HP in a multimedia text message, then HP’s software takes over, color correcting the image using the color samples in the shot. Afterwards, skin pixels from the face are selected, compared to those in a database, and a recommendation for the best shade of makeup is sent back.

“HP’s color matching technology provides retailers and consumer goods companies with a new, fun way to interact with customers and promote their products,” said Nina Bhatti, principal scientist at HP’s Digital Imaging and Printing Lab, in a statement. “For those who shop for cosmetics, this technology gives them a virtual beauty consultant in the palm of their hands.”

HP also believes its technology could have a use in the retail, consumer goods and healthcare industries.