Perfect Corp.’s new trend report spotlights global consumers’ shift to digital channels for beauty shopping and advice as consumers around the globe embrace beauty routines again
London, 10 November 2021: Perfect Corp., the world’s leading global beauty tech solutions provider and developer of the world’s most advanced augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual beauty try-on technologies, has released its Global Beauty Trend Report, revealing the biggest consumer makeup trends and colour preferences of 2021.
The report analyses big data sourced from Perfect Corp.’s award-winning YouCam Makeup app. The YouCam Makeup app features thousands of AR-powered makeup filters that consumers can try on virtually. YouCam apps currently has over 950 million downloads globally. The user data is sourced from nine key regions including the United States, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Japan.
British Shoppers Rediscover Lipstick favourites, with Light Pink Shades Growing in Popularity in UK
As mask mandates ease and the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, consumers are embracing beauty routines again and makeup trends are evolving. For British shoppers, the report reveals that lipstick is making a comeback, with sheer lipstick emerging as the most popular lip colour finish, and Cranberry Pink taking the top spot as the most popular shade in the UK as well as globally. While globally red and bright pink shades took the #2 spot, in the U.K, consumers are gravitating towards light pink shades. In the UK, the soft natural pink lip color shade pink salmon became the second most popular shade in 2021.
This is a contrast to trends seen in 2020, where many global consumers simplified their beauty routines and shifted their focus to skincare and wellness. For shoppers that did want to experiment with lipstick, in 2020, they opted for low maintenance formats such as matte which was the top lipstick texture globally.
However, British shoppers and many others worldwide, are now looking to shine again. According to data from Perfect Corp, from Q1 2021 to Q2 2021, lip gloss try-ons increased across all markets. Lip gloss is most popular in Japan where it accounts for 14.2% of total try-ons, followed by China (13.8%), the US (13.4%), the UK (12.5%), and France (12.5%).
Consumers Prioritize Multi-benefit, Moisturising Makeup Products and Skin Health
Perfect Corp.’s data also reveals that consumers globally are showing an increased interest in makeup products that are multi-benefit. In particular, this includes products that provide moisture and nourishment to the skin as well as beauty benefits. This is further reflected in the increased growth of sheer lipstick and the return of lip gloss, as both products are formulated with higher oil content to ensure hydration and can include ingredients with additional benefits such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. This data indicates that the consumer shift towards skincare and wellness that developed during Covid-19 will persist as the world emerges from the pandemic.
This surge in skin health interest is also evidenced in YouCam Makeup data, as YouCam Makeup’s Skin Score diagnostic tool was completed 27 Million times in 1H 2021. This AI-powered skin diagnostic tool provides app users with a personalised skin assessment based on 4 key skin health concerns including, spots, wrinkles, texture,and dark circles.
Consumers Shift to Digital Channels and Beauty Tech Tools for Product Advice and Inspiration
Perfect Corp.’s Q4 Global Beauty Trend Report also highlights how beauty consumers have shifted to a digital-first mindset and are seeking virtual product advice and beauty consultations from brands through beauty tech tools such as AI skin diagnostics and virtual makeup try-on experiences. The insightful report findings can help beauty and skincare brands adapt their offerings to meet the needs of the post-Covid consumer, as well as understand the increased importance of personalization and personalized product recommendations in the beauty space.
Alice Chang, Founder and CEO at Perfect Corp., said: “We are excited to share the Q4 Global Beauty Trends Report with the industry and provide insights on evolving makeup trends and beauty shopping behaviors as the world emerges from the pandemic. With endless beauty inspiration for app users to explore, the YouCam Makeup app community provides a wealth of insight into consumer beauty preferences and interests. Brands can leverage this big data to better engage their customers and create impactful digital experiences.”
To view the complete Q4 Global Beauty Trend Report, click here to download for free.