Game-Changing Apps Every Beauty Obsessed Human Should Download Now
A list you app-solutely can’t live without (sorry).
While the beauty world hasn’t exactly had its miracle moment yet when it comes to apps, you're still just a download away from being able to tackle basically everything on your beauty wish list right from your phone.
From virtually trying on makeup before you commit to *that* look to booking a haircut with a tap of a button, there's a whole load of apps out there that'll make every beauty obsessive's life easier.
Here's a list you app-solutely can’t live without (sorry).
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For Trying Before You Buy: MakeupPlus Virtual Counter
If you've dreamt of trying on every lipstick in a department store without having to get out of bed, this app could be your saviour.
The virtual counter section lets you actually sample multiple products to see if they suit you. Brands include YSL Givenchy, Barry M, Charlotte Tilbury, Clinique, Benefit and more.
Free, available from the App Store
For Experimenting With Different Looks: Makeup Genius By L’Oreal
Most makeup camera apps are a bit naff, but L’Oreal’s first virtual makeup tester app is a stroke of genius. It’s an easy way to experiment with more daring makeup looks without having to actually spend money and time putting it on your face before realising blue eyeshadow is just not your thing.
Just select your chosen product and shade and your front-facing camera will do all of the hard work for you - a lazy girls dream.
Free, available from the App Store
For Handy Tutorials: Eve
Want to know how to create a 5-minute messy bun or make a DIY sugar lemon lip scrub? Eve offers free beauty tutorials, step-by-step videos and handy tips and tricks from makeup experts.
You can also create your own product wish list along the way so you’ll be a makeup maestro in no time.
Free, available from the App Store
For Booking Last Minute Appointments: Treatwell
Treatwell is basically the beauty version of Tinder, without the ghosting. Whether you need a haircut, massage, wax or spray tan, you’re matched with nearby salons to book appointments in advance or even totally last minute. You can also choose to pay through the app or wait until the venue to pay.
The best thing about it is you don't have to inform everyone within hearing distance on the bus that you're booking in for a moustache wax. Yaaaas.
Free, available from the App Store
For Finding Out If Your Skincare Is Right For You: Skin Matters
There’s a ridiculous amount of skincare brands and products on the market, so who the f knows if we’re using the right ones?
This app solves all confusion about the ingredients in your fave products and if it is actually beneficial for your skin type. Handy af.
£0.99, available from the App Store
For Analysing Your Skin: YouCam Makeup
In the skin diary section of the app, you can snap a selfie to get your personalised skincare analysis in seconds.
If you’ve ever wondered if your skincare regime is actually working, the app tracks wrinkles, spots, uneven textures, acne and dark circles to guess your skin's age. You can also keep track of skin condition improvements by taking a selfie a day.
Free, available from the App Store
For Beauty Inspo: Pinterest
Any beauty obsessive is undeniably addicted to scouring Pinterest when they probably should be sleeping, as it’s an amazing place to find inspiration.
Search for, save ideas and create your own mood boards – it’s definitely a place to get creative. Beware, it’s seeeeeeriously addictive.
Free, available from the App Store
For Makeup Tips: Wow How
Even if you consider yourself a makeup kween/king, everyone needs a little guidance sometimes – and that's where Wow How comes in.
You select your closest skin tone and face, eyebrow and eye shape, eye colour and even lip size to bring your virtual beauty looks to life. You will also be guided through clever makeup tips, from contouring to fake eyelashes.
Free, available from the App Store
For Shade Matching: Slapp
Swatching makeup onto your arm IRL could become a distant memory.
Featuring only brands that cater to EVERY skin tone (hurrah!), Slapp lets you upload a selfie to find your accurate shade, before being presented with a list of foundations, concealers, highlighters and powders that’ll match your closest colour matches. Woah.
Free, available from the App Store
For Makeup Touch-Ups Throughout The Day: Mirror
Trying to do your makeup on the tube everyday (yep, guilty) but your phone camera just isn’t cutting it? Enter Mirror, a handy makeup cam with special lighting and a 4x zoom so you can actually trust your reflection.
No need to carry around a mirror, and it's always handy to check if you’ve got a bit of sandwich stuck in your teeth after lunch.
Free, available from the App Store
For Keeping Hydrated: iDrated Water
We all know drinking lots of water contributes to clear, hydrated skin, but we’re all guilty of never keeping on top of how much we’re actually drinking (which is hardly ever enough).
iDrated logs your water intake and sends you reminders to drink to meet your daily hydration target so you don’t get to 3pm and realise you haven’t drunk a drop.
£0.69, available from the App Store
For Getting Your Beauty Sleep: Sleep Cycle
Remember when mum would always tell you to go to bed so you can get your beauty sleep? Well she wasn’t lying and these bags under our eyes are no joke.
Sleep Cycle improves the way you wake up, so instead of a sound that scares the living daylights out of you each morning, it analyses your sleep patterns and picks a time where you are at your lightest sleep to slowly wake you up.
Free, available from the App Store