October 23, 2015

Nail polish manufacturers have long-embraced technology to solve common complaints like chipped polish, long-lasting shine, and dry-time, but consumers were then left on their own when picking out the perfect color.

Sometimes the only way to try a hue is to sample it, and the bright minds over at Sally Hansen, a brand known for its nail-care solutions, have upped the ante with a solution that relies on virtual reality technology.

At a recent New York City pop-up event, Sally Hansen launched its new ManiMatch app, which strives to help eliminate the frustration behind swatch selection by allowing you to try before you buy.

The app uses your smartphone’s camera to scan your hand and detect your skin tone to provided tailored polish color recommendations. If the recommended shades don’t suit your style, you can also peruse the entire Sally Hansen library manually, and with in-app purchasing, securing your swatch is as easy as a few swipes and taps.

In addition to polish, Sally Hansen will also be implementing features like nail art, tutorials and other add-ons over time.

If you’re in the New York area and prefer to see the polish in person, you can visit the brand’s pop-up shop in SoHo. The app is a great in-store companion, and allows you to scan the barcode on each bottle of polish, bringing the color to the app’s library before virtually demoing the hue on your hands. Right now, the app is only available for iPhones, but an Android version is not far behind.

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