The augmented reality giant Perfect Corp. is focusing on Chinese audiences via a new alliance with the retail giant Alibaba. The beauty app developer has teamed up with the Chinese retail group to integrate its YouCam Makeup AR virtual try-on technology into the Taobao and Tmall online shopping experience. The move means shoppers will be able to virtually test out lipsticks in seven different textures, blush, eyeliner, eyelashes, eyeshadow and complete makeup looks across all of Alibaba’s e-Commerce platforms.
"In the next three years, innovative technology will be the key to driving increased sales," said Mike Hu, GM of Tmall FMCG, Alibaba Group, in a statement. "Especially in the beauty industry, technology will bring the biggest change for young generations to purchase products. We need the innovative technology to level up the consumer experience, and also the product experience, shopping experience to fulfil the demands of our customers."
Perfect Corp. CEO and founder, Alice Chang, added: "The partnership is an industry game changer, forging an innovative relationship between global brands and consumers."
Perfect Corp, which counts 750 million downloads globally for its different apps, has a strong history of collaboration, having worked with Ulta Beauty and Cosmopolitan in the past. It is the latest in a string of beauty industry players to strengthen its ties to China via Alibaba. Earlier this month, the luxury fashion conglomerate Tapestry, Inc. (which owns Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman) announced the launch of flagship stores for all of its labels on the Tmall Luxury Pavilion, Alibaba Group’s dedicated platform for luxury and premium brands - months after the label Michael Kors made the same move.
