Aura
Makeup Reimagined Through Augmented Reality
Interaction Design
UX Research
ROLE
Product Designer
TEAM
4 UX Designers
DURATION
6 weeks
TOOLS
Figma
FigJam
Coda
BACKGROUND:
UTILIZING AR TO UNLEASH CREATIVITY AND EMPOWER CONFIDENCE
At AuRa, we empower individuals to unleash their creativity and express their unique beauty effortlessly. Through innovative AR technology, we provide a personalized makeup experience that enhances confidence and simplifies the beauty routine. Our mission is to revolutionize the way people approach makeup, fostering self-expression, and embracing individuality while promoting sustainability by maximizing the use of existing makeup collections.
How might we help users express their unique beauty through a simple, sustainable AR makeup experience?
RESEARCH:
UNDERSTANDING TODAY’S
Through surveys with 41 users, we uncovered key insights into makeup habits and the potential of AR in beauty. Users expressed challenges with cost, finding suitable products, and following tutorials without exact tools—all of which informed our design for AuRa.
Quantitative Research
10 Survey questions
41 responses
Demographic:
Cal Poly Students
link to sruvey
THEME 1:
DEMOGRAPHICS AND INSIGHTS
Our survey revealed that the primary user demographic for AuRa is predominantly female (92.8%) and college-aged (18-25 years old).
Key challenges for these users include:
high cost of makeup products
difficulty finding products that match unique features and skin tones
frustration with online tutorials lacking exact tools or products, making looks hard to replicate
Age demographic:
100%
14-17
18-25
26-30
Gender:
Female
Male
Non-binary
Other
THEME 2:
INSIGHTS ON MAKEUP TUTORIALS
At AuRa, we empower individuals to unleash their creativity and express their unique beauty effortlessly. Through innovative AR technology, we provide a personalized makeup experience that enhances confidence and simplifies the beauty routine. Our mission is to revolutionize the way people approach makeup, fostering self-expression, and embracing individuality while promoting sustainability by maximizing the use of existing makeup collections.
Do you watch makeup tutorials?
Yes
No
How often do you look up makeup
tutorials?
Never
Sometimes
Often
Special Occasions only
THEME 3:
PERCEPTION OF AR
Our research indicates a strong interest in augmented reality (AR) technology among users, with 48.8% expressing a range of interest from moderately to highly interested in incorporating AR into their makeup routines. However, there is a noticeable lack of trust in AR’s ability to accurately generate makeup looks, as 21.9% of respondents reported skepticism about the technology’s effectiveness. This duality highlights both an opportunity for innovation and the need to address concerns regarding AR's reliability in enhancing users' beauty experiences.
How interested would you be in using AR technology to auto generte personalized makeup looks?
How much do you trust AR technology to auto generate personalized make up looks
PERSONAS:
User Archetypes to Shape AuRa’s Experience
Our personas, “Newbie Nelly” and “Spicy Sally,” represent two ends of the makeup spectrum. While Nelly prefers an authentic, minimalist look, Sally seeks new ways to enhance her style—each with unique motivations that guide AuRa’s personalized features.
“Newbie Nelly”
Name: Nelly Nuby
Age: 20
Occupation: College Student
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Bio: Newbie Nelly, a college student with a minimalist approach to makeup and a passion for authenticity. Nelly believes in embracing her natural beauty, opting for a fresh and understated look that perfectly complements her vibrant personality. Balancing academics and a social life, she exudes confidence.
Frustrations:
Time consuming and difficult to find/figure out new makeup looks
Makeup product are too expensive and not worth splurging on,
Difficulty following makeup tutorials with different facial features.
Video tutorials progress to fast
“Skillful Scilz”
Name: sally Scilz
Age: 23
Occupation: Digital Marketer
Location: Austin, TX
Bio: Sally is a college student who frequently uses makeup. She does not typically watch makeup tutorials for her daily looks. Sally is looking for new ways to spice up her look for future events and is somewhat curious about using AR generated looks.
Frustrations:
Products do not fit her skin tones or are difficult to use
Adding to products to her makeup collection is expensive.
Time consuming and difficult to find/figure out new makeup looks
USER FLOW:
Seamless Navigation for Effortless Beauty Exploration
The user flow is seamlessly integrated with an AR camera feature, allowing users to scan their existing makeup products directly within the app. This functionality is pivotal in delivering a personalized experience, as it enables users to visualize new looks tailored to the items they already own.
INITIAL CONCEPTS:
Seamless Navigation for Effortless Beauty Exploration
The user flow is seamlessly integrated with an AR camera feature, allowing users to scan their existing makeup products directly within the app. This functionality is pivotal in delivering a personalized experience, as it enables users to visualize new looks tailored to the items they already own.
w1
b1
t2
t1
m1
m2
T1
B1
B2
camera shows
makeup product
camera shows
makeup tool
USER TESTING:
Refining AuRa’s Flow and Visuals
Our goal in conducting user testing for the mid-fi screens was to receive first-hand feedback on the visual aspects of our design and the flow of our application.
Three rounds of user testing revealed critical insights on the app’s interface and flow. To enhance the login experience, we introduced a welcoming “Let’s get started” button, streamlined the scanning process, and added flexible login options.
Your personalized makeup tutorial assistant awaits.
Your personalized makeup tutorial assistant awaits.
Let’s Get Started!
Start scanning
Scan
to add makeup products to your makeup bag.
Start scanning
Enter manually
Scan
to add makeup products to your makeup bag.
FINAL DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
USING AR TO SCAN
MAKEUP PRODUCTS
CREATE ACCOUNT
USING AR TO SCAN
MAKEUP TOOLS
Once the user has finished scanning their products:
VIRTUAL MAKEUP POUCH
Users can view their makeup “library”, view details of the product, and have the option to remove any products from their pouch at any time.
After the user has inputted their products & tools into their virtual makeup pouch....
FINDING YOUR LOOK
Users are given filters to personalize the specific look they want:
Tutorial Level Difficulty
Time
Makeup Style
Coverage
THANK YOU FOR READING!