Chinese imaging app Meitu has offered its AR online makeup trial system to global beauty enterprises and retailers for free to help them overcome difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The firm’s Beauty Industry Support Plan was extended from limited-time free use in specific regions to apply universally. The plan was rolled out as a three-month free trial service in the wake of the outbreak for 10,000 beauty enterprises and retailers, with a three-month extension given to existing users – including Givenchy, Shiseido, Clarins, Bausch + Lomb, DFS, and other partners.

The software, called the Cosmetic Promotion Assistant, is based on Meitu’s facial-recognition and image-processing technologies, and is . The system can also recommend suitable colors and styles based on the user’s facial features. It generates a virtual makeup effect within one minute, and also supports sharing and purchase functions, with multiple payment methods allowed.

In providing free trials to potential customers, users of the service have seen increased sales of makeup products such as lip gloss, blush, eye shadow, and foundation. 

Enterprises and their beauty assistants are able to configure makeup effects on their own branded websites, which can then be shared to social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Purchase links provided on the trial page can redirect users to the vendor’s official website, or marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.