9 free apps you can check out
Book a blowout at a bargain price - or find some new skin-care products that you might like to try. Here are nine free apps worth checking out, according to ShopSmart magazine.
1. Virtual Nail Salon
Best for checking out new nail colors and art. Upload a photo of your hand and give yourself a cyber-mani, virtually trying on polish shades to see how they look with your nail length, width and shape, as well as your skin tone. Featured brands include Deborah Lippmann, Inglot, NYX, OPI, Sally Girl and Zoya. You can choose a template or DIY designs. Works on Android and Apple.
2. Stash Beauty
Best for inventory control. This app keeps track of all the makeup you buy, so you'll never end up with three tubes of the same lipstick shade again. Scan bar codes or type in product names to create your inventory list. Do it as soon as you buy, and the app will alert you when it anticipates that you might be running low on a product. Easily restock by clicking to buy at Soap.com, Wal-Mart and elsewhere. Works on Android and Apple.
3. The Hunt
Best for tracking down products. Having trouble finding an old fave or a new beauty product you spotted on Instagram, Pinterest or Tumblr? Post a photo and a community of 2 million shopping sleuths are on call to help you find it or a less expensive version. Works on Android and Apple.
4. Plum Perfect
Best for finding your ideal makeup colors. Upload a photo of your face, and this app will analyze your features and complexion, then recommend flattering makeup shades. It breaks down suggestions by the shade of your lips, your skin tone and your eye and hair color. Click through to buy at Nordstrom, Target and elsewhere. Works on Apple.
5. my Skin
Best for personalized skin-care advice. First you take a 12-step quiz to assess your skin, which includes questions about your coloring, skin sensitivity and whether you want organics, products not tested on animals or eco-friendly packaging. Then you get recommendations culled from a catalog of more than 160,000 items (but you can't click to buy). Works on Apple.
6. Sephora To Go
Best for shopping 24/7. Sephora's app lets you shop right on the app or check stock at a local store, reorder from your purchase history in My Beauty Bag, register Sephora gift cards to use later and more. You can also browse looks and watch how-to videos (look under Inspire Me). Scan product bar codes to see customer reviews, or post your own. Works on Android and Apple.
7. LifeBooker
Best for finding salon and spa deals. Book appointments for waxing, teeth whitening, lash extensions, hair color, mani-pedis and everything else beauty, at up to 80 percent off regular prices. When ShopSmart checked, the service was up and running in 19 cities. Works on Android and Apple.
8. Makeup Genius
Best for "trying on" makeup. This app scans your face (hold very still!) and virtually applies various L'Oreal products that you choose to give you an idea of how they'll look in real life. It's a giant improvement over try-on tools ShopSmart has checked out in the past. The makeup you "apply" stays on and moves with you in real time, so you can smile or turn your head to see how it looks at different angles or in different lighting. Find a product you like? You can click to buy it at Target. Works on Android and Apple.
9. Pretty in My Pocket (PRIMP)
Best for makeup reviews and tips. Use this bar-code scanner app to check out products while you're out shopping. You'll get reviews and tips from beauty pros and real women ("Primpers"). You can also browse a library of looks and click to buy products. Works on Android and Apple.