If you run a colored contact lens store or brand, you know that uncertainty is what holds consumers back from placing an order. Traditionally, purchasing colored contacts in-store involves consultations and product comparisons, which can take up a considerable amount of time. And purchasing online comes with disappointments because the advertised appearance may differ from how the lenses actually look when worn.
Color contacts virtual try-on solves the problem by letting consumers see how they may look with different color contacts, with details like natural iris colors and lens transparency. In this post, we’ll talk about what color contact lens virtual try-on is, its benefits, real-world examples, and a proven platform to get your contact lens try-on projects started.
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What Is Color Contacts Virtual Try-On?
Color contacts virtual try-on refers to an experience that lets shoppers preview different products before making a purchase. It generally includes image try-on, which applies lens designs to static photos, and live try-on, which displays the lens effects in real time through a live camera. Unlike standard eye color filters, which simply overlay a color on your eyes, a virtual contact lens try-on experience displays the specific colors and designs of the lenses and simulates how they look when worn within seconds.
How Does Color Contacts Virtual Try-On Work?
So how does color contacts virtual try-on provide realistic wearing effects and give consumers confidence in purchasing? Here is the common workflow:
Iris Detection and Tracking: The AI recognizes the iris and tracks its location as the user moves their eyes.
Lens Color and Opacity Rendering: It applies the selected color contact lens design, then adjusts its color and opacity to match the actual product.
Natural Eye Color Blending: The system blends the lens color with the shopper’s natural eye color to create a more realistic preview of how the lenses will look when worn.
Real-Time and Photo-Based Preview: Shoppers can preview how the colored contacts look on them through a live camera or by uploading a photo.
Benefits of Color Contacts Virtual Try-On
Traditional online shopping for colored contacts relies on static images, which cannot show shoppers exactly how the lenses may look when worn. Shoppers may place orders without having a clear idea of how they may look with the color contacts.
Increase Repeat Purchases and Customer Loyalty
Contact lenses are personal products that cannot be reused after physical use for hygiene and safety reasons. Given the personal nature and the relatively low price, shoppers won’t like to return them for a refund. As a result, shoppers who are disappointed with how the lenses look when worn may be less likely to purchase from the same brand again.
With virtual color contacts try-on, shoppers can find their preferred styles and feel more confident about their choices before purchasing, encouraging them to return for more purchases.
Drive Sales with Virtual Try-On for Colored Contact Lenses
With the integration of virtual color contacts try-on into online and offline stores, shoppers can check whether the selected color contact lens is suitable for their appearance using devices like smartphones, tablets, and even AR mirrors. So they can be more confident and willing to place orders with engaging shopping experiences.
For example, after launching the AR try-on experience, Alcon achieved a 55% sales lift in the 5 pilot stores. After the project was fully rolled out, Alcon’s market share in the Chinese colored contact lens segment increased from 4% to 12%.
Online contact lens stores also benefit from the color contacts virtual try-on functions. By integrating the experience into its Facebook and Instagram advertising campaigns, TTDeye generated over $1 million in sales through AR try-on conversions.
Optimize Inventory Management
Since consumers can select the most suitable product by trying on colored contacts virtually, it can be easier for businesses to recognize the most popular colors and styles. They can then optimize procurement and inventory allocation to reduce slow-moving stock and avoid overstocking.
Who Can Benefit from Virtual Try-On for Colored Contact Lenses?
Virtual try-on technology offers practical benefits to different businesses in the colored contact lens industry. Here are 3 types of businesses that can benefit from it.
1. Color Contact Lens Brands
For colored contact lens brands, virtual try-on offers an engaging way to promote their product collections. Instead of relying only on product images, brands can let consumers preview how different lens colors and designs look on their eyes. The interactive experience can also increase brand recognition when launching new products.
2. Online Contact Lens Retailers
As for online contact lens retailers, this can make product pages more interactive and informative. The feature can be integrated into product detail pages, where shoppers can preview different lens colors and designs before making a purchase. Furthermore, virtual try-on makes it easier for shoppers to compare products and choose lenses that suit their preferences, especially when purchasing colored contacts for the first time.
3. Optical Stores
With virtual try-on technology, optical stores can show their customers a range of contact lens colors right in the store using tablets or other smart devices. Customers can preview various lens colors during in-store consultations and discuss their preferences with staff. In this way, store staff can better understand what customers are looking for and recommend more relevant products.
Real-World Examples of Color Contact Lens Virtual Try-On
The practical value of virtual try-on for colored contact lenses has led to its widespread adoption across the industry. Here are some real-world examples of how color contact lens brands and businesses work with it.
Example 1. TTDeye Virtual Try-On
TTDeye, a popular colored contact lens brand, collaborated with Kivisense to add AR virtual try-on technology to its e-commerce page. Consumers can virtually try on different colored lenses while browsing platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. They can then visit the official website to learn more about the products, including their material specifications and water content.
Example 2. Alcon
Alcon offers virtual try-on experiences for its AIR OPTIX® COLORS and DAILIES® COLORS contact lens collections. Customers can compare 16 different lens colors and tones on the official website before asking for a free trial of the product. The brand also brought virtual try-on to physical stores in China to let in-store consumers find the most suitable colors during shopping consultations.
Example 3. Lens.me Virtual Try-On
Lens.me also introduced a virtual color contacts try-on feature with eye tracking to render different lens designs on the user’s eyes in real time. With more than 250 lens colors and styles available, customers can compare different options directly on the website.
Bring Virtual Try-On Experiences to Your Contact Lens Business with Kivisense
Having focused on virtual try-on solutions for years and worked with multiple brands such as Gucci and Tiffany & Co., Kivisense has helped them achieve positive marketing results. In recent years, Kivisense has also expanded its virtual try-on solutions to colored contact lenses. With accurate iris tracking and high-definition rendering technology, it lets consumers preview and compare different colored contact lenses in real time before ordering.
FAQs About Color Contacts Virtual Try-On
Is Virtual Try-On for Colored Contacts Accurate?
Accuracy depends on the quality of the tracking and rendering technology used by the virtual try-on solution. A professional solution can accurately detect and track your iris, providing a realistic preview of how the selected colored lenses may look on your eyes. However, please note that factors like lighting conditions, display settings, and your natural eye color might influence the result.
Can I Try on Colored Contacts with Dark Eyes?
Yes. Most virtual try-on solutions offer different natural eye colors, which include dark brown eyes. Advanced rendering technology even considers the original iris color and then blends it with the chosen contact lens design.
Can Businesses Integrate Virtual Try-On into Their Contact Lens Stores?
Yes. Businesses can incorporate virtual try-ons into their e-commerce sites. Most virtual try-on solutions support website integration, interface customization, and compatibility with different e-commerce platforms. Kivisense, for instance, provides tailor-made virtual try-on solutions for brands and retailers of contact lenses to enable consumers to see how products look before purchase.
Conclusion
Still struggling to attract more shoppers and increase conversions for your colored contact lens products? A color contacts virtual try-on solution could be the answer. With a custom try-on solution, you can not only let consumers see how they look with different colored contacts but also help them make more confident purchasing decisions and drive more sales. Contact Kivisense to get your own virtual try-on solution for contact lenses.
