Between the endless shade guessing, worried DMs asking “Will this match my skin tone?”, and the dreaded return requests, beauty brands on Shopify are up against a lot. Particularly when you’re trying to build trust via a screen.
But you no longer have to rely on perfect product descriptions and flattering lighting alone. Virtual try-on technology, once a cool novelty, is now a must-have (especially in the world of beauty ecommerce).
In 2025, it’s already evident: if you’re a Shopify beauty brand and you don’t have a virtual try-on experience, you’re not just missing out. Instead, you might be falling behind.
Let’s talk about why.
AR in Beauty Is Having a Moment—and It’s Not Slowing Down
Augmented reality is no longer the future. It’s the present. And it’s transforming how people shop online.
In fact, the AR market in retail is expected to reach over $50 billion by 2027. Beauty is leading the charge. Why? Because it’s one of the most personal, visual industries out there. When a shopper can’t try something on IRL, they need a way to see how it looks fast.
Just take a look at what giants like Sephora and MAC have done. They’ve made AR try-ons a normal and expected part of the beauty buying journey. Shoppers now look for that experience by default. Whether they’re trying on a lipstick, foundation, or eyeshadow, they want to see how it looks on them before they finally commit.
That’s the bar. And customers are carrying those expectations with them right into your Shopify store.
Why Shopify Beauty Brands Can’t Afford to Ignore It
If you’re a beauty brand on Shopify, you’ve probably seen it: people loving your product in theory but leaving their carts behind. Why? Uncertainty. “Will this shade suit me?” “What if I get the wrong one?” With no testers and no try-before-you-buy option, confidence drops, and returns spike.
That’s where virtual try-on becomes your secret weapon. Instead of crossing fingers, customers can try shades on instantly, right on their screen. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it removes the fear of wasting money on a mismatch.
And Shopify’s ecosystem makes it easy to add this kind of magic without needing a developer or designer. AR isn’t reserved for the tech elite anymore. It’s accessible, affordable, and built for merchants like you.
Here’s What Happens When You Add Virtual Try-On
Let’s break down the actual benefits:
1. Higher Conversion Rates
When customers can try before they buy (even virtually), they buy more. Studies show that customers are 65% more likely to get a product after interacting with its AR version.
2. Fewer Returns
Returns eat into your margins and your time. But when shoppers are 100% sure about what they’re getting, they’re less likely to return it. Virtual try-ons help eliminate the “it didn’t look like I thought it would” problem.
3. Higher Average Order Value (AOV)
When people feel confident about what they’re buying, they are far more likely to buy more. Trying on one product can quickly lead to exploring bundles, matching products, or upsells. And that means a healthier AOV for your store.
4. Stronger Engagement
Virtual try-ons keep customers browsing, experimenting, and having fun. They boost session times, encourage repeat visits, and help your brand stick in users’ minds.
The Tool That Makes It Easy: TINT by Banuba
If you’re ready to bring virtual try-on to your Shopify store, TINT by Banuba is a solid place to start.
This beauty try-on solution on Shopify was designed specifically for ecommerce brands looking for plug-and-play AR. It’s clean, uncomplicated, and made to fit businesses of any scale.
Here’s what we love about it:
- Easy Shopify integration: Get set up without touching code.
- Mobile & desktop-friendly: Works wherever your customers are.
- Wide product support: Lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow… Feel free to shoes for yourself.
- Real-time AR precision: Banuba’s AI is next-level accurate.
- User-friendly onboarding: It’s so intuitive that it’ll be a snap for you to handle.
In short, TINT gives you everything you need to turn your product pages into virtual beauty counters without the technical headache.
The Bottom Line: 2025 Is the Year to Act
We’re calling it now. 2025 is the year virtual try-on goes from “cool bonus” to “non-negotiable.” Consumers expect it. Big brands are already doing it. And Shopify merchants now have the tools to keep up.
So if you’re still waiting to add that layer of personalization to your beauty store, now’s the time. It’s easier than ever, and the upside is real.
Curious to see how it works? Check out Tint by Banuba and give your customers the try-before-you-buy experience they’ve been waiting for.
