Makeup Printer, Revolutionary or Fad?

May 8, 2014

Emily W.

I just saw a news article on Huffington Post about a new device that will print eyeshadow or lipstick in any color, in your home. This 3D printer was invented by a Harvard business grad, and will supposedly be sold for $300.

What do you think? Would you drop $300 to make your own custom products whenever you want?

May 8, 2014

Erin M.

I've been excited about it since I saw it. Depending on the quality of the shadows and lipsticks, I more then likely will pay the money for it. It will especially be useful for lipsticks there will be no more 'what's she wearing' instead I can just print it out.

May 8, 2014

Haley G.

If it works well and the products are good, I would buy this in a second! I read that article, too, it's a really cool concept.

May 8, 2014

Taylor G.

Yeah if it prints good quality stuff that would be awesome.

May 8, 2014

Brianna M.

That little machine will be going up against lots of businesses who could have the potential of going out if business lol but it could also help the people who couldn't afford this machine because then the price of high end makeup could get lowered and we would be able to afford it! Lol I love how I just came up with these theory's lol hmm it made me think.

May 8, 2014

Maggie S.

Obviously you'll have to buy packaging and ingredients, which seems like a huge headache, but it's a good idea.

May 8, 2014

Emily W.

I would be curious about the quality of the products and the price of supplies. It sounds like a really interesting concept though, I would love to see swatches when it comes to market.

I wonder how the big brands will react? Maybe they will find some way to market with it (release exclusives that you can print or something). Really exciting possibilities!

May 8, 2014

Raylene I.

I find the idea if 3d printing completely bizarre haha, I mean you can print a gun at home so why not makeup... Cool beans.

May 8, 2014

Caitlin M.

I think it has a ways to go but its a really cool concept. $300 isn't cheap but it's much cheaper than the 3D printers that are available now so I would look at it as an investment. I probably wouldn't buy the very first model, like I said I think it has a ways to go. The color that I saw during the demo did not match the swatch on the computer at all. But if they fix that and make it so it's more precise I think it will be a handy tool. I don't think it will replace conventional makeup though. At least not for me lol. Part of the fun is the packaging and the experience of shopping.

May 9, 2014

Kenzie L.

To me, the concept seems intriguing, but I can't help but feel like it's stealing...almost like pirating cosmetics instead of music or film. cosmetic companies bank on that "what color is that!" marketing tool. the point of making these shades is because you're not supposed to be able to get them anywhere else. MAC is a good example of a cosmetics company with iconic colors. I know I'm weird and probably stand alone with this opinion but its what I feel.

May 9, 2014

Emily W.

Kenzie: I find your point interesting though I disagree. Companies do not own a color, even if they are known for it. That's why we see so many dupes across brands. There are very few instances of a trademark on a specific shade, and those are more about how that color is used (e.g. "Barbie Pink" is a trademark name for a specific pink, but only covers the name; the iconic red sole of Louboutins is trademarked but only in the instance of red soles on shoes). I don't feel that printing cosmetics using a hex code would be infringing on anything, unless you tried to claim that it was identical in formulation as the brand name (which would be close to counterfeiting). Really interesting point though!

Caitlin: I hate makeup shopping in stores, and I depot most of my makeup from form-over-function (read: froufrou) packaging. This would be so much more fun for me, haha! I see your point though, and I agree about waiting for improvements.

May 9, 2014

Caitlin M.

Haha I've always loved shopping for makeup, but I do see your point. I think this would be good for fashion shoots particularly, you could just print something and go. But I do agree, I don't feel like it's pirating, but maybe now it will lead to companies trying to own certain colors so they still make their money...I don't know how it would work, its all still so new but that could be a potential problem. It's kinda scary actually lol.

May 9, 2014

Caitlin M.

I also hate that "what color is that" marketing tool they use. I think its ridiculous how companies try to "hide" a color. If people know what it is there's a likely chance they'd buy it, but instead they hoard it away and people inevitably go off and find dupes and the company loses money. Seems really silly to me, but I don't know the ins and outs of marketing lol. I guess if I were to make a color that everyone wanted I'd be shouting the color name from the rooftops and making it a household name haha.

May 9, 2014

Emily W.

Haha totally right Caitlin! God you are hilarious, I love your posts. :)

May 9, 2014

Caitlin M.

Hahaha thanks Emily! :) I like yours too, you always have great info to share.

May 10, 2014

Emily W.

Thanks ma'am, I try. :D.

May 10, 2014

Cheez H.

I would, maybe. I don't know if I would use it as much though.