The top 10 beauty apps and why you need them

Still using your phone only  to make phone calls? Pffffft! There is an app for just about everything these days, including some beauty ones you may not have known about till now.  Just in time for the launch of the new iPad resident beauty blogger  Nicky Champ road tests the best beauty apps available.

1. Beauty heaven (free)

This app is a beauty junkies dream, with over 50,000 customer reviews and 10,000 listed products to squiz through, you’ll never be uninformed at the beauty counter again. One of the best things is that it includes a shop finder. So if you see something you love and have to have it that very minute, the beauty heaven app will show you the closest location where you can buy it. It also features a wish list that where you can add your favourite products and share them online through email, Facebook and Twitter. So your family and friends know exactly what to buy you for birthdays and special occasions.

2. Cosmetifique $1.19

Cosmetifique is a searchable database of over 5,000 ingredients found in cosmetics – from skincare to lipglosses. Type in the ingredient you want to know the toxicity of, and it will give you the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) rating of either good, acceptable, not good or awful. It enables you to make informed decisions about what goes onto (and into) your skin. A very worthwhile addition if you are particularly interested in organic or natural products.

3. OPI (Free)

The OPI app allows you to look up all of the OPI nail polish colour ranges and collections, with an easy scroll through option to see the all latest colours and trends available (or soon to be released in Australia). The colour dial is perfect for searching for that one elusive pale pink or bright red nail polish. As the skin tone of the display hand is changeable, it enables the user to see which colour/s will suit their hands best. Beware though you may start adding quite a few new nail polishes to your collection.

This is a little beauty. My Local Salon allows you to look up treatments and hair & beauty salons in your local area (or any area if you are on holidays or have just moved). You can browse through the treatments available and best of all, make a booking without having to call them direct. Each listing shows a location map, list of services and staff, ratings, reviews and opening hours. Only problem is, with potentially hundreds of salons at your fingertips, now you have no excuse for hairy legs.

5. Lancome (Free)

The Lancome app features video tips and tutorials from professional makeup artists and an interactive face chart with a virtual palette of Lancome lipsticks, eye shadows and nail polishes. Find out what the latest products are, be inspired to create new makeup looks and see how to create looks for evening through to a romantic date.

6. MakeUp by Modiface (Free for a limited time)

This one is fun with a capital F. Snap a self portrait, or upload one from your phone library or Facebook account if you don’t have the hand coordination. It uses facial recognition technology to create your perfect make up routine. How? It doesn’t matter. Interactive and entertaining, you could lose hours playing with this app. Currently all the products featured are by the Stila brand, and each look created can be saved if you want to buy the products at a later date.

7. mark. Beauty & Fashion Trends (Free)

Want to know how to pull off that bright coloured eyeshadow look you’ve seen on the catwalk? Or how to create a smoky eye without looking like a panda? This app includes video tutorials and downloadable pdf face charts from celebrity makeup artists, who will show you how to do just that. Other features include up to date information on beauty (and fashion) launches as well as interviews with industry experts and fashion designers. 

8. Organic Spa Magazine Skin Care Guide (Free)

Nothing to do with actual spas. This American based magazine app is helpful if you are an organic fan, listing natural brands by categories and company information such as certifications and which charities they donate to.

10. Mirror HD (Free)

This one goes without saying, if you have to dig around for something in your handbag you may as well make it have a dual purpose. No longer do you need to fish around for that loose half-broken mirror, now you can check your reflection in your iPhone (note: public vanity may ensue and this one is only for the iPhone 4).

Do you use your phone as part of your beauty regime? Is there a beauty app that you love?

You can follow Mamamia’s fashion and beauty updates on @MamamiaStyle here.