How could brands improve their swatches?
They could shoot in more natural light and brighter/studio light so that you get a better grasp of texture/sparkle. I’d also like to see less heavily edited swatches.
— Christine
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I’m no I.T. expert, and I realize that some computers can make things show up differently but what bugs me the most is foundation swatches! I’ve found most are no where near the colors represented….even the discriptions are sometines inaccurate…Like “cool pink” and in person it is almost orange..I’ve looked online and think I know what shade I am going to want and when I get to the store it’s nowhere close! There has to be a way to make them more life like…..also I get tired of some big names (PML) showing their shadows that look blindingly metallic online and are more just glittery and chunky in person…I would rather have accurate pictures and not be disappointed…but how to do it? They are the experts and should be savy enough not just shoot pictures for a good looking ad……
For sure showing swatches on different skin – including olive skin and not just the generic “light” “medium” “deep” swatches
I really wish companies would stop color correcting swatch images. Shooting in good natural looking light.
The recent Natasha Denona Xenon midi was a perfect example of how different the swatch images looked from real life… that should have been color accurate.
By not making them computer generated copy and paste or using heavy, unrealistic photoshopping/editing, for starters! Instead, please give us pictures that are taken of REAL swatches on a range of skintones and that are clear, crisp, and accurate representations.
Agree very much. I’d love if brands disclosed what lighting is used for their photos too.
Basically what Christine said and I would add that more brands should swatch on a variety of skin tones. They should not use a primer or moisturizer before swatching as it changes the color and the texture. Otherwise, ditto with Christine.
That’s a really good questioin! Because I have been looking at swatches for foundation and blushes the past couple of months and some of them are truly difficult to decipher.
First of all, they need to be shown in a portrait format, with clear lighting and signage – with the option of a magnifying tool that can enable you to look more closely at the swatch.
A range of skin tones showing the swatches is helpful – which usually does happen.
The labelling of the swatches needs to be clearer too.
Just keep it real instead of overly edited or Photoshopped.
Use real ones instead of changing colors with editing, or worse, just creating swatches entirely on a computer. Swatch on a variety of skin tones.
Accuracy and honesty. As much as that might be beyond the reach of marketing departments, both are required for people to feel comfortable purchasing colors and finishes online. Right now the level of consumer trust is iffy at best. Especially for anyone that’s not under 30 who’s a medium with warm undertones. Anyone darker or lighter with neutral, cool, or olive undertones, or in a liminal condition for sparkle, has to wait for in-person testing, unless they want to spend lots of time and energy mailing returns.