Mink. The 3D printer for make-up, There has been an explosion of beauty and fashion oriented 3D printers and 3D printing applications over the past few years. 3D printed jewelry and accessories abound too. Also 3D printed swimsuits, 3D printed shoes…
Now, we may be able to add 3D printed cosmetics to the list.
It can cost a fortune to look good. But it might not, should a brand-new technology from New York-based startup Mink get some traction.
Grace Choi, who describes herself as a serial inventor, who came up with the idea while at Harvard Business School has developed a miniature 3D printer that combines FDA-approved ink with a variety of substrates to “create any type of makeup, from powders to cream to lipstick.
The little printer lets users choose any color on the web, or in the real world, and use any color picker to locate the hex code of the color. Once you have the code, and using simple already-existing software, print that color into a blush, eye shadow, lip gloss or any other type of makeup.
Most makeup comes from the same basic substrates, from high-end labels like Chanel all the way down to the cheap stuff available at drug stores. Founder Grace Choi sources the same substrate for the Mink so that users can turn any image into any kind of makeup.
The idea here is that consumers are increasingly focused on instant gratification and DIY (do it yourself) solutions. Choi also noticed that makeup consumers aren’t always loyal to certain brands, but rather focused on convenience.
Mink users can satisfy the desire for instant gratification while still having access to any color in the world at an affordable price.
The company is targeting the younger, 13-21 demographic who are less ingrained in their habits with certain brands and retailers
The appeal is obvious: girls could have an entire cosmetic store at their disposal in a small desktop printer. While custom colors of eye-shadow are the obvious use, it could also allow people to experiment with new shades without suffering from buyer’s remorse.
The Mink should costs around $200, with plans to launch later in the year.
Like any new idea it could sink or swim, become part of the lifestyles of a billion people, or just end up a washed out idea that doesn’t catch on, but in terms of the market that may be potentially disrupted to whatever degree, the global beauty care products industry is forecast by Lucintel to reach around USD$265 billion by 2017.
