Abstract: A skin color measuring device is provided for use with a kit and method to measure skin shades at point-of-sale. The device includes a hand holdable housing encompassing a spectrophotometer/colorimeter, a logic program for calculating L, a, b values measured by the spectrophotometer/colorimeter and for converting these values into corresponding shades of facial foundation cosmetic products suitable for the measured customer, and a display window formed in the wall of the housing allowing visualization of the logic selected facial foundation products. Kits in the form of a display case are provided which include the skin measuring device and an inventory of different facial foundation products as well as a reader card set for correlating the selected facial foundation products with complementary color cosmetics such as lipsticks, eye shadows, eye liners, blush and lip liners.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining a customized skin foundation product to cover human skin imperfections. The steps include spectrophometrically measuring a customer's normal skin to obtain normal skin coloration values of lightness, redness and yellowness respectively denoted as L, a and b units. Thereafter the normal skin coloration values are converted through calculation to a modified value determined by a set program correcting L, a and b values. Based on the modified value the next step is formulating a facial foundation having color pursuant to the modified value. Adjustments are provided for redness and yellowness according to a set of schedules determined by the b/a ratio. Normally the measurement and skin imperfection determination are performed by a licensed dermatologist. Formulation and adjustment is is conducted at a site remote from the dermatologist office or place where the customer is measured and evaluated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for customizing a skin foundation product for a customer at a location remote from a central location where the product is prepared. The essential elements are that of a skin analyzer for reading skin properties, a telemodem means connectable to the device for transmitting the signal conveying information to a central monitoring location, a device at the central monitoring location which receives the reading and correlates same with an optimal formula and a formulation machine for preparing the facial foundation product from various cosmetic chemical compositions. The formulation machine receives instructions from the device on the optimal formula. This formula is then dosed and blended from a series of dispensers containing separate cosmetic chemical compositions into a receiving container. The container is then delivered to the customer at his remote site.