Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for helping a consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing decision. A cosmetic service may maintain information reflective of compatibility between cosmetic products and personal characteristics of a plurality of subjects. The cosmetic service may also collect personal characteristic information from the consumer and compare the consumer's collected personal characteristic information with the maintained compatibility information. Based on the comparison, the cosmetic service may determine a compatibility level of the consumer with each of a plurality of the cosmetic products. Thereafter, the cosmetic service may present to the consumer an indication of a cosmetic product, and associate with the presented product, an indicator of predicted compatibility with the consumer.

Abstract: A method, device and system for determining skin type. The method includes a step of applying at least one drop of substance onto a zone of the skin or on a collector member previously in contact with the zone of the skin. The substance can modify at least one physicochemical property of the surface of the zone or of the collector member exposed to the substance. After the drop has disappeared or been removed, the extent of the surface is evaluated and the skin type is determined as a function of this evaluation.

Abstract: A method of tracking progress of a beauty treatment regimen is disclosed. A typical individual undergoing the beauty treatment regimen may exhibit at least one indicia of progress. The indicia of progress may be substantially imperceptible to un-enhanced sensory faculties, such as vision and touch, of a typical human in at least one stage of the beauty treatment regimen. The method may include prescribing a beauty treatment regimen to the individual, tracking the indicia of progress with respect to the individual, and advising the individual about positive progress in the beauty treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for predicting evolution of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject. The method may include receiving first data, receiving second data, generating a forecasted or expected evolution of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject based on the first data and the second data, and transmitting to the subject the forecasted evolution. The first data may be representative of at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a first time frame. The second data may be representative of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a second time frame occurring after the first time frame. A beauty product may be applied to the external body portion between the first and second time frames.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus consistent with the present invention may be used to enable a subject to alter an image of the subject's body based on the subject's self-evaluation of the actual condition of the subject's own body. The subject may be prompted to capture, using an image capture device, an initial body image. The subject may also be prompted to self-evaluate the actual condition of the subject's own body. Based on the subject's response to the self-evaluation prompt, the initial body image may be altered to reflect the self-evaluation of the subject.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus consistent with the present invention may be used to provide subjects with information reflecting cosmetic product usage. At least one cosmetic product may be distributed to a beauty facility. Images of an external body condition of subject may be captured before and after the use of cosmetic products. Information reflecting the use of cosmetic products may then be presented to the subject, thereby allowing the subject to track beauty care progress.

Abstract: A method of performing a beauty analysis is disclosed. The method comprises receiving information of at least one portion of a subject's external body condition, identifying in the information at least one condition, extracting from the information at least one feature of the at least one condition, and storing extracted information reflective of the at least one feature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus consistent with the present invention may be used to provide subjects with electronic beauty analyses. Beauty information may be maintained in a data structure. A subject may initiate an analysis through an interface coupled to the data structure. A virtual consultant may visually and/or audibly present queries to the subject via the interface. Responses to the queries may be retrieved, and information reflective of the responses may be incorporated into subsequent queries. The present invention may involve providing beauty guidance to the subject, via the virtual consultant, based on the responses to queries.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the invention may provide beauty advice. Personal information about a subject may be obtained. The personal information may include at least demographic information about the subject. The demographic information may include a geographic location of the subject. Based on the demographic information, local information may be determined. Then, based on the personal information and the local information, at least one recommendation for use of at least one beauty product may be generated and presented.

Abstract: A method of performing a beauty analysis is disclosed. The method includes providing in a data structure a plurality of questions related to beauty, enabling a subject to access a system for presenting at least some of the plurality of questions to the subject, enabling presentation to the subject of directions for conducting at least one physical self-test, providing instructions to the subject on how to furnish information reflecting results of the self-test, and enabling selection, from the plurality of questions, of a subset of questions to be presented to the subject. A number of questions contained in the subset and identities of questions contained in the subset may be a function of the furnished information.

Abstract: Providing guidance for a subject may include receiving profile information about the subject, the profile information reflecting at least one of physical attribute information and lifestyle information. Information may also be received reflecting a birth-related classification of the subject, such as an identification of the subject's astrological horoscope sign. Thereafter, guidance may be provided for the subject, the guidance at least including beauty advice and being a function of at least some of the profile information and the subject's birth-related classification.

Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems enable simulated use of an aesthetic feature on a simulated facial image. One of the methods involves enabling an individual to construct a simulated facial image using a facial construction computer program, wherein the facial construction computer program permits the individual to select at least one of a head, eyes, nose, lips, ears, and eye brows. The method also involves enabling the simulated facial image to be displayed on a display device and enabling the individual to select an aesthetic feature. The method further involves enabling the individual to simulate use of the selected aesthetic feature on the simulated facial image and to view on the display device an alteration of the simulated facial image having the simulated aesthetic feature.

Abstract: An image capture method and system are disclosed. The method includes instructing a subject to position a body part adjacent a display device and adjacent an image capture device. The method further involves sending a signal to the display device to generate light in a predetermined wave length range for irradiating the body part, and capturing an image of the body part with the image capture device while the body part is irradiated with the light, in the predetermined wave length range, emitted from the display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for calibrating image capturing for use in beauty analysis. One of the methods may involve instructing a subject to place a body part adjacent a reference image and capturing a calibrating image of the body part adjacent the reference image using an image capture device. The method also may also involve generating calibration information by processing the calibrating image and information reflective of the reference image, and then calibrating the image capture device and/or a driver for the image capture device using the calibration information.

Abstract: A method of performing a beauty diagnostic method is disclosed. The method includes asking a subject personal questions on at least one topic including characteristics of at least one external body condition of the subject. Answers to the personal questions are received and, based on those answers, there is a selection of at least one customized set of testing material for determining quantitative information that would aid in recommending at least one beauty product to the subject. The method further involves informing the subject about the customized set of testing material. Also disclosed are systems and computer program products.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assisting a subject in selecting a beauty product. In accordance with an embodiment, a method may include maintaining a plurality of sets of time-lapse body images for a plurality of individuals. In addition, an identity of at least one beauty product used by each of the plurality of individuals during the time-lapse may be associated with each of the plurality of sets of time-lapse body images. Moreover, selection information may be received for matching the subject with at least at least one individual portrayed in a maintained set of time-lapse body images. Then, based on the selection information, at least one set of time-lapse images of the at least one individual may be displayed to the subject. An identification of at least one beauty product used during the time-lapse by the at least one individual may also be presented to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems related to enabling an analysis using a three-dimensional facial image. One of the methods involves facilitating construction of a three-dimensional facial image using at least captured image of a subject's face. The method also involves facilitating a simulation of use of an aesthetic feature on the three-dimensional facial image and/or processing of the three-dimensional facial image to enable a beauty analysis.

Abstract: A composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one sapogenin and a solubilizing system comprising: (a) at least one non-emulsifying ester of a fatty acid and/or of a fatty alcohol whose hydrocarbon-based chain contains at least 8 carbon atoms, or a plant oil, and (b) at least one branched fatty alcohol whose hydrocarbon-based chain contains at least 8 carbon atoms and/or at least one lipophilic UV screening agent. The solubilizing system according to the invention makes it possible to dissolve a sufficient amount of sapogenin, without recrystallization, for a period of time which is acceptable for cosmetic or dermatological use.

Abstract: A method enables determination of a prognosis for an external body condition of a subject. The method may involve receipt of one or more representations of the subject's external body condition. A prognosis may be generated based on both the representation and database information relating to how use of at least one beauty product affects evolution of the external body condition. The prognosis may then be outputted to enable the subject to receive the prognosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel retinol derivatives having the formula (I): and to processes for preparing them. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in or for the preparation of compositions intended for treating conditions of the skin or scalp, for example in preventing or combating acne and/or chronological or actinic ageing of the skin.