We have witnessed an explosion of beauty and fashion orientated 3D printers and 3D printing applications over the past few years. We have seen experimental ways of 3D printing textiles from NERVOUS SYSTEM, Laura Martinez and many more. Now, we may be able to add 3D printed cosmetics to the list…
Over in New York, at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2014 conference Grace Choi has presented her 3D Makeup Printer. The Mink 3D printer is designed to print a range of foundations, eye shadows and powders, which in time will be joined by lipsticks, creams and so forth.
The printer and its software allows the user to select a colour from a digital photograph, such as the selfie you just snapped, your friend’s makeup, whatever you wish, and print that colour in makeup. Choi suggests that the printer is aimed at invoking new ways of colour picking, colour sharing and social interactions for the digital age. The substrates come from the same exact sources that trusted makeup brands use, and are all FDA approved.
With a specific younger audience in mind, the 13-21 age group, Choi is thinking tech savvy, and targeting young people who are still experimenting and who have yet to fall into set habits and brand consumption. She suggests that all too often beauty products are made by the same old companies making beauty just another mass produced product. Here, the Mink Makeup Printer offers the chance to break the cage with breakthrough technology. The Mink will cost less than $200, with plans to launch the printer later in the year.
