The fashion and beauty industry is fast-moving, and apps are a good way to keep track of developments, because app content lead time can be significantly shorter than for print magazines.
This week’s All Things Appy takes a look at the must-have apps in this genre for the Android platform, including apps to buy the gear, track trends, social network with like-minded fashionistas, and put it all together with make-up tips.
About the Platform: Google’s Android OS apps can be found in the Google Play Store. Browse to the Play Store — it’s in the smartphone’s app drawer. Then search for the app.
No. 1: Zappos
Zappos claims 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 installs and has an average Google Play Store rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5 from 10,334 reviewers.
Free returns is one of the killer features in Zappos’ app, and the reason it’s No. 1 on our list. We think that’s the one apparel purchase must-have, along with fast checkout for garments, cosmetics and so on.
Other comprehensive features in Zappos include notifications for when gear comes back in stock, and one business day shipping if you order before 1:00 Pacific time.
No. 2: Trendstop Fashion TrendTracker
Trendstop claims 100,000 to 500,000 installs and has an average Google Play Store rating of 4.1 stars out of a possible 5 from 1,313 reviewers.
While much of the image content in this app is a come-on to try to get you to buy a US$2.00 a month app subscription, there’s enough free style news and up-to-date fresh pictures to get an idea of what’s supercool out on the streets — retro safari, or fisherwoman street, perhaps?
Galleries and comprehensive videos from the latest fashion week collections, like New York, are included in the free package, which alone makes this a worthwhile app.
No. 3: Pose
Pose claims 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 installs and has an average Google Play Store rating of 4.4 stars out of a possible 5 from 18,184 reviewers.
This is a socially interactive app for getting inspired and checking out fashions. The app gets you to share your outfits and follow other trendy people who have also uploaded images. You then choose the looks you like, comment and trade ideas. Then browse and shop for the schmutter.
An Explore tab lets you see what celebrities, fashion bloggers and other voguish types are wearing — like London posers, or brands and retailers. Follow a trendsetter — or happening retailer — and ideas appear in your stream, which then link to the store’s site.
No. 4: Snapette
Snapette claims 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 installs and has an average Google Play Store rating of 4.2 stars out of a possible 5 from 4,054 reviewers.
Snapette lets you keep up with fashions and browse hundreds of boutiques and designer stores. A Discover tag lets you flip though countless photos of bags, dresses and other items — all geosourced and locally provisioned.
It’s a bit like going window shopping along a local chic street — only the duds are displayed using images within the app. A requisite social element lets you follow modish boutiques and comment. You can then browse other like-minded commenters’ posts.
No. 5: Beautylish Makeup Beauty Tips
Beautylish claims 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 installs and has an average Google Play Store rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5 from 5,326 reviewers.
Beautylish aims to inspire you to find new makeup looks and hairstyles. Browse makeup like you’re in a spiffy department store. Set up a profile with your eye color, complexion, hair color and so on, and you can comment and discuss style options with an included au courant social network.
We place this app in a runner up position, because although it’s a comprehensive browse, we’d like to see tighter integration with profile attributes — like hair coloring products pitched based on complexion, for example.
Want to Suggest an Apps Collection?
Is there a batch of apps you’d like to suggest for review? Remember, they must all be for the same platform, and they must all be geared toward the same general purpose. Please send the names of five or more apps to me, and I’ll consider them for a future All Things Appy column.
And use the Talkback feature below to add your comments!
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