In 2020, it was estimated that there were about 43.3 million blind people worldwide, of whom 23.9 million were women. In addition, 295 million people were estimated to have moderate or severe vision problems, 163 million of whom were women, and 258 million people had problemas mild vision problems, of which 142 million were women. It was also estimated that 510 million people had vision problems due to uncorrected presbyopia, of which 280 million were women.
Between 1990 and 2020, the age-standardized prevalence of blindness decreased by 28.5%, while the prevalence of mild vision problems decreased slightly and the prevalence of moderate and severe vision problems decreased slightly. During this period, the number of blind people increased by 50.6% and the number of people with moderate or severe vision problems increased by 91.7%.
By the year 2050, the number of blind people is expected to increase to 61 million, while the number of people with moderate to severe vision problems will increase to 474 million, and the number of people with uncorrected presbyopia will increase to 866 million.
Most people with visual impairment and blindness are over the age of 50, however, vision loss can affect people of all ages. Regarding regional differences, the prevalence of distant vision impairment is estimated to be four times higher in low- and middle-income regions than in high-income regions. For near vision, untreated near vision impairment rates are estimated to be over 80% in sub-Saharan Africa. The comparative rates in the high-income regions of North America, Australasia, Western Europe, and Asia and the Pacific are less than 10%.
A growing and aging population is expected to increase the risk that more people will be affected by visual impairment.
The United States is the most valuable beauty and personal care market in the world. In 2020, the U.S. beauty and personal care market was valued at USD 93.1 billion. Some of the leading aspects that drive this market are consumer demand, consumer spending, and the purchasing behavior. In 2019, the average U.S. household spent approximately US$197 on cosmetics, perfumes and bath preparations per year.
More recent surveys show that in Mexico, women spend US$290 on cosmetics while U.S. women spend US$330. If we take into account the average expenditure on beauty items made by women and that the number of women with vision problems is high and that the problem is accentuated in women over 50 years, we can see that the target audience to which our application can be useful is quite broad. With this in mind, we decided to create an application to help visually impaired women detect their skin type and find the best beauty and skin care products for their specific skin type and problems.
In summary this project aims to use AI to detect skin type and provide a simple and accurate way for visually impaired women to determine their skin type. Once the app has detected the skin type it will make a recommendation of the right beauty products for their skin type and skin problems. During the analysis of the problem several situations were detected where a visually impaired woman may require help, due to time constraints it was not possible to include all of them in this project, but it could be that in the future with further development more functionalities could be included in the application: In principle, we made a non-exhaustive list of the activities that a woman could perform when applying make-up, as shown below:
- Start with a clean, moisturized face: Before applying makeup, make sure the woman has washed her face and applied a moisturizer that works for her skin type. This will create a smooth canvas for the makeup.
- Choose the right foundation: The right foundation will match the woman's skin tone and type. She can test the color on her jawline to find the best match. If she has dry skin, a hydrating or dewy foundation will work well, while oily skin will benefit from a matte or oil-free foundation.
- Apply concealer: Use concealer to cover any blemishes or under-eye circles. A shade lighter than the foundation will brighten the under-eye area.
- Define the brows: Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in and shape the brows. Brows frame the face and a defined brow can make a big difference.
- Apply eye makeup: Eye makeup can range from a natural look to a bold statement. Apply eyeshadow to the lid, and use darker colors in the crease to create depth. Apply eyeliner and mascara to finish the look.
- Add blush: Blush adds color to the cheeks and can brighten the face. Choose a shade that compliments the woman's skin tone.
- Apply lipstick or lip gloss: Finally, finish the look with lipstick or lip gloss. Choose a color that compliments the skin tone and outfit. Remember to take your time and blend the makeup well. It's important to start with a light hand and build the intensity as needed. Encourage the woman to experiment and have fun with her makeup. Below we analyze how we can facilitate the process. A makeup app can be a helpful tool for women who are looking to improve their makeup skills or try new makeup looks. Here are a few ways where an app can help a woman with her makeup:
- Virtual makeup try-on: Many makeup apps offer a virtual try-on feature, which allows the woman to see what a particular makeup product will look like on her face before she buys it. This can save her time and money, and help her find the best products for her skin tone and type.
- Makeup tutorials: Makeup apps often offer tutorials and step-by-step guides for different makeup looks. The woman can follow along with the instructions and learn new techniques for applying makeup. Some apps even offer video tutorials, which can be especially helpful.
- Customized recommendations: A makeup app can analyze the woman's skin tone, type, and other preferences, and offer customized makeup recommendations. This can help her find products that will work well for her, and ensure that she's using the right colors and formulas.
- Social sharing: Many makeup apps have social sharing features, which allow the woman to share her makeup looks with friends or followers. This can be a fun way to get feedback and inspiration, and to connect with other makeup enthusiasts.
- Product reviews: Makeup apps often feature reviews from other users, which can help the woman make informed decisions about which products to buy. She can see what other people think of a particular product, and whether it's worth the investment. Overall, a makeup app can be a valuable tool for women who are looking to improve their makeup skills or try new looks. By offering virtual try-on, tutorials, customized recommendations, social sharing, and product reviews, an app can help the woman feel more confident and knowledgeable about her makeup choices.
Finally, we analyzed what challenges a visually impaired woman would face and how we could facilitate them.
Examples of makeup challenges for women with vision impairment:
- Difficulty applying eyeliner and mascara: These products require precision and fine motor skills, which can be challenging for women with vision impairment. It may be helpful to use a magnifying mirror and adaptive tools, such as an eyeliner guide or lash applicator.
- Matching foundation to skin tone: Choosing the right shade of foundation can be difficult, especially if a woman has trouble seeing color differences. One solution could be to use a color-matching app or tool, or to seek assistance from a makeup artist or friend.
- Identifying product labels: It can be challenging to read small product labels, especially if a woman has low vision. One solution could be to use a magnifying glass or smartphone app to read labels and instructions.
- Blending eyeshadow: Achieving a seamless eyeshadow look requires blending, which can be difficult for women with vision impairment. It may be helpful to use a blending brush with a larger handle, or to seek assistance from a makeup artist or friend.
- Applying lipstick: Applying lipstick requires precision and can be difficult for women with vision impairment. It may be helpful to use a lip brush with a larger handle or to choose lip products with easy-to-use applicators, such as a lip stain or tinted balm.
- Identifying makeup products: It can be difficult to differentiate between makeup products if a woman has low vision. One solution could be to label products with tactile markers, such as rubber bands or stickers with different textures. Overall, women with vision impairment may face unique challenges when it comes to applying makeup. It is important to seek out adaptive tools and assistance from friends or professionals to make the process more accessible and enjoyable.
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