Fab or flub: Is Visada worth the download? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

For this week’s Fab or Flub, I decided to take a look at a buzz-worthy new beauty-themed app called Visada (free for Apple and Android). Using facial recognition technology, Visada analyzes selfie photos to create a unique beauty profile for users and make customized beauty recommendations for hair, skin and face.

In addition, it reportedly offers updates on new beauty trends and looks that are pertinent to personalized beauty profiles.

First impression

After downloading Visada from the app store, I launched it and was sent to a screen asking me to create my personal profile. The whole process was straightforward and took me less than a minute. After I answered a series of beauty questions, I was greeted by a feed of beauty-related images and words to select from (i.e. YouTube beauty gurus, beauty brands, makeup artists, etc.).

Once I selected the things that interested me, my profile was complete and my Visada home screen was populated by beauty information matched to my preferences. My feed included things like a YouTube tutorial on how to mask dark circles and the latest Instagram post from celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury.

Besides my personalized feed, the app also included four different features.

The first one I tried out was the Celebrity Match feature, which uses facial recognition to detect similarities between users’ features (eyes, cheeks, lips and nose) and those of various celebrities.

After sending my selfie through for analysis, my Visada results told me that I have Reese Witherspoon’s nose, Sarah Hyland’s eyes, Scarlett Johannson’s lips and Morena Baccarin’s cheeks. While I’m not certain about the accuracy of this analysis, it was certainly fun and flattering.

In addition to the Celebrity Match feature, I also tried out the Face Shape feature, which determined my face shape via selfie, then gave me suggestions on hairstyles that would suit me. And although I did not use it, Visada has a Rate My Photo feature, too, that allows users to post a selfie in hopes of getting feedback on their makeup and hair from other members in the community.

The last feature that I tried out was the Looks feature. Using my profile selfie, the app allowed me to try out makeup looks inspired by different celebrities and YouTube tutorials. This feature was extremely fun and helpful, but it was a bit eerie to see the face of an older actress superimposed over my own.

Thanks to Visada, I no longer have to wonder much about what I’ll look like with wrinkles.

Fab or flub?

Fab! A nifty app for the beauty obsessed, Visada packs a lot of fun and useful information into one little app.

With the help of its facial recognition, it seemed extremely accurate in determining things like face shape, flattering hairstyles and beauty product suggestions. I also liked being able to try on different celebrity makeup looks and having the app provide information about the exact products I would need to re-create them.

I found the personalized beauty news feed helpful, and the option to purchase items directly from the app was convenient.

I think the fun of the Celebrity Match feature alone makes Visada worth the download, but I suspect most beauty enthusiasts will find its other features quite useful, too.