Looks: Real make-up camera app offers virtual makeover

Having already conquered instant messaging and music streaming, the Japanese social media company Line has launched a new venture into the beauty sector that promises to be an absolute necessity for selfie lovers keen to improve their appearance.

Looks is a make-up camera app that offers users a range of 33 different beauty looks to try on virtually, then photograph or film the transformation. Each look comprises real make-up products that can be accessed via the app.

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The software works in a similar way to Snapchat filters, with a much more glamorous variety. All make-up looks are available to scroll through at the bottom of the screen, with three dots in the top left-hand corner working as an intensity adjuster.

To access the beauty products used to build each look, users can press the button at the top of the screen after taking a photo, and a list of the brands appears. 3CE, Hera and Etude House, all of which come from South Korea, are among the many brands offering products in the app. Korean cosmetics have been breaking into the global market recently, with the Etude House's "tint my brows" gel receiving rave reviews online and peel-off make-up gaining attention on YouTube. Clinique products are also among the options.

The app doubles up as a photo editor, with eye-adjustment, facial contouring and skin softening features available.

It can be downloaded from the Apple store and Google play for free and is supported on both Android and iOS platforms. It's available in several languages, including English, Korean and Spanish.