US company IMX Cosmetics has launched a custom cosmetics line that allows customers to mix their own personalised recipes for lip gloss and other cosmetics and retrieve them at in-store computer kiosks.
The process is controlled using a MX (Mix) Stick, a Texas Instruments radio frequency identification (RFID)-based clear key fob that attaches to the customer's key chain.
IMX Cosmetics says its customers can create custom lip glosses and, soon, nail polishes at the IMX Mixing Stations, by choosing colours from an on-screen colour palette, and adding an assortment of finishes, glitters, flavours and fragrances.
Once a customer makes their selections, colour cartridges and pumps are set in motion as the product is mixed and dispensed automatically and in full view at the mixing station. After the personalised gloss or polish is bottled and purchased, the unique recipe is saved for the customer to retrieve quickly and easily at any mixing station, either at the same store or at another IMX Cosmetics location, using their RFID MX Stick.
"We were looking for a cool, high-tech way for customers to link to their unique makeup formulas, and found that an RFID keyfob was the perfect mix of technology and convenience for our returning customers," said Julie Bartholomew, president and creative director, IMX Cosmetics.
"Our goal is to make technology work for our customers, allowing them to create something entirely unique, and giving them the opportunity to come back and very easily re-create, adjust, or even share that recipe with a friend. Texas Instruments' technology gave us that all-important automatic link, helping us to develop the customer experience we were looking for," she continued.
The company says approximately 2,000 MX Sticks have been distributed to customers at Nordstrom in Las Vegas, the Studio at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, California, and Barneys New York, Madison Avenue. More IMX Cosmetics locations are planned for 2003.