Skin Authority and the My Skin Authority App are game-changers in how people shop for & experience beauty, as well as how retailers sell skin care. My Skin Authority is marketed as the first free, interactive mobile app that connects people with a certified skincare coach to give them personalized recommendations and guidance at the point of sale, at home or while on the go.
“My Skin Authority redefines the beauty shopping experience by putting a skincare expert when and where people shop to help them select the best product for their unique needs without adding overhead or staffing costs to the retailer. As today’s consumer yearns for personalization, Skin Authority’s coaches are trained to listen to not only the needs but the emotional connection of the shopper in a way that a database can’t effectively personalize the experience,” saids Skin Authority CEO Celeste Hilling.
How the app benefits beauty retailers: A consumer could be in Look Boutique or Pharmaca - Skin Authority has launched in both - standing in front of the products and have a Skin Coach work with them via the app to select the products that work best for them. (The app also allows the consumer to Skype or FaceTime if they want the coach to see their skin). If a beauty advisor has a tough question they cannot answer, they can tap a Skin Authority coach to help them answer the question on the spot. If the retailer is out of the product recommended, the coach can order and drop-ship the same day without added inventory cost to the retailer.
“My Skin Authority allows the retailer to have extra hands during rush hours or when they are short staffed if they need it but most importantly the app allows the consumer to ask questions or have support when they get home to ensure a great customer service experience ” adds Hilling.
My Skin Authority gives retailers the benefits of a team of virtual employees without the costs and training:
- My SkinAuthority acts as an ongoing training support tool for the beauty advisor to gain confidence and have answers at their fingertips.
- The shopping experience is personalized; so returns are reduced, while satisfaction & loyalty are increased.
- Because the coaches can drop-ship, the retailer can carry less inventory and not miss a sale from being out of a particular SKU.
- It enables revenue share from purchases made elsewhere. Shoppers are tagged with the store as part of their permanent record in Skin Authority’s database.
Accessible 24/7 and from anywhere, My Skin Authority gives users access to skincare expertise via phone, live chat, video chat, email, or a scheduled call-back. Hilling explained, “Users can work with the coaches in two ways: If they don’t have time to talk, they can quickly build a skincare routine based on an online profile they complete; or the coaches can chat live via phone, FaceTime, etc.” My Skin Authority also features the “Beauty Workout Zone” educational blog and several videos from Hilling covering important skincare concerns, such as “Practicing Safe Sun” and “Balancing Oily Skin.”
Hilling is uniquely qualified to bring the app to market. Prior to her career in beauty, Hilling was one of the first female execs in Fortune 25 high-tech. During her high-tech years, Hilling was the president of Compaq's consumer software business unit and the VP of Compaq's consumer division, designing portable technology products for markets globally.
[Image courtesy of Skin Authority]