Makeupholic (Online Virtual Try-Before-You-Buy

Cosmetic shopping)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Mahnoor Farooq
Umair Sarwar
Esha E Noor

Supervised By
Ms. Huma Nadeem

Submitted for the partial fulfillment of BS Software Engineering degree

to the Faculty of Engineering& Computer Science

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MODERN LANGUAGES

ISLAMABAD

OCTOBER, 2020
 ABSTRACT
Online shopping has become a trend. Pakistan’s E-commerce range is bright as many
businesses have moved to digital trading to expand their network and sales at the same
time. In a survey from 2016, 71% of consumers said that they would shop with an online
retailer more frequently. The E-commerce cosmetics industry faces unique challenges
when distributing their products within the online market. To choose correct shade for
correct tone according to correct skin type is a bit challenging. Current online cosmetic
shops do not provide any service to try out makeup before purchasing it.

To help users have a platform where they can try cosmetic products before they buy, a
system Makeupholic is proposed. Makeupholic is an android application where user
will be able to buy cosmetic products online. The system will filter the products on base
of user skin type (oily or dry). The system will allow the users to try the products before
purchasing it by checking the product on user face to have real-time experience if the
product fits their style and taste. Different skin products according to their skin type
will also be recommended to users.

For this system, required hardware will be an android phone with availability of camera.
The software requirements include python for backend, Android Studio for frontend
and AR Toolkit for augmented reality purposes.

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 PROJECT PROPOSAL APPROVAL
CERTIFICATE
It is certified that project proposal titled ‘Makeupholic (Online Virtual Try-Before-
You-Buy Cosmetic shopping)’ submitted by Mahnoor Farooq, Esha E Noor, and
Umair Sarwar for the partial fulfilment of the requirement of “Bachelor’s Degree in
Software Engineering” is approved.

COMMITTEE

HoD Software Engineering:

Dr.Basit Shahzad Signature: _______________

Head Project Committee:

Dr. Muzafar Khan Signature: _______________

Project Supervisor:
Ms. Huma Nadeem Signature: _______________

Committee Member 1:
Name Signature: _______________

Committee Member 2:
Name Signature: _______________

Committee Member 3:
Name Signature: _______________

Dated:

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 UNDERTAKING

We hereby undertake that we are marking this group for our final year project by our
own choice. It is entirely our duty to complete this project in time. In case of failure or
underperforming, neither the university nor the supervisor will be held responsible for
unsatisfactory performance.

Group Members Signature

1. Mahnoor Farooq _____________________

2. Umair Sarwar
_____________________

3. Esha E Noor _____________________

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................1
2. Existing Systems .................................................................................................... 2
2.1. Daraz ..............................................................................................................2
2.1.1. Features .................................................................................................... 2
2.1.2. Limitations ............................................................................................... 2
2.2. Instagram ........................................................................................................ 2
2.2.1. Features .................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2. Limitations ............................................................................................... 3
2.3. Vegas.pk .........................................................................................................3
2.3.1. Features .................................................................................................... 3
2.3.2. Limitations ............................................................................................... 3
2.3. Comparison of Existing Systems ..................................................................... 4
3. Problem Description............................................................................................... 4
4. Objective................................................................................................................5
5. Proposed System .................................................................................................... 5
5.1. Functional Requirements .................................................................................6
5.2. Non-Functional Requirements .........................................................................7
6. Methodology ..........................................................................................................7
7. Project Scope .........................................................................................................8
8. Feasibility Study .................................................................................................... 8
8.1. Technical Feasibility ....................................................................................... 9
8.2. Operational Feasibility .................................................................................... 9
8.3. Schedule Feasibility ........................................................................................ 9
8.4. Specification Feasibility .................................................................................. 9
8.5. Risks Involved ................................................................................................ 9
9. Solution Application Areas .................................................................................. 10
10. Tools/Technology .............................................................................................. 10
10.1. Software ...................................................................................................... 10
10.2. Hardware..................................................................................................... 10
11. Expertise of the Team Members ......................................................................... 10
12. Milestones ......................................................................................................... 11
13. References.......................................................................................................... 12

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Block Diagram of system ............................................................................6
Figure 2: Iterative Incremental Model .........................................................................7
Figure 3: Gantt Chart ................................................................................................ 10

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1. Introduction
In the recent years, with the arrival of the internet and the boom in technological market,
e-commerce has become bigger and better. Especially in Pakistan, where the recent
policy changes have made internet a better and safer place where you can shop the way
you want without worrying about someone stealing off of your account without you
noticing it. In report of “2019 Connected Commerce,” renowned American data firm
Nielsen reported that 82 percent of Pakistani consumers living in urban areas with
sufficient Internet access purchased merchandise through e-commerce channels. Beauty
products and cosmetics are one of the most demanded and famous products. A large
group of people purchase cosmetics online. Cosmetics are superficial measures used to
make something appear better, more attractive, or more impressive. With the high
demand for different types of beauty items, choosing the right ones might be a bit
daunting to many people, and especially for women.
In-store, brands rely on the performance of their products when customers try them,
including testing for ease-of-use and skin or hair tone matching (depending on the
product). But in online shopping, you really need to have your undertones matched for
the correct color. A lot of problems are faced in online cosmetic shopping, i.e. do not
get perfect shade of foundation (sometimes get light or dark), get unsuitable shade of
lipstick, product does not suit you, do not get to experience the product, etc. Although
we get everything at our doorstep but in case of cosmetics having products that actually
suit you is really challenging. Online cosmetic shops really face hard time to attract more
customers and have their trust. Customers need a specific reason to keep coming back
to one platform, whether it be the products, ease of purchase, satisfaction while
purchasing or an inspiring platform image.
To help resolve all these dissatisfactions of users, Makeupholic is proposed.
Makeupholic is an android application that uses Augmented Reality technology to help
customers visualize the way a product looks on themselves before even buying it. If
customers can visualize themselves using and enjoying a product, they’re more likely to
purchase it. Through AR, customers have a better sense that the product will meet their
expectations in real life. This extra sense of reassurance builds trust in the product’s
ability to deliver what the customer is looking for while also helping the customer trust
the value delivered through the online shopping experience. Makeupholic will help users
to have real-time experience with the product they are interested in before buying and

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will also recommend them products that are not only visually suitable for them but also
are in accordance to their skin type.

2. Existing Systems
There are many existing systems in Pakistan for online cosmetic shopping. Everyone
have their features and also limitations. Some of them are:

2.1. Daraz
Daraz is an online marketplace and logistics company which operates in markets of
South Asia and Southeast Asia. It was founded in 2012 as an online fashion e-commerce
marketplace in Pakistan.
2.1.1. Features

1. Each user can have access to hundreds of unique collections based on their interests.

2. Users can buy desired cosmetic products online.

3. Different ranges are available for users, i.e. from affordable brands to highly
expensive brands.

4. Products are delivered in minimum 1-2 days to maximum 7-15 days.

5. Users can pay through COD (Cash on delivery).

2.1.2. Limitations

1. Daraz is not a platform that is centralized for beauty care and specifically deals with
the cosmetic products.

2. Daraz does not provide different cosmetic products to users depending upon their
skin type.

3. Daraz does not provide real-time experience of cosmetic products to users.

4. Daraz does not recommend skin care products according to users’ skin type.

2.2. Instagram
On a professional level, social media is a powerful marketing tool. One of the most
important social media platforms is Instagram It actually has the highest average
engagement rate of all the main social channels, beating Facebook and Twitter. A lot
of cosmetic brands sell their products through Instagram.
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2.2.1. Features

1. Users can shop comfortably while sitting at home.

2. Users can search for variety of cosmetic products on Instagram.

3. Different range of brands are available.

4. Fast delivery service is provided.

2.2.2. Limitations

1. Only reputable brand pages can be trusted.

2. Users can not experience cosmetic product before they buy it.

3. Does not users which cosmetic product is suitable for their skin type.

4. It does not recommend skin care products according to users’ skin type.

2.3. Vegas.pk
Vegas is another very famous cosmetic shop. It is considered one of the most Trusted
Makeup e seller of Pakistan. This store have a lot of brands. They also offer a money
back guarantee if a product is not what it seems like.
2.3.1. Features

1. Vegas provides users a lot of brands.

2. Users can buy from affordable to very expensive cosmetic products.

3. Vegas offers money back guarantee if users do not like the product.

2.3.2. Limitations

1. Vegas does not provide any help to users in finding suitable cosmetic products
according to their skin type.

2. Vegas does not provide a real-time experience with cosmetic product they want to
buy.

3. Vegas does not recommend skin care products according to users’ skin type.

4. It is not available in android application form, so users can not save the items they
are interested in to buy later.

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2.3. Comparison of Existing Systems
The given table shows the comparison between the existing systems and the proposed
system, the comparison of their features:

Table 2.3.1: Comparison Matrix

Comparison Matrix

Features Daraz Instagram Vegas Makeupholic

Online Cosmetic
Shopping    
Cosmetic Products
Filtered By Skin Type    
Real-time Experience
Of Cosmetic Products    
Skin Care Products
Recommendation    
Dedicated Cosmetic
Selling Platform    

3. Problem Description
As we know online shopping is a booming trend in this era, most of people shop online
for ease. Who would not want to have things at door step with just one click? A large
part of online products stats is occupied by the beauty care and cosmetic products.
Online cosmetic shopping is very convenient as users get variety of products and brands
on one platform instead of looking them physically. But the lacking in online shopping
is that users do not know which cosmetic product is better and suitable for their skin
type. Users may have to search if the product is suitable to their skin or not every time
they want to buy cosmetic product. No online cosmetic shop or platform provide that
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ease to users where users can check products right for their skin type. Another huge
problem that users face in online cosmetic shopping is whether the product has the right
shade according to their skin tone. Users can not check if they got right shade. Users
also cannot experience if the product will suit them or not. They can only check when
they have received the product after purchase. After checking the product actually, if
product does not match their skin tone or does not look good on them, they can do
nothing about it. Reports say there is a higher likelihood for customers to buy a product
when AR try-on is available, while 75% of people already expect retailers to offer an
AR experience. For products such as makeup, which are worn on users’ bodies, being
able to visualize these before purchase will be particularly important. Also there is not
online platform that recommends different skin care products to users according to their
skin type while they are shopping.

4. Objective
To design an android application specifically for online cosmetic shopping. To help
users provide a platform that only deals with the cosmetic products of various brands.
To help users find right product suitable for their skin type (oily, dry, combination). To
help users experience the product to check whether it will suit them or not. To help
users try the products before buying. To recommend different skin care products to
users according to their skin type.

5. Proposed System
The proposed system will provide users a platform where they can buy their desired
cosmetic products from various brands. The system will help users find the suitable
products for them according to their skin type. Different categories will be provided
based on the different skin types, each having products suitable for that skin type.
Mostly people with oily skin face issues in finding right product for their skin. The
system will help them in finding right product for their skin. Different skin care
products according to their skin type will also be recommended to the users according
to their skin type. The system will also help users to try out the products before even
buying through Augmented Reality tech. The system will allow users to check the
product by placing the mobile phone camera in front of their face. The system will
detect users face and then extract the required feature for which the product is to be
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checked. For example if user want to try a foundation shade, user face will be detected
and that shade will be imprinted on the users face. Users can then check if the shade is
right one for their skin tone or not. If not, users may check other shades available. The
system will help users to find right product for them that does not only keep their skin
safe but will help them provide a real-time experience to ensure it is the right and
suitable product for them. When everything is decided users can place the order to
purchase the product if they want.

5.1. Functional Requirements

1. The system should provide a product catalog where all the cosmetic products are
displayed to user.
2. The system should provide users products from various brands.
3. The system should provide different products based on different skin type categories
(dry, oily, combination) to user.
4. The system should display products to users based on skin type user choose.
5. The system should recommend different skin care products to user according to user
skin type.
6. The system should allow user real-time experience of product user is interested in.
7. The system should allow the user to try out product before buying.
8. The system should be able to detect user face correctly.
9. The system should apply product on correct feature of face.
10. The system should provide COD (cash on delivery) service to reduce user fear of
fraud and online scam.
11. The system should be designed in such a way so everyone will be able to use it easily.

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 Product
Filtration

Product
Selection

Face
Detection

Features
Extraction

Product
Imprinting

Figure 1: Block Diagram of system

5.2. Non-Functional Requirements

 Security
The system should be secure to keep the registered users data safe as well as the system
data.
 Safety
The system should keep backups of data in case of data loss.
 Performance
The system should not take longer to load the interface.
 Flexibility

System should be flexible to meet the changes easily if any made in future
 Portability
The system is designed for the android platform so it should support the entire API.
6. Methodology
We are going to use Iterative Incremental model. In an Iterative Incremental model,
initially, a partial implementation of a total system is constructed so that it will be in a
deliverable state. Increased functionality is added. Defects, if any, from the prior
delivery are fixed and the working product is delivered. The process is repeated until

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the entire product development is completed. The repetitions of these processes are
called iterations. At the end of every iteration, a product increment is delivered.

Figure 2: Iterative Incremental Model

7. Project Scope
 The system allow users to shop cosmetic products online.
 The system will help users find best suitable product for their skin.
 The system will help users find right product for their skin tone.
 The system will recommend different skin care products to users.
 The system will allow users to try out product through AR tech before buying it.
 The system will not cover all type of cosmetic products.
 The system will only help try out eye shadows, foundation, blush-on and lipstick
shades to the users.

8. Feasibility Study
The system that we propose will provide benefits to the general public by allowing them
to shop more easily. It will make users experience of shopping more easy, satisfactory
and interesting by allowing them to try out different products without buying them.

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8.1. Technical Feasibility
This project will be developed using android technology which is one of the popular
platforms out there in the world. This application will be developed using Android
Studio.

8.2. Operational Feasibility

As this project targets the end users who are fully aware of android platform and are
using different types of android apps in everyday life, so using this application at its
full potential would not be a daunting task for such end users. Moreover, this will
facilitate them in a proper manner and address those issues which seem very minor but
solve an adequate problem, thus making its own place in millions of applications. And
to make it further simpler for users, user friendly interfaces will be provided so that
operational excellence is achieved to the maximum.

8.3. Schedule Feasibility

The project will be completed within the allocated time frame as per need. The project is
divided into sub tasks and each sub task will be completed according to the allotted time
window. Meeting deadlines surely is prioritized, and the work is done in that manner to
fully utilize the time by the team members. Even more, the work will be done on daily
basis so not to hassle at the last day before deadline. The resources are adequate to
successfully achieve the aims and objectives of this project.

8.4. Specification Feasibility

Requirements are what makes a system what it is: unique and serving a definite purpose.
The main requirements for this project include proper bill generation, bill payment,
items recommendation, and maintaining the POS of mart. These requirements will be
completely feasible as they can be fulfilled by using techniques which gives best results.

8.5. Risks Involved

• The system requires to have an internet connection to use it, then it may cause a
problem. The system will not work without an internet connection.
• To try out cosmetic product, user has to place the camera in front of face but if user
is somewhere in dark place then it may not detect the user face and not perform the
required functionality.

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9. Solution Application Areas
In today's digital era, shoppers across the globe are moving to the online platforms to
purchase things. On the other hand, people's habits are changing constantly with the
ecommerce culture. This steady rise in online shopping is clearly evident in cosmetics.
Millennials (22-38 yrs old) are clearly outpacing older consumers in purchasing beauty
products online. The system can be used by users who are interested in make-up. Users
who buy a lot of cosmetic products but do not have much knowledge about the cosmetic
products. The system can be used by anyone who is interested to know which product is
best for which skin type. Similarly, brands can use it to help their customers in finding
suitable products for them.

10. Tools/Technology
The tools and technologies used for system will be:

10.1. Software
We may use the following software for the development of the system:

• Android Studio
• AR Core /ARTOOL kit
• OpenCV
• MySql Server Management

10.2. Hardware
• Laptop Core i5
• Generation 4th or 5th
• RAM 4 GB
11. Expertise of the Team Members
All members have basic knowledge of python, Android Studio and Augmented Reality.
But still, we are in the learning phase, so we are trying to developing the skills to
complete the project on time and in proper working shape. All three members have
discussed the idea in a detailed manner and agreed to it.

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12. Milestones

DURATION
TASKS Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April
20 20 20 20 21 21 21 21
Problem Identification

Proposal Presentation

Allocate
Requirements
Prioritize
Requirements

Database Design

Design and
Architecture of
Module 1
Implementation of
Module 1
Design and
Architecture of
Module 2
Implementation of
Module 2
Design and
Architecture of
Module 3
Implementation of
Module 3
Design and
Architecture of
Module 4
Implementation of
Module 4
Integration of
Modules

Final Testing

Documentation
Figure 3: Gantt Chart

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13. References
[1] A.S. Sheikh, The business of beauty, AURORA, 2018. Accessed on October 26,
2020. [online]. Available: https://aurora.dawn.com/news/1143226
[2] M.A. Adam, More than 85pc of Pakistani online shoppers have shopped on Daraz.
The Nation, 2020. Accessed on October 27, 2020. [online]. Available:
https://nation.com.pk/31-Jan-2020/more-than-85pc-of-pakistani-online-shoppers-
have-shopped-on-daraz
[3] J.H. James Harper, The season for shops is now open. Instagram Business, 2020.
Accessed October 27, 2020. [online]. Available: https://business.instagram.com/
[4] “Vegas Pakistan”, Vegas.pk, 2018. Accessed October 24, 2020. [online]. Available:
https://vegas.pk.com/
[5] E.J. Evelyn Jaxson, AR for beauty. Blippar, 2020. Accessed October 27, 2020.
[online]. Available: https://www.blippar.com/ar-studio/augmented-reality-beauty
[6] H.I. Iqbal, Ecommerce. Statista, 2019. Accessed October 27, 2020. [online].
Available: https://www.statista.com/outlook/243/294/ecommerce/pakistan
[7] S.R. Suzy Roger, Ranked: Best Online Shopping Websites in Pakistan (2020), 2019.
Accessed October 25, 2020. [online]. Available:
https://medium.com/@samiyajutt.wbm/ranked-best-online-shopping-websites-in-
pakistan-2020-d99c2eff4f73

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 SUGGESTIONS AND CORRECTIONS
Table 1: Changes Recommended

Changes Recommended Changes Completed

Functional requirements Added as proposed
References IEEE format
Gannt chart Retouched
Scope Changed as proposed

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