Capturing Outer Radiance and Inner Confidence

Xicato, a leading manufacturer of intelligent light sources, announces the immediate availability of new commercial LED modules that make people look good – and feel good about how they look. The Beauty Series was developed in partnership with leading lighting designers and cosmetology professionals, who were looking for a light source that is more effective at helping customers match cosmetic foundations to skin tones at cosmetics counters. The new product was not only superior in comparing skin tones, but people preferred how they looked. And when customers looked better, they felt better and more confident, which is desirable in many applications other than the cosmetics counter.

“So often, as lighting designers, we are looking for lighting that enhances the beauty of materials or objects, such as wood, brick, jewelry or tomatoes,” said Claire Hamill, lighting designer at Nulty+. “This is the first time we have looked at people as our primary subject. Accurate and flattering rendering of skin tones is a difficult challenge, because skin is such a rich and complex palette, consisting of many subtle shades. Our studies show that people feel good when they look good, and Beauty Series does this while also providing the clarity and enhanced contrast that facilitates color matching.”

The Beauty Series was developed to support a collaborative study between University College London, Nulty+, Xicato, and a leading global cosmetics brand, and is backed by in-depth research and real-world trials. The object of the study was to get good color matching between cosmetic foundations and skin color, in order to improve customer satisfaction and reduce product returns. Returns are a problem not only for brand retailers, but also for department store owners, since the cosmetics concession typically takes in more revenue than all the other departments. Reducing returns from 10% to 5%, for example, would have a huge impact on profitability.

The trials – designed, implemented and analyzed by the University College London – tested a wide range of light sources with different spectral characteristics, including CCT, CRI, color balance and gamut. Consumers were placed in isolated areas with each light source, and surveyed as to how they felt, how they looked, which of three consultant-chosen shades best matched their skin, whether the product appealed to them, whether they would buy the product, etc. 

Shining Light on Skin Tones Research

Xicato Beauty Series was developed over the course of the study to produce the best balance between beautiful, natural skin tones and color discrimination. On average, twice as many people in the study reported that their skin looked good, and that they felt good, under Beauty Series light, and 15% more people reported that foundation matched and appealed to their skin. 

Managers and customers in cosmetics stores in which Beauty Series is installed have commented on how soft and natural the light feels, while at the same time making it easier to choose and apply makeup. There is no longer the need to accommodate workstations near windows or to walk outside for an accurate impression of makeup on skin.

“With our participation in independent application specific research, we were able to create a new formula, distinct from our Artist, Vibrant V80 and V95, and Standard Series products,” said Roger Sexton, VP of Specifier Service at Xicato. “Our Corrected Cold Phosphor Technology® gives us a unique ability to create a very precise spectral power distribution and achieve targeted illumination effects that meet the specific requirements of the application. Xicato guarantees unmatched color accuracy, and that the lit effect is consistent for many years. No other vendor has done this.”

Beauty Series is available today in Xicato’s XTM LED modules, with 19mm light emitting surface, and 1300 lumen and 2000 lumen output models. Lighting designers and system manufacturers should contact Xicato or their local distributors for samples and detailed information.