Most women have gone through the ordeal of buying a product at a beauty counter only to get home and discover it looks more clown than chic.

ordeal:痛苦的经验
clown:小丑
chic:时髦的,优雅的


But a virtual make-up mirror promises to put an end to these expensive embarrassments.The first of its kind in Europe, the 'magic mirror' can give you a full make-over in seconds, lets you test hundreds of different products in minutes, and does away with the need for make-up remover afterwards.

embarrassment:窘迫
remover:卸妆液


Created by Japanese beauty brand Shiseido, the simulator allows users to virtually apply make-up to eyes, lips and cheeks.

simulator:模拟器
virtually:实际上


A camera on the device captures your face and works out where your eyes, nose and mouth are.Using the touch-sensitive screen, you can choose from more than 50 different eye colours, around the same number of lip colours, and 12 blushers, bronzers and cheek tints.You can whizz through a huge array of shades in a matter of moments, see how products change with more intensive application, and experiment with far more drastic looks than you might normally dare to.

work out:制定出、拟定出
touch-sensitive screen:触摸屏
bronzer:古铜色化妆品
tint:色彩
whizz:快速地做
drastic:激烈的
dare to:敢于

The image you see is a perfect mirror image. If you squint to take a closer look at the eyeshadow you just "applied", you’ll see it on the screen; turn your head slightly to see how that blusher looks and your mirror image will do likewise.Once you find a look you like, you can take a still image. The machine can store a few of these, giving you an opportunity to compare different looks.

squint:眯着眼睛看
likewise:同样的
still image:静态画面


On the downside, while you know that the colours you've opted for will suit you, the mirror can’t give you an idea of product texture, or guarantee that you'll be able to apply them well.

downside:缺点;不利方面
opt:选择
texture:质地
guarantee:保证


The make-up simulator is currently on a roadshow of department stores across the country and will return to Selfridges in London on May 27.

roadshow:展销、巡回演出
Selfridges:英国塞尔福里奇百货公司

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