Avon Beauty Vision Personal Color Computer

YEAR: 1988
ITEM: Portable Computer
COMPANY: Avon Products Inc.
COUNTRY: USA
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes

The Avon Beauty Vision Personal Color Computer is an altered Toshiba T1000 portable computer that was specifically designed for Avon. The computer was used by Avon salespersons to read a customer's basic skin tone and produce a printout of compatible cosmetic shades. This was offered as a free service that could either be done in your home or at a Beauty Vision get-together usually held in an office, a mall or even one of the Beauty Vision representative's homes. This computer was made to help steer consumers to colors that would always look good on them.

The carrying case included an optical scanner (about the size and shape of a small hairdryer) that could be held against the customer's face in order to read the customer's skin tone. This skin tone analyzer was held against the customer's cheek to take a series of readings that determined the skin's light range and color content. The computer then categorized the customer as one of four color categories (cool, ultra cool, warm, ultra warm) and printed out an analysis and color recommendations. The corresponding color groups are soft and classic, clear and vibrant, rich and earthy and bright and sunny. The printout recommended two foundation shades, one that matched your natural skin tone and another for a more enhanced look in the evening or for a summer tan. The analysis also provided recommendations for blush, lipstick, eye shadow, mascara, and eyeliner colors for three distinctive looks (casual, polished, evening). A color chart was provided on the inside lid of the computer case.

Ironically, this computer (which was designed to analyze colors) only had a monotone display screen and could only display a few lines at a time. The computer was based on the Toshiba T1000 which had just been released the year before (1987).

In 2023 Taylor and Amy, recalibrated an original Avon Beauty Vision computer to create the Goth Makeup Palette Challenge. The Avon color chart was ditched in favor of more goth color terms such as Royal Agony eyeliner, Melancholy Melon mascara, and Toxic Kiss blush.

We have two of these machines in our collection but, unfortunately, no Vampiric Violet lipstick!

Get Our Newsletter