How to measure cosmetics with the MetaVue VS3200

Evaluating the color of cosmetics can be challenging, particularly when it comes to products that stay wet for hours, cause permanent stains, or change color as they dry. Traditional contact-based devices require you to wait for samples to dry or risk contaminating and damaging expensive equipment. The MetaVue VS3200 spectrophotometer is the perfect solution, delivering precise, non-contact measurements on nearly any cosmetic sample, reducing waste, eliminating mess, and accelerating approval processes.

Challenges

Certain characteristics unique to cosmetics pose challenges for traditional spectrophotometers when attempting to obtain accurate color readings.

• Cosmetic products like lipstick are formulated to retain moisture for extended periods, making it difficult to use traditional devices without the risk of contamination. Powder foundations can also stain devices with tiny particles, leading to wasted samples and potential equipment damage.
• Pigment changes as wet cosmetics dry can render color evaluations inaccurate and prolong wait times.
• Using glass slides to avoid contamination can cause light reflection and refraction, leading to flawed color measurements and additional waste of samples, equipment, and time.

Solution

The X-Rite MetaVue VS3200 is a non-contact color measurement device designed to evaluate cosmetic samples such as pastes, powders, gels, and liquids without risking contamination or damage to either the device or the samples. Compatible with Color iMatch, Color iQC, and NetProfiler software, and equipped with optional accessories that facilitate the easy measurement of challenging samples, this spectrophotometer minimizes visual errors, reduces waste and rework, shortens cycle times, and accelerates color formulation, production checks, and quality control operations.

Results

When used to conduct non-contact color evaluations on cosmetics, the MetaVue VS3200:

• Provides optimal initial color matches, delivering accurate color readings on difficult-to-measure cosmetics.
• Achieves precise color measurements despite interference pigments.
• Consistently measures against a standard and ensures a color measurement audit trail.
• Eliminates subjectivity in pass/fail decision-making.
• Standardizes lighting and viewing with its “Smart Spot” tool.
• Shortens time to market and improves overall product quality.

How it Works

1. Position the sample under the MetaVue VS3200 or use an accessory to present the sample.
2. Using MetaVue's on-screen targeting through Color iQC software, adjust the measurement size between 2mm and 12mm.
3. Choose to average all visible colors like a standard spectrophotometer or enable the Smart Spot feature to choose the exact spot to measure. This will evaluate all pixels and eliminate the shadows and areas that are not part of the color.
4. Take the measurement and evaluate the on-screen preview, measurement data, and graphs to determine whether the sample is in tolerance.
5. Use Color iQC to create portable jobs that embed the measurement data so anyone who opens the job can review where and how the measurement was taken.
6. Capture an image of the actual measurement to store along with measurement settings for an automatic audit trail.

Featured Products

MetaVue VS3200
A non-contact benchtop spectrophotometer with digital on-screen targeting and aperture sizes ranging from 2mm to 12mm to capture precise measurements on a variety of cosmetic products, such as liquids, pastes, powders, and gels.

Color iQC
Quality control software that works with MetaVue™ VS3200 to pinpoint the precise measurement spot, determine whether a measurement is in tolerance, and store image samples and settings for an audit trail.

Color iMatch
Formulation software that works with MetaVue™ VS3200 to formulate colorant recipes and create formulation databases for a variety of cosmetic applications.

NetProfiler
A cloud-based blend of software and color standards to validate color measurement instrument performance. If accuracy has drifted, NetProfiler can adjust the instrument to bring it back into better agreement or notify that service is required.

MetaVue VS3200 Adjustable Stand
Allows the MetaVue™ VS3200 to be raised or lowered to a desired height for use in environments that measure a wide variety of sample types.

Achieve Color Success

The MetaVue VS3200 spectrophotometer, along with Color iMatch formulation, Color iQC quality control, and NetProfiler performance optimization software, can take precise, non-contact measurements of cosmetic samples for accurate color formulation, production color checks, and efficient quality control operations, minimizing waste and expediting approvals.