Try out dozens of looks in minutes and wipe them off at the push of a button with the magic make-up mirror

By Claire Coleman

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.

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.

Magic mirror: At Selfridges in London, Mail reporter Claire Coleman tried out the gadget which allows you to simulate applying make-up to your face

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

But it’s not yet able to slap on virtual foundation, so I primed my face with a simple base and sat down to see what it could do.

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.

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.

The future of make-up: Claire gets a tutorial in how to use the hi-tech simulator

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.

I experimented with pink eyeshadow, orange lipstick and far heavier blusher than I would ever have applied normally, managed to discover exactly the right shade of red lipstick, and became convinced that maybe it was worth giving purple eyeshadow a whirl, after all.

I'm ready for my close-up: Claire tries a new looks on the make-up mirror

Of course it's a sales tool, but if you've ever spent half an hour having a department store makeover, only to scrub it all off in the loos because you hated it, or grabbed a lipstick colour that looked okay on the back of your hand but made you look like Morticia when you got home, you'll see the appeal.

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.

For that you’ll have to rely on good old-fashioned human beings.

Still, knowing the tech-savvy Japanese, a robot that can perfectly apply your make-up can't be very far away.

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.