Great Clips launches Snapchat lens offering hairstyle selfies

US-based hair salon Great Clips has launched a Snapchat lens that enables customers to digitally try on three hairstyles using augmented reality (AR).

Beginning early this month, customers visiting Great Clips salons in the US and Canada can scan a Snapcode, which will provide the users access to the lens for 24 hours. Users can also visit Great Clips’ online site to find the code.

The lens superimposes the three hairstyles onto the user’s Snapchat photos and videos, which can then be shared with friends and acquaintances.

Great Clips marketing and communications vice-president Lisa Hake said: “By using AR to further bridge the physical and digital worlds, Great Clips is excited to share this Snapchat lens and continue as the salon industry’s technology leader.”

Great Clips has already launched a wide range of new and advanced consumer-friendly technologies such as the Great Clips app, which features online check-in.

The company also uses Clip Notes, which allows stylists to take notes about a customer’s haircut and enter them into a secure global computer network for sharing between licensed Great Clips salons. This enables stylists a guide to providing customers with a personalised service.

Established in 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Great Clips currently has 4,300 salons across the US and Canada.