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X-Rite to Demonstrate New Methods in Colour Measurement for the Cosmetic Industry at SCS Formulate Show in November

Phil Black - PII Editor 20/09/2010

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Colour measurement technology

X-Rite Europe GmbH (NASDAQ: XRIT) will demonstrate colour measurement technology used by some of the world”s largest cosmetic companies at the SCS Formulate show sponsored by the Society of Cosmetic Scientists on 9-10 November.

X-Rite representatives will demonstrate how some cosmetic companies are now applying quality control techniques developed by unrelated industries that have made a science of knowing how to replicate formulas for colour and appearance. Attendees of the SCS Formulate 2010 can view demonstrations and obtain information on new methods at X-Rite’s stand 338 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Pre-show information may be obtained by visiting www.xrite.com or contacting Mike Smyth, Sales Director-UK and Ireland, at msmyth@xrite.com or +44 776 993 0361.

Non-contact technology with VS450
Cosmetics manufacturers may be particularly interested in X-Rite”s proprietary non-contact technology that measures the colour of wet, powdered and paste samples from a distance, said Rafiq Mulla, applications manager for the UK office of X-Rite, the world”s largest designer and manufacturer of colour measurement systems. The company also will be demonstrating an array of optical instruments and software applications to provide inexpensive, quick and easy means by which cosmetics companies can accurately measure and communicate the subtle hues, colours, and shimmer of 21st century cosmetics.

Measuring a sample from a distance more closely represents the way the human eye perceives colour and ultimately how the consumer will view the finished product when it is demonstrated by sales associates in stores or used, Mulla said.
“Tests currently performed by many cosmetics manufacturers don”t accurately replicate what the eye sees because samples are placed on cuvettes, slides or Petri dishes for measurements,” he said. “When you add a transparent barrier between the sample and instrument, it immediately imparts errors such as depth of field issues and ambient light piped in from the surroundings.”

To eliminate those errors, X-Rite”s VS450 spectrophotometer can take precise colour measurements from a distance of approximately 38 mm. Because it measures from a distance, the VS450 can accurately determine the colour of nondrying, oil-based products including foundations and lip glosses that normally would foul the port of a conventional benchtop spectrophotometer.

Pearlescent effect measuring with MA94, 96, 98
In addition to the VS450, X-Rite will show its family of MA94, 96 and 98 multi-angle spectrophotometers that also can measure cosmetics without contacting test surfaces. The MA98 is designed specifically to accurately measure pearlescent effects in nail varnishes, powders, lipsticks, shimmery foundations or sparkling eye shadows that can confuse conventional spectrophotometers.

Data tracking software X-ColorQC®
X-Rite has developed its X-ColorQC® software to tie the measurements of the VS450, MA98 and other instruments with other data that a cosmetics company may record during production, such as date, time of manufacture, batch, supplier of raw materials and pigments, even process parameters such as particular formulas, mixing times and temperatures.

Other products on display include:

The Color i5 benchtop spectrophotometer that assesses the colour conformity of perfumes and lotions and allows users to possibly verify other physical-chemical characteristics, such as concentrations and natural or synthetic aromas.
NetProfiler 2.0 that allows users to automatically test, measure and profile instruments over the Internet. Using sophisticated software and certified physical standards, the system takes just minutes to produce performance statistics on instruments within a network.
Macbeth light booths that provide users with optimal lighting conditions to assess the colours.

FM100 Hue Test that provides a highly effective method for measuring whether an individual may have a colour vision deficiency, in the form of a 15-minute, portable and easy-to-administer test that can be scored using convenient software.