Method and apparatus for customizing facial foundation products

A method for customizing a facial foundation at point of sale to a customer comprising:

• (i) obtaining a reading of a customer's natural skin coloration by applying a means for measuring coloration in proximity to the skin;
• (ii) transmitting the reading to a programmable means for selecting an optimal facial foundation formula;
• (iii) transferring the selected optimal facial foundation formula as operating instructions to a formulation machine for automatically preparing the formula;
• (iv) dosing together within the formulation machine a plurality of cosmetic chemical compositions including at least one pigment, the plurality of compositions being chosen in accordance with information provided by the selected optimal facial foundation formula;
• (v) delivering into a container the dosed formula to the customer as a facial foundation product;
• and
• (vi) assigning an identification mark to each customized facial foundation product, labelling on the container the mark, and storing the identification within the programmable means to permanently identify the customized facial foundation product with a customer.