Web-AR try-on lifted eyewear D2C conversion 2.4×
A digitally-native eyewear brand selling across India, the GCC, and Southeast Asia was losing 31% of orders to size and fit returns. We built a web-AR try-on experience that runs in any modern mobile browser without an app install, paired with an AI face-shape recommender. Live across 6 markets in 11 weeks.
The problem
The brand had a strong brand and a beautiful PDP, but conversion stalled at 1.8% on mobile. Customer interviews surfaced two consistent friction points: “I can’t tell if it suits my face” and “I don’t know if it’ll fit comfortably”. Returns were a brutal 31% on prescription frames.
The solution
A web-AR try-on experience embedded inline on every PDP — no app install, no QR redirect, no friction. We used MediaPipe FaceMesh for tracking, custom GLB models for each frame, an automatic pupillary-distance estimator from a credit-card reference, and an AI face-shape classifier that re-ranked the catalogue per user.
What we built
Inline web-AR on the PDP
Tap “Try on”, the camera permission prompt fires, and the frame is on your face in under 2 seconds. No app, no separate URL, no “tap here to continue”.
3D models from photogrammetry
Each frame scanned at the warehouse with a turntable rig. PBR materials, accurate hinge offsets, and a strict 1.6MB GLB budget per frame.
Auto pupillary-distance estimation
Hold a credit card under your eyes — we get PD to ±1.5mm without an in-store visit. Halved prescription-fit returns.
AI face-shape recommender
A small CNN classifies oval / round / square / heart / oblong from MediaPipe landmarks and re-ranks the catalogue. 32% of buyers picked a frame they’d initially scrolled past.
Try-on share to WhatsApp
Capture a try-on snapshot, share to WhatsApp / Instagram. 14% of new orders trace back to a friend’s shared try-on.
Returns dropped 31%
Prescription returns specifically dropped from 31% to 21%. Return processing cost saved more than paid for the entire AR build in quarter one.
How it’s built
The numbers
“The AR build paid for itself in 9 weeks just on returns alone. The conversion lift was the upside we hadn’t even priced in.”
— CMO, D2C Eyewear (6 markets)
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