It seems everyone’s at it these days – taking selfies and then showing them off on mobiles or social media. And now your fridge is about to join the fun.
A new breed of high-tech refrigerators are fitted with cameras that take ‘shelfies’ of their contents and send them to your phone.
The idea is that busy homeowners can keep a check on supplies so they don’t waste food by doubling up on items at the supermarket.
The Samsung fridge takes pictures of the contents inside and sends it to shoppers to save them writing lists
The snaps from inside the fridge could also mean the end of the hastily scribbled grocery list, as shoppers can see instantly what they need.
The smart gadgets join the ranks of other intelligent refrigerators that can top up your online shopping order, suggest recipes and even switch on the oven.
Sales of the so-called selfie fridges have risen three-fold this year according to John Lewis
According to retailer John Lewis, sales of the selfie fridges have risen three-fold this year alone, and are helping revolutionise the way we shop.
The £4,000 Samsung Family Hub, for example, has three cameras which take a picture of the shelves every time the door closes and automatically sends them to your phone.
The cameras are fitted into the top, middle and bottom of the door and take pictures just before the fridge light turns off.
The £4,000 Samsung Family Hub features three cameras which take a picture of the shelves every time the door closes
For a less expensive version, the Bosch Home Connect fridge costs from £948.99 and has two integrated cameras.
Like the Samsung fridge, it sends you photographs of the contents of your fridge and will even send alerts to your phone if you accidentally leave the door open.
Billed as ‘the first fridge to take a selfie’, Bosch says it gives you ‘full control over your supplies, and when you’re not at home you will know exactly which ingredients are still missing for the dinner you’re planning’.
Nick Bevan, head of product management at Samsung Electronics, said: ‘We all know that feeling of being out at the supermarket and suddenly thinking, “Do I need more carrots?”
The appliances stop shoppers doubling up on certain products by sending them shots of the interior of fridges
‘Now, you can quickly check your phone and see if you already have them in your fridge.
‘It stops you doubling up and cuts down on food waste, which is a big problem. It also means that if you see something unexpected on offer, you can check to see if you have the rest of the ingredients already in your fridge to make a certain recipe, or if you need to stock up.’
All we need now is a gadget to warn us what horrors lurk in the darkest recesses of that fruit and vegetable drawer…
…And if you thought shopping couldn’t get more bizarre
Return of the see-through granny mac
You might associate plastic macs with elderly aunts and tourists on open-top buses. But hold on to your (transparent) hats – clear plastic will be de rigueur for next season.
Designers from Chanel, right, to Valentino are promoting hats, macs and knee-high boots all made from see-through vinyl.
‘It’s the Insta-It-Girl’s new standout piece,’ said Julia Hobbs, fashion news editor of Vogue. ‘Look out for plastic-wrapped legs on a [Instagram] feed near you.’
Clear plastic macs are set to make a comeback next season and Kim Kardashian has already bagged a pair of see-through boots
Kim Kardashian already has a pair of transparent boots, while Cindy Crawford’s model daughter Kaia Gerber wore a see-through hat on the Chanel catwalk.
Queen Letizia of Spain wears see-through stilettos and pop star Rihanna appears on the cover of this month’s Elle magazine wrapped in a plastic Calvin Klein coat.
The High Street has already adopted the look with ranges at Topshop and Zara.
It might be the hottest look – but transparent vinyl doesn’t breathe. So not entirely cool.
Two-tone lippy for a standout pout
For most women, wearing one bold colour on their lips is statement enough. But a new report for John Lewis predicts the two-tone ‘standout pout’ – with a clashing shade on top and bottom lips – will be a big hit next year.
Lipstick with two colours contained in one stick took off in Korea and are set to break new ground in the UK
Dior, Givenchy and Benefit have started selling lippies with two colours in one stick in anticipation of the trend, which started in Korea, taking off here.
But Charlotte Herrington, assistant buyer for make-up at John Lewis, cautions: ‘There’s a fine art to getting this right.’
Face cream made of radishes
So-called superfoods such as broccoli, avocado, coconut, pomegranate and turmeric are no longer confined to salads and smoothies but are increasingly being used in beauty products.
The Mail on Sunday found a £45 Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, left, which contains broccoli, flax seed and radish.
This £45 Elemis Superfood Facial Oil contains broccoli, flax seed and radish as clean eating ingredients start to enter the beauty product market
Then there’s Liz Earle’s £35 Superskin eye cream with cranberry seed oil, Clarins’s £57 Double Serum with turmeric and Kiehl’s £29.50 Olive Fruit Oil shampoo and conditioner with avocado oil.
The British Association of Dermatologists was sceptical about claims of ‘miraculous’ properties in superfood face creams.
Nina Goad, its head of communications, said: ‘It is debatable whether they would have any significant impact.’