App Showcase: Retouch Me

What it does

Retouch Me is a mobile photo and video editing application that functions more like a professional service than a traditional DIY toolkit. Users upload their media, and the app's AI suggests a variety of specific retouching options, from smoothing skin to correcting body proportions. Users select the services they want, pay with in-app credits, and a team of professional designers performs the edits, delivering the final result back to the user within the app.

Where it shines

Retouch Me excels at bridging the gap between simple, automated filters and complex desktop software. Its core strength is the AI-driven recommendation engine (01:19), which analyzes a photo and instantly provides a menu of suggested edits. This removes the guesswork for the user. The app also handles monetization with a flexible, dual-pronged approach, offering both recurring subscriptions and one-time credit packs (01:27, 03:55), catering to both power users and casual customers.

UX highlights

• Immediate Value Demonstration: The app opens with a compelling before-and-after video montage (00:01), instantly communicating its powerful capabilities.
• AI-Guided Editing: Instead of overwhelming users with tools, the app suggests specific, priced services for each photo (01:19), simplifying the decision-making process.
• Transparent Order Summary: The app provides a clear, e-commerce-style cart where users can review and remove individual services to adjust the total cost (01:38).
• Contextual Permission Priming: Before requesting system permissions for notifications, the app shows a custom screen explaining the benefits (01:08), a smart tactic to improve opt-in rates.
• Draft Saving: When a user navigates away from an in-progress edit, the app prompts them to save a draft (04:02), preventing loss of work.
• Multiple Entry Points to Purchase: The user can buy credits or subscribe from multiple places, including a main paywall and a contextual prompt when their balance is low.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is central to the Retouch Me experience. The primary model is a credit-based system where each specific edit has a cost. Users can purchase credits through one-time packs or get a recurring allowance via a subscription. A key growth tactic is the aggressive, timed free trial offer that appears after a user dismisses the main subscription screen (01:52). This creates urgency and aims to convert hesitant users by offering a limited-time deal.

Who it’s for

Retouch Me is designed for individuals who want professional-quality photo retouching without the time, skill, or cost associated with hiring a freelance editor or learning software like Photoshop. This includes social media users, aspiring influencers, and anyone looking to perfect their photos for personal or semi-professional use. The service-oriented model makes it ideal for users who prioritize results and convenience over creative control.

Notes & opportunities

The app's forced sign-up right after the intro video (00:34) could be a point of friction for some users, though it's necessary for the order-based model. The app's interface for manually selecting services (02:44 onwards) is quite extensive and could benefit from better organization or a search function. Finally, the estimated time for order completion (e.g., "30-40 mins" at 02:20) is clearly displayed, which is good for managing expectations, but could be a deterrent for users needing instant results.