6 High Tech Trends That Are Transforming The Beauty Industry

Technological advances that were once just the stuff of science fiction have become not just real but also part of our everyday lives. It was only a matter of time before these advancements expanded from our mobile phones, laptops, and TVs to other aspects like our beauty routines.

- Trixie Reyna-Benedicto

Beauty companies have recently started tapping into the latest technology to revolutionize the whole industry and push for more customized products and experiences for consumers.

BEAUTY APPS & WEB-BASED PLATFORMS

Beauty brands are increasingly employing artificial intelligence (A.I.), augmented reality (AR), and data algorithms to provide more suitable product recommendations for customers—even without visiting their physical stores—thanks to websites and mobile apps.

Some of the biggest cosmetics brands like Benefit, NYX, bareMinerals, and Sephora already have virtual try-on apps, and more are following suit. Recently acquired by L’Oreal, ModiFace has created AR software that lets consumers see how makeup would look on their skin before purchasing. Its web and mobile app called Skin AI, developed with dermatologists, also assesses the state of skin and visualizes how beauty products would affect it after use. Similarly, A.I. startup MatchCo, recently acquired by Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido, develops software that lets customers create foundation shades to match their skin tone.

Olay and Estee Lauder are among the skincare brands with platforms that give customized recommendations. Olay Skin Advisor relies on selfies uploaded by users on the website olay. co.uk, along with a Q&A on users’ skin concerns, to assess their “skin age.” It becomes even “smarter” with each photo uploaded as it compares millions of photos of women of various ages using deep-learning A.I. algorithm, thereby providing valuable insights for future product developments. Estee Lauder’s Nighttime Expert App, meanwhile, uses a chatbot for a Q&A session with users on skin concerns through Google Assistant.

SKIN & HAIR SCANNING TOOLS