‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’ said John Keats. From time immortal beauty and science have been the proverbial twain that shall never meet. Not anymore!
In a fiercely competitive market, beauty and skincare brands are forever looking into new domains of innovation. The latest trend in the beauty and skincare industry is beauty tech, which involves integrating the latest smart technology, ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Augmented Reality (AR), to engage the consumer and provide a more personalized experience than ever before.
Recent Innovations in Beauty Tech
In the past few years, big brands have started investing heavily in beauty tech. Beauty tech has now become a prominent display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) where a number of innovations are demoed and advertised.
Last year at CES, Smart Mirrors were all the rave. These smart mirrors scan your skin for wrinkles, blemishes, fine lines, etc., and rate it accordingly from good to poor. Additionally, they also provide personalized tips and product recommendations based on these results.
More recently, custom-made foundation machines have been introduced, which promise exact matching foundation for your skin by using artificial intelligence to identify blemishes, spots, pimples, etc. and applying the perfect amount of foundation over them. Custom moisturizer based on skin condition as well as location-based weather and air pollution data is another fascinating innovation.
Growing demand for personalized cosmetics has also led to the emergence of AR beauty apps that let you try makeup like lipstick or eye shadow virtually, allowing the consumer to test a wide range before they decide what to buy.
Some brands, in addition to virtual makeup testing, also allow you to create custom products which are then 3D printed in stores!
Another novelty in beauty tech is the 3D Face Mask printing system. A smartphone app scans and measures your facial features, for a personally tailored face mask, that not only fits perfectly, but is also customized according to your skin condition and for different zones of the face like forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes.
Nabia Moisturizing Face Cream with Cica, Vitamin B3, Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces and natural lavender scent white, 1.69 Fl Oz
Nabia Plant-based Natural Face Wash with Vitamin C: Gentle and Clean Revitalizing Cleanser, 5.07 Fl Oz
Nabia Cica Serum- Less Visible Fine Lines & Wrinkles with Cica, white lavender, 1.62 Fl Oz
That's So Cool! But Are There Any Disadvantages?
For now, the only disadvantage seems to be that most of the beauty tech seems to be luxury stuff, way out of the reach of the general populace. The pricing seems affordable by only the rich creamy society at present.
However, with passing time, as these technologies become more mainstream, they are expected to become more easily available and affordable to greater sections of the society.
What Does the Future Have For Us?
In a more distant future, we may be looking at technology that caters to skincare at a genetic level, custom hair care, skin analysis at your local drug stores, print at home makeup, and a lot more.
Currently, major brands are involved in devising novel strategies in incorporating the latest available technologies, so as to connect better with consumers and provide more personalized services and products. The aim is to create a thoroughly personalized and customized experience.
In the near future, digital makeup trials, AR beauty apps, and 3D printed makeup may become industry standards, and users may even stop seeing these products as 'tech', but as part of their daily lives.
