When people think of technology, they seldom associate it with cosmetics. Though the cosmetics industry can represent the art of the future and the possibilities of tomorrow, its use of science, technology, and research and development is often hidden from the public view. As technology has evolved, so too has cosmetics. The cosmetics industry has embraced the new wave of technology that is sweeping the world. “Beauty tech” is becoming an increasingly important part of how the cosmetics industry conducts research and development, delivers products to its customers, and tries to enrich the customer experience. As Know Techie reports, new technologies are set to revolutionize cosmetics.
One of the most important developments in recent years has been the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR). These technologies assumed an even greater importance during the pandemic. As shoppers were forced to stay at home, cosmetics businesses had to adapt to deliver their products to their customers and find ways to recreate the magic of the in-store experience at a time when shoppers could not go to stores. AI and AR came to the rescue. AI uses data to find patterns and draw insights from those patterns and thereafter, perform some task. So, for instance, when you browse through a cosmetics firm’s website, it can recommend products based on your search and browsing history, purchases you have made and other data. AR, on the other hand, overlays actual reality with digital information. So, for instance, while shopping for lipstick, an AR program can take an image of you and apply lipstick on that image so you can see what you would look like if you wore that lipstick. Sephora’s 3-D augmented reality mirror allows customers to try Sephora’s makeup products in such a way, avoiding the need for actual physical contact with the product. A clear advantage of AR is that not only can brands deliver the in-store experience of trying products out, AR is much more sanitary at a time when the pandemic has made us so aware of the dangers of physical contact. AR is also much more cost-effective than maintaining an actual store. Customers can try products from anywhere on the planet using the brand’s app, and order what they like, without ever having to go to a physical store.
When you talk about skincare, most people think of moisturisers, cleansers and things like that. Brands will often promote these products as important elements of skincare, which they are. However, these products are not the be-all and end-all of skincare. Technologies and apps are becoming a very important part of skincare routines. These technologies can be used to analyse your skin and monitor UV exposure. SkinScanner is an example of a product that you connect to your smartphone. SkinScanner scans your skin and helps you find irregularities there. FaceGenius and Clinical reality are other examples of skin scanners that are now widely used. These technologies won’t do your eyebrow microblading for you, but they do allow you to intelligently scan your skin and ensure that it is at its healthiest.