By Anisia Bazanova. Cover Image: Margie Mitchem for I’M Firenze Digest.
We all want an AI beauty product! The so-called ‘smart cosmetics’ are expected to become essential in our lives and will lead us into the future with increasingly personalised products and cutting-edge technologies. Sensors and microchips might become our skin’s best friends. According to the trend agency Mintel, “Artificial Intelligence will transform the beauty industry by making it more personalised, efficient and effective, but governance and transparency will be critical to growth”. From personalised shopping experiences to skin analysis for tailored experiences and recommending products that are suitable for you, AI is embracing the world of beauty. In this sector, exponential growth is expected, as Artificial Intelligence in the beauty industry is estimated to be worth $13.34 billion by 2030, according to InsightAce Analytic.
AI beauty: skincare benefits first
L’Oréal recently unveiled the Beauty Genius, a free app backed by AI, in Las Vegas. “Your first personal beauty advisor », noted the CEO of the beauty giant, Nicolas Hieronimus. The app recommends skincare and make-up products based on skin type, gives make-up tips, and offers solutions for issues like acneand hair loss. Additionally, it allows users to try on the products virtually.
Artificial Intelligence becomes responsible for identifying your skin type and its needs, as well as tracking progress and tailoring recommendations over time. In skincare, smart cosmetics can be equipped with various sensors that monitor hydration levels, skin temperature, UV radiation and air pollution. This will allow you to address your skin’s needs based on your location, local climate and humidity levels and choose the most appropriate treatment for you. This innovative approach is especially beneficial for frequent travellers, offering personalised care in the face of varying environmental conditions.
You can also envision products designed specifically for your genetic make-up, such as Proven Skincare. Co-founded by a NASA scientist, the company produces creams and serums tailored to individuals’ DNA and lifestyle. It’s like science fiction come true. And that’s not all. Tomorrow’s smart cosmetics will also inform you about the correct amount of product needed based on your specific requirements, their daily or weekly dosage and the ingredients you should prioritise. Tailor-made cosmetics will not only improve your skin but also save you money. The high level of customisation, precise dosing and tailored approach to your needs and skin type mean you’ll buy fewer products that are more effective than traditional ones. As a result, this will help you avoid purchasing unsuitable products and ensure you only buy what you really need.
How smart cosmetics can maximise make-up
The revolution is also underway in the field of make-up. Augmented reality applications enable users to virtually try on products, experimenting with different shades and styles before making a purchase. For example, L’Oréal’s AI-powered Virtual Try-On app allows users to see how different lipsticks or eyeshadows look on their unique skin tones. Algorithms analyse facial features, lighting conditions and personal preferences, creating a personalised shopping experience. This fusion of beauty and technology blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds. Similarly, Studio Maquillage by Chanel enables you to try on the House’s lipsticks, eyeshadows, eye contours and nail polishes through a screen.
The Nimble manicure salon has just been unveiled, presented as the world’s first device of its kind to combine artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. This eight-kilo white box with a trap door can varnish all ten fingernails and dry them in just twenty-five minutes. It’s available for home use, so no appointment is necessary. According to its creators, it uses high-resolution micro-cameras and 3D imaging to determine nail shape, size and curvature. Then, a small robotic arm, guided by artificial intelligence algorithms, applies the base coat, polish, and top coat, and a blower dries between each layer. More than thirty colours will be available in capsules costing ten dollars each (the device costs $599), which are enough for two complete manicures.
In Spain, as the newspaper El Pais explained, “a company called ColorAI was launched three months ago to develop a colour analysis software for retailers and beauty salons. The client stands in front of the device, takes a picture, and artificial intelligence analyses the pigments. The application recommends haircuts according to your face type and the colours that best suit you. You are also given your ideal colour palette for clothing, and it shows you your make-up colours”.
