Would you trust a robot to cut your hair? Or how about letting a machine operate a razor? Hand over your wedding makeup to an Artificial Intelligence? It might raise eyebrows or some skepticism, but technology has invaded the beauty sector and has been transforming certain experiences that were previously quite traditional. More specifically, Artificial Intelligence and its algorithms, used under a personalization bias increasingly larger. It may still seem unfeasible, robots replacing hairdressers and/or makeup artists, but the beginning of this story has already begun and initial applications of this technology are beginning to stand out – we list, AI Applications and the Beauty Industry that may surprise you – follow along!
Custom Printed Makeup with AI
As we said, an indisputable advantage of Artificial Intelligence is its power of customization – something that fits perfectly when it comes to beauty. After all, different ethnicities, skin tones, facial/body structures, and tastes and preferences define our society and are impossible for the traditional cosmetics industry to fully address.
Behold, the custom-printed makeup with AI appears. A technology that allows you to create custom products based on precise analysis of Artificial Intelligence and 3D printers.
This makeup can create unlimited colors, textures, and shapes according to each client's preferences and needs. There are already companies that allow custom creation of lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes and other cosmetics. The products are created in physical stores, but the idea is that, with the popularization of 3D printers, consumers can create their own cosmetics at home – a consumer revolution.
Perfumes created with AI
And it's not just makeup that has the potential for customization! Fragrances have also joined the trend – perfumes that use Artificial Intelligence to generate new and exclusive combinations.
The innovation would represent a return to the early days of the heyday of fragrances (pre-industrial) that were individually developed by artisans and became individual signatures and/or symbols.
AI would therefore make it possible for each customer chooses their own notes, ingredients and emotions that they would like to convey with the perfume. We would have access to an infinite number of possible combinations.
THE Apothecary (Brazilian cosmetics and perfume company), for example, used IBM Watson to create the world's first fragrances made with AI. Although still without extensive customization, the venture marked the beginning of a turning point in the industry.
AI and Skin Analysis
Considering the ethnic multiplicity of the planet, it is practically impossible for the traditional beauty industry to be able to feed consumers with the ideal color and tone specificities for their respective skin tones and desires.
Often, not even consumers can identify what suits them best. That's why the potential of AI in diagnosing skin is so well regarded.
The Comechip, from the Korean company Cosmechip, is a device in the shape of a disposable chip that connects to a smartphone and can analyze the user's skin in depth, recommending the best products and treatments. For example, it can measure your skin's hydration, oiliness, elasticity, and pH levels.
Based on machine learning algorithms, the program improves itself by increasingly expanding its “database” of beauty tones and nuances.
Virtual Tests
Testing makeup products on your hand (with a different shade than your face) has no effect, beauty professionals say. It's best to enlist the help of a beauty consultant. apply and test the product on the face – something often unfeasible, when it comes to online shopping or even considering the technical difficulties in physical stores (many don't even have consultants, sharing products is risky in terms of health, and you have to put your face on the line without being sure that the result will be satisfactory).
Following then the same logic as e-commerce virtual fitting rooms and predictions of furniture or decoration in environments (using augmented reality), virtual tests emerge, based on AI, to allow users to virtually try on different products and looks makeup, using the camera on your smartphones or computers.
One kind of Instagram filter, but connected to a specific product or look. The augmented reality and facial recognition help create natural and realistic effects on each user's face.
AI Hair Dryer
And anyone who thinks that Artificial Intelligence will be limited to makeup and perfumes is mistaken. Not at all! L'Oréal, a multinational cosmetics company, recently created a professional hair dryer that uses AI to recognize the user's hair and dry it faster, without damaging it.
The device features infrared light technology and a high-speed motor with 17 blades along with a Artificial Intelligence that promises to provide the ideal amount of wind and temperature for every hair type – drying it faster and therefore also saving energy.
Who would have thought that different hair types would require different drying methods? Welcome to the age of customization!
Beauty Consultant
What is quite evident in all these applications brought by AI is the individualization of beauty. Consumers will have increasing access to products specially developed for themselves.
The figure of the Beauty Consultant becomes preponderant; and combined with technology, virtual assistants take on the role on websites and in service flows, offering guidance and product recommendations based on your characteristics, preferences and needs.
We cite as an example Beauty Genius, from L'Oréal; or Skin Advisor, from the company Olay – both offer virtual beauty consultancy with product and treatment suggestions.
We will certainly still see the Artificial Intelligence will further transform the way we consume and use cosmeticsA natural and very welcome step – bring on innovation, practicality, and customization!
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