Smart mirrors
Smart mirrors made a big impression at this show. CareOS, a Baracoda Group Company, announced at Las Vegas the launch of Artemis, a smart mirror integrated with the patent-pending CareOS platform that connects health, beauty and wellness for a holistic view of each user. More than 50 IoT [1] devices, products and services are integrated into the CareOS platform including major brands such as Coty’s Wella Professionals, Group SEB, Legrand, Roca, and IoT leaders like Snips and Terraillon.
Also at CES, CareOS and Coty have unveiled the Wella Professionals augmented reality enabled smart mirror, which is powered by Artemis for a revolutionary salon hair colour experience.
Powered by the existing CareOS operating system and incorporating Perfect Corp’s YouCamMakeup augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Wella’s new mirror uses facial recognition technology to retrieve archived looks, and features a 360° video element to let clients view their hair from all angles. Furthermore, the smart mirror lets clients and stylists keep in touch via a connected app in between visits.
Augmented reality
AR has had an enormous impact on the beauty industry over the past few years, with multiple brands such as ModiFace and YouCam driving the increase in connected solutions and devices. Last November saw Modiface unveil a ‘Virtual Nail Salon’ app that lets users virtually test out 30 different nail polish shades, while YouCam and Eylure teamed up earlier in the year to test out an augmented reality (AR) makeup experience focusing on false eyelashes.
At the CES 2019, Perfect Corp, the developer of the YouCam MakeUp app, has unveiled a "Beauty 3.0" vision that will allow users to personalize their platforms in real time using artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. The update will mean users could soon use the app to get recommended foundation shades that match their skin tones perfectly, for example, or track dermatological concerns over time. Other options include complex live virtual makeup trials (such as ombré hair color makeovers) and on-demand beauty consultations with professionals.
Big beauty players
Cosmetic giants also went big on connected beauty at the show. For its first participation, Procter & Gamble introduced multiple new connected devices from several of its brands, including an artificial intelligence Skin Advisor platform for Olay.
For its part, L’Oréal has unveiled My Skin Track pH for its brand La Roche-Posay. The sensor offers users a personalized measure of their skin pH levels, which can, in some cases, be responsible for conditions such as eczema, dryness or atopic dermatitis. The wearable works by using microfluidic technology to capture trace amounts of sweat from the pores on a patch of skin on the inner arm.
Betting on personalisation, Neutrogena has launched the MaskiD app allowing users to get fully customized 3D-printed face masks, by giving them an accurate assessment of their skincare needs and facial measurements via the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone X, XS, and XR.
French Tech
This year again, French start-ups were well represented at CES with many innovations in the beauty sector.
Artiris unveiled Compoz, a composer of bespoke home fragrances. The device can charge up to five interchangeable scented capsules and is controlled from a touch screen.
Already showcased in Paris at VivaTech, BeautyMix builds on the DIY trend and offers a small mixer and accessories to make natural cosmetics at home.
Litica Labs, a wholly-owned subsidiary of France-based Officinea laboratory, has created Beautylitic, an app allowing retailers to analyse the composition of all their entire personal care portfolio. The system is inspired by the beauty apps developed for consumers. The algorithms propose an analysis of the current referencing and suggest improvements taking into account the new expectations of the consumers.
