Originally expecting more than 2,200 exhibitors, this year’s Consumer Electronics Show has been muted by pandemic-driven cancelations. Despite these challenging conditions, the event has been once again home to much that is cutting-edge in the cosmetic industry.
New electronic devices
This year, global beauty giant L’Oréal revealed an at-home hair dye device dubbed Colorsonic and an AI-connected system for salon stylists called Coloright, while Slovenian start-up Ninu introduced a handheld device that can create a personalised fragrance when connected to a smartphone app.
After teasing the concept last year, Ninu showcased the final version of its app-controlled “smart perfume” that features 100 fragrances in one bottle. The device connects via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS smartphone. Using an app, the user can choose from a set of pre-defined scents created by master perfumers, or can enlist the help of the AI to select a fragrance based on time of day, mood, and weather.
For their part, IFF and SleepScore Labs introduced a new scent-based solution to improve sleep quality.
Metaverse experiences
But above all, it was the expansion of virtual beauty that stood out this year, especially when linked with the much-hyped idea of the metaverse.
Procter and Gamble, for instance, opted for fully virtual experience. The company hosted a virtual booth dubbed LifeLab, allowing attendees to virtually walk up to representatives from brands such as Gillette and Oral-B to chat with them.
Furthermore, P&G Beauty launched its BeautySPHERE metaverse experience in partnership with London’s Royal Botanic Gardens. A first step into the metaverse, it allowed visitors to virtually interact with the group’s portfolio of brands through live and simulated content. Easily accessed from home or anywhere with a desktop computer at: BeautySPHERE.com, the immersive 3D interactive experience doesn’t end with CES but is the group’s first step in offering education and engaging brand experiences.
Similarly, Taiwan’s provider of AI- and AR-powered digital experiences Perfect Corp. has scaled back its presence at the Las Vegas show and has chosen to offer access to its most innovative technologies through a metaverse virtual experience on their website. The aim was to provide a first look at the beauty and fashion tech innovations that are set to enrich customer experiences and prepare brands for the forthcoming metaverse.
Perfect Corp’s new virtual try-on tools highlighted include a new foundation-matching tool, video chat AR makeup application and jewellery try-on. In addition, Perfect Corp. also aims to democratize access to beauty and fashion virtual assets by bringing digital products from the metaverse world to all camera-enabled devices, as well as creating beauty and fashion NFTs and enabling fully immersive eCommerce virtual try-on experiences in the metaverse.
A much quieter CES than usual, but one which allowed us to take a fascinating look at the new horizons of beauty tech!
