L'Oreal Innovation Contest For Startups Focuses On Three Categories

L'Oreal Innovation Runway, the beauty company's startup challenge, will focus on three categories: personalized beauty experiences, sustainable innovations, and performance materials and products. South Korea-based Sketchon joined the L'Oreal Innovation Runway 2017, receiving research and development support and mentorship from the beauty company. In March 2018, L'Oreal acquired Modiface, which uses facial recognition and augmented reality to let consumers have a realistic preview of how a beauty product would look on them when applied. New Zealand-based Ethique's sustainable innovations include making and selling solid bar soaps, shampoos, and conditioners and earth-friendly packaging. 

"3 ways tech is changing the beauty industry", Tech In Asia, July 26, 2018

HiMirror Mini Comes In Small Package With Impressive List Of Smart Features

Equipped with most of the features that came with the original HiMirror smart mirror, the HiMirror Mini comes in a smaller package and includes a built-in stand. In smart mode, the mirror functions like a tablet computer with a full-features touchscreen. It lets users login to their wifi, it responds to commands, and can navigate the system using touch. HiMirror Mini comes with YouTube built in, allowing users to play back online videos of makeup tutorials and other beauty tips. Other built-in apps include Facebook and Instagram. 

"HiMirror's Smart Beauty Mirror Lets You Watch Tutorials As You Do Your Makeup", Elite Daily, July 31, 2018

L'Oreal USA Innovation Head Bort Discusses How Innovations Drive Her Company

L'Oreal USA manager of digital innovation and entrepreneurship, Samantha Bort, said she keeps abreast of the latest developments in technology and innovation by getting information from different sources. Also, she always thinks of herself as the consumer before the marketer and looks at the reason why a technology exists and how it will improve the consumer experience. Bort said her company has been using artificial intelligence to personalize the consumer experience at scale. She considers conversational commerce as one of the most exciting innovations, as well as blockchain and how it can be applied to the beauty industry. 

"Q&A: L'Oréal USA innovation boss on new tech and conversational commerce", The Drum, August 02, 2018

Beauty Industry Embraces Augmented And Virtual Reality Technologies As Marketing, Customer Service Tools

Beauty brands are using augmented reality and virtual reality technologies to create customized strategies for differentiating themselves from the competition and for selling products and services. For example, makeup expert Charlotte Tilbury introduced a “Magic Mirror”, an AR-enabled device that lets users see their face wearing Tilbury's 10 beauty looks, when she launched her new Beauty Wonderland at Dubai Mall. Another sign of the growing importance of technology for beauty brands was L'Oreal's acquisition of AR mirrors pioneer ModiFace. 

"Is hyper reality the future of the beauty industry?", Khaleej Times, August 03, 2018

Almost Half Of Respondents Prefer To Use Virtual Beauty Advisors, Survey Says

According to a survey of female beauty consumers in the US from Automat, 49 percent of consumers they definitely would or are likely to use a virtual beauty advisor when shopping online or offline. Data revealed consumers prefer to shop with a virtual advisor because they have a hard time making purchasing decisions, with 70 percent of respondents saying they are overwhelmed by available beauty product choices. Among respondents who are likely to use an online beauty advisor, 84 percent prefer communicating with chat or text, with 43 percent saying they prefer retailers' websites as the channel for contacting virtual advisors. 

"Beauty shoppers want virtual advisors", Business Insider, August 03, 2018

Artificial Intelligence, Related Technologies Drive Growth In Beauty And Personal Care Markets

Artificial intelligence is driving growth and innovations in the beauty industry. With its ability to quantify beauty through biometrics and data analysis, AI offers the “perfect solution” for the industry, according to market analysts. AI, combined with cosmeceuticals, is expected to provide consumers with customized beauty solutions. Leading beauty brands are using AI-based solutions, such as AI chatbots and AI-powered algorithms, to enhance their online capabilities to provide customers with personalized shopping experience. For their part, haircare brands are relying on AI and machine learning algorithms to provide consumers with customized and unique solutions, such as personalized combinations of shampoo and conditioner ingredients. 

"How Artificial Intelligence is Adding Glitter to the Beauty Industry", Analytics Insight, August 07, 2018

L'Oreal, ModiFace Partner With Facebook To Let Consumers Try Makeup Products Through AR-Enabled Experiences

L'Oreal and its recently purchased augmented reality and artificial intelligence company ModiFace have partnered with Facebook to create AR experiences for consumption by users of the social networking platform's camera products. Featuring a direct and seamless link between Facebook and ModiFace, the partners will deliver AR-based experiences, enabling consumers to virtually try on makeup products from leading beauty brands, including Maybelline, L'Oreal Paris, and NYX Professional Makeup. 

"L'Oreal's ModiFace launches long-term Augmented Reality collaboration with Facebook", L’Oreal, August 09, 2018