AI IN BEAUTY: AN ATTRACTIVE FUTURE
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The Potential of AI in Beauty
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we live on an incredible scale.
Not only can the right intelligent technology improve workplace productivity and home security, but it can also make a huge difference to how we look – at least where beauty products are concerned.
Although the concept of using AI in beauty might seem to come from the realm of science fiction, the reality is that professionals have been exploring intelligence in beauty for some time. Today’s innovators can use AI to design products that are gentler and more effective on human skin while simultaneously improving the customer experience for those in search of the right product.
We’re officially entering the golden age of AI in beauty and personal care.
Here’s what you need to know about the attractive future of AI in beauty.
How AI is Enhancing the Beauty Industry
What used to be a novel concept in the beauty landscape is now becoming far more commonplace – thanks specifically to the arrival of the pandemic in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic forced countless beauty companies to rethink the way they sell their products to customers who could no longer try shades and products before making a purchase.
The pandemic required an immediate evolution in the way companies advise their buyers on which luxurious products to buy. All the while, new technology was already emerging to solve common problems, like the handheld makeup printer designed with assistance from the Defence department, or micro-mist skincare sprays from NASA.
A combination of pandemic restrictions and technology demands has pushed our virtual presence to new levels. Here are just some of the ways we can expect beauty to change in the new age of AI.
New Beauty Shopping Experiences
Perhaps the most significant change we’ve seen in the beauty industry thanks to AI, is the rapid change to the way we shop for luxurious products. With fewer opportunities to connect with customers in person, brands are now finding new digital ways to stay connected to their customers. This includes allowing people to try on potential products at a distance.
Countless beauty companies have begun creating apps and tools which allow people to use AR and artificial intelligence to see what a makeup item might look like without having to risk hygiene issues. We’ve also seen the arrival of countless new “sales floor” experiences in a digital environment, like video product demonstrations and personalized recommendations from AI assistants on websites built to understand the individual customer.
Improved personalization
High levels of personalization have always been essential to the overall buying experience in the beauty and luxury landscapes. Today’s customers want to feel as though they’re buying products tailor-made for them. Different people look better in specific shades, and some have unique skin requirements which need to be considered when making a purchase.
To respond to the need for hyper-personalized experiences, beauty brands have begun creating AI assistants capable of examining the unique appearance of the customer and offering suggestions based on their needs. For instance, the new Color&Co system from Loreal allows customers to answer a brief survey to get immediate suggestions on the personalized hair-dye kit they need from an AI systems. Many of the other leading haircare and beauty companies have taken similar steps in this landscape, driving faster, more convenient shopping experiences for customers online.
AI solutions can even open new avenues for beauty companies to create personalized and custom versions of makeup for their clients. For instance, a makeup company could allow its customers to make their own perfect shade of foundation after interacting with an AI assistant and uploading pictures into the system.
Facial recognition technology
Facial recognition technology in the AI industry isn’t just for security purposes – it can also be a valuable tool for the beauty industry. Facial recognition AIs can use video content to examining various different aspects of a person’s skin to determine what kind of colors would work best for them in terms of lipsticks, hair dyes and more.
The same technology can also help users to narrow down their options for other products too. For instance, Nudemeter is an AI technology capable of accurately shade-matching hosiery for women of every color. The algorithm is trained with images that represent all colors in the skin spectrum obtained from volunteers.
The ability for AI solutions to recognize a person’s face could even make a difference to the future of shopping for makeup in-person. A customer could use an app on their smartphone or within the shopping center and use it to “log in” to a personal profile, where information about their preferred beauty products are stored. This would allow for a quicker checkout, and direct access to all of a customer’s favorite products, without the need to interact with store assistants.
More efficient stores
Finally, like many retail stores, beauty companies can also benefit from the use of AI to improve productivity and efficiency. AI solutions can collect information in real-time to help companies keep track of beauty trends, and predict changes required in the supply chain or inventory.
AI systems offer a quick and efficient way for companies to get to know their customers on a deeper level. This can also lead to better decision-making when it comes to stocking up on crucial products, or even investing in new designs. An AI system can analyze social media information, analytics from conversations from customers and more to determine what the next beauty trend might be.
All the while, AI can also play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of the customer service environment. Teams can use AI bots and virtual assistants to respond to customer queries faster, so teams spend less time dealing with repetitive questions, and more time growing the business.
As we move forward to a new age of shopping and consumer/brand relationships, AI has the potential to change the way we approach beauty on a massive scale