When beauty products pamper with AI: seven innovations spotted at CES 2024

CES 2024 highlighted how AI has arrived in beauty. Showcased innovations leverage technology to simplify, enhance precision, and personalize beauty product application. The overarching trend was clear - the time has come to utilize AI to provide consumers smarter, more customized beauty experiences.

At home manicure salon

Nimble showcased what it calls the world's first AI-powered robotics device to flawlessly paint nails at home, eliminating salon appointments. The 8kg white box resembles a large printer and can completely paint and dry all 10 fingernails in just 25 minutes.

Nimble uses high-resolution micro-cameras and 3D imaging to scan each nail's shape, size, and curvature. An AI-guided robotic arm then applies three precision coats of polish, blow drying after each layer.

When sales begin in March, over 30 capsule color options will be available for $10 each, enough for two full manicures. The device itself costs $599. By leveraging AI and robotics, Nimble aims to provide salon-quality nails without leaving home

A virtual beauty advisor

AI has infiltrated beauty industry leaders as well, as seen with L'Oréal's new free Beauty Genius app. Billed as an AI-powered "virtual personal advisor," the app provides skincare and makeup recommendations tailored to individual skin types. It offers technique tips and advice for issues like acne and hair loss, plus virtual product trials.

By leveraging AI, L'Oréal aims to provide personalized consultations and recommendations through the Beauty Genius app. Though "AI" is often used loosely as a tech buzzword, its integration here aims to give consumers tailored guidance and solutions for their beauty needs. The virtual advisor exemplifies AI's expanding role in customizing and enhancing the consumer experience.

Virtual tryouts

Perfect Corp's new Beautiful AI program has a similar goal of customization. It combines generative AI and virtual reality to perform live skin analysis, 3D hairstyle and jewelry try-ons, and provide personalized recommendations.

As Perfect Corp's CEO and Founder Alice Chang explained, Beautiful AI ultimately aims to enable a "more fulfilled customer journey" by matching consumers with products and services tailored to their individual preferences.

Like L'Oréal's Beauty Genius, Beautiful AI exemplifies the expanding use of AI in the beauty industry to provide enhanced, personalized experiences. By analyzing consumer needs and patterns, AI can help guide more precise, customized product and routine recommendations.

Custom printed makeup

South Korean company Prinker, known for customizable temporary tattoos, is launching a similar AI-powered makeup applicator this year.

The device will use biometric 3D scanning to map facial features and make contouring recommendations via AI. It will then "print" corresponding makeup powders directly onto the face for a customized look.

Like other exhibitors, Prinker is leveraging AI analysis to provide tailored beauty recommendations and application. By scanning face shapes, their device aims to democratize precise, bespoke makeup looks without the need for professional skills.

Infrared hair blower

Personalization technology was undoubtedly a major theme in the beauty sector at this year's CES. Companies brought customization to haircare as well.

L'Oréal showcased a new connected hairdryer, the Airlight Pro, that adapts power and heat distribution automatically based on customized settings in a companion app. It takes individual hair types into account for a tailored drying experience.

The Airlight Pro uses infrared light to dry hair while preserving moisture, explained L'Oréal's Adrien Chrétien, head of augmented beauty development. Set to launch in April, the device also touts 31% energy savings over conventional dryers through its personalized, smarter approach.

Like the AI-powered makeup devices, the Airlight Pro exemplifies the trend of leveraging technology for customized, optimized beauty routines. CES 2024 demonstrated tech's expansive possibilities for individualized, streamlined experiences across makeup, skincare, haircare, and more.

"AirLight Pro, with over 150 patents filed, perfectly embodies this breakthrough in beauty by, for the first time, bringing a solution for drying while caring for the hair as well as the planet," says Barbara Lavernos, deputy CEO in charge of research, innovation and technology at L’Oréal.

Lip diagnosis, care and makeup capabilities in one pocket device

After debuting a customized skincare mixer last year, South Korean company AmorePacific returned to CES 2024 with Lipcure Beam - an innovative lip care device.

Lipcure Beam uses sensors to diagnose lip moisture levels and condition just by gliding over the mouth. Next, an applicator emits a tailored light beam based on the diagnosis to interact with light-responsive ingredients. This reinforces collagen, builds moisture barriers, and slows aging.

Beyond treatment, Lipcure Beam also offers portable, universal lip color capabilities for all skin tones. By diagnosing then responding with customized care, the device provides targeted lip treatment and color anywhere.

Following their bespoke skincare mixer, Lipcure Beam demonstrates AmorePacific's continued commitment to personalized beauty tech. It exemplifies the potential for sensor-enabled, science-backed diagnosis and application to optimize and democratize consumers' daily routines.

The high-tech leggings that stimulate muscles

Finally, let’s mention the leggings unveiled by biotechnology company Barun Bio, which feature patented WE-Stim (for "Wearing Electrical Stimulation") technology. Available in a range of colors, these workout pants feature conductive materials that use the energy produced by the body in motion (during exercise) to generate micro-currents to stimulate muscles and thus enhance performance. A new demonstration of the convergence of beauty and fitness!