Focusing on personalisation, 3 innovations set to transform beauty routines

Technology is increasingly being used to drive personalisation and inclusivity in the beauty sector. Photo: AFP

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) ended last week (Jan 8) in Las Vegas, after showcasing innovations and high-tech gadgets in various fields.

If mobility and screen-based devices are among the most coveted fields, the beauty industry is not to be outdone, with innovations focused on personalisation and inclusivity.

Here are three such creations that are poised to shake up beauty routines.

Bespoke skincare at home

Skincare has been booming since the start of the pandemic, with a focus on personalisation and accessibility.

The goal? To allow as many people as possible to pamper their skin at home by responding to specific, individual needs. This is increasingly made possible by artificial intelligence, which has been reshaping the beauty industry for several months.

The Cosmechip device from the South Korean group Amorepacific, for example, lets home users concoct entirely personalised treatments thanks to a little water and various Active-Chips, containing ingredients tailored to specific skin issues.

Read more: Beauty is everyone's business? How makeup is no longer just a woman's thing

And this all happens in a single step, since all you have to do is insert the chip into the device and the ingredients will mix with water to form a treatment product ready to be applied to the skin.

In addition to personalisation, the device allows you to obtain fresh – and therefore effective – skincare products without having to worry about shelf-life.

A smart makeup applicator

Imagine an applicator that can mimic the movements of a makeup routine to help those who can't apply lipstick or mascara. That's what L'Oreal is proposing with HAPTA, a smart, portable applicator for people with limited arm or hand mobility.

Featuring a 360-degree swivel magnetic attachment with 180-degree flexibility, the device stands out for its ability to mimic the different actions of a beauty routine via customisable accessories.

This can range from handling packaging to the precise application of a product such as mascara or lipstick, for example, L'Oreal says.

Currently in development, the applicator will be launched by one of the group's brands, Lancome, sometime in 2023.

Read more: How the beauty industry is trying to change to accommodate disability

No more smelly shoes

Because beauty doesn't stop at makeup and skincare, LG has unveiled the innovative "LG Styler ShoeCare" focusing this time on feet and, more precisely, on shoes.

This kind of cabinet, or box, is perfect for shoe addicts since, in about 30 minutes, it can absorb the moisture from your shoes and refresh them to remove bad smells.

And while this innovation probably seems like a gimmick for some, it's likely to delight the growing number of collectors who are passionate about luxury sneakers.

Already presented at IFA 2022 in September, this anti-odor device promises to keep your feet fresh while taking care of your shoes, whatever they might be. – AFP Relaxnews