What is beauty tech & how does it impact skincare brands?

Imagine your customers walk into your beauty store or open your e-commerce website, or app. A smart mirror will analyze their skin and provide them with personalized beauty products. In this manner, they can save time on finding and trying new products, checking reviews, and preventing the adverse impacts of inappropriate skincare solutions. Nowadays, AI and AR technologies are turning this imagination into reality. 

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So, beauty and skincare brands are using and applying these innovative beauty tech solutions to enhance the beauty routine of consumers. From virtual try-ons to customized skincare recommendations, you can transform the way of customer engagement and introduce them to sustainable solutions. As a result, the beauty industry has encountered a noticeable surge in 2025. This year, the revenue in the beauty tech market in India amounts to US$578.21m. 

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The world's largest tech event, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), featured the prominent impact of technology in the beauty market in 2024. Therefore, it is no wonder that beauty tech is now reshaping the skincare and cosmetics industry. Read on to discover the latest beauty tech trends and their role in the skincare business:

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What is beauty tech?

Beauty tech creates a fusion between technology and the beauty industry. It integrates technology into beauty products, services, and experiences. It involves tools, such as AI, AR, data analytics, etc., that come together to innovate personalized beauty experiences and product-selling techniques. For good reason: beauty tech trends are transforming the physical realm of brushes, makeup artists, and palettes into a virtual sphere of algorithms and pixels.

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If you are looking to start your beauty business, you need to use new technologies to not only develop product formulas and ingredients but also customize the beauty tech experiences. From AI-driven skin diagnostics to wearable skincare trackers, beauty tech offers endless opportunities for consumers and B2B companies. Therefore, you can drive engagement and brand loyalty among your customers with beauty tech solutions. 

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Role of technology in the beauty industry

The term “Beauty tech” has become popular with the inclusion of digital transformation in the beauty industry. The contribution of AI innovation, IoT, augmented reality (AR), and other technological aspects is noticeable. Now the question is, why does the beauty industry show its interest in technologies and innovation? As our day-to-day activities are embedded with smartphones. 

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Beauty brands take into account such trends and start offering personalized services. Following such trending technologies, the beauty tech market is on a steeper trajectory, projected at a 14.0% CAGR in 2028 globally. On the other hand, the tech savviness of Gen Z and Alpha pushes to revive the beauty brands in advancing customer engagement models. In this context, I am discussing some trending technologies in the beauty industry: 

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1. AI skin analyzer: It evaluates skin health through digital imaging and with a data-driven approach. Most beauty brands use this for product recommendations that will lead to an increase in sales and conversion. For example: L'Oréal Skin Genius, Perfect Corp's AI Skin Analysis, and VLCC AI skin analyzers.

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2. Virtual try-on filters: It uses AR features to interact with viewers. Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat offer such AR features. Collaboration by brands with digital makeup artists and AR developers helps to enable all kinds of try-on styles and shades.

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3. Blockchain beauty: Nowadays, supply chain management within the beauty industry is easy with blockchain technology. It helps you operate monitoring material sourcing, product management, certification, and tracking manufacturing processes. 

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4. Biotechnology: Biotechnology becomes an integral part of product formulation for beauty brands. Sometimes, the use of fermentation, antioxidants, peptides, and DNA-based skincare solutions is found.

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5. Smart mirrors: Smart mirrors have capabilities of microscopic skin analysis, AR visualization, tunable lighting, voice-assisted control, etc. They are AR, AI, and sensor-driven. It minimizes the cost of physical product testing. Also, it enhances a personalized shopping experience, which in turn drives higher conversion rates. 

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Major beauty tech trends

There are numerous beauty tech trends that are reshaping the beauty and fashion industry. Depending on the specific type of beauty tech solution for your customers in the beauty and skincare industry, select the best one for your brand. For this, you need to test and analyze the effectiveness of beauty tech platforms. Consider the useful criteria of beauty tech solution providers like GlamAR. Let’s explore the beauty tech solutions GlamAR offers: 

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1. Virtual try-on

Virtual try-on technology has transformed the shopping experience of customers. Powered by AR technology, it offers an interactive and enhanced buying solution to consumers. They can visualize beauty and skincare products in real-time without any physical touch. As a result, your shoppers can make a confident purchase from the comfort of their home. 

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Consumers can experiment with makeup products straight from their desktops, laptops, or smartphones. The technology will simulate the makeup looks or how makeup products look on their skin in an accurate manner. Also, they can get personalized product recommendations according to their unique skin type, color, and facial features. 

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2. AI skin analysis

With advanced algorithms, AI skin analyzers assess different aspects of skin, like textures, hydration level, etc., and reveal the skin issues, like acne, pigmentation, dark spots, etc. Your customers will get live diagnostic solutions to evaluate their skin conditions. For their skin concerns, the AI-driven skin analysis system recommends suitable skincare products. 

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GlamAR offers skin analysis of 15+ skin issues:

• Spots
• Wrinklles
• Redness
• Texture
• Oiliness
• Moisture
• Eyebag
• Acne
• Firmness
• Pores
• Radiance
• Upper drop
• Lower drop
• Skin type
• Dark circle.

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3. Virtual hairstyle & hair color try-on

Consumers can try on different hairstyles and colors through live camera, photo mode, or by choosing a model. The technology promotes inclusivity since it enables your customers to experiment with hair colors and hairstyles, regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, skin color, hair type, etc. 

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They can obtain personalized try-on experiences of hair colors, hair styles, and hair extensions. Also, the virtual hair try-on technology allows you to get appropriate hair products without any guesswork. Before final commitment, your clients can try on various hair looks to find their best. It eliminates customer grievances and ensures satisfaction. 

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4. Virtual nail try-on

Selecting a perfect nail design and nail color is one of the difficult tasks for consumers, no matter if they buy online or in-store. GlamAR’s virtual nail try-on tool enables your customers to experiment with different nail shades and finishes. They can try on various nail colors via live camera or photo mode. 

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Also, they can choose models to try on nail shades in real-time, right from their smartphone or computer. Using AR and AI technologies, virtual nail try-on offers press-on nails and nail art to explore, apart from nail polish shades. Above all, the precise hand tracking provides realistic textures and finishes when your customers try on nail shades or designs. 

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5. AI foundation shade matcher

It is daunting for every customer when it comes to finding the right foundation for their skin tone. AI-powered beauty tech solutions have made it easy for your customers. For instance: Perfect Corp has introduced real-time skin tone detection technology that will help consumers discover a perfect foundation shade for their skin. 

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It allows them to apply the foundations in real-time. Estée Lauder has an in-store beauty app that merges accurate foundation shade detection with a virtual try-on color match experience to choose an ideal foundation for the shopper. 

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6. Face analyzer

Using facial recognition technology, face analyzers assess various facial features and give your customers an accurate skin evaluation result instantly. GlamAR’s face analyzer is AI-powered, and it interacts with consumers’ skin via scanning. This solution detects their skin concerns without any device, only through photo or video mode. 

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Based on an individual’s skin issues, the face analyzer recommends a personalized skincare routine, treatment, and the right products. Beauty brands are now using this technology to offer their customers a personalized skincare experience. Apart from this, it will establish itself as a reliable beauty product advisor. 

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7. Online beauty tutorial

It is a game-changer beauty tech solution for makeup brands. The online beauty tutorial enables professional makeup artists to create step-by-step and interactive AR makeup instruction videos. Since these tutorials are designed for the customer’s face, they will guide your customer on how to apply your brand’s makeup products properly for the best results. 

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Most importantly, your customer can check the video as many times as required to gain mastery over the application process. Thus, online beauty tutorials are considered educational resources and position your brand’s authority in the beauty industry. Also, it makes the bond between your brand and your shoppers stronger. 

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8. Personalized product recommendations

Beauty brands are using advanced data analytics and AI technology to offer unique solutions to their customers. According to individual preferences and needs, brands are delivering personalized product recommendations. It results in enhanced customer engagement and satisfaction. 

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To predict future purchasing behavior of their customers: brands analyze extensive consumer data via sophisticated algorithms. In this manner, your brand can make a long-term relationship with your customers. Thus, you can stand out in the beauty market.

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9. Generative AI

The emerging trend of generative AI and skin tech has the potential to escalate consumer experiences to the highest level. So, the skin tech industry prioritizes the significant role of AI innovation in personalized skin analysis and product suggestions.

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As a subset of generative AI, AI skin simulation is able to produce accurate and realistic simulations. It creates a rising demand for generative AI technologies in the beauty landscape. 

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10. Beauty gadgets

You can introduce innovative beauty devices and tools for your brand's product experiences. It will elevate the skincare, haircare, and beauty routines of your customers. For example: smart skincare devices with LED light therapy and sonic vibrations, hair styling tools with ceramic heating technology and ionization, beauty tech wearables, like skin sensors, hydration trackers, and UV biosensors, and portable beauty gadgets, such as handheld facial cleansing brushes. 

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Following diverse beauty needs and choices, these gadgets provide effective solutions to consumers as well as beauty professionals. Thus, beauty gadgets make a remarkable shift in the beauty routine for everyone. 

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11. Virtual fashion showroom

Now, you can give your customers an opportunity to shop from an immersive virtual environment. GlamAR’s virtual fashion showroom displays your products in an active 3D format. Consumers can experience every product in real time, in their comfort zone.

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They can preview and interact with the virtual showroom right from their devices, just like they are in a physical store. Fortunately, your customers can access this showroom anytime and anywhere. 

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12. 360 product viewer

The 3D product configurator allows your customers to view your products from different angles. GlamAR offers a 360° product viewer to let them spin, zoom, and explore products in detail, such as their colors, materials, specifications, etc. 

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In this way, your customers can visualize the products in their environment with AR integration. They can experience the 3D AR viewer from any device or any browser. Also, the WebGL-based rendering technology helps you create 3D thumbnails and marketing visuals. 

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13. 3D virtual photography

As a brand owner, you can develop your entire product image library with one 3D model. GlamAR’s 3D virtual photography enables you to generate high-quality and consistent images. The technology can display any angle, setting, or environment with no effort. Upload your product image, and AI will turn it into a 3D virtual model. 

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14. AI makeup transfer

AI makeup transfer turns beauty try-ons into personalized and product-driven experiences. GlamAR enables your customers to view and transfer makeup from any image onto their face with utmost accuracy. 

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Adapting to an individual’s skin tone and lighting conditions, your customers help you transfer the makeup to the desired image or real-time face in just seconds. The interactive makeup transfer also gives them product recommendations to achieve real-time impacts. It is an effective way to promote your brand’s makeup products to the target audience. 

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15. AI skin simulation

The interactive skin simulation technology showcases future realistic skin improvements before a product purchase for your potential customers. GlamAR’s AI skin simulation scans your customers’ faces, identifies their 14+ skin issues, and visually simulates improvements in real-time. 

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It provides them with a detailed and personalized preview of your future skin progress with your skincare brand’s products. Apart from this, the AI-powered diagnostics recommend the right products for your customers. Experiencing projected results, consumers can make a confident purchase of skincare products. 

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Best providers of beauty tech solutions

I spent a few days researching and testing the best beauty tech solution providers. I have compiled a shortlist of beauty tech platforms for your brand to watch. Let’s take a deep dive into this quick breakdown:

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1. GlamAR

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As a leading beauty tech solution provider, GlamAR offers 3D, AR, and VR technologies to turn your products into life. Through these solutions, beauty brand owners can provide their customers with interactive and experiential shopping experiences. Additionally, your shoppers will receive personalized product recommendations tailored to their preferences and facial features. 

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Apart from these, GlamAR’s AI-driven skin analysis enables you to get your skin score, based on the assessment of 14+ skin issues. Following this, the technology allows your customers to receive individualized skincare product suggestions. They can experience visual shopping straight from their apps or e-commerce websites. 

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Features: 

• AR try-on: It allows consumers to try on your products on their face or body, using their device’s camera. Your customers can experience beauty products via photo or camera mode. Also, they can select ideal models to try on products. Ultimately, they will get real-time shopping experiences straight from their comfort zone. 

• Skin analysis: AI scans and evaluates the skin health of consumers, using deep learning and computer vision. It can examine their skin on apps, kiosks, or smart mirrors. So, they will get their skincare insights and product recommendations. 

• 3D product viewer: It allows your customers to spin, zoom, and see your products in 3D format. Ultimately, it reveals the accurate features, materials, etc., of your products. 

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2. Perfect Corp

It is a powerhouse of fashion, skincare, and beauty tech solutions that everyone talks about. If you want to enhance your sales, use its AI and AR SaaS solutions for your larger and multi-national brands. It will boost customer engagement and conversions with interactive shopping experiences. 

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Perfect Corp’s AI-powered virtual try-on technology enhances user experience and offers personalized solutions. Also, it has an AI facial skin analysis platform to enable self-service, designed for a medical aesthetic clinic. The face AI technology can deliver accurate results of multiple skin issues detection, along with treatment recommendations.

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Features: 

• AI makeup try-on: For beauty brands and retailers: Perfect Corp’s MakeupAR provides a 3D makeup simulator so that your customers can experience an online makeover with AI. The AgileFace® face analyzing and 3D rendering technology ensures accurate application of different makeup products on a virtual mirror. Apart from the realistic experience, consumers can avail themselves of multiple shades, textures, tones, colors, and finishes of each makeup product. 

• AI skin analysis validator: It uses AI to generate an accurate analysis of various skin conditions. According to your customers’ specific skin concerns, they will get tailored skincare solutions. The technology can assess the effectiveness of skincare products or ingredients across different skin types. 

• AR nail try-on: It allows you to try on artificial nails with a natural look, styles on real nails, or gel nail designs. Also, they can experiment with acrylic nails and fake nails. AR nails allow an instant live preview of your nail products or press-on nails. 

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3. MirrAR

MirrAR offers beauty shopping experiences with makeupAR. It will give your customers a real-time virtual makeover experience. With advanced AR and AI features, the virtual makeup software allows your customers to try on different makeup products with no commitment. It empowers realistic facial mapping for accurate makeup trials. 

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With 300+ facial points, the technology can detect wide-angle facial profiles, dramatic facial movements, and adapt to lighting conditions. As a result, your products will follow the movements of consumers and provide realistic results. The best part is that it has user-friendly AR solutions to use for all ages and ethnicities. 

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Features: 

• Makeup AR: If you develop your virtual SKUs and activate the ‘makeup try-on’ across channels, the technology ensures highly accurate tracking for every customer, regardless of their age and ethnicity. They can access the AR-drieven makeup tool from smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.

• AI skin scanner: For e-commerce: it delivers detailed skin analysis insights and personalized product recommendations in real time. Most importantly, the AI beauty diagnostics are verified by skincare professionals. The technology can identify the skin concerns in seconds. 

• AI visual search: The AI-powered visual search engine analyzes the uploaded photos, screenshots, and inspirations for your e-commerce shoppers. Then, it recommends similar products from your catalog. In case any of your products are out of stock, your customer will get real-time product matches. 

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4. Modiface

Modiface is the biggest name in beauty tech, so it’s no wonder that the platform is designed for engaging, educating, and empowering consumers. It has been leading the beauty tech market for 15+ years with AR technology. Its best-in-class AR capabilities offer hair, nail, and makeup virtual try-ons along with AI-driven skin diagnostics. 

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The proprietary hair, face, and nail tracking technologies of Modiface process the image of your customers directly on their device. This means that the image never leaves their device, maintaining data safety. Most importantly, the rendering can automatically adapt to different lighting and skin tone. Thus, the software ensures accuracy in outcomes. 

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Features: 

• Makeup try-on: It allows your customers to view and experience color cosmetics in AR. They can easily preview all lip, eye, cheek, face, and brow products on their live videos or images. Modiface offers a customizable SDK to brand owners with additional features, such as before and after comparisons, options to save and then share, etc. 

• Skin & face analysis: The diagnostic technology provides consumers with a detailed skin assessment from a single image. It offers product recommendations for their 20+ key concerns. 

• Hair virtual try-on: It enables consumers to experiment with hair color via live video or photo mode. They can get premium and personalized experiences through various platforms, such as iOS, web, Android, etc.

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5. Banuba

Do you want a beauty or makeup SDK for your brand? Banuba uses beauty AR and AI tools to enable your customers to experience natural-looking beautification in real-time. It delivers fast and accurate results while integrating face touch-ups and makeup filters into your Android, iOS, and web apps. 

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Since the SDK works on video calls, photos, video editing, and live streaming apps, consumers can use it to enhance their selfies and video meetings. Beauty brand owners can introduce these solutions across all online and in-store platforms. Babuba’s TINT platform not only provides virtual try-on solutions but also AI skincare and try-on features.

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Features: 

• Skincare AI: It analyzes your customer’s face and identifies skin imperfections. Then, it recommends skincare products to deal with their skin concerns. With advanced virtual try-on technology, consumers can experience predictable results on their faces. It is cloud-based software that gives them a personalized user experience. 

• AR makeup tutorial: It provides your customers with personalized guides about how to apply and combine the makeup products. This is an interactive AR experience. Apart from this, using integrated AI recommendations, consumers select the most suitable products or product combinations. 

• AR hair color: With advanced AR and AI technologies, Banuba’s hair color changer delivers highly realistic appearances. It works with any hairstyle, hair color, and different strands, even in low light or any camera position. 

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Popular skincare brands that are using beauty tech solutions

Considering the various advantages of beauty tech solutions, famous skincare brands are now using them to elevate user experience and boost sales. I have researched some of them and revealed how they apply these solutions for their profits. Here are my findings, you can have a look at: 

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1. L’Oreal

L’Oreal’s beauty tech innovation focuses on user-centric customization, accessibility, and eco-consciousness. HAPTA is Lancôme's next-gen personalized beauty tech solution. It serves people with mobility disorders. It also helps consumers apply lipsticks, mascara, and other makeup products. It works with motion-stabilizing and sensor technology. On the other hand, 3D shu:brow is developed with L’Oreal’s Modiface AR recognition.

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Consumers can easily scan facial features and select ideal brow contouring. They get a choice of brow thickness and preferred shapes. In a further stage, they can create a smooth application base with the help of Shu Uemura’s primer. Then, with the help of precision printing, an ultra-fine pigment is placed across the brows. After application, customers can easily remove printed brows with makeup remover. 

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L’Oréal’s Green Sciences revolution emphasizes green chemistry, agronomy, eco-conscious product formulation, and implementation of biotechnology. Most of its products are developed with green science technology. L’Oréal’s Research & Innovation team is continuously working with such cutting-edge innovation to ensure biodiversity and customer safety. L’Oréal’s Open Innovation is a strategic approach to exhibiting the company's innovation. This program fosters collaboration and co-creation of tech-driven beauty solutions in different regions.

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2. Estee Lauder

Estée Lauder Companies does not lag in the race of tech-driven beauty solutions. It has launched the Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant (VMA) application. This AI-powered mobile application makes it easy for visually impaired people to apply beauty products. 

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People who have impaired vision cannot apply makeup independently with limited tools. Estée Lauder Companies has taken an initiative to fill this market gap. They have designed an effective voice assistant tool. It functions on smart mirror technology that is driven by machine learning and AI assistance.

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Finally, consumers receive verbal prompts and guidance when it comes to applying beauty kits. Moreover, it guides users on how to do proper coverage and touch-ups. Such innovative solutions have brought inclusivity in the aspect of beauty.

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3. Sephora

Sephora reinforces its leading role in the beauty industry through the assimilation of AR, mobile application, and in-store beacon technology. Sephora has focused on consumers' loyalty programs: In-Store Beacons. It has taken the initiative of Sephora’s Beauty Insider, a tired loyalty program. It engages consumers by offering free membership, personalized rewards, community programs, and various perks. 

Sephora has experimented with in-store beacon integration, potentially offering real-time notifications linked to Beauty Insider. Buyers can take advantage of redeemable perks, utilize CartSync, and receive birthday alerts, reward updates, and more. 

Sephora enables an augmented reality experience for its buyers. Buyers can view various digital content, including videos, tutorials, founders' interviews, and more, before making a purchase. Here, it focuses on a digital in-store storytelling strategy for conversions. 

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How to choose the best beauty tech solution provider?

If you want to transform your beauty tech journey, selecting the right provider is a must. To choose a beauty tech solution provider: you need to keep in mind some considerations. First, look for a beauty tech partner that has technological competencies that will ensure enhanced customer experience and improved business performance. 

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Besides, an ideal tech partner should offer you unwavering support with ongoing technical guidance, troubleshooting, and smooth implementations of your products and services. Above all, choose a provider that will guarantee data safety. It is essential to make consumers feel safer and secure while using your beauty tech solutions. 

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Also, if your beauty tech solution is more convenient to use than whatever they are using, they will surely make a switch to yours. Prioritizing your clients’ requirements and your brand’s needs while selecting a beauty tech partner. In this manner, you can build a long-term relationship with your customers. If you ask me, I would suggest GlamAR, as it offers an all-in-one platform for beauty tech solutions. 

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Conclusion

‘Change is the only constant thing’ in the beauty tech industry. To make a strategic shift for their brands, brand owners can rely on beauty tech solutions. Being the early adopters of AR and AI solutions, beauty leaders are reshaping the way they market their products. It is technology-driven innovation that elevates user experience, hyper-personalized product development, and improves conversions. 

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With myriad offerings across online and offline platforms, skincare brands have started to use beauty tech solutions. From AI skin diagnostics, skincare tracker to product recommendations, GlamAR’s footprint is increasingly visible in this beauty tech market. GlamAR facilitates you with virtual makeup try-ons, AI skin analysis, etc., so that you can enhance your customer engagement and overall sales growth. Talk to us directly.