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. [Image Credit: © L'Oreal Innovation Runway]

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. [Image Credit: © Cal-Comp Big Data, Inc]

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. [Image Credit: © CTBL]

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. [Image Credit: © Roberto Delgado Webb]

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. [Image Credit: © Modiface Inc.]

FOREO Institute is developing ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into its LUNA fofo line of beauty technology products. Founded in 2013, FOREO has been creating high-tech products for the beauty industry, as well as “sleek” product designs. Among the industry “firsts” the company has come up with include the first silicone cleansing brush.[Image Credit: © FOREO]

Givaudan Active Beauty has introduced EVE, an artificial intelligence-enabled new product development tool designed for the creation of new cosmetic products. According to the company, EVE is designed to quickly match a product brief with Givaudan Active Beauty’s lineup of active cosmetics ingredients. Its intuitive interface allows EVE users to easily navigate through several criteria, including the targeted consumer profile, region where the product is expected to be launched, and regulatory compliance requirements.[Image Credit: © Givaudan]

Beauty brands are integrating technologies, including artificial intelligence, sensors, and Internet of Things, into their skincare devices designed to provide consumers with personalization and tailored information about their beauty care routines. Brands have their respective approaches to customization and consumer education, with Neutrogena, for example, developing products that come with sensors and cameras to offer consumers information on the health of their skin. For its part, Foreo has launched the Luna FoFo AI-enabled skincare device, while Clarisonic has introduced its Mia Smart facial massaging device.[Image Credit: © FOREO]

L’Oreal Paris has launched the Try On, an augmented reality try-on tool powered by the ModiFace virtual technology. Requiring no other apps, the tool allows consumers to virtually try on more than 300 of the company’s beauty products, including blushes, eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip liners. Available on LorealParisUSA.com, the Try On tool is easy to use, with users needing to follow only four steps.[Image Credit: © L’Oréal Paris]

Macy’s revealed it is integrating new features, including virtual reality and augmented reality, to improve the experience of consumers shopping for furniture and beauty products. Also, the company said it will join forces with Facebook to bring almost 150 ecommerce brands to the retail chain’s The Market @ Macy’s retail platform. According to the retailer, the partnership will offer participating small businesses and ecommerce brands to take advantage of a Macy’s store environment during the holidays. During the Code Commerce On-Location Event in New York City, Macy’s will highlight several technologies, including virtual and augmented reality furniture shopping, augmented reality for beauty, beauty playground, and radio-frequency identification.[Image Credit: © macys.com]