The beauty industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR). In a recent conversation presented by Perfect Corp., industry leaders discussed how these technologies are being used to create immersive and personalized experiences for consumers.
Alice Chang, founder and CEO of Perfect Corp., noted that AI and AR have become crucial business drivers over the past decade. “When we were talking with brands about using AI/AR in makeup, it was very new,” Chang said. “Not everyone understood what we were doing. But we know that technology can help beauty lovers and beauty purchasers.”
Perfect Corp. has evolved significantly since its launch 10 years ago. Initially, the company focused on a business-to-consumer app that gained popularity. Over time, its technology has expanded to include virtual makeup trials, skin analysis for skin care concerns, personalized product recommendations, and hair diagnostics. The Estée Lauder Cos. has been an early adopter of Perfect Corp.’s AI and AR technology, utilizing it to create powerful personalization tools for consumers.
“Estée Lauder has been an early adopter to deliver to our consumers beautifully immersive experiences,” said Lynda Pak, senior vice president of global brand and corporate function technology at Estée Lauder Cos. “Once COVID-19 hit, it seemed like a natural progression to leverage AR to allow our consumers try on skin care and skin wellness without the challenges of COVID or someone touching your face.”
A core strategy for Estée Lauder Cos. is to partner with tech companies like Perfect Corp. to deliver impactful, immersive, and digital experiences across multiple categories, including makeup, skin care, and hair care. “As a technologist and with the partnership we have with Perfect Corp., it has allowed us to build modularized components of features and functionality that we can leverage across brands and categories,” Pak explained.
One of Perfect Corp.’s latest milestones is its AI skin analysis tool, which provides personalized recommendations and has expanded into med-spas and aesthetic clinics. The tool can create before-and-after pictures for skin care products or procedures, enhancing the consumer experience.
Chang emphasized that beauty encompasses more than just makeup or skin care; it’s about one’s overall look, including hairstyle, hair color, apparel, and accessories. “While there’s a lot of criticism about AI, it’s only a tool. How you use it is up to you, how you leverage it, in which direction. Our mission is very clear: We’re focusing on beautiful AI — making human’s lives even more beautiful with analysis and recommendations.”
The Impact of AI and AR in Beauty
The integration of AI and AR in the beauty industry is revolutionizing how consumers interact with beauty products. Virtual try-ons, personalized recommendations, and skin analysis are becoming increasingly popular, providing a more immersive and tailored experience.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of AI and AR in the beauty sector, enhancing consumer experiences and driving business growth.
