Technology has become so omnipresent in our lives that it’s no wonder every industry has been altered and affected by this enormous wave of evolving solutions. As one of the largest industries permeating our everyday existence, the beauty industry is an expected part of that process. Beauty brands are changing based on customer preferences and expectations, not to mention to beat their competitors to the top.
Throughout the production process, but also when it comes to how beauty brands interact with customers and enhance their experience, technology is rapidly reshaping what beauty brands can deliver.
Smart, sophisticated gadgets are now becoming available worldwide in stores, while a greater focus on health and wellbeing (deeply reflected in our skin health) is pushing brands to come up with personalized solutions that help customers care for their wellness. Tech is helping beauty brands and customers alike, so here are a few of the most notable trends to consider.
Stronger recycling and green initiatives
Consumer awareness that our planet is in peril is growing, which means that this kind of knowledge affects their purchase decisions and their choice of which beauty brands they’ll follow and support. Knowing that, more beauty companies are doing their best to introduce more sustainable practices with the help of technology and digital solutions alike.
For example, recycling and repurposing is a trend that’s driven by technology among industry leaders. Smarter, more energy-efficient production processes as well as recycling procedures are taking over the beauty industry by storm. Using sustainably harvested ingredients, with fair labour in mind, and safer, cleaner manufacturing facilities helps beauty brands move towards a greener future.
This move is also pushing beauty brands to become more transparent with their green policies, thus enabling stronger customer bonds at every turn.
Personalization steals the show
In one portion of customer-facing interactions, brands are beginning to implement more personalized, highly customizable features. With the help of the data brands collect via online channels, they can analyse customer preferences, discover emerging customer trends, and provide unique experiences to each person communicating with the brand online.
In the other portion of customer-facing communications, brands are refining their product selection with the help of personalization. With many brands, customers can now create their own products with a unique hue, customized packaging, fragrance, and anything in between.
Combining aesthetics with medical expertise and wellbeing, brands such as Curology allow customers to subscribe to a customized acne treatment specifically designed for them. Atolla, an MIT-driven brand uses machine learning to deliver highly personalized skincare kits, too.
Beauty apps for an improved experience
Demanding, tech-savvy customers like to know that they can easily find their favourite beauty brands, peruse their products, and place an order quickly. Especially in regions like Australia, with customers supporting local beauty businesses, brands are turning to app development. Creating branded apps to be more available and to provide a stellar customer experience is becoming the new norm in the beauty industry.
More local beauty brands will work with an app development agency in Sydney or another major metropolis to create a bespoke brand experience and provide immediate access to their products. Thanks to this kind of tech advancement, brands can also leverage direct customer data to learn more about them and improve their branding even further.
Smart tools for skincare
From derma rollers, light therapy, all the way to hair removal devices, technology has been in the service of beauty for quite a long time now. However, as more refined solutions pour into the market, brands strive to deliver better, smarter, multifunctional tools that will justify the investment and the upgrade, too.
For example, the already famed Silk’n Infinity hair removal tool helps you get rid of unwanted hair with no pain, with the help of light. They seal the deal by ensuring that the device works on all skin and hair tones. You’ll also find smart mirrors that help you determine the most relevant target areas of your skin that need extra attention, together with apps that make smart skin care suggestions.
E-makeup artists to replace filters
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past five or so years, social media and in-app filters have become the norm. They’re everywhere, used by everyone, and most people don’t try to hide the fact that they’re using them. To make it even more exciting, there are now digital artists creating e-makeup that looks as if it has altered your appearance in a 3D manner, also known as e-makeup.
This may seem like one of the simpler ways tech impacts our lives on a daily basis, but it has long-term implications on how brands showcase their products, and how augmented reality is helping us get more creative with makeup. You’ll notice that this trend stems from already popular AR apps and gadgets, helping people envision themselves in all kinds of looks.
Like with so many other industries, the beauty industry is quickly changing to keep up with its leaders and customer demand. Especially in well-developed regions of the world such as Australia and the US, mindful, health-focused customers are pushing brands to adapt.
With the added pressure to green up, this makes it impossible for beauty companies to resist the tech wave. We can expect even more tech trends to emerge in the months and years to come, to further improve how beauty brands operate, sell, and impress their customers.