Though the technologies are still emerging, it sometimes feels like beauty has hit “peak AI.” Yet the emergent tools and models are just beginning to make an impact on the industry. Here are three perspectives on how the emerging tech is already manifesting.
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Though the technologies are still emerging, it sometimes feels like beauty has hit “peak AI.” Yet the emergent tools and models are just beginning to make an impact on the industry. Here are three perspectives on how the emerging tech is already manifesting.
1. Personalized Beauty at Scale
“The RoC Skincare ‘AI Skin Insight’ solution brings unparalleled value directly to consumers," says Art Pellegrino, SVP R&D at RoC Skincare. “Through innovative AI technology, our adviser examines not only individual skin concerns, but also behaviors, and personal preferences, thereby creating more (personalized and) relevant skin care recommendations.RoC Skincare
Recently, RoC Skincare and Revieve teamed up on AI Skin Insight, RoC’s AI-powered beauty experience that provides users with personalized skin care recommendations. Accessible on RoC Skincare’s website and powered by Revieve’s enterprise platform, the recommendations are generated within moments, providing tailored experiences at scale.
“The RoC Skincare ‘AI Skin Insight’ solution brings unparalleled value directly to consumers," says Art Pellegrino, SVP R&D at RoC Skincare. “Through innovative AI technology, our adviser examines not only individual skin concerns, but also behaviors, and personal preferences, thereby creating more (personalized and) relevant skin care recommendations. Backed by RoC Skincare's long-standing reputation for clinically proven results and Revieve's expertise in digital experiences, our adviser provides the highest level of credibility and effectiveness in every recommendation.”
“We are excited to announce our collaboration with RoC Skincare, introducing an innovative digital skin care experience for their valued customers,” says Sampo Parkkinen, CEO at Revieve. “This partnership reflects our commitment to providing exceptional solutions that enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. By offering personalized insights, individuals can better understand their skin care needs, leading to informed decisions and a more fulfilling skin care journey.”
Similarly, Iqonic.AI’s new AI-based hair analysis platform allows hair salons, brands nd retailers to offer assessment of common concerns such as hair loss or hair density.
Launched with salon brand Shyne, the AI technology analyzes customers’ hairs via a smartphone or tablet scan to generate recommendations for color, styling and care.
Hairdressers can use the tool to advise their customers on the selection of suitable hair care products. The platform can also be modified for use outside the salon, allowing consumers to generate their own recommendations.
While the consumer purportedly receives an enhanced experience, brands and salons can tap the technology for a more targeted upselling tool, resulting in larger shopping baskets and, perhaps, greater shopper loyalty.
“With our hair scan, hairdressers are taking the step into the salon of the future,” says Maria-Liisa Bruckert, founder of Iqonic.AI. “The use of AI not only enables a unique customer experience, but also supports the consultation and offers new upselling opportunities.”
Richard Fähnle, CEO of Shyne, adds, “At Shyne, individual advice for our customers has always been our top priority. The cooperation with Iqonic.AI now enables us to make even more precise product recommendations. We can precisely define their hair condition and therefore recommend the right hair color and care. Iqonic.AI offers a great advantage for both sides in the shopping experience and can take customer satisfaction to the next level.”
2. A Better Supply Chain
In July 2024, Blue Yonder announced that its SaaS AI tools were been adopted by Avon International to optimize demand planning, production and its omnichannel strategy.Avon/Blue Yonder
For instance, generative AI can be used to create demand forecastsa, per a 2024 McKinsey analysis, minimizing supply chain disruptions and unbalanced inventory. It can also support manufacturing productivity by diminishing defects and automating troubleshooting.
Furthermore, AI can be used to automate document generation, customer delivery communications, warehouse design efficiencies and more. Taken together, the opportunities for running more efficient organizations is immense.
In July 2024, Blue Yonder announced that its SaaS AI tools were been adopted by Avon International to optimize demand planning, production and its omnichannel strategy. The platform was expected to make the brand nimbler in its decision-making.
Blue Yonder’s ML models are trained on various Avon company data to predict future demand and “help planners understand causal contributions and run simulations based on changes like price or promotions, resulting in superior accuracy, greater explainability, and improved decision-making,” per an official announcement.
These tools are critical for a brand with operations that span manufacturing supply chain operations in Europe and Asia Pacific and distribution that comprises 40 countries on three continents.
“Avon International is committed to transforming itself to meet the needs of its customers, representatives and partners while staying true to its business model and values,” says Maciej Kaniowski, COO, Avon International. “To support this global transformation across all channels, Avon International recognized the need for a more integrated approach to demand planning.”
Key outcomes from the partnership are expected to include streamlined operations driven by data from trends, demand, supply, inventory and vendor collaborations; improved planner efficiency; forecast-driven omnichannel operations; and improved service levels and optimized cash flow.
“We are thrilled to be a part of Avon International’s supply chain digital transformation,” says Terry Turner, president, manufacturing, Blue Yonder. “It is an honor to work with a company that shares our same commitment to values such as inclusion, women empowerment and equity. The Blue Yonder solutions will enable Avon International to adapt to changing market conditions and external dynamics, ensuring their supply chain remains agile, sustainable, and competitive.”
3. Which AI is Best for Product Innovation?
Is AI a nice-to-have, with your primary concerns being lab workflows and data management for regulatory compliance? These are the types of questions product innovators must ask themselves when deciding which AI platform might be best for their organization.AZ Studio
She warns, “Not all AI is suited to the small data available in R&D.”
There are a number of questions brands, manufacturers and other beauty innovators can ask themselves when assessing AI options, Melia explains. These include:
- Are your projects simple, involving fewer than five raw materials and processing parameters?
- Is your project a one-off?
- Are you using large datasets with thousands of data points?
- Does your organization include in-house software engineers and data scientists?
- Is AI a nice-to-have, with your primary concerns being lab workflows and data management for regulatory compliance?
Depending on the answers, companies may be best off partnering with local universities or consultants, using generic big data AI systems, building their own platform in-house, leveraging laboratory information management systems or electronic laboratory notebooks, or leverage an AI platform purpose-built for materials, chemicals and product innovation.
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