How Tech Has Changed the Beauty Industry

The beauty industry is constantly changing. Companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars on research each year. Still, they also have to keep up with the latest technology to stay ahead of the competition in an ever-evolving market. 

Technology is a massive part of consuming beauty products and learning about the latest trends. Even the most traditional beauty companies embrace bleeding-edge tech to bring us state-of-the-art products. The best part is that some are also changing their business models to incorporate tech for the best possible customer experience, driven by creativity and decades of experience in the beauty industry.

One area where beauty tech has become an essential factor is on the Internet, and this post will show you why. 

1. People Prefer to Shop Online, Not In-Store.

While the in-store experience still has its place, more and more consumers purchase their beauty products online. The convenience of researching and buying everything they need at their fingertips is a huge draw, as is often lower pricing. This new innovation in the beauty industry that enables buying straight from a brand avoids extra costs involved with intermediaries and retail stores.

Many people find looking for product reviews
online much more manageable than asking a friend or salesperson for recommendations. It allows them to do extensive research on a product before buying it, making them feel empowered as shoppers and more likely to be satisfied with the final purchase.

2. Virtual Reality

This new technology in the beauty industry allows beauty companies to go beyond their traditional marketing methods, making it possible for customers to try on products without putting them on their bodies. 

AR application ModiFace
allows users to try on different lipsticks and see how they would look on them in real-time. The app can be used with any smartphone camera, creating an immersive experience that feels incredibly realistic. Because customers can sample products before purchasing them, they're more likely to get satisfied with their purchase and less likely to return them.

3. Technology Has Turned Our Beauty Room into a Spa

Technology has made its way into every part of our lives, and the beauty industry is no exception. Ten years ago, you'd have to head to a spa to get a facial or a full body massage. Now, you don't need to leave the comfort of your own home. 

Facial steaming devices are a new innovation in the beauty industry. They are now available with built-in timers and multiple settings that can help unclog pores, making them great for those who suffer from acne. And if you need some profound muscle relaxation, there are heated massaging chairs that offer both full-body and targeted massage options. 

Tech spares you the expense of a spa visit, and gives you more control over your experience. Set up your home spa retreat with candles, music, a glass of wine, and whatever else gets you in the mood for relaxation. Transform your beauty room into a place where you can unwind on any day or night.

4. Technology Has Made It Easier Than Ever to Customize Makeup

One of the most significant ways technologies has changed the beauty industry is through customization. There are many options to create your customized makeup, from choosing the exact shade of foundation or lipstick to mixing your eye shadow color. 

Custom products are available across all types of makeup: foundations, powders, eye shadows, blushes, mascaras, lipsticks, and nail polish. Even fragrance companies specialize in making sure you get what you want (and none of what you don't). 

Some will even let you choose your name for a custom nail polish or lipstick shade. You can download apps
to your phone that show you which hues work best with your skin tone and hair color.

5. People Do Research Before Buying Beauty Products

According to the new technology in the beauty industry, the best way to find the right product is to do your research beforehand. Suppose you want to hear about the latest in skincare and makeup. In that case, you can always head to your local department store and talk with a beauty advisor (although not every brand will have one onsite), who can show you different products and help you get familiar with some of the latest offerings. But there's another way to get information about beauty products: the Internet.

These days, many people rely on online reviews for everything from books to restaurants, but one area in which we see a massive spike in online activity is the beauty industry. Why? 

Because buying beauty products is expensive, getting it right the first time is essential. Many people have experienced this: you purchase an eyeshadow palette, only to discover half of the colors are unusable because they're too glittery or too sheer. Or maybe you splurge on a high-end moisturizer with lots of glowing reviews, only to find it doesn't play well with your skin type. These are easy to avoid mistakes if you take the time to do some research beforehand. One great thing about online reviews is that they're typical.

6. Payments are Moving Online

Many businesses now have payment systems that are managed exclusively online. One example is salon software, which includes tools like appointment reminders and integration with social media platforms. 

Another example is a POS system
, which can run on an iPad or tablet and accept payments via credit card or mobile app while allowing customers to sign waivers electronically. This type of technology means that many transactions can get done remotely, which helps speed up business operations and enable staff members to focus more on customer service than administrative tasks.

Take the Erply POS System for instance. In addition to allowing a seamless payment process, it takes the guesswork out of inventory management, order management, ecommerce integration, and consumer data management. Try the60-day Free trial
on Erply today. 

7. Retargeting Has Gone Big-Time

Retargeting is another innovation in the beauty industry that allows businesses to keep their brand in front of customers
after leaving their website. Many consumers will visit your website for research purposes only. But technology ensures that every time one of those visitors goes online, they will see an ad for your product or service. 

The beauty industry has been relying on email campaigns and other means for years, but they can now retarget consumers with Google and Facebook Ads.

So how does it work? You're looking at a new concealer on Sephora's website, but you decide not to make the purchase right away. If you log onto Facebook later on, Sephora makes sure that you get an ad for that concealer again (or any other similar product) based on what you've already viewed on its site.

8. Social Media Ads Are Getting More Sophisticated

Gone are the days of generic ads and repetitive pop-ups that most people dismiss without clicking. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter know a lot about their users, including age, gender, location, and what they like to buy. 

This information gets used for targeted advertising on social media platforms. When scrolling through your favorite app, you're likely to see ads for things you’re interested in. Ads can be tailored to each user's interests, whether it’s a new shade of lipstick or your favorite wig. There are so many ads related to beauty products but social media only shows you what you’re likely to buy.


Bottom-line

Thanks to new tech and start-up culture, the beauty industry is changing at an unprecedented pace. The importance of making connections and self-expression in the beauty industry has given rise to a generation of users with an insatiable appetite for all things related to hair, makeup, and skincare. 

That said, start-ups can capitalize on this by integrating their tech into their business models to create new subscription-based solutions.