Every year, companies come to CES to show off innovations that are supposed to improve the future. And while there are plenty of flashy gadgets, the focus is often on improving everyday life, with new safety features in connected cars, for example, or home automation integrations. . And now the theme of inclusiveness in the world of beauty is emerging.
The L’Oréal Group has thus presented two new prototypes designed to improve “self-expression through beauty”.
The first prototype, named HAPTA, is an ultra-precise digital lipstick applicator designed for people with reduced mobility. The second device, L’Oréal Brow Magic, is a digital eyebrow makeup applicator intended to help users quickly and precisely shape their ideal look at home.
Towards a very precise application of lipstick
According to L’Oréal, the HAPTA tool – based on the term “haptics” – was developed to help the 50 million people worldwide who have limited fine motor skills. Designed by scientists and engineers, HAPTA will integrate stabilization technology originally created by life science research company Verily into makeup application.
Besides the stabilization function, HAPTA embeds a combination of motion controls and customizable accessories to provide the user with a better range of motion and, of course, precise application.
L’Oréal’s HAPTA tool uses stabilization technology so users with reduced mobility can use the tiny robotic arm to apply lipstick with precision and ease. L’Oréal Group / Screenshot by Christina Darby/ZDNET
The tool aims to give people the feeling of being independent and able to express themselves through beauty, according to L’Oréal. For example, HAPTA could help someone with cerebral palsy gain better control over the application of their lipstick. And although there are other products of the same type, the commitment of a group as important as L’Oréal in this field is both avant-garde and inspiring.
Less than 200 euros for HAPTA
HAPTA also incorporates a magnetic attachment which contributes to ergonomic use, 360 degree movement and 180 degree flexion. L’Oreal says the “click” function built into HAPTA creates an intuitive, customizable and precise user experience, allowing users to “set” custom presets for easier use. The tool includes an integrated battery.
L’Oréal’s HAPTA applicator should be available later this year, priced between $149 and $199.
Second concept of the brand rewarded this week at CES, the Brow Magic tool, “magic eyebrows” in French. I have thick eyebrows, I can vouch for the statement L’Oréal made during their presentation: a look with tamed eyebrows can often require calling in the pros. Brow Magic is a portable digital device that is supposed to give you that perfect look, in seconds.
The first step in using the Brow Magic tool is to scan your face. The augmented reality technology will then suggest solutions to customize your eyebrow before you go into makeup for good. L’Oreal Group/ Christina Darby/ZDNET
Brow Magic and the temporary tattoo
Developed in partnership with temporary tattoo company Prinker, Brow Magic aims to give users a salon-quality brow look, at home. According to L’Oréal, the Brow Magic tool uses 2,4000 micro-nozzles combined with printing technology whose resolution reaches 1,200 drops per inch (dpi or dots per inch).
The device connects to a smartphone app that uses L’Oréal’s Modiface AR technology to scan the user’s face and give them eyebrow suggestions. Users can select the shape, thickness and overall effect of their brows via the app before applying Brow Magic to the forehead.
Once users select their preferences, the device is supposed to slide easily over the face to quickly do your eyebrows. L’Oreal Group/ Christina Darby/ZDNET
L’Oreal also states that since the ink is only semi-permanent, the Brow Magic look can be removed with a wipe or standard makeup remover.
Launching in 2023, my unruly brows and I can’t wait to try this tool to see if it will replace my 1,000 brow tools.
Source: “ZDNet.com”