A tech incubator? At a global beauty company? Maybe the Internet of Things and wearable technology aren’t the first things that come to mind when you think of L’Oréal, but the company’s Research and Innovation division is hard at work advancing research and launching new products.
Here’s an inside look at three recent inventions from the L’Oréal tech incubator:
1. An Internet-Connected Hairbrush
Hairbrushes have officially gone digital. L’Oréal created a “smart” hairbrush that, when connected to the internet and brushed through your hair, can analyze your hair type and provide customized tips, tricks and products.
The hairbrush connects to your phone via bluetooth or WiFi and has several incredible features, like a special microphone to pick up on frizziness and damage, sensors to detect how much force you’re using to brush your hair, and whether your hair is wet or dry. From there, the brush sends a “quality score” to an app on your phone, along with ways to improve your hair quality.
2. A Shade of Makeup for Every Skin Tone
L’Oréal’s products are used around the world, and the company is committed to making sure its makeup is a match for every single consumer. To make that a reality, the Tech Incubator got creative.
The result? Lancôme, one of L’Oréal’s brands, now features a product sold in Nordstrom department stores called Le Teint Particulier Custom Foundation. To get your shade, a makeup associate scans your skin with a special sensor that uses algorithms to pinpoint your exact skin tone. That information shows up in a complexion profile, where you can also customize the amount of coverage you want and how much moisturizer you need.
3. A Patch that Monitors UV Exposure
Skin cancer is a global health concern, and L’Oréal is using technology to help its consumers be more proactive about their health. The company knew that more people would use sunscreen if they realized the real impact of the sun on their skin, so they created the My UV Patch—a stretchable skin sensor that shows you how much you’re exposing yourself to UV radiation. The patch is connected to a phone app, where you can monitor how much UV radiation your skin sees every day.
These are just a few ways L’Oréal is pushing the envelope every day. Ready to join them? They’re hiring now, so head over to WayUp and apply!
