An estimated 50 million people globally live with limited fine motor skills. For these, things like applying makeup might be challenging. The handheld smart makeup applicator HAPTA, unveiled last week, offers users with limited hand and arm mobility the ability to steadily apply lipstick at home. The key to creating what L’Oréal describes as an ”ultra-precise” tool is a combination of built-in smart motion controls and customizable attachments that give the user an improved range of motion, increased ease of use for difficult-to-open packaging, and precision application. HAPTA is also equipped with a magnetic attachment that allows for easy ergonomic use enabling 360 degrees of rotation and 180 degrees of flexion. A ”clicking” feature allows the user to intuitively set the intended position, stay in position during use, and lock in customized settings for future use.
The device will be piloted with L’Oréal-owned Lancôme this year, first with a lipstick applicator followed by additional makeup applications.
— We’ve sought to provide every woman with beauty solutions adapted to their needs. Beauty tech has enabled us to fulfil this mission. With HAPTA we are going one step further by making beauty more accessible to use, because everyone should have equal access to it, says Françoise Lehmann, Lancôme Global Brand President.
During CES, L’Oreal also unveiled Brow Magic, a handheld, lightweight, electronic brow makeup applicator developed with the tech company Prinker, a pioneer in printed, non-permanent tattoos. To achieve a desired eyebrow look may require several products, time, and expertise — or an expensive microblading. The pandemic accelerated the trend with beauty brands giving their customers access to more and more advanced products at home and the same goes for Brow Magic. L’Oreal promises professional-like results by using 2,400 tiny nozzles and printing technology with up to 1,200 drops per inch (DPI) printing resolution. The eyebrow look is easily removed with a standard makeup remover.
By using L’Oréal’s Modiface AR technology, Brow Magic can also scan the user’s face and make recommendations for microblading, micro-shading, or filler effects. L’Oréal Brow Magic is expected to launch this year.
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