Estée Lauder revolutionizes make-up for the visually impaired thanks to AI

The cosmetics giant Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) launched in January 2023 the first voice-controlled make-up assistant for the visually impaired. The Voice-Enabled Make-up Assistant (VMA) mobile app is based on AI and augmented reality. 

The innovative VMA beauty application makes it easier for visually impaired people to apply make-up and use their products independently, without the need for external assistance. In this way, they can apply lipstick, foundation, blush or eyeshadow more easily and confidently.

An intelligent mirror accessible to all 

This technology is based on augmented reality and artificial intelligence, and has been developed using machine learning algorithms to analyze the application of make-up on the face and assess its uniformity. VMA uses voice instruction and audibly describes where more precise application is required, and where touch-up is necessary. VMA also pays particular attention to user-configured preferences, offering customization of voice type and speech rate.

Inclusion at the heart of the project 

The ambition of this project is above all to support the visually impaired community by promoting self-expression and empowerment in their relationship with make-up. 

Michael Smith, Chief Information Officer at ELC, said: « We are committed to developing innovative technological solutions that give everyone access to beauty. We are delighted to enable millions of visually impaired people to apply make-up independently. Technology is a powerful tool for promoting inclusion, and we’re delighted to be the first to market with this pioneering application. » 

Monica Rastogi, Executive Director, Corporate Cultural Relevancy and Inclusion and Diversity, at ELC UK & Ireland also said, « As a company, we are deeply committed to playing our part in creating an inclusive beauty industry. The launch of our voice-activated make-up assistant is an important step in our journey towards making make-up accessible to all by removing barriers to the use of beauty products and services. »

An evolving project 

The launch of VMA in the United Kingdom is the first iteration of the application, destined to be enhanced and developed in other countries and global markets over the coming months. Future versions of the application will offer extended services and new functionalities. It could, for example, help young people who don’t have an adult in their life to support them, or don’t feel comfortable asking an adult to teach them how to apply make-up.

Sources 

(2023, 12 septembre). The Estée Lauder Companies launches AI-powered beauty app for visually impaired users. Estée Lauder companies. https://www.elcompanies.com/en/news-and-media/newsroom/press-releases/2023/11-01-2023

Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant. Estée Lauder.https://www.esteelauder.co.uk/voice-enabled-makeup-assistant.tmpl

Olavsrud, T. Delsol, E. (2023, 12 septembre). Estée Lauder aide les malvoyants à se maquiller avec l’IA. Le monde informatique. https://www.lemondeinformatique.fr/actualites/lire-estee-lauder-aide-les-malvoyants-a-se-maquiller-avec-l-ia-91511.html

Olavsrud, T. Delsol, E. (2023, 11 septembre). Estée Lauder crée un assistant au maquillage pour malvoyants à base d’IA et de réalité augmentée. CIO. https://www.cio-online.com/actualites/lire-estee-lauder-cree-un-assistant-au-maquillage-pour-malvoyants-a-base-d-ia-et-de-realite-augmentee-15148.html

Sogny, A. (2023, 16 janvier). Estée Lauder lance une application pour aider les personnes malvoyantes à se maquiller. Marie Claire.https://www.marieclaire.fr/estee-lauder-application-maquillage-personnes-malvoyantes,1440975.asp

Bonvard, M. (2023, 17 janvier). Estée Lauder lance une application d’intelligence artificielle pour aider les personnes malvoyantes à se maquiller. Cosmopolitan.fr. https://www.cosmopolitan.fr/estee-lauder-lance-une-application-d-intelligence-artificielle-pour-aider-les-personnes-malvoyantes-a-se-maquiller,2070540.asp