Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

The inability to try products in person has long been a barrier to buying beauty online, but with stores closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become increasingly reliant on e-commerce. How are brands innovating their e-tail offerings to both enhance discovery and assuage concerns?

At the forefront of the Chinese beauty market is Perfect Diary, a rapidly growing beauty brand that’s turning into China’s quintessential cosmetic label. It’s also a rigorous marketing engine and creative collaborator that’s redefining e-commerce and digital communication.

Uber is expanding its business through delivery services and special members-only offers for big beauty spenders in Los Angeles, and more partnerships with beauty brands are in its sights. The service promises beauty fans heavily discounted bundles delivered to their doorstep.

Amazon is making a big move into the beauty business with the launch of its first physical salon in London. The company promises treatments backed by the latest in AR technology, which is likely to appeal to people who are increasingly comfortable integrating tech into their everyday lives.