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.

Speed and convenience have become the consumer norm. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, when people worldwide were introduced to instant access to goods and services via apps and digital platforms, the supply and demand considerably grew and splintered. The 'I need it now' culture shows no signs of slowing down, ye...

Indian beauty brand SIXAM Glow has made its debut with a campaign targeting young working women. Attuned to the shifting expectations of urban consumers who are increasingly embedded in hustle culture, it seeks to personalise and altogether redefine the skincare experience.

As the beauty tech market grows, Japanese brand Shiseido has unveiled the world’s first AI-powered make-up advisor. With tech blending further with beauty, brands have the opportunity to innovate around product discovery, help people better understand their skin, and use AI to tailor products.

Offering the ‘world’s first ingredient-based product discovery algorithm’, Skinskool is a website that finds affordable alternatives to expensive skincare. As beauty buyers increasingly turn to tech to address specific needs, this approach enables them to get the right products at the right price.

As Britain’s beauty industry bounces back from the pandemic, service providers are contending with new expectations shaped by lockdown-era experiences. How are salons, retailers, and wellness therapists adapting their offerings to meet and exceed the demand for tailored, convenient services?