Capture your face and cosmetics appear… experiencing 'AI beauty' at convenience stores
GS25 'Precision Analysis' and CU 'Customized Experience' Strategies
Did you know the scenery at convenience stores has changed significantly? ` and CU, the two convenience store giants, are introducing AI-based beauty services, spurring a new competition. Beyond good value products, they are leading towards an era where individuals' personal color is diagnosed and customized cosmetics are immediately provided. Here are my vivid experiences after trying both services myself.
The Beginning of a New Competition in Convenience Store AI Beauty
The intriguing AI beauty competition was first sparked by GS25. They drew attention last July with the launch of an ‘AI Beauty Device’. In response, CU swiftly introduced kiosks that allow the immediate creation of customized cosmetics at select stores in Seoul.
While both convenience store AI beauty devices share the common feature of diagnosing users' personal colors, they differ significantly in utilization. GS25 focuses on personalized detailed analysis and optimal product recommendations, whereas CU values customers' experience of creating custom cosmetics themselves. Let's see how they differ.
CU's 'Makeup Palette Maker' Experience
Upon visiting the CU Hotel PJ branch, the ‘Makeup Palette Maker’ kiosk immediately caught my eye at the entrance. The co-located ‘Glow Up Station’ beauty product shelf and tattoo kiosk made it obvious that this is a beauty-specialized space.
The kiosk instructions were very intuitive. After paying the usage fee on the screen and looking at the camera, the AI automatically captured and began analyzing my face. In about 10 seconds, it displayed the result among four personal color types—Warm Spring, Cool Summer, Warm Fall, and Cool Winter—that suited me best on the screen.
After reviewing the diagnostic results and recommended colors, I could personally select palette colors to use as shadows or cheeks. The colors I chose were applied in real-time to the image of my face on the screen, allowing a preview of how well they might suit me when actually applied. This feature was really convenient.
After choosing colors carefully for about 90 seconds, I could embellish the palette myself with various themes such as Ribbon, Ocean, Forest, Pond, etc. After selecting a theme and waiting for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds, I received my uniquely customized makeup palette right there. The ability to freely configure the palette with a total of four colors, including matte and glitter, from over 100 options, was impressive.
Precision Diagnosis of GS25's 'AI Beauty Device'
We can't overlook GS25's service that played a leading role in the industry by being the first to introduce AI beauty diagnostic devices. GS25 launched its ‘AI Beauty Device’ last July, which combines not only personal color diagnosis but also facial form and proportion analysis, makeup, and styling recommendations.
When a customer shows their face to the device screen, the built-in camera performs a precise scan of the skin, eyes, and lip colors. Then, it collectively analyzes the skin's brightness, saturation, and color temperature to determine the most suitable personal color. The diagnosis process was quite professional.
Comparing Diagnosis Methods and Utilization Strategies of Both Services
Experiencing both devices, there were subtle differences in the diagnostic results. In August last year, I was diagnosed with a ‘Warm Spring’ tone at GS25, while CU diagnosed me with a ‘Cool Summer’. Interestingly, a previous professional diagnosis had identified my color as ‘Cool Winter’.
These differences seem to arise from the detailed analysis methods offered by each device. GS25 collects the user’s age, gender, and racial identity before diagnosis, providing detailed guidance on characteristics of each personal color type and suitable colors. Furthermore, it accurately analyzes skin, lip, and eye colors, as well as upper-middle-lower facial ratio, eye shape, lip thickness, nose shape, and more.
Moreover, GS25 provides a styling book offering makeup methods, hairstyles, and jewelry styles suggested by the AI styling consultant, along with detailed recommendations on the most suitable makeup products, creating a feeling akin to receiving a consultation from a professional.
On the other hand, CU only presents personal color types without detailed analysis. The main advantage is the opportunity for customers to create cosmetics in colors that suit them. Each color of the created palette is sufficient for 1-2 uses, making it ideal for trying a variety of colors without pressure.
However, there was a slight difference between the colors shown on the CU kiosk screen and the actual produced palette colors. Some colors that appeared dark on the screen were relatively brighter in reality. A representative from BGF Retail mentioned they are aware of the color differences and adjustments are being made by the manufacturer. The revised colors are expected to be applied from next month's devices at the Daechi-dong Hagwon-ga store, so more accurate colors can be anticipated in the future.
Anticipating the Future of AI Beauty Services
The convenience store industry is continually evolving, offering customers new and unique experiences with AI beauty services. Moving beyond simple diagnostics and recommendations, technology now allows for the instant production of products to suit individual needs. These innovative attempts will open new possibilities in the way we discover personal beauty. The future of AI beauty services is truly exciting, as they will meet consumers' diverse expectations and invigorate the market, marking a significant turning point.
As such, the evolving AI beauty services at convenience stores are enriching personalized cosmetics experiences even further. We at ` promise to continue analyzing these practical beauty trends in-depth and delivering reliable information to you.
