Meitu Inc set to launch new beauty solutions

Meitu Inc, the developer behind a series of mobile apps, including the popular Meitu camera, will be utilizing artificial intelligence to launch a series of beauty-related products, said Wu Xinhong, the CEO and founder of Meitu Inc, during a recent panel discussion on the delivery of more intuitive and personalized beauty solutions for Chinese consumers in Shanghai.

Organized by Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido, the panel discussion took place in the newly launched Beauty Innovation Hub by Shiseido located within the flagship coworking space of WeWork in Shanghai.

According to Wu, three tools will be launched soon, including professional equipment that provides accurate skin color feedback that users can use to find suitable makeup, a hand-held beauty tool which allows users to obtain better skin, and an AI-powered skin measurement platform which helps to improve skin analysis.

"You can take a picture of any skin problem using our platform and dermatologists from the top hospitals will receive your request in real-time before helping you solve skin problems and prescribe the necessary drugs," Wu said.

"Chinese consumers' perception of beauty has upgraded. We find that users' aesthetics are becoming more diversified and personalized. We also see that technology is playing an increasingly important role in helping users. AI can now help thousands of users with personalization, automatically presenting their favorite effects and giving them accurate recommendations for cosmetics and skincare products. We think that this will be very important in the next decade."

Zhou Taosheng, innovation investment chief officer of Shiseido Group China, shared the same sentiment.

"We used to sell the same product to 1,000 people, but now we can make 1,000 products for one person with the help of big data. Today, more and more consumers know what they need," said Zhou.

Zhou pointed out this shift toward personalization is why Shisheido set up the Beauty Innovation Hub in Shanghai. The hub, which is designed to be a community space that connects consumers, entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders, is the first of its kind outside Japan.

"We hope to cooperate with more entrepreneurs and enterprises and go beyond the existing business of our enterprise," Zhou said.