For years, beauty tech has been booming. At the moment, it’s a nearly $8 billion industry, but by 2033? Expect that number to look closer to $353 billion. It’s funny when you think back a decade or so; trying on different lipstick shades by uploading a stagnant photo to Maybelline or L’Oréal’s website felt revolutionary. In 2026, we have pre-programmed press-on nails with an accompanying app that puts 400 colors at your fingertips (literally) and flat irons made of glass and LED lights that straighten hair effectively at just 300 degrees. When you think about it, it’s pretty wild how far we’ve come.
Recently, I had the chance to get my hands on a piece of beauty tech that's making waves in editor circles. Called SWAN, it’s an AI and VR-powered smart mirror that brings medical-grade skin scanners and professional makeup artists into your personal bathroom. The mirror itself is pretty large, measuring over 15 inches high, and there are three brightness levels, which let me dissect (and, frankly, pick at) my skin in a crystal-clear reflection. Comparable vanity mirrors fall around the $600 mark. (I’m the queen of rationalizing purchases, FYI.)
