Amazon’s first in-person haircare and styling center offers AR hair consultation as well as point-and-learn technology.
Amazon today announced the opening of its first-ever Amazon Salon, a one-of-a-kind hair salon and styling center that employs the latest in augmented reality and point-and-learn technology to offer what the company promises is a next-generation hair care experience.
Located on Brushfield Street in London’s creative arts neighborhood, Spitalfields, the 1,500 square foot establishment offers two floors of expert hair care and styling services provided by Elena Lavagni, owner of the independent London-based salon, Neville Hair & Beauty. Here, customers can enjoy a streamlined hair care experience powered by a wide range of Amazon technology.
One such technology-infused service is AR hair consultation. Before deciding on a look, customers can “try on” a variety of potential hair colors in real-time using an AR display. Based on the photos provided, it appears as though the company is using iPads to power its dedicated creative area.
We’ve seen similar technology used before by a wide range of companies. YouTube’s AR Beauty Try-On, for instance, allows users to sample real makeup brands while enjoying select beauty vlogs, opening the doors for AR-based paid collaborations between companies and creators while making it easy for viewers to try before they buy. Amazon Salon takes the concept a step further by integrating AR-functionality directly into its in-store experience.
“We have designed this salon for customers to come and experience some of the best technology, hair care products and stylists in the industry,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon, in the official release. “We want this unique venue to bring us one step closer to customers, and it will be a place where we can collaborate with the industry and test new technologies.”
In addition to AR hair consultation, customers can enjoy entertainment via a Fire tablet while they wait as well as browse from a selection of high-quality hair care products, which can be purchased instantly by scanning the corresponding QR code located below each item. Then there’s the point-and-learn technology, allowing you to point at a product to access relevant videos and other informative content.
Amazon Salon is currently open to Amazon employees with bookings for the general public available in the coming weeks. No plans for additional Amazon Salons are currently in the works.
For more information check out Amazon’s official blog update.
Feature Image Credit: Amazon
