A recent GlobalData report revealed that, in the UK alone, the health and beauty market is forecast to grow more than 21% over the next five years, and according to Marketresearch.com, skincare awareness and consciousness are some of the driving forces behind the booming industry. The beauty industry as a whole is booming and as the skin care industry has witnessed a shift in demand from older consumers to a growing younger consumer base, so it’s not surprising to hear that consumer interest in skincare is trending up.

Look back a few years and you’d be pressed to find a beauty brand outside of the luxury market that offered personalised, VIP-feel experiences to its customers. Now, however, mass market brands are able to use tools like social media to forge deeper relationships with their customers, whatever their average spend. Here, we take a look at ‘concierge commerce’, targeted content creation and personalised shopping experiences.

Even though, in theory, they sit side-by-side and frequently interact with each other, it often seems that the worlds of fashion and beauty are miles apart. Fashion and beauty bloggers work in entirely different ways and, unlike the lofty business of high-end fashion, beauty is generally marketed as being more accessible. We’ve taken a look at some of the ways the beauty industry is capitalising on tech to drive sales and create a buzz. Many fashion brands could learn from these pointers, integrating them into their own marketing strategies.

US virtual technologist ModiFace has unveiled an augmented reality mirror at this year's CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. The touchscreen mirror simulates the effects of make-up, skincare, teeth whitening and anti-ageing products in high definition for a more realistic try-before-you-buy shopping experience.