Custom-made beauty

And it is not the company's only foray in tech. L'Oreal has also sold over 1 million wearable devices that can detect real-time levels of ultraviolet. Users can upload information of their skin status on an app and it will offer a solution for protecting the skin.

"Such technologies are helping consumers satisfy their desire for beauty," Rinderknech says.

Liu Rong, supply chain and marketing vice-president of SoYoung, a cosmetic surgery social networking app, agrees.

"The application of technology in the cosmetics industry has great potential in the Chinese market as people are showing an increasing demand for self-expression," she says.

Liu says she has tried virtual makeup apps and customized styling apps, with which the service providers give a specific plan for each individual according to facial appearance, skin status and intended use.

"I felt those products were specially designed for me at that certain moment, which was very sweet," Liu says.

Domestic makeup consultancy app, Beauty Evolution, won the global innovation award at the Viva Technology, beating about 100 candidates from around the world.

Li Wei, partner of the two-year-old startup, says, "Data show more than 80 percent of our Chinese clients have previously purchased makeups that are not suitable for them. We hope that is not a problem in the future."

He explains that China is at the forefront of cosmetics tech as the cost of R&D in developed countries is about six times more.

"But the key is whether people feel they are really benefiting from the technology," he adds.

Since it entered the Chinese market in 1997, the 111-year-old L'Oreal has been introducing tailored products for the middle-class in China. Today, its skin research center in Shanghai can produce "quasihuman" skin with the skin tones of Chinese people to test the effects of makeup before it is mass produced, which also helps to avoid irritations or allergic reactions.

The company is now cooperating with domestic internet companies to get the feedback of Chinese consumers based on big data.

"China has become a global leader in technological innovation. And Chinese customers have shown a greater curiosity and better acceptance towards technology than other markets in the world," says Guive Balooch, vice-president of global innovative incubation at L'Oreal.

He expects targeted beauty solutions to see rapid development, fueled by the application of new technologies such as deep learning and AI.

So while robots may take our jobs, at least when they do, we'll be looking good.