Top 2022 hair trends: Perfect Corp. highlights global shift to “low maintenance” and natural tone hair routines
15 Apr 2022 --- Artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) beauty specialist Perfect Corp. has released its Global Beauty Trend Report, which showcases the top 2022 hair color trends, delving into the popularity of virtual try-on.
“We are delighted to be sharing our latest Global Beauty Trend Report with the hair industry and offer valuable insight into how consumer hair trends have evolved throughout the pandemic,” says Alice Chang, Perfect Corp. CEO and founder.
The top five hair color shades globally were Woodsmoke, Berry Blue, Silver, Sangria and Goldenrod (in ranking order).
Post-lockdown persisting trends
Hair routines influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more time at home to embrace “low-maintenance hair routines,” with people preferring to grow their natural hair and nourish it with self-care procedures.
Additionally, the pandemic brought users experimenting with virtual hair try-on.
The company finds that these hair trends persist despite the ease of lockdowns, with more people experimenting with more colors.
The report sources the data from the company’s award-winning YouCam suite app (1 billion downloads), with AI and AR-powered hair and make-up filters for consumers to virtually try on.
The data focuses on countries such as the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and China.
Perfect Corp. experienced a 220% increase in website traffic to the try-on tool from March to May 2020.
Surge in natural hair colors
Perfect Corp. records a global rise in natural hair colors such as “rich brunette tones” due to a “significant” increase in virtual try-on.
Furthermore, there is also a rise in silver hair color try-on – due to an embracing attitude toward low-maintenance routines and celebration of graying roots.
There is also a “continued popularity of vivid tones” with consumers seeking fun with experimentation.
The company notes that during the spring and fall months, there is a spike in consumers seeking hair color inspiration for the upcoming winter and summer seasons.
Other hair trends point to hair care routines where consumers are more concerned about maintaining hair and reducing breakage.
Demand for AR-powered hair try-on
Perfect Corp notes that consumers seek digital solutions and so seek out virtual try-on to feel more confident about their decisions.
“The growing role AR technology is playing in driving sustainability in the hair color industry, as brands ditch hair bundle color swatches in favor of digital alternatives,” says the company.
The company previously released a report on makeup trends reporting the return of lipstick and lip gloss, as mask mandates eased. More recently, the company is observed to offer NFT solutions to beauty companies wanting to enter the highly trendy metaverse.
Perfect Corp also partnered with MAC to offer virtual foundation try-on and matching options. Similarly, L’Oréal unveiled AI powered hair dye technologies for personalization.
Edited by Venya Patel
