L’Oréal Groupe introduced AirLight Pro, an innovative hair-drying tool developed in collaboration with professional stylists, catering to both beauty professionals and consumers. Created in partnership with Zuvi, a startup founded by drone engineers and leading scientists, AirLight Pro combines infrared-light technology and airflow to provide smoother, hydrated hair while drying it faster and more efficiently across various hair types. This cutting-edge device also boasts up to 31% less energy consumption.
Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oréal Groupe, showcased this award-winning technology at CES® 2024 and discussed the company’s strategic investments in Beauty Tech during his keynote at the Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“For 115 years, L’Oréal has been leveraging science to innovate and provide consumers with unforgettable beauty experiences that fulfill their individual beauty aspirations. With AirLight Pro, in partnership with Zuvi, we prove that technology can augment beauty performance, caring for multiple hair needs, and reduce its environmental impact. That’s the future of beauty we are aiming to create.”
Introducing AirLight Pro
L’Oréal, renowned for its scientific expertise in haircare spanning from cellular to fiber levels across all hair types (curly, straight, and coily), collaborated with hardware startup Zuvi to create an advanced hair drying tool. This innovative device, designed initially for beauty professionals and now accessible to consumers globally, prioritizes hair care through groundbreaking technology.
“Zuvi’s mission is to leave the world better than we found it by disrupting technologies and innovating for the future,” said Mingyu Wang, Founder and CEO of Zuvi. “With our expertise in optics, aerodynamics, and consumer electronics design, we have created an exceptional product. We’re immensely proud of the work we’ve done to date and now to have a partner like L’Oréal, a company with more than 100 years of expertise in haircare and beauty, to take our products to the next level. Together, we are and will continue to create groundbreaking beauty technologies.”
Utilizing their patented LightCare™ technology in a blow-dryer, Zuvi pioneered a groundbreaking product that harnesses the power of infrared light and high-speed wind to effectively dry the water on the hair’s surface while preserving internal moisture within the hair strands.
A professional-grade hair-drying tool
A collaborative effort involving over 100 engineers, designers, hairdressers, and scientists from L’Oréal’s Research & Innovation Division and Zuvi led to the development of AirLight Pro’s state-of-the-art industrial design. This professional-grade hair drying tool sets new standards in performance, offering up to 33% more hydrated hair, up to 59% visibly smoother hair, faster drying times, and an enhanced user experience based on input from top professional stylists. Moreover, it achieves up to 31% less energy consumption.
In contrast to conventional hair dryers that rely solely on heating coils, AirLight Pro stands out with its specialized 17-blade, high-speed motor and patented infrared technology powered by tungsten-halogen bulbs. This unique combination enables rapid hair drying without excessive heat. By effectively removing water from the hair surface while retaining internal moisture within each strand, AirLight Pro leaves hair smooth and glossy.
Subjected to rigorous testing by L’Oréal on over 500 individuals representing diverse hair types, AirLight Pro is engineered to cater to the specific needs of each user. The seamless integration of hardware, firmware, and app functionality allows for personalized customization of settings tailored to individual preferences.
A new beauty science
“For over a decade, L’Oréal Research and Innovation has been creating a new Beauty Science powered by Technology: Augmented Beauty. Technology that truly answers age-old consumer needs with unparalleled results,” said Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO in charge of Research, Innovation and Technology at L’Oréal. “AirLight Pro, with over 150 patents filed, perfectly embodies this breakthrough in beauty by, for the first time, bringing a solution for drying while caring for the hair as well as the planet.”
L’Oréal solidified its commitment to innovation by making a minority investment in Zuvi through its corporate venture fund, BOLD Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development.
AirLight Pro will launch in key markets such as the United States and Europe under the salon professional brand L’Oréal Professionnel in 2024. This launch will cater to beauty professionals and consumers, marking a significant step forward in delivering cutting-edge hair care solutions.
“As the historical brand leader and trusted partner of hairstylists since 1909, L’Oréal Professionnel has always elevated the professional industry with pioneering innovations,” said Anne Machet, General Manager for L’Oréal Professionnel. “We’re thrilled to partner with Zuvi and invent the new generation of hair dryer. Powered with infrared light, AirLight Pro offers superior professional performance for all hair types, with significantly reduced energy consumption. The new perfect companion for all hairstylists!”
