Estée Lauder and University of Leeds Collaborate to Revolutionize Foundation Shade Matching
Beauty powerhouse Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) has unveiled an innovative research partnership with the School of Design at the University of Leeds, UK. The collaboration aims to address a long-standing challenge in the beauty industry: accurately matching foundation and concealer shades to individual skin tones.
Leading the project is Dr. Kaida Xiao, Professor of Color and Imaging Science at the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Color (LITAC). The research will utilize advanced psychophysical methods, grounded in visual perception science, to explore how consumers discern color undertones and subtle variations in skin tone under everyday conditions.
The study will pinpoint when minor tonal differences become perceptible to the human eye and when they remain undetected. This will aid in fine-tuning the formulation and testing of complexion products.
“To deliver transformative innovation in complexion and color cosmetics, we need a deeper understanding of how consumers perceive their own skin tone,” stated Claude Saliou, Senior Vice President of Advanced Technologies and Global Clinical and Consumer Sciences at Estée Lauder. The research outcomes are anticipated to set new scientific standards for assessing foundation, concealer, and other complexion-enhancing products across Estée Lauder’s luxury and prestige portfolio. This will further promote inclusive beauty for diverse global skin tones.