L’Oreal Predicts the Future of Beauty

Last night, L’Oreal and the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) held an event that gave us a glimpse into the future of beauty. As you may know, L’Oreal recently published 100,000 Years of Beauty, a collection of five books that covers the span of beauty from the very beginning to the distant future (available for $295 on Amazon.com). Last night’s panel presentation focused on what we have to look forward to!

The panel was moderated by Elisabeth Azoulay, Editorial Director for the project. She started the evening off by noting that the word “beauty” does not translate across all languages, but that the concept of beauty existed far before the word and exists far beyond the word. As a universal definition for beauty, she chose “the obligation that humans have to transform themselves.”

The panelists discussed different ideas that the team came up with during the compilation of the books, including some very provocative ideas about the blurring of lines between genders and the use of avatars in daily life. Something that really stuck out to me though was the use of technology to alter beauty.

We all already know that plastic surgery exists, but the creators of the 100,000 Years of Beauty book played around with the concept of the body being repaired, so that humans could continue to age but still look like they are in their 20s. They discussed the growing acceptance of technology in our society, and one of the panelists, Aimee Mullins, know this first-hand — Aimee had both legs amputated as a child and uses prosthetic legs, yet she has competed as a runner in the Olympics, walked high-fashion runway shows, and graced the cover of WIRED magazine.

She discussed some of the incredible technologies used in prosthesis, and explained that she doesn’t see herself as “disabled”, because the technology has nearly eliminated her disability.

What are your thoughts on the future of beauty? Do you wish there were a way to stop the look of aging, or do you feel that those wrinkles are hard-earned?

Book Photo Credit: Mathilde Roussel-Giraudy