News Summary
Blank Beauty, a beauty company in Knoxville, has unveiled its innovative customizable nail polish system, allowing customers to create unique colors using AI technology. Founded by Charles Brandon in 2019, the company aims to transform the nail care industry by emphasizing personalization and quality. The proprietary technology, ‘Huey,’ ensures high-quality vegan ingredients and real-time color creation. With support from local investors and partnerships, Blank Beauty is set to expand its offerings and redefine beauty manufacturing in Knoxville.
Knoxville, TN – Blank Beauty, a beauty company based in Knoxville, has introduced a groundbreaking customizable nail polish technology that allows customers to create their own unique colors. Founded in 2019 by Charles Brandon, the company aims to revolutionize the nail care industry with its innovative approach to personalization.
At the heart of Blank Beauty’s offering is its proprietary technology, named “Huey.” This system utilizes artificial intelligence to produce custom-made nail polish colors, ensuring that every customer can enjoy a color that reflects their personal style. Customers can witness the nail polish being created in real-time, featuring ingredients that are high-quality, vegan, and produced in the United States.
Under the supervision of Chief Science Officer Jenny Lam, the formulation of the nail polish is carefully monitored to prevent the product from drying out. Chief Data Officer Tanner Reichard leads a team that converts pixel data from images into pigment, allowing for precise color matching. This meticulous process enhances the customer experience, making every purchase distinctly tailored.
Blank Beauty has also recently relocated its headquarters from Memphis to Knoxville to work closely with APTUS DesignWorks, an engineering firm. The partnership aims to enhance the technology and streamline the production process of the customizable nail polish. The engaged collaboration is characterized by challenges that have proven to be rewarding for both companies.
In addition to local support, Blank Beauty has received investment from Three Roots Capital, which is assisting in the company’s expansion efforts. The affordability of the nail polish, priced at a flat rate of $9, provides a competitive edge compared to traditional nail care brands. Customers can further customize their orders by including special features such as glitter or colors related to specific schools or events like weddings.
The journey of Blank Beauty began with a simple concept drawn on a napkin, envisioning a machine capable of creating custom colors. Within eight months, the team successfully built a prototype that would serve as the basis for their current technology. As of now, “Huey” machines have been installed at three Walmart stores—two in Tennessee (Collierville and Franklin) and one in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For those unable to visit these kiosks, Blank Beauty also offers the option to order custom colors online through its platform.
In a strategic endeavor, Epson Robots has invested in the development of a custom nail polish kiosk for retail settings, incorporating advanced technology that allows users to select colors from digital images. This innovation ensures high levels of customization while reducing production costs.
Looking to the future, Blank Beauty’s ambitions stretch beyond nail polish. The company plans to expand its product line to include customizable gel nails, foundations, and lip glosses, establishing Knoxville as a significant hub for innovative beauty manufacturing. Brandon, the CEO, highlights the potential of this technology to redefine the beauty manufacturing landscape while promising to deliver increasingly personal products in the coming years.
To meet the anticipated demand, Blank Beauty is also implementing a larger automated machine, dubbed “Dolly.” This advanced system will be capable of creating an impressive 46,000 different shades with minimal human involvement, simplifying the ordering process for customers.
The development of Blank Beauty and its customizable nail polish technology represents a significant shift in the beauty industry, catering to consumers’ desires for personalized products while ensuring high-quality standards and affordability. As the company looks to broaden its horizons, it is set to leave a lasting mark on the makeup market, combining customization, technology, and consumer-focused innovation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Knoxville Welcomes Innovative Cosmetics Start-Up Blank Beauty
Additional Resources
- WBIR News: Blank Beauty Custom Nail Polish Business
- Assembly Magazine: SCARA Robot Dispenses Custom Nail Polish
- Wikipedia: Nail Polish
- PR Newswire: Epson Robots Invests in Blank Beauty
- WATE: Magical Artists Highlight Knoxville’s Beauty
