CES 2026: L’Oréal reveals new beauty gadgets

For the past ten years, L’Oréal has regularly brought technology from the world of the beauty industry to CES, and the 2026 show was no exception. This time, the company unveiled three new devices at once: the Light Straight + Multi-styler, as well as the LED Face Mask and LED Eye Mask.

Despite their simple names, all three have interesting and unusual features. The Light Straight uses infrared light to generate the heat needed to style hair. The LED Face Mask, on the other hand, is noticeably different from similar masks from brands like Dr. Dennis Gross, Omnilux, Therabody, and Shark. Instead of rigid shells that fit snugly around the face, L’Oréal’s version feels thin, flexible, and soft.

The LED Face Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask Mask.

LED Eye Mask looks unusual in the images. The mask appears transparent, with lights and wires visible inside. In some photos, it is fully illuminated in red, while in others — only certain areas glow. In one of the images, the masks lie in a small case and even looks a bit like wireless headphones. There are no photos of the LED Face Mask yet, but we can assume that it will be similar in design to the eye mask.

According to the press release, this «ultra-thin flexible silicone mask» is still in the prototype stage and was developed in collaboration with iSmart, a company specializing in LED solutions. The mask conducts automatically programmed 10-minute sessions and delivers light directly to the facial skin. It is broadly similar to existing red-light masks, but L’Oréal emphasizes that the key to its effectiveness is a transparent base with a skin-safe chip that precisely controls the emission of two wavelengths: red light (630 nm) and near-infrared light (830 nm).

The mask is designed with a transparent base with a skin-safe chip that precisely controls the emission of two wavelengths: red light (630 nm) and near-infrared light (830 nm).

The mask is not scheduled to hit the market until 2027, so information on price and availability is not yet available. However, L’Oréal’s vice president of technology and open innovation, Giv Balouch, told Engadget that the device will be premium, but cheaper than the most expensive solutions already on the market.

One common problem with full-size LED masks is that the skin underneath them often dries out, as they need to be used on clean and dry skin for 10 minutes per session. Balouch said L’Oréal plans to release a special serum to be used along with the mask. It should reduce the sensation of dryness while increasing the effectiveness of light therapy. Developing cosmetic formulas specifically adapted for such devices is one of the company’s future directions, he said.

The Light Straight is also of particular interest. Like the AirLight Pro hair dryer, this device uses infrared light to dry and style hair. L’Oréal notes that conventional straighteners can heat up to 400°F (about 204°C) or higher — temperatures at which keratin begins to break down, leading to cuticle damage, breakage and loss of shine. By comparison, many users used to set their straighteners’ temperature at 425°F, although a more gentle 330°F is often sufficient.

These temperatures can be used to set the temperature of their straighteners to 425°F, although a more gentle 330°F is often sufficient.

L’Oréal says the Light Straight with patented infrared technology allows for great results at lower temperatures, thereby better preserving hair health. The device’s glass plates don’t get hotter than 320°F, and the company’s internal tests have shown that Light Straight works three times faster and leaves hair twice as smooth compared to «leading premium stylers».

Light Straight’s patented infrared technology gives great results at lower temperatures, thereby keeping hair healthier.

The device uses near-infrared light, which L’Oréal says penetrates deeply into hair fibers and alters internal hydrogen bonds. In addition, Light Straight incorporates sensors with proprietary algorithms and machine learning that adapt to the user’s movements for «the most personalized experience». Exactly what this means in practice isn’t entirely clear yet, but more details are promised to be revealed as early as CES.

Since the Light Straight also won’t come out until 2027 at the earliest, there’s no pricing information yet. Still, the direction L’Oréal is heading looks promising as the company continues to look for new, potentially gentler and more technologically advanced ways to help people look and feel their best.