LâOréal Professionnel, the salon hair care division of the French conglomerate, launched the $475 Airlight Pro hair dryer into Ulta Beauty on Sunday. The device uses infrared technology, and was created in partnership with Chinese technology company Zuvi.
The dryer, which was previously only available to professionals, will be available on Ulta Beautyâs e-commerce site and in over half of the retailerâs 1,385 stores throughout the US.
Itâs considerably more expensive than other prestige dryers like Dysonâs $399 Supersonic, but LâOréal claims the inclusion of infrared light can dry hair faster and gentler compared with standard hair dryers. It joins a crowded market for hair tools, led by the likes of UK-based Dyson and its viral hairdryers and stylers, as well as Sharkâs more affordable versions, and legacy brands like T3, Ghd and Conair.
In January, LâOréal chief executive Nicholas Hieronimus first unveiled the device during a keynote speech at 2024â²s Consumer Electronics Show, hailing the device as embodiment of the companyâs desire to become a leader in beauty technology.
âThe technology was the starting point,â said Mounia Tahiri, LâOréal Professionnelâs US general manager. âWhat we brought to the table was our pro expertise.â
Penny Coy, senior vice president of merchandising at Ulta Beauty, pointed to the hair categoryâs âskinificationâ trend as evidence of demand for gentler and more effective heat styling tools. In addition to a branded display, the Airlight Pro will be used during in-store styling sessions at select Ulta Beauty stores.
The device will replace Zuviâs own infrared hairdryer called Halo, which originally went on sale in 2022 and scooped up plaudits from Allure and Time. Later that year, LâOréal made an investment in the firm via its corporate venture capital arm, BOLD.
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