Have you ever wondered if you can mix vitamin c with salicylic acid or if that serum you recently bought is the best one for your skin concerns? Well, askbella is the solution for all these skincare-nightmares as it’s Australia’s first online destination that analyses and matches your own skin to a range of beauty products that target your skin needs thanks to a skin quiz and Al technology provided by a beauty bot to the user in less than two minutes.

What we love the most is that users can have access to the beauty bot for free and get a bespoke skin analysis with a tailored skincare routine, so you don’t need to go through trial-error and waste both your money and time.

We had the chance to speak with askbella Founder, Elaine Yang and she explained to us, from how the skin quiz works to how she felt inspired to create the Beauty Bot.

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Beauty Bot askbella

Was there a particular moment or feeling that inspired you to create the Beauty Bot askbella? 

There wasn’t a particular moment, but I believe everything I’ve experienced in my life so far has led me to create askbella. Having worked in the beauty industry with a thorough understanding of the market, I’ve always known the value of good skincare. I tried a whole bunch of different skincare and beauty products to find the perfect fit for my skin, but struggled with researching products and matching them to my skin.

Once I did finally find a product that worked, I found it difficult to create a skincare routine without lots of trial and error to get the right mix of products – I felt like I was wasting my money. I decided to do some research into how other women felt, and it turned out that 74% of Australian beauty customers are overwhelmed by too many product choices. So it wasn’t just me! Pairing this with my first-hand knowledge of the beauty market, I knew I had to create askbella.

Why was creating the interactive virtual assistant, Bella important to you?

Building a non-interactive suggestion generator would definitely be easier and involve less technology, but what we wanted to bring to our customers is an enjoyable and accessible shopping experience. With the interactive virtual assistant we built, customers can chat with Bella (our AI bot) anytime when they need help in beauty, just like a friend. 

Beauty Bot askbella

Do you have a selection criteria for the brands and products askbella recommends?

We do have selection criteria in the product vetting process for brands who want to be stocked on our platform. The major factors we look at when onboarding new brands are the brand’s product ingredients, and product effectiveness.

How did you determine which questions feature in askbella’s skin quiz?

askbella AI intelligence has been developed in consultation with expert dermatologists. We worked closely with them to determine all the different skin conditions and the questions they would ask in their daily job. The askbella questions are structured so that in less than two minutes, customers will be able to find out their personal skin conditions around oily/dry/combination, sensitive/resistant, pigmented/non-pigmented, acne, redness, aging and sun damage. 

beauty bot

Why are people’s answers so important for providing the best skincare recommendations?

To provide unbiased product recommendations, we want to truly understand a customer’s skin conditions and needs. Their answers help us understand both their general skin type, and detailed conditions like skin irritations, pigmentation levels, aging, and lifestyle. All these factors help our AI make the most effective product recommendations possible. 

What are your dreams for the future of askbella?

I hope askbella is the go-to place for beauty shoppers looking for guidance with their next skincare purchase, helping them get it right the first time, saving them time, money and breakouts in the long run.

If you had to recommend one product or step in your routine to people just starting their skincare journey what would it be and why?

A simple 4 step skin routine (cleanser, toner, cream, and sunscreen) is highly recommended for teens who are just starting their skincare journey. No matter what skin type you have, cleansing should always be the first step in the skincare routine. Daily deep cleaning removes excess oil, dullness, pollution, and unwanted congestion of your face. If not cleaned properly, dirt and oiliness accumulate and could potentially contribute to acne breakouts and other skin issues. So if cleansing isn’t the first step of your skincare routine, make it one from today! Check out askbella.com.au to find the right cleanser for your unique skin if you are confused by different types of cleansers.

If you had to recommend one luxurious extra what would it be and why?

Treat yourself with different serums as per your skin needs. Serums are filled with concentrated ingredients and they can effectively address skin issues from dehydration to wrinkles. Even if you don’t have any specific concerns, everyone needs a serum in the skincare routine to prevent moisture loss. 

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