Nearly half of consumers already receive beauty recommendations from generative AI. At the same time, e-commerce is growing 6x faster than in-store , and global beauty sales continue to expand at a double-digit pace.

A new generation is coming of age in this environment: digitally fluent, highly informed, and redefining how beauty is discovered, evaluated, and experienced. Gen Alpha is blending AI-powered exploration with real-world interaction , setting new expectations for personalization, trust, and engagement across every touchpoint.

To better understand this shift, NielsenIQ partnered with Ulta Beauty to deliver “ Smart Beauty: AI, Personalization & the Gen Alpha Consumer ,” a new study exploring how Gen Alpha is navigating beauty in an increasingly AI-driven world, and what it means for the future of growth. Uncover how AI, personalization, and real-world experiences are converging to shape the future of beauty retail.