L'Oréal USA's professional brand Matrix collaborates with Google Glass

NEW YORK — Matrix, a professional hair care and hair color company that is a subsidiary of L'Oréal USA, is aiming to transform the professional hair styling experience with a new program that features Google Glass.



The "Matrix Class for Glass" initiative is an ongoing program throughout 2014 that features a three-phase rollout, including an exclusive blogger video series, The Matrix Eye for Style Google Glass Salon Chair and a salon professional education platform. Also coming in late spring, the first Professional Google Glass App will house an exclusive library of content that can be downloaded by consumers and professionals.



"This new initiative will completely transform the hair styling experience," said VP, Matrix general manager Paul Schiraldi. "Wearable technology is the next frontier — poised to revolutionize the way we live and work, in the same way that smartphones and tablets have done. We're extremely excited to be leading the way in professional and consumer hair education with this initiative.”



Blogger Video Series 


Using Google Glass technology and expertise from Matrix celebrity stylist, George Papanikolas and Matrix artistic director, Ammon Carver, tutorials will capture styling sessions directly from the eye of the stylist. These videos will offer a new view from behind the chair and power the styling experience. The "Matrix Class for Glass" video series will showcase a cast of bloggers as they explore the latest trends and share their experience. Videos will live on matrix.com, youtube.com and blogger social media channels.



The Matrix Eye for Style Google Glass Salon Chair 


Launching later in the year, Papanikolas will introduce the Matrix Eye for Style Chair at The Andy LeCompte Salon in Los Angeles. Consumers can take advantage of exclusive appointments with Papanikolas, who will capture each person's style and finish service via Google Glass and will subsequently email the video to the client to serve as a personalized at-home tutorial.

"Salon clients and women around the world have long lamented the fact that they're unable to have their talented hairstylists at their side to recreate their favorite salon hairstyles at home," Papanikolas said. "Now, thanks to the technology of Google Glass and Matrix, the salon experience is forever changed."



Salon Professional Education Platform 


Furthermore, "Matrix Glass for Class" will strive to raise the bar in salon professional educational tools. Beginning in April, Matrix will showcase this artist perspective through a series of classes across the country lead by Matrix artistic directors, Nicolas French, Chrystofer Benson and Carver. The experience will be captured online as artists lead tutorials focusing on key salon techniques and styles in cutting, coloring, styling and finishing.