The future of research into hair products

Have you ever stopped to think  how much effort goes into creating the hair colour, hair care and styling products you use each day?

Me neither, until I attended the launch of L'Oréal Global Hair Research Centre in Paris.

It is no exaggeration to say that i was completely blown away by the centre's rigorous research and innovations programme.

From robots - yes really! - to simulate the hair washing process, to light boxes that recreate the effects the sun has on the hair, and an innovative machine that demonstrates the way hair moves when different products are applied to it, it felt a bit like a trip to the future.

The theory is that the machinery frees up time for the scientists to do what they do best: get creative. Yet, even with all of this innovative equipment it still takes an average of 10 years to take a product from the advanced research phase to your salon.

So did they let me in on any big secrets about the latest developments that will be winging their way to you in a decade or so? That would be telling....