Vending and cosmetics: beauty vending machines conquer Europe’s capitals

Vending is moving towards new frontiers. Vending machines no longer just sell snacks and drinks, but are becoming tools for experiential marketing, urban sampling, sustainable innovation and direct dialogue with consumers.

This is demonstrated by two outstanding case studies: Garnier and L'Oréal Paris, leading brands in the cosmetics sector, have chosen vending machines to promote their products in an innovative and immersive way in Paris and London.

Garnier: urban sampling with experiential vending in Paris  

On rue de Rivoli in Paris, Garnier has transformed a simple bus shelter into a cosmetics vending machine, thanks to a partnership with JCDecaux and Publicis Media France.

The aim is to offer passers-by a free sample of the new anti-blemish Pimple Patch. No payment and no touch screen: just a simple action to access the product in a highly visible urban space.

A perfect example of experiential vending that can bring together communication, product testing and sustainability.
 

L’Oréal Paris: beauty tech and augmented reality in London

Meanwhile, in London, L’Oréal Paris is wowing shoppers with a high-tech vending machine in the Westfield Shopping Centre.

In partnership with Snapchat, the brand has created an interactive beauty vending machine with a bright pink design, allowing users to:

• Discover and buy Elvive haircare refills
• Test the effect of the products through augmented reality filters
• Interact with an immersive touchscreen

A cutting-edge proposal that promotes sustainability (no single-use bottles) and an engaging digital user experience.

Vending as a new medium for beauty

These two examples mark an important evolution: vending machines are becoming physical media, points of contact between brands and consumers, which can incorporate:

• Product testing (sampling and refills)
• Interactive and tech experience
• Value messages related to sustainability

Vending is thus entering the world of cosmetics, but also other highly promising sectors such as pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene, wellness and green products.

Venditalia 2026: the future of vending is also beauty and tech

From 6 to 8 May 2026 at the Rimini Expo Centre, Venditalia will feature these new applications for vending.

It will be an opportunity to:

• Learn about the best international examples of cosmetics vending
• Get hands-on with smart vending machines dedicated to beauty
• Meet the brands, agencies and start-ups that are turning vending into a strategic tool

The future of vending is not only in traditional consumption locations, but also on the street, in shopping centres and stations: wherever there is a need for smart, fast and sustainable shopping experiences.