The Umia machine is billed as the world’s first “AI manicure machine” – but is it really artificial intelligence, or just an advanced printer with a clever marketing twist?
Artificial intelligence has penned books, steered vehicles and created artwork – so it was perhaps inevitable that it would eventually turn its attention to manicures and beauty treatments.
Umia is marketed as the globe’s first “AI manicure machine” and at initial inspection, it resembles a futuristic coffee maker rather than a beauty gadget: a sleek white box compact enough for a desktop, featuring a precise opening for one finger.
Now one woman has shared her experience, as she had a manicure done by Umia, and said it was a “hypnotic” experience watching it work on her hands.
Lara Owens has recalled her experience, but has said it won’t be replacing salons any time soon. She said: “The procedure, I’m informed, takes precisely 100 seconds per nail, whether you opt for a simple shade or an elaborate pattern. Yet the assertion of an ‘AI manicure’ left me doubtful. Was this genuinely artificial intelligence, or simply a sophisticated printer with shrewd branding?
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The procedure
Upon arrival, Lara met Umia’s representative, Audrey Dong, who clarified that the device provides solely the polish application aspect of a manicure – excluding the filing, shaping or cuticle maintenance that nail professionals deliver.
“It’s a gel manicure,” Dong explained, “so it will last around 10 to 14 days. “You place your finger inside and the machine’s camera scans your nail to understand its size, curvature and location – we call it your ‘nail DNA’.
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“Then it applies three coats – base, colour and top – and cures them as it goes. When your hand comes out, it’s shiny and dry.” Indeed, as the device hummed into action, Lara inserted her finger into the compartment and a compact camera flashed. A fine mist of polish was sprayed onto my nail in layers so delicate she couldn’t detect anything.
The only feeling came from the gentle warmth of the UV light that set the gel, which wasn’t unpleasant – actually, it barely felt like anything was happening. As promised, each nail took 100 seconds. That covered the scanning, application and setting. By the time she’d completed all ten, Lara had a full gel manicure in under 20 minutes.
The outcome
The finish was shiny and remarkably durable – though not perfect. Some of the more complex designs were slightly smudged around the edges, and on a handful of nails the polish strayed marginally, leaving a light mist on my skin.
But on the whole, it was tidy, robust, and definitely better than Lara had anticipated from a machine without hands or vision. That said, it won’t be replacing her local nail salon. Umia doesn’t manage any of the preparation work and you need to turn up with clean, prepped nails.
“We’re not replacing technicians,” Dong said. “We’re offering something faster and more accessible.” Dong envisions Umia machines not in nail salons but in routine locations: “hair salons, coffee shops, spas, even airports,” she said, “because it only takes about 20 minutes for a full hand, you could use it while you wait for your coffee or your flight. It’ll also cost significantly less than a regular manicure – probably less than half the price.”
Fittingly, Umia is launching in the UK during British Beauty Week (October 18-26), hosting a city-wide AI nail art scavenger hunt with clues shared on social media and hidden locations revealed through its new app.
It’s an intriguing nod to the growing intersection between technology and beauty – and a reminder that AI isn’t just transforming how we work but how we look after ourselves.
The verdict
It’s a captivating piece of kit and undeniably entertaining to watch in action. There’s something strangely hypnotic about seeing a machine delicately spray your nails with accuracy in near silence. Whilst the results aren’t flawless, they are more than acceptable for a quick, low-effort manicure.
But for now, it remains more of a gimmick than a substitute. A salon visit still offers the attention, precision and craftsmanship that machines haven’t quite perfected – not to mention the human touch.
Where Umia excels is in its promise: a portable, chemical-safe, quick-drying manicure that could slot neatly into the pace of modern life – something to do whilst you’re killing time in an airport, hair salon or café.
And whilst I’m still not entirely persuaded that spraying gel onto nails qualifies as “artificial intelligence”, there’s no denying it’s a fascinating glimpse into the future of beauty tech.
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