L’Oréal has made a minority investment in Japanese beauty start-up Sparty through its venture capital fund, Bold.

The move marks L’Oreal’s first venture capital investment in Japan.

Based in Tokyo, Sparty offers personalised beauty through a direct-to-consumer business model with brands such as Medulla in haircare and Hotaru in skincare.

Jean-Pierre Charriton, chief executive of L’Oréal Japan, said Japan is one of the most sophisticated and influential beauty markets.