Beauty Innovations

Allure's October 2012 issue features "The Big Breakthroughs" by Brooke Le Poer Trench, disclosing this year's most innovative products.  Some of these products sound truly miraculous, I have added several to my "must-have list."  Here's the roundup:

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Make Up ($62)  A water and powder-free base (since both of these ingredients add weight) were replaced by five different oils that disappear into the skin.  "A few drops of the light fluid allows the pigments to create a uniform layer of color; three of the more volatile oils evaporate quickly, and two are left behind.  One contains a sunscreen that protects skin, and the other includes white lotus extract, which has free-radical-busting antioxidant properties." 

Olay Smooth Finish Facial hair Removal Duo for Medium to Coarse Hair ($24.99)  This is great for those of us with sensitive skin that turns red when using depilatories.  "When you swipe the balm along upper lip or jawline, the blend of waxes, oils (linseed and canola extract), and emollients (soy and cottonseed esters) creates a water-resistant barrier over the skin that protects against irritation.  The improved depilatory goes on top."

Pantene Expert Collection AgeDefy Thickening Treatment ($18.99)  For those of us wanting an increase in thickness and overall volume in our hair. "Pantene combined skin-care ingredients with hair-strengthening polymers to thicken individual strands from within, so the hair you have looks and feels younger."

RoC Retinol Correction Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System ($26.99)   "RoC scientists paired their formulation of wrinkle-smoothing retinol with something called "bioelectricity resurfacing technology"...and the one-two punch produced more anti-aging improvements in the skin than three potent, doctor-administered glycolic acid peels-all without irritation."  The clinical study shows impressive results with 97% of women reporting softened crow's feet, 58% noting an improvement in forehead wrinkles, and 88% seeing more even pigmentation. 

Tresemme Split Remedy ($4.99) and Nexxus ProMend ($9.99)  A cure for all the damage we do to our hair via flatirons, coloring, blow-drying...  "...Scientists from Unilever, the company that owns Tresemme and Nexxus, have developed a split-end treatment that uses charged-polymer technology to temporarily glue each frayed strand back together." 

Finesse Color Lock Mousse and Hairspray ($3.99)  Water is one of hair color's biggest enemies because it opens up the cuticle allowing dye to leech out.  Finesse came out with a solution, "Add color-protecting polymers to the styling products we use every day.  That way, a protective barrier is already in place when you turn on the shower."  Basically, these styling products form a water-resistant film protecting your hair color.

Avon Anew Clinical Pro Line Eraser Treatment ($39.99)  "Avon scientists discovered an active ingredient that boosts PLOD-2 (an enzyme in skin cells that is less plentiful as we get older and causes collagen strands to degrade and become loosely woven) levels, not only encouraging production of more collagen but also braiding these new strands into nice, tight formations that can reinforce damaged spots in the skin."  Double-blind clinical studies show a 50% improvement in subjects' fine lines and deep wrinkles in 11 weeks.

Coolway Flatiron System ($150)  This flatiron is amazing in that it does the same work as your scorching 450 degree flatiron without going over 299 degrees.  Your hair will thank you.

Eau Thermale Avene Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate for Chronic Redness ($46)  "Avene scientists found a powerful new molecule in the ruscus plant (a common anti-inflammatory) that addresses the causes of rosacea-the first topical product to do so effectively.

SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer ($65)  For those who suffer from mild rosacea, SkinCeuticals has discovered two ingredients that help soothe skin quickly.  "Bark extract from a tree found in South American jungles lowers the skin's sensitivity, lessening the number of inflammation messages sent, while cooling peptides minimize increases in skin temperature."

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain ($32)  "A blend of water, pigments, and the polymer ethylcellulose (commonly used to give candy and pills their shiny coating) forms a base on the lips.  The water quickly evaporates, leaving behind a polymer film containing vibrant pigments plus colorants that sink into lips and stain them.  Tiny drops of silicone then rise to the surface of the film and create a reflective (yet not sticky) finish.  Finally, droplets of oil emerge in the film and form a honeycomb-like protective layer so the color and shine won't budge for a full six hours."

Kevin Murphy Full Again Thickening Lotion ($25)  These innovative thickening lotion uses rayon to add volume without much weight.

St. Tropez Self Tan Dark Line ($44) This promises not to turn your skin orange.  "...chemists at St. Tropez created a pigment the color of skin's natural melanin and bonded it to the otherwise clear DHA molecules.  No matter which amino acids the DHA reacts with, the pigment is able to counteract any orange and add a rich, tawny cast, like a color corrector for your tan."

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara ($8.95)  The magic here is all in the wand.  The bristles in this wand are arranged too close together to allow clumps from forming-brilliant.

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 ($52)  "Researchers at Vichy discovered a potent sugar molecule that gives tired, mature cells the jump-start they need to start rebuilding collagen and reducing wrinkles."  Studies showed a 22% decrease in crow's feet, 17% decrease in forehead wrinkles, and 27% decrease in undereye lines.

Sally Hansen Salon InstaGel Strips (29.99)  This combines the "...spazz-proof ease of their breakthrough nail-polish stickers with the hardcore strength and shine of salon gel manicure."