Story | Leslie Yip
Innovative, effective and portable: cool beauty tools that make our lives easier and prettier.
Sleek and Slick
Amika Double Agent 2-in-1 Blow Dryer + Straightening Brush, $195
Amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask, 100ml | $40
This blow dryer and straightening brush combo might be the only corded gadget in our roundup, but it is worth including because it is a godsend if you like to wear your hair straight. Five rows of ceramic inner heated teeth allow fast drying and styling, far-infrared heat helps lock in moisture and minimize thermal damage, while negative ions deliver shine and reduce frizz. The three adjustable settings allow you to choose from air with no heat to 410°F. To keep your strands extramoisturized, apply the treatment to dry or damp hair before you go to
bed and wake up with hair that is three times more hydrated.
Happy Rolling
Happy Volcanic Oil Control Facial Roller, $25
Say goodbye to messy oil-blotting papers or powder touch-ups. This innovative gadget uses a volcanic stone marble to naturally blot away excess oil and unwanted shine. Simple and fun to use, it does not smudge makeup and is infinitely reusable. To keep the volcanic marble fresh, just take it out of the container and wash with soap and water.
Manicure to Go
Enova Cosmetics Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit, $45.99
Do you love the shine and durability of a gel nail treatment, but find the setup cumbersome? This kit includes a revolutionary LED/UV combo lamp that does not need to be plugged in. Simply charge by USB and you can use it anywhere. The one-step gel polish comes in many colours, eliminating the need for a base, colour and topcoat. The quick-dry formula cures in only 30-60 seconds under LED, or one to two minutes under UV.
Thousand Shades of Red
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Rouge Sur Mesure, $459; Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Rouge Sur Mesure Cartridges Trio, $125
Can’t find that right shade for your lips? This smart lip colour device lets you custom-make your own shade through the help of an app and four trio shade sets. Just insert the cartridges into the canister and use your smartphone camera and the special app to select any colour in real life to transform into your unique Yves Saint Laurent Velvet Cream Matte Finish Lipstick. Not sure what colours work for you? You can scan your outfit and the app can suggest a shade to match or clash with your look.
Blood Flow for the Glow
Theragun Mini, $249
Theraguns are known for their ability to relieve tense muscles, but did you know that these percussive therapy devices can also help increase blood flow? Think of this as cleansing your skin from the inside. With proper circulation, you can help your body produce more collagen and elastin, two important components for firm, glowing skin. The miniversion fits into a pocket and boasts 150 hours of battery life.
Newly Found Freedom
Silk’n Titan AllWays – Wrinkle Reduction & Skin Tightening | Cordless, $399.99
We previously reviewed an earlier version of this anti-aging device and we still love its many benefits: reduces wrinkles and crow’s feet; restores collagen and elastin fibre; lifts facial contours without surgery, and blurs superficial sun and age spots. The reason we are including the Silk’n Titan again is that a new cordless version is now available. At first, we were not sure whether it was worth spending an extra $100, but the freedom to use it anywhere is very liberating.
