GADGET GIRL
New high-tech tools to fast-track beauty
The latest beauty gizmos
LIGHT UP
Much like the process in which plants absorb energy from the sun, the LightStim LED allows your body to build new proteins and regenerate cells through the use of beneficial UV-free light rays. The hand-held device, designed specifically for at-home use, enables LED light to penetrate the skin’s epidermis to stimulate collagen and elastin production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Clinical trials showed all participants had significant and lasting improvements in the appearance of wrinkles after using the light for three minutes, five to seven days a week for eight weeks.
SINK YOUR TEETH IN
Flossing is about as unglamorous as it comes, but the Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra streamlines and speeds up this daily dental essential – no more excuses for forgoing the floss! AirFloss Ultra interdental cleaning reaches places your toothbrush can’t, with a single, double or triple burst of air and water that shoots through each tooth to clean gently and effectively.
BRUSH OFF GOOD VIBRATIONS
While massage helps to stimulate blood flow and increase circulation in the body, the face is often neglected when it comes to this relaxing treat. Clinique’s new Sonic System Sculptwear Massaging Treatment Applicator has been developed by dermatologists and is used with Clinique Sculptwear Contouring Massage Cream Mask, which is massaged into the skin to increase radiance. Simply attach the massaging applicator to your Clinique Sonic System handle and work the mask into the skin for one minute using smooth, circular motions. If we said you could straighten your hair up to 10 times faster, it’s safe to say we would probably have your attention. The new Italian-designed Dafni ceramic brush allows you to straighten large sections of hair, thus dramatically speeding up the process. If that’s not enough to convince you, check out the YouTube reviews – just beware you might get stuck in a Dafni video vortex…
IT’S A MATCH
Poorly matched foundation is a thing of the past with Elizabeth Arden’s ingenious new beauty tool, used exclusively at their Auckland boutique. With the ability to match your skin tone to the correct foundation and concealer shade in the Elizabeth Arden portfolio, the Foundation Shade Matchmaker uses tri-directional illumination technology to capture an accurate colour image of the skin. Within seconds, the Matchmaker will recommend the best shade for you based on scientific innovation, rather than guesswork.
MAGIC WAND
Skin perfection is a hot topic during the challenging winter months, but there are in-salon options providing a range of benefits to turn that around.
The Rezenerate Wand has been shown to enhance collagen production, soften lines and wrinkles, heal wounds, decrease pigmentation and scarring and improve the skin’s overall condition. This non-invasive beauty treatment is available at Osmosis salons to help the skin receive even more benefits from the brand’s skincare, by enabling nutrients to be delivered efficiently into the outermost layer of the skin, without any pain or discomfort. Pyramidlike nano-structures, which have a diameter of less than a third of a single strand of hair, make permeations so small that there’s no risk of damage to the dermis. During the treatment, the skin starts to feel hot and some redness may be present for a couple of hours afterwards.
HOT TOPIC-AL
The infusion of topical skincare into the dermis is also top of mind at Caci, where noninvasive sonophoresis treatment is used to achieve refreshed, healthier looking skin. Sonophoresis uses ultrasound and lontophoresis technology to feed ingredients such as vitamin C, antioxidants and hydra B5 (hyaluronic acid) into the skin to improve hydration, stimulate collagen production and reduce redness, rosacea and broken capillaries. A 6cm paddle is passed over the skin emitting soundwaves that gently infuse products through the dermal layer. The treatment temporarily increases the skin’s permeability to allow for absorption of active products for better, longerlasting results. As micro currents work to infuse the skin, you’ll hear a slight ticking sound and feel light vibrations.
SPA BEAUTY
Sanctuary is the newest spa in Takapuna, Auckland, and is treating skin concerns such as ageing, lack of hydration and skin rebalancing with the iBeauty from Thalgo. The machine combines three innovative technologies – sound vibrations, sequential ultrasound and radio frequency, which are used in conjunction with Thalgo products. Sound vibrations achieve deep exfoliation; sequential ultrasound helps with the infusion of products, skin detoxification and cell regeneration; and the radiofrequency device regenerates, plumps and firms to promote a more youthful-looking skin.
Skin perfection is a hot topic during the challenging winter months, but there are in-salon options providing a range of benefits to turn
that around
SHEER BRILLIANCE
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Clear + Brilliant laser treatment has a new feature, Permea, a grunty fraxel dual laser that targets pigmentation and discolouration and treats it fast.
The Permea laser also enhances skin permeability to increase the benefits of topical skincare products immediately after treatment. Together with the Clear + Brilliant laser, the two different wavelengths can treat all the signs of ageing from fine lines and discolouration to reduction in pore size and restoring glow. Perfect before a special event or as a course of four treatments for optimum results.