7 High-Tech Gadgets to Supercharge Your Beauty Routine This Year Inline
Photo: Courtesy of trytulip.com1/7The Beach-Wave-Maker
I rarely style my hair with heat, but this curler, which looks like something fresh out of a ’90s Sharper Image catalog, promised the beach waves of my dreams. The instructions are on the box: You’re supposed to put a section of hair into the device, then press a button and watch your hair get sucked up, spun around, and spit out curled—or waved—to your specifications. An initial test run confirmed that the device itself is a completely fast and foolproof way to add texture and volume to limp hair. It’s worth noting, however, that the design creates a danger of having your hair stuck and pulled. I tried brushing my hair first to try and prevent this, but the spinning device is imperfect by nature. My hair got caught a few times, especially when using it on the higher settings for tighter curls. I found the most success on the lowest setting. With some finger combing and a bit of texturizing spray, it took only about 10 minutes to give new life to my stick-straight hair for a night out.
InStyler Tulip Auto Curler, $15, trytulip.com
Photo: Courtesy of ulta.com2/7The Foolproof Leg De-Fuzzer
I’ve never known hair removal to be easy or painless, but the Tria is an FDA-approved at-home laser that may make it so. The device communicates with you constantly, beeping every step of the way and telling you if you’re using it right or wrong. There are five settings of varying strength. I have an extremely low threshold for pain and could tolerate up to level 3 (level 4 was pushing it), but the process is fast, and after a few uses on my legs—about twice a week for two weeks—it seems as if the hair growth may be thinning slightly. I’m looking forward to skipping shaving and waxing come summer.
Tria Hair Removal Laser 4x, $449, ulta.com
Photo: Courtesy of Sephora3/7The Wireless Hair Straightener
The last hair straightener I purchased was a hot pink Chi in middle school, so I was amazed by how far hair-straightening technology has come. The device charged quickly and heated up instantaneously, making my hair smooth after no more than two passes, even on the lowest heat setting. The absolute best part is that it’s wireless, so you can extend your disco nap and do your hair from the comfort of your own bed—which, I admit, I did. I’m crossing my fingers that the rest of my devices go wireless. Can a cordless blow-dryer be that far off?
Amika Movos Wireless Styler, $150, sephora.com
Photo: Courtesy of dermAflash.com4/7The Sonic Face Exfoliator
This was first presented as a “face de-piller,” which made me feel like a sweater; plus, I was skeptical about sliding a vibrating blade across my face. In fact, the real goal is to exfoliate dead skin cells, and the device is completely nonthreatening and actually very easy to use. It comes with a row of blades, just like a razor, and has a single button to turn it on and off. I first tried it right before bed, moving the blade in a sweeping downward motion across my face. I didn’t see any immediate results, but the next morning my face did seem smoother and clearer—plus, my skin wasn’t irritated at all, and my makeup went on better.
Dermaflash, $189, dermaflash.com
Photo: Courtesy of revivelighttherapy.com5/7The DIY LED Light Panel
As a sworn Skin Laundry devotee, I know that light facials work. This at-home version from ReVive looks like an old-school Mac laptop when closed, and flips open to reveal two panels of light. One button turns it on or off, and takes you to the three different settings: red, blue, and purple lights that each promise to treat a different ailment (wrinkles! acne!). I tried it both at home and at my desk, and the light was extremely bright; I definitely recommend wearing the goggles it comes with to protect your eyes. While I wouldn’t substitute it for the in-office version, the weekly eight-minute treatment did help with upkeep between appointments.
ReVive Full-Face Beauty Panel Light Therapy, $399, revivelighttherapy.com
