Each year, hundreds of new beauty products hit makeup counters and drugstore shelves. They all sound great, so it can be somewhat overwhelming to separate the worthwhile from the worthless. To help, we’ve put together a list of our 10 favorite products released during the past year.
Foundation
Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation, $50; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Models have the advantage not only of professional makeup artists, but also photographic air brushing to ensure their complexions look flawless in print. Now, mere mortals can achieve the same (well, at least similar) results. This first-of-its-kind foundation comes in a tube with a wide brush at one end. Simply squirt some product into your palm, dip the brush in and sweep the foundation over your face for a smooth, flawless finish. The foundation itself is lightweight, non-comedogenic and helps keep skin moisturized.
Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation, $50; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Models have the advantage not only of professional makeup artists, but also photographic air brushing to ensure their complexions look flawless in print. Now, mere mortals can achieve the same (well, at least similar) results. This first-of-its-kind foundation comes in a tube with a wide brush at one end. Simply squirt some product into your palm, dip the brush in and sweep the foundation over your face for a smooth, flawless finish. The foundation itself is lightweight, non-comedogenic and helps keep skin moisturized.
Blush
Nars Orgasm, $23; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Blush from the line of products created by celebrity makeup artist Francois Nars has always gotten high marks from those in the know. The formula for this powder blush uses transparent pigments so that the color (no matter how bold it may look in the compact) goes on beautifully sheer, making cheeks glow. This peachy-pink shade—with just a subtle hint of shimmer—looks great on almost every skin tone.
Nars Orgasm, $23; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Blush from the line of products created by celebrity makeup artist Francois Nars has always gotten high marks from those in the know. The formula for this powder blush uses transparent pigments so that the color (no matter how bold it may look in the compact) goes on beautifully sheer, making cheeks glow. This peachy-pink shade—with just a subtle hint of shimmer—looks great on almost every skin tone.
Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX SPF 15, $29; Buy it from MSN Shopping
By now, we’re all (hopefully!) well aware of the need to keep skin protected from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. But not all sunscreen ingredients are created equal, and not all offer complete protection from both UVA and UVB rays. This one contains Mexoryl—a powerful UVA blocker that’s been used in Europe since 1982 and was finally approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S. this year (it’s the first new sunscreen filter approved since 1988). And besides providing fantastic sun protection, this lotion is lightweight, non-greasy, fragrance-free and perfect for everyday use by all skin types.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX SPF 15, $29; Buy it from MSN Shopping
By now, we’re all (hopefully!) well aware of the need to keep skin protected from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. But not all sunscreen ingredients are created equal, and not all offer complete protection from both UVA and UVB rays. This one contains Mexoryl—a powerful UVA blocker that’s been used in Europe since 1982 and was finally approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S. this year (it’s the first new sunscreen filter approved since 1988). And besides providing fantastic sun protection, this lotion is lightweight, non-greasy, fragrance-free and perfect for everyday use by all skin types.
Self-Tanner
Jergens Natural Glow Face, $5.99; Buy it from MSN Shopping
In 2005, Jergens launched an innovative body moisturizer that contained just a touch of self-tanner to gradually (and streak-less-ly) build a bit of color on the skin. It was such a hit that this year they introduced a similar product specifically formulated for the face. The oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion feels light on the skin. But unlike self-tanners, which can be drying, it infuses skin with just the right amount of moisture. Use it in place of your regular moisturizer to maintain a healthy looking glow all year round.
Jergens Natural Glow Face, $5.99; Buy it from MSN Shopping
In 2005, Jergens launched an innovative body moisturizer that contained just a touch of self-tanner to gradually (and streak-less-ly) build a bit of color on the skin. It was such a hit that this year they introduced a similar product specifically formulated for the face. The oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion feels light on the skin. But unlike self-tanners, which can be drying, it infuses skin with just the right amount of moisture. Use it in place of your regular moisturizer to maintain a healthy looking glow all year round.
Lip Color
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Duo, $24; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Typically, finding a long-wearing lip color involved an uncomfortable compromise. In order to get that staying power, most felt so dry on the lips that they were no fun to wear. But this lightweight lip color is comfortable to wear and comes with a glossy topcoat that seals in the pigment.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Duo, $24; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Typically, finding a long-wearing lip color involved an uncomfortable compromise. In order to get that staying power, most felt so dry on the lips that they were no fun to wear. But this lightweight lip color is comfortable to wear and comes with a glossy topcoat that seals in the pigment.
Nail Polish
Chanel Black Satin, $18; Buy it from MSN Shopping
When this shimmery dark polish was first released, the limited-edition shade sold out almost immediately. By the time the company made more, it was already pre-sold to customers on endless waiting lists. The buzz was fueled by celebrity fans like Lindsay Lohan and mentions in many magazines—so much so that there were reports of bottles selling on eBay for up to $200! But thankfully, Black Satin is now part of the permanent collection, so dark nails are available to all.
Chanel Black Satin, $18; Buy it from MSN Shopping
When this shimmery dark polish was first released, the limited-edition shade sold out almost immediately. By the time the company made more, it was already pre-sold to customers on endless waiting lists. The buzz was fueled by celebrity fans like Lindsay Lohan and mentions in many magazines—so much so that there were reports of bottles selling on eBay for up to $200! But thankfully, Black Satin is now part of the permanent collection, so dark nails are available to all.
Anti-aging Cream
Prevage Eye Anti-aging Moisturizing Treatment, $95; Buy it from MSN Shopping
The fanfare surrounding the launch of the original Prevage—including waiting lists and dermatologist raves—had barely subsided when Elizabeth Arden introduced Prevage Eye last October. The magic ingredient in both is idebenone, which has been proved to be one of the most potent antioxidants available. And more antioxidant protection means skin is less vulnerable to the aging effects of sun, pollution and other environmental stress. In Prevage Eye, the idebenone is mixed with peptides that help boost collagen, algae extracts to smooth fine lines, as well as patented skin brighteners to lighten dark circles.
Prevage Eye Anti-aging Moisturizing Treatment, $95; Buy it from MSN Shopping
The fanfare surrounding the launch of the original Prevage—including waiting lists and dermatologist raves—had barely subsided when Elizabeth Arden introduced Prevage Eye last October. The magic ingredient in both is idebenone, which has been proved to be one of the most potent antioxidants available. And more antioxidant protection means skin is less vulnerable to the aging effects of sun, pollution and other environmental stress. In Prevage Eye, the idebenone is mixed with peptides that help boost collagen, algae extracts to smooth fine lines, as well as patented skin brighteners to lighten dark circles.
Mascara
Benefit Get Bent Lash Mascara, $19; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Makeup artists often bend their mascara wands to get a better angle for applying product to lashes. Now, the clever folks at Benefit have done it for them. The brush is set at a 30-degree angle to help push all the lashes up while you apply the mascara designed to keep lashes lifted. The angled brush also helps curl lashes so they not only get longer, they get more fluttery with each coat.
Benefit Get Bent Lash Mascara, $19; Buy it from MSN Shopping
Makeup artists often bend their mascara wands to get a better angle for applying product to lashes. Now, the clever folks at Benefit have done it for them. The brush is set at a 30-degree angle to help push all the lashes up while you apply the mascara designed to keep lashes lifted. The angled brush also helps curl lashes so they not only get longer, they get more fluttery with each coat.
Eye Shadow
Bare Escentuals Wearable Eye Collection “Meet the Stones,” $32; Buy it from MSN Shopping
The smoky eye is a perennial favorite, but for those of us who aren’t professional makeup artists, the attempt to create that smoky smudge often looks more messy than sexy. This three-piece kit, which even includes application tips, comes to the rescue. The three shades—dove gray, smoky slate and dark, steel gray—are all you need to line, shadow and highlight lids for the perfect sexy,
smoky blend.
Bare Escentuals Wearable Eye Collection “Meet the Stones,” $32; Buy it from MSN Shopping
The smoky eye is a perennial favorite, but for those of us who aren’t professional makeup artists, the attempt to create that smoky smudge often looks more messy than sexy. This three-piece kit, which even includes application tips, comes to the rescue. The three shades—dove gray, smoky slate and dark, steel gray—are all you need to line, shadow and highlight lids for the perfect sexy,
smoky blend.
Gadget
Zeno, $149; Buy it from MSN Shopping
The original version of this acne-clearing device was launched in 2005, but it was available only at dermatologists’ offices and medi-spas, and cost $225. This year, a more affordable and easily available model launched. Both utilize the same technology to treat pimples—the gadget’s tip heats up to 118.5 degrees Fahrenheit and is applied directly to the zit for two and a half minutes. The bacteria in the pimple is killed off and in most cases, breakouts disappear within 24 hours.
Sally Wadyka is a freelance writer whose work appears regularly in Shape, Runner's World and Real Simple.
