Last year, it was all about ideal sleep, green spas and detox in the world of beauty. Skin-care companies came out with organic lines, and spas showed up in airports and fused several concepts into one (think yoga with massage, water and shiatsu, or yoga and Pilates). Mineral makeup lines took off and anti-aging products flooded the market.
The new year means a slew of new products and treatments have hit the market. We sorted through the trends to pick out the ones you should be watching, and trying out, as 2008 progresses.
HAIRY SITUATION
Hair product companies have realized that some of your hair's trouble actually starts at the scalp. Look for a renewed push for products that stimulate and minimize oil on the scalp, such as J.R. Lazartigue Massage Gel for deep conditioning, or prep the scalp for treatments, such as Rene Furterer's Complexe 5. Best of all, they stimulate hair growth.
STICK YOUR NECK OUT
The face no longer takes center stage with its assortment of moisturizers, serums and creams. The neck and bust now have products to call their own. These two areas -- bogged down by gravity and exposed to the sun without protection -- tend to show signs of aging before the face. Companies such as RèVive, Sisley, This Works and Shiseido have created products that specifically target these areas.
THE FIRM
Speaking of firming, look for more products that tout their ability to firm and lift. But it's mainly a marketing ploy. When you check out the labels, you'll notice the same ingredients that you find to treat wrinkles and blotchy skin -- retinol, vitamin C and peptides.
LASHING OUT
Several years ago, Jan Marini came out with an eyelash conditioner that helped you grow out your lashes. The FDA pulled it from the market last November when it discovered prostaglandin bimatoprost, a drug used to prevent glaucoma, was used and accused Jan Marini of promoting an 'unapproved and misbranded drug' because the company said its product could grow lashes. Now, look for products, such as RevitaLash and Osmotics FNS Nutrilash, that make your lashes less brittle and less prone to breakage.
PEEL OUT
Spas have been touting the advantages of chemical peels for years, but now skin-care companies are including these treatments in their own lines. Lower in acids and higher in skin soothers, at-home chemical peels have cropped up in many high-end skin-care lines. Natura Bisse carries its GlycoLine Glyco Extreme Peel, the strongest at-home peel on the market, says Kim Katunis, a makeup artist and aesthetician, but other gentler peels come from Kinerase, MD Skincare and La Prairie.
DOUBLE DUTY
Your makeup, specifically eye cosmetics, will not only color your eyelids but also work double time to prevent aging. Kimiko Beauty's Lifting eye shadow products contain Hydra-FirmaLift, which helps lift the eye. A new line coming to Neiman Marcus, 29 Cosmetics, contains anti-oxidant grape seed extract, Katunis says. The mineral makeup craze is fueling this movement to leave skin in better condition once the makeup comes off. Also look for mineral lines to make their way into department stores. Laura Mercier just expanded her line of mineral makeup to include eye shadows and blush.
AMAZON WOMAN
Beauty companies have found that plants indigenous to the Amazon basin contain high antioxidants and skin-nourishing oils. The skin-care line Brazilian Fruit contains rainforest ingredients such as açai, maracujá passion fruit and guaraná fruit. Even some mainstream brands such as Kiehl's and Borba have used guanabana and yerba maté in their product lines. High-end skin-care lines such as Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy rely on Amazon plants to produce some of their key ingredients.
A NATURAL STANDARD
The USDA already has a seal for organic products that are at least 95 percent organic. Now there's a push to do the same with natural products. According to Mike Indursky, chief marketing officer for Burt's Bees, which launched the initiative, the Natural Standard Seal will require at least 95 percent natural ingredients and pure processing methods.
SKIN TOOLS
Ever since Oprah Winfrey featured the Clarisonic Skin Brush on her favorite things show last December, women have learned that soap and a washcloth may not be enough to clean their skin. Now even more spalike tools are coming into the home. Look for new products such as the Zeno Acne Clearing Device and the Marvel-Mini Rejuvenating Facial Light Therapy Red that helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and increases the skin's elasticity using red light therapy.
THE MIDAS TOUCH
Gold has become the ingredient du jour in the spa industry. Spa at Four Seasons features the Golden Veil Facial using Fleur's products such as the Eldora Golden Supreme Mask and Golden Youth Concentrate. Heather Herbold, lead aesthetician at the spa, says that the facial replenishes natural minerals that are normally depleted on a daily basis. The heated, three-layer mask at the center of the treatment lifts skin and leaves you with the golden glow.
Skin-care and beauty companies have followed the golden way. Chantecaille, Guerlain, INA and La Prairie each created everything from skin-care products to makeup lines that contain gold, and carry prices to match.
The new year means a slew of new products and treatments have hit the market. We sorted through the trends to pick out the ones you should be watching, and trying out, as 2008 progresses.
HAIRY SITUATION
Hair product companies have realized that some of your hair's trouble actually starts at the scalp. Look for a renewed push for products that stimulate and minimize oil on the scalp, such as J.R. Lazartigue Massage Gel for deep conditioning, or prep the scalp for treatments, such as Rene Furterer's Complexe 5. Best of all, they stimulate hair growth.
STICK YOUR NECK OUT
The face no longer takes center stage with its assortment of moisturizers, serums and creams. The neck and bust now have products to call their own. These two areas -- bogged down by gravity and exposed to the sun without protection -- tend to show signs of aging before the face. Companies such as RèVive, Sisley, This Works and Shiseido have created products that specifically target these areas.
THE FIRM
Speaking of firming, look for more products that tout their ability to firm and lift. But it's mainly a marketing ploy. When you check out the labels, you'll notice the same ingredients that you find to treat wrinkles and blotchy skin -- retinol, vitamin C and peptides.
LASHING OUT
Several years ago, Jan Marini came out with an eyelash conditioner that helped you grow out your lashes. The FDA pulled it from the market last November when it discovered prostaglandin bimatoprost, a drug used to prevent glaucoma, was used and accused Jan Marini of promoting an 'unapproved and misbranded drug' because the company said its product could grow lashes. Now, look for products, such as RevitaLash and Osmotics FNS Nutrilash, that make your lashes less brittle and less prone to breakage.
PEEL OUT
Spas have been touting the advantages of chemical peels for years, but now skin-care companies are including these treatments in their own lines. Lower in acids and higher in skin soothers, at-home chemical peels have cropped up in many high-end skin-care lines. Natura Bisse carries its GlycoLine Glyco Extreme Peel, the strongest at-home peel on the market, says Kim Katunis, a makeup artist and aesthetician, but other gentler peels come from Kinerase, MD Skincare and La Prairie.
DOUBLE DUTY
Your makeup, specifically eye cosmetics, will not only color your eyelids but also work double time to prevent aging. Kimiko Beauty's Lifting eye shadow products contain Hydra-FirmaLift, which helps lift the eye. A new line coming to Neiman Marcus, 29 Cosmetics, contains anti-oxidant grape seed extract, Katunis says. The mineral makeup craze is fueling this movement to leave skin in better condition once the makeup comes off. Also look for mineral lines to make their way into department stores. Laura Mercier just expanded her line of mineral makeup to include eye shadows and blush.
AMAZON WOMAN
Beauty companies have found that plants indigenous to the Amazon basin contain high antioxidants and skin-nourishing oils. The skin-care line Brazilian Fruit contains rainforest ingredients such as açai, maracujá passion fruit and guaraná fruit. Even some mainstream brands such as Kiehl's and Borba have used guanabana and yerba maté in their product lines. High-end skin-care lines such as Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy rely on Amazon plants to produce some of their key ingredients.
A NATURAL STANDARD
The USDA already has a seal for organic products that are at least 95 percent organic. Now there's a push to do the same with natural products. According to Mike Indursky, chief marketing officer for Burt's Bees, which launched the initiative, the Natural Standard Seal will require at least 95 percent natural ingredients and pure processing methods.
SKIN TOOLS
Ever since Oprah Winfrey featured the Clarisonic Skin Brush on her favorite things show last December, women have learned that soap and a washcloth may not be enough to clean their skin. Now even more spalike tools are coming into the home. Look for new products such as the Zeno Acne Clearing Device and the Marvel-Mini Rejuvenating Facial Light Therapy Red that helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and increases the skin's elasticity using red light therapy.
THE MIDAS TOUCH
Gold has become the ingredient du jour in the spa industry. Spa at Four Seasons features the Golden Veil Facial using Fleur's products such as the Eldora Golden Supreme Mask and Golden Youth Concentrate. Heather Herbold, lead aesthetician at the spa, says that the facial replenishes natural minerals that are normally depleted on a daily basis. The heated, three-layer mask at the center of the treatment lifts skin and leaves you with the golden glow.
Skin-care and beauty companies have followed the golden way. Chantecaille, Guerlain, INA and La Prairie each created everything from skin-care products to makeup lines that contain gold, and carry prices to match.