Innovations

Shark Beauty FacialPro Glow

$400

No time for monthly facials? Shark Beauty’s FacialPro Glow, an innovative device developed with dermatologists, gives you spa- worthy results at home, keeping pores clean and skin hydrated. “We set out to completely reimagine the facial experience,” says Kleona Mack, chief marketing officer for Shark Beauty. “It delivers visible, high-level results in just 10 minutes. It’s self-care made smarter.” Use the DePuffi attachment to reduce puffiness and refresh after a workout or a long night (it turns hot or cold in an instant), and the exfoliating attachment to gently resurface. In clinical studies, it proved to reduce pore visibility, support skin barrier repair and boost hydration by 128 percent after just one use. Plus, the dual-tank system on the device keeps the clean and dirty water separate, so you can see all the gunk from your skin in the tank post-use.

SheaMoisture Silk Press in a Bottle

$14

”SheaMoisture’s Silk Press in a Bottle is exactly what its name suggests,” says Tiffany Yizar, head of R&D for Beauty and Wellbeing North America at Unilever. During extensive research for this prep cream, Unilever learned that about 70 percent of Black women have looked to occasional straightening, but feel hesitant because of the damage that occurs going from curly to straight. “This proprietary formula is infused with plant-derived actives, uniquely formulated in this cream, that won’t mess with your curl pattern, but will instantly straighten your hair,” says Yizar. Keeping the smoking level to a minimum during the styling process was also a key consideration, which took 50-plus iterations to achieve. “The cream was pressure-tested in both controlled and uncontrolled ways, and it really delivers,” adds Yizar.

BoldHue

$295

Dubbed the “Keurig of makeup” and backed by iconic makeup artist Sir John, BoldHue is a high-tech, at-home device that is shaking up makeup as we know it. The device, which the brand says is about the size of a Stanley water bottle, can create millions of customized foundation shades to cater to “the full rainbow of skin tones.” Connecting to an app, users can scan their skin (they can also create separate profiles for family members and friends) to capture their skin tone. Then, in about a minute, the device whips up a week’s worth of foundation, which is dispensed into a reusable glass jar. The user blends it together using a “custom mixing spatula” that BoldHue created in partnership with Beautyblender. "I love how BoldHue’s spectrum of shades truly reflects the diverse, multicultural world we live in," says Sir John. "This brand isn’t just about color—it’s about innovation at every level, including texture, which is absolutely genius. Inclusivity in beauty isn’t just important; it’s the most modern and essential direction forward."

GA.MA iQSFERA

$298.50

Designed with stylists in mind, GA.MA Professional’s Italian-made iQsfera is unlike any other blowdryer we’ve seen. It’s travel-friendly and compact (about the size of a tennis ball), making it a game changer for jetsetters, but it’s as powerful as a full-size dryer. Its design is also beneficial for those with arm and wrist strain, as it helps reduce both. And, it comes with a variety of attachments, including precision nozzles, a diffuser and more. Not only does the dryer feature multiple temperature and speed settings, as well as a cool shot, but it also comes with a handle that can easily be attached if the idea of using a totally new shape feels a little daunting. There is a slight learning curve (like with most hair tools), but eventually it feels smooth and natural.

Tilt Beauty Lashscape Mascara

$28

Inspired by her journey with psoriatic arthritis, Aerin Glazer founded Tilt Beauty at the age of 21. The first beauty brand to receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use certification and the queen of accessible makeup, Tilt continues to make big strides. Its beloved Lashscape Mascara is housed in ergonomic, easy‑grip packaging (Braille font included) that makes application more comfortable and controlled to achieve lifted, lengthened lashes.

ROSE CODE Blueprint Rx Gum Health Infusion

$35

New York cosmetic dentist Victoria Rose Veytsman, DDS sees dental care as a key pillar of whole-body wellness. Her first-to-market ROSE CODE Blueprint Rx Gum Health Infusion is a convenient, swipe-on gel that prioritizes gum health, which is often overlooked despite the fact that 47 percent of Americans age 30 and older have gum disease, according to the CDC. “This innovation integrates powerful antioxidants, alpine rose stem cells and probiotics,” says Dr. Veytsman. “It’s a visionary leap into the future of oral care.”

epres ePhD Nail Bond Repair Treatment

$20

Like bond-repair products for our hair, epres’s ePhD Nail Bond Repair Treatment penetrates the keratin bonds in our nails to repair them from within. (It’s actually inspired by the brand’s innovative hair treatment.) A must-have for anyone with dry, brittle or discolored nails (too many gel manis, anyone?), the oil-based formula strengthens and smooths for a healthier look and feel—no more weak, bendy nails. Wear it under any nail polish, even gel, as a protective layer of sorts, and don’t forget your toes, too.

IMAGE Skincare VOL.U.LIFT GLP-1 4D Skin Rebound Complex

$134

“As GLP-1 use increases, we’re seeing greater demand for skin care that supports density, hydration and visible rebound,” says Scottsdale, AZ dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. IMAGE Skincare’s VOL.U.LIFT GLP-1 4D Skin Rebound Complex combines the brand’s patent-pending XOSM technology with hyaluronic acid, collagen, bakuchiol and amino acids to plump and reinforce skin. In a clinical study on weight-loss patients, a 20.1-percent increase in facial volume was measured after 12 weeks of use, along with a 22.5-percent increase in firmness.

XERF

A K-beauty export gaining buzz stateside, the XERF treatment is a first-of-its-kind technology that combines two radio frequencies to deliver energy at multiple tissue depths, stimulating collagen and elastin production and tightening skin. The best part? There’s no downtime. In fact, there’s not even numbing needed. “The XERF system is the next evolution of skin tightening,” says San Diego dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD. “This structural skin-tightening treatment gently remodels the structure of the skin and restores firmness from within.” Dr. Mauricio says patients “immediately feel tighter skin and experience additional improvement as collagen continues to rebuild in the weeks and months that follow.”

HALO TRIBRID

Think of HALO TRIBRID as the next evolution of laser resurfacing: three wavelengths, 2940 nm, 1470 nm and 1927 nm, working together in a single, synergistic pass. Designed to improve a myriad of skin concerns, from sun damage to fine lines and acne scarring, it helps reverse years of accumulated damage and visible signs of aging on all skin tones for a smoother feel and brighter, firmer look. “Patients want meaningful resurfacing without extended downtime, and this platform lets us adjust intensity based on their goals,” says Rochester, NY dermatologist Sherrif Ibrahim, MD.