My Latest “Studio 512” Segment On High-Tech Beauty Gadgets!
Some people get positively giddy when learning about new iPhone models, tinkering with virtual reality viewers, trying out new gaming consoles, and tracking calories burnt and hours slept with new wearable gadgets but, when it comes to tech innovations, I’m most excited learning about those pertaining to the beauty realm. On President’s Day, then, I appeared on KXAN’s “Studio 512” to chat about some of the high-tech gadgets that are revolutionizing the skin care, hair care, makeup, and home fragrance industries. These groundbreaking gadgets deliver powerful, professional-grade results, and yet they are designed to be used at home for maximum ease, convenience, and comfort. Check out the segment in the video and, if you’re curious about the other gadgets that didn’t make it on air, watch the second clip above, which incorporates bonus footage posted on the Studio 512 Facebook page!
Interested in learning more about each gadget showcased? Read on below!
Dermaflash Hot Pink
$189 at Neiman Marcus, Sephora, and Dermaflash.com
We all know exfoliation is an indispensable part of any skincare routine — after all, it helps to remove dead surface skin cells that make our skin appear dull and lifeless; it helps to reveal a more even and radiant skin tone; it helps in the cellular turnover process; it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; it boosts the efficacy of our skincare products (that layer of dead cells can act as a barrier, preventing those pricey creams and serums from penetrating deep into the skin); and it creates a smoother surface on which to apply makeup. That said, there are a number of different exfoliation methods and, well, some are just more effective than others. Enter the Dermaflash, the next frontier in at-home exfoliation. This lightweight, handheld, truly revolutionary device was inspired by dermaplaning, one of the most sought-after procedures at dermatologists’ offices. If you’re unfamiliar with the treatment, it involves a dermatologist using a fine and sharp scalp-like blade to eliminate those top layers of skin and simultaneously removing any peach fuzz. The Dermaflash, then, brings the benefits of dermaplaning to the home in a clever, easy-to-use, and amazingly effective manner. The device itself is like a magic wand that you can easily maneuver, and it comes with a sleek charging base; six fine edges (each designed for single use both for safety and to ensure that any bacteria you remove isn’t reintroduced to your complexion); a Prep cleanser that removes any bacteria, oils, and makeup and creates a clean surface on which to perform your treatment; and a Soothe hydrator that calms and moisturizes the skin after every treatment. After charging your Dermaflash, all you have to do is insert an edge and, once your face is clean and dry, you can then start gliding the edge over your face, making sure to hold it at about a 45-degree angle to the skin. The edge, combined with a gentle sonic vibration, effectively exfoliates those dead surface skin cells and gets rid of pesky peach fuzz (which, I hate to say, can often become more prevalent as we age or, for that matter, during stages when hormonal levels shift). After each weekly treatment, you’ll enjoy radiant, hair-free, and glowing skin. It’s a flash of genius!
Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask
$39.99 at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and Rite Aid stores.
As I mentioned on air, dermatologists have found that light therapy is incredibly effective in clearing up acne, but not everyone has the time or the means to undergo these treatments on a regular basis. That’s where Neutrogena stepped up and created this revolutionary mask which emits blue light to eradicate acne-causing bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation. You can use the mask daily, and each treatment is just 10 minutes. You just plug the mask into the activator, put it on, press the power button and sit back and relax until the mask shuts off (which it does on its own for maximum convenience). I had a terrible breakout last week and managed to get a handle on it after just two treatments — plus I caught up on one of my personal podcasts, Invisibilia, while using it!
Wei Beauty Tao Wei Cool2Hot Sonic Beautifier
$198 at WeiBeauty.com
If you’re anything like me, you likely spend a lot of money and time on your skincare regimen. So wouldn’t you want to make sure those essences, serums, boosters, and creams are working to their full potential? Well, you can now get some peace of mind thanks to the Wei Beauty Tao Wei Cool2Hot Sonic Beautifier. When you turn on the Heat setting on this handy device, its metallic surface warms up to a very mild and pleasant temperature and, in the process, helps to liquefy any heavy and viscous face creams you intend on massaging onto your skin. Next, you can press the power button a second time in order to turn on the sonic vibrations, which allow the skin to better absorb any products applied. After you’ve successfully applied your products, you can then switch the device to the Cool setting so as to close off those pores and seal in those hydrating and nourishing skincare ingredients. The Tao Wei Cool2Hot Sonic Beautifier, then, gives your face a gentle massage and also takes advantage of how heat and cold can be used to amplify the potential of one’s beauty regimen.
Foxybae Rose Gold Straightening Brush
$149.95 at Foxybae.com
Straightening brushes are totally having a moment right now, which makes perfect sense — after all, these two-in-one styling tools have larger surface areas and hence can cover larger sections than your average flat iron, and they rely on tourmaline technology that heats strands from the inside out, thereby keeping frizz at bay. I personally love the Foxybae Rose Gold Straightening Brush because it heats up to 450 degrees, straightens the hair really quickly, and still allows your mane to retain some volume. With a normal flat iron, your strands end up straight but limp. With this brush, however, your hair is straight but still has that bounce. The result: you feel like a foxy bae!
TEMPTU Air
$195 at Nordstrom, QVC, and Temptu.com
Imagine if you could actually look like those airbrushed Instagram photos you created using Perfect365 and Facetune! That’s what the Temptu Air allows you to do. With this handheld airbrush makeup device, you can easily apply foundation, blush, bronzer, or highlighter. Through its Atomized AirFlow technology, the Temptu Air emits a micro-fine mist that delivers weightless layers of product for a believable, soft-focus finish and, since it has an adjustable three-speed airflow, you can customize the level of coverage per your specific needs. I love using this device to apply foundation. All you need is to find the Airpod that best matches your skin tone out of the 18 shades available (each pod is $45 at Temptu.com), insert it into the Temptu Air, and, while holding the device about 3-4 fingers from your face, press the control to begin misting foundation onto your face. I like to work in circular motions while applying foundation to a certain area and, when finished, blending rapidly with a sponge. Some simply airbrush and go, but I’m a blending addict, so I always take that extra step! Still, I love the ease of this device (because it’s cordless, you can take it anywhere and apply foundation in the car, the bathroom, your vanity table, or wherever!) and how mess-free the application is. Plus I don’t have to wash a gazillion brushed each time I apply foundation!
Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift
$349 at Clarisonic.com
The brand that made sonic cleansing a mainstream concept has kept on innovating, constantly introducing new devices meant to streamline our beauty routines. The Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift, then, is the latest gizmo from the trusted brand. As with its predecessors, this device comes with a cleansing brush head — or, rather, two brush heads: one specifically designed for the sensitive skin on your face and another designed for the thicker skin on your body. The device itself features four speeds, as well as a turbo mode that’s excellent when cleansing the body, but what makes it most unique is its novel Firming Massage Head. The nooks and curves of the massage head are designed to accommodate the contours of the face — from the jaw line to the cheekbones — so that you can run the massage head over these areas with ease. Ideally, you want to use the Firming Massage Head after applying your moisturizer and then enjoy the gentle vibrations it produces, which help to give skin a lifted appearance and to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
Aera
$189 and fragrance capsules are $47 each at AeraforHome.com
We all want out homes to smell inviting, right? But if you’ve ever used air fresheners, you know they can be overwhelmingly strong — to the point that they give you a headache. Scented candles, meanwhile, can also have a very off-putting aroma, and they can’t be lit for hours on end (unless you want a major fire hazard situation, that is!). As for reed diffusers, they’ve been my go-to home fragrance alternative, but they’re not devoid of their problems. Oftentimes, the scented oils start out feeling overpowering but, within days, fade to an aromatic whisper. And diffuser bottles are notoriously fragile! The Aera smart home fragrance device, then, is a total game-changer, marrying the areas of interior design, technology, and fragrance. This sleek device features a patented scent diffusing technology and comes with 10 scent levels, thereby allowing you to adjust the potency of the fragrance so that it’s never too weak or too overpowering. The first collection of fragrance capsules, each of which lasts for 60 days, was developed by some of the world’s top perfumers, who have crafted scents for Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford. I’m obsessed with the Curiosity scent, which has notes of magnolia, lotus flowers, and creamy woods.
