What will be the big break through in beauty this year? Take a look below for prediction and information from Total Beauty.

12 Biggest Beauty Inventions of 2012

These new beauty products were worth waiting for — see the 2012 breakthroughs now

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty products article With the New Year comes resolutions to slim down, work harder, and eat better. But when we think ahead to what the new year will bring, we think about one thing: What will the biggest beauty breakthroughs be? See which beauty inventions will have everyone rushing to the beauty store in 2012. See breakthroughs

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Ever wondered why Asian women seem to keep their youthful look longer than their Western counterparts? It seems they have the secret to slowing down aging and keeping that glow of youth forever. One such secret is bird’s nest. This product is regarded as one of the four great youth tonics in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Bird’s nest is one of the most difficult natural products to harvest and therefore is also one of the most expensive consumed by humans. This essential ingredient comes from the nest built by the male swiftlet, a kind of swallow, along the inner walls of sea caves. The swift takes thirty five days to carefully weave the nest using strands of its saliva. Harvesting these nests from cave walls requires specialized experience in caving and climbing techniques. Harvesters use bamboo poles to reach the nests and carefully scrape the nest from inside using special tools. Only a portion of the nest is taken, allowing the swiftlet to be able to rebuild the nest.

Although Hong Kong remains the bird’s nest’s main trading point, harvesting is mostly done in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, while mainland China has the most consumers. The elite of China’s ruling dynasties in the olden days were known to have bird’s nest as a part of their daily diets. The Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty is said to have regularly dined on seven types of bird’s nest dishes to preserve her allure and youthfulness.

Long used by the Chinese in their cuisine, bird’s nest is rich in organic nutrients, including many glyco-proteins and amino acids, and essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium. It is considered a yin tonic because of its cooling effect on the body. It provides a number of health and beauty benefits including the rejuvenation of epidermal cells to improve the elasticity and complexion of the skin, bolstering the body’s immune system to fend off disease, enhancing cardiovascular and respiratory functions, reducing fatigue and boosting libido and sexual function.

The skin benefits of bird’s nest have made it an essential ingredient in some of today’s Asian beauty products, particularly in tonics and face masks. When combined with collagen, bird’s nest can transform dull and wrinkled skin into a vision of luminosity and youthful radiance. Users swear that the skin is nourished and hydrated, softening it to keep it young-looking. Some bird’s nest beauty products also contain hyaluronic acid which aids in smoothening wrinkles and promotes skin hydration.

Facial Masks with Bird’s Nest

In the tradition of Chinese medicine, people ate bird’s nest mostly in soup to replenish the body’s yin energy, which is the primary determining factor of a person’s vitality, of which a young person has more. It comes as no surprise then that many Asian women flock to this promising elixir hoping to turn back the hand of time, or at least slow its ticking. Here are two facial masks that integrate that beauty secret. It would seem that the bird’s nest will not be Asian women’s secret for much longer.

1. Watsons Bird’s Nest Essence Whitening and Firming Neck Mask

This formulation brings the promise of minimizing the age-related appearance of lines and sagging on the face and neck.

2. Sasatinnie Swallow’s Nest Rejuvenation Mask

The bird’s nest ingredient stimulates the epidermal cell growth factor keeping the face fresh-looking.

3. Yen Bird’s Nest Beauty Mask

Bird’s nest essence deeply moisturizes the skin to slow down ageing. It also contains chitosan to enhance the cell’s ability to absorb the beautifying nutrients.

Aishwarya Vohra from Escentual.com believes in healthy and balanced living. She writes on health, fitness and beauty related topics.

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Dying a person’s hair is the process of changing its color. There are three types of hair dye, permanent, semi-permanent and temporary dyes. Dye is used for a number of reasons such as, to hide a person’s current hair color or restore it to what it once looked like. For instance, a lot of persons who begin to see grey hair, dye their hair to make it appear darker. Some persons dye their hair to give it different tones to make it look funky or outlandish; some entertainers practice this as a way to “stand out from the crowd” or some simply do it to make their hair seem more fashionable. In the process of dying your hair, it is common for it spill onto other areas of the skin, especially onto the person who is applying the dye. There are a number of methods, items and products that can be used to eliminate dye from the skin, and this article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this.

Required Tools

• Soap bar
• Facial cleanser
• Hair dye remover
• Body scrub
• Cotton ball
• Towel
• Vinegar (distilled)
• Baby oil or other forms of greasy cream such as petroleum jelly
• Oatmeal
• Sugar
• Water

Instructions

1. Usually the first option for getting rid of dye from the skin is to purchase a dye -removing product from a beauty or cosmetic store. This is easy to use because the instructions are provided with the package. Some persons don’t use this option because the time it takes to get to the store and to get back to start applying it.
2. Take a cotton ball and dip it into baby oil or some greasy cream and gently scrub the skin on the areas where the dye has spilled until the dye comes out. This process may have to be done more than once onto the affected areas until the dye disappears.
3. Take a towel and soak it with distilled vinegar, then slowly and gradually rub it into the areas where the hair dye has been spilled until the dye comes out.
4. You can also use regular soap bars that you use in your bathroom to wash the affected area but this as to be done as soon as the dye spills.
5. If you happen to have a facial cleanser, this can be used to clean off any extra dye that may have gotten on your face while dying your hair. These products can usually be found in your local cosmetic store or pharmacy.
6. Body scrubs are great for getting rid of dye because it is made with exfoliating agents that work well on skin. You can also make your own body scrub by mixing oatmeal, sugar and water. Simply add body scrub to the affected areas and gently rub it into the skin until it starts to come out and then rinse the skin with warm water as you go along.
7. You can use regular toothpaste by either applying it to your fingers or onto a piece of cotton and rubbing it onto the skin. Then allow the toothpaste to sit for approximately 10 minutes and rinse the skin off with warm water.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to get rid of the dye off the skin as soon as you have applied it the person’s hair because the longer you take to clean it off the harder it is to be removed. If none of the options used here proves to be effective, simple visit a professional who can assist with getting rid of the dye.
• There is an effective prevention method to avoid getting dye onto the person’s face you’re your dying. You can apply Vaseline along the hair lining, behind the ears, around the neck or anywhere within that area that you think the dye may spill. If you don’t have Vaseline then you can use any form of greasy cream.
• Keep in mind that some persons have very delicate skin and may have certain allergic reactions to some of the products that you use on their skin. So make an inquiry as to what the person may be allergic to.
• Try your best when working around the persons facial area, not to let any of the products get into the persons eyes. If this happens you may have to visit a medical doctor.

For more information on hair care, visit Hair and Beauty Jobs and Curl Hair.

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Silk’n Flash and Go Review

Until now, home laser hair removal for the face for was not available as an approved use in any home devices. The new Silk’n Flash and Go home laser hair removal device, available at Sephora, changes that. The Flash and Go is designed to treat a smaller area with each light pulse, and it is FDA cleared for use on facial hair. It also can be used on the legs, bikini line, underarms etc, but it will take a bit longer to use than the larger standard Silkn device or a similar device such as the Tria laser (my personal favorite). The upside though is that the Flash and go is also cheaper at $299, so if you don’t mind a few extra minutes of time when doing treatments, it can be a way to save a bit of money over one of the more expensive devices.  So far, the early consumer Silk’n flash and Go reviews have been favorable.

How The Silk’n Flash and Go Works

The Flash&Go uses Home Pulsed Light(HPL) technology to target pigment in the hair shaft. Over multiple uses, the pulsed light laser will deaden the hair follicle and result in permanent hair removal.  Because pulsed light targets pigment, it is only safe for use by those with lighter skin, and the ideal candidate will be a person with light skin and darker hair. As a safety precaution, the Flash and Go includes a skin color sensor that is built into the device which measures skin complexion before each treatment session and at occasional points during each use. The sensor enables the device to be used on only the appropriate skin tones. If you have dark skin and are looking for something safe to use for permanent hair removal, take a look at the Verseo eGlide instead (here is our Eglide Review). The eGlide is not as easy to use and is not as effective as a laser, but it is safe for all skin tones and also can be used on facial hair. It also is significantly cheaper (normally around $89).

All home laser hair removal devices take a number of treatment sessions in order to show results. Typically, a user can expect to see permanent hair loss after a period of around 6 months, but the time may vary. Do not expect immediate results with either home of salon/spa laser hair removal.

Benefits of the Silk’n Flash and Go

The primary benefits of the Flash and Go over other laser devices is its ability to be used on facial hair and its lower cost. Because lasers can damage the eyes, most home devices are not approved for use on facial hair. The Flash and Go, however, has been FDA cleared for that use. Because it treats a smaller area with each light pulse, presumably it presents less risk to the eyes. Be sure to follow all safety instructions included with the device.

Overall,the Flash and Go will be much cheaper than salon or spa laser hair removal treatments and it runs about $100 less than the popular home lasers- the Tria and the standard Silk’n Sens Epil.

Downsides of the Flash and Go

The Flash and Go treats a smaller area with each light pulse, meaning that for larger body areas, such as the legs, it will take longer to use. For body use, the top recommended product is still the Tria laser, which has had good proven results. But the Flash and go certainly is a viable alternative.

Where to Find It

Interestingly, the Flash an Go is not yet available on the Silk’n site. But it is available at Sephora.

Shop for the Flash and Go at Sephora

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Here we are again at the end of the year, which means it is time for the best of the year posts! Below are Beauty and Fashion Tech’s best beauty product for 2011. The list includes the best makeup, best skin care, hair care, and best beauty gadgets that we tried this year. The items are in no particular order, although I tried to keep absolute favorites near the top. There are also a few items at the end of the list that I tried in 2011, but have not written the review of the item yet.

Best Beauty Products of 2011

(1) Ott Lite Makeup Mirror: This is a great makeup mirror that provides natural light in a highly adjustable and attractive package. Forget the cheap drugstore lighted mirrors an get the real deal with this one! I adore mine. Learn more in our initial review here: OttLite Makeup Mirror Review .

(2) Lancome Bi-Facil: When your dog eats a hot pink lipstick on the carpet, you will be glad if you have have some of this around. Oh, and it removes makeup from your eyes and face very well too! For more and for the story of the lipstick eating corgi, look here: Lancome Bi-Facil Review

(3) Skinsonic: The Skinsonic is a sonic skin cleansing system, similar to the popular Clarisonic, but much cheaper. Sonic cleansing is great for overall skin care and exfoliation. You can read more in our at home microdermabrasion guide.

(4) Iswas Handbag organizer: This is the best purse organizer on the market and it comes in several nice shades. Read our report: Iswas Handbag Report

(5) Sedu Revolution 4000i: Sedu makes great products, and the Revolution 4000i dryer is no exception. Learn more about the top hair dryers here: Best Hair Dryers

(6) Verseo eGlide: The Verseo eGlide is an interesting permanent hair removal device that uses a galvanic current instead of a lasers, which makes it great for those with darker skin or who want to remove facial hair, since a laser is not safe for either of those. I personally prefer my Tria Laser, but the eGlide did work for me to remove some facial hair. For more on the eGlide, see our Verseo eGlide review or our laser hair removal at home guide.

(7) Tokidoki Soda Shop Palette: This limited edition item is getting hard to find, but if you look at Sephora, there are multiple Tokidoki palettes and all are packed full of really well pigmented makeup. Learn more here:  Tokidoki Soda Shop Swatches and Review

(8) Hot Tools Pink Titanium Curling Iron: Hot tools makes a number of great curling irons. To learn more see our report: Best Curling Irons

(9) MAC Me Over Fall Collection: MAC’s fall collection was particularly impressive this year. See more here:  MAC Me Over Swatches

(10) MAC Bloggers Obsessions: the MAC Blogger’s Obsessions colelction was really fun because fellow beauty bloggers designed it! You can see photos here:  MAC Bloggers Obsessions Photos

(11) Sedu Pro Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron: I love Sedu irons and this one it right up there at the top.  Learn about the top Flat Irons here: The Best Flat Irons

(12) Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Palette:  Laura Mercier has been putting out a number of neat palettes lately and this set is particularly nice.

(13) Brazilian Peel: This 30% glycolic peel works wonders for dull and acne prone skin. I used it weekly for four weeks with excellent results!

(14) Stila Dream in Color Palette: The best makeup palette of the holiday season. Get a large number of Stila shades in a single pretty palette!

Interested in the best products from past years? Look here:

Best Beauty Products of 2010

Best of 2009

Best of 2008

Best of 2007

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2011 saw some interesting beauty inventions. Below are the top eight items from Total Beauty. I definitely agree with their inclusion of Nais Inc. metallic, magnetic nail polish, and Bootie Pies sure look like a neat idea. Others I’m not so sure about. For example, do PMS drops really work? And is that really a “beauty invention?”

Anyway, to see the list, click on through below.

Boots to keep your feet warm during a mid-winter pedicure, rubber ears to protect your appendages from hot irons, and magnetized nail polish are just some of the most creative beauty gadgets we’ve seen this year. Take a peek, we’re sure you’ll find at least one new thing to add to your beauty regimen.See inventions

8 Most Innovative Beauty Inventions of 2011
These new gadgets and technologies will make your beauty regimen, and your life, easier	This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty products article

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Beauty technology has come a long way, particularly over the past few decades. Women now use pulsed light and lasers to treat skin conditions and prevent wrinkles, hair color no longer leaves hair looking fake and frizzy, and gel nails can be cured under UV light for weeks of chip free wear. What is next? Several dermatologists and professionals in the beauty industry gave their opinion on the next big thing beauty. Here are the top five responses:

Non-Invasive Fat Removal

The ability to freeze fat with a painless and non-invasive procedure already exists, and multiple dermatologists predicted that it will become the next big beauty fad, with advances toward home fat removal machines. Using Coolsculpting by Zeltiq, patients spend one to four hours with a non-invasive cooling device on an area of fat that they want to eliminate. A few months following the treatment, the fat disappears. Debra Jaliman, a New York Board Certified Dermatologist and author of the upcoming book, Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist, notes that the product is expected to be available in a hand piece soon, with the ability to treat the arms and thighs, while Kathleen Stegman, Founder of Midwest Medical Aesthetics, predicts that home machines will be developed to accomplish the same effect.

Collagen Renewal With Radiofrequency

Jailman predicts that the next big development in skin care will be from Thermage CPT, which uses radiofrequency to stimulate the body’s natural renewal of collagen. According to Jailman, it can work to tighten any area, such as the face, eyes, arms and legs. It is safe, effective, has no downtime, and patients can expect to see up to 10% tightening within 6 months.

Additional Increases in Needleless Technology

Aside from noninvsive fat removal and the use of radiofrequency devices, Dermatologists on the whole tend to predict large increases in other forms of non-invasive needleless technology. Dr. Shirely Madhere, of Soho Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery expects to see increases in light based technology and the use of stem cells to develop various non-invasive treatments that will produce surgical results without the surgery.  Stegman also predicts that stem cell technology will continue to rise in importance.

Affordable Injections and Fillers

Multiple Dermatologists and beauty professionals observed that injections and fillers such as Botox, Juvederm, and Artfill have become more and more affordable. But products with multiple uses that will both relax wrinkles and fill lines are just around the corner and are expected to be rather affordable. What were once products reserved for those with extra money to spend will become standard for many women.

Healthy Hair Care

Mikayla DeSomer, a hair stylist in Naperville, IL, observes that hair care has entered a “green era” in which products have become increasingly healthier. For example, there now are products that are vegan and gluten free, as well as low ammonia, and organic products. Straighteners have evolved from relaxers that contain lye, to silky keratin treatments. Even in the short time that keratin treatments have been around, they have evolved from controversial unhealthy services, to formaldehyde free.

With respect to the next big thing in the beauty industry, De Somer feels that the clients dictate the future of hair and beauty. She notes that the upper class will always have access to more expensive, exclusive treatments, which sends companies into a frenzy to come up with a less expensive way to do the same thing. More often than not, that process cheapens the product and gives less of a perfect result. However, De Somer believes that this process is about to change with  low maintenance, green products and services as the wave of the future. She notes, “as glam gets bigger, we want it faster and cheaper. If we can create a keratin treatment that will do the job, and have no trace of formaldehyde, etc., that will boost these treatments into being just as popular as the perm in the 80′s.”

As beauty technology evolves, we have much to look forward to. The future of beauty looks brighter than ever!

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There is no question that peels, whether chemical or laser, can do wonders for the skin. For people battling acne or melasma, peels can be especially beneficial, while for those with general anti-aging concerns, peels can leave the skin looking brighter, smoother, and firmer. But with so many chemical and laser treatment options, which is right for you? Read below for information on choosing the right peel to meet your needs.

Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels typically use an acid to slough off dead skin and reveal the new skin underneath.  As Dr. Neal Schultz, a board certified dermatologist in New York, explains, there are three types of chemical peels, superficial, medium and deep.

Superficial chemical peels

Superficial peels are the most popular and most common peels and also are the most affordable. They work using glycolic or salicylic acid to dissolving dead skin cells on the surface of the skin which restore sheens and luster, and makes the skin smoother. These are what are often referred to as “lunchtime peels,” because they can be done easily over a lunch hour, are painless, and have no recovery time. In order to get meaningful and visible results, Dr. Shultz recommends a series of 4-6 superficial chemical peels every week or every other week.

Often superficial peels are available not just in a dermatologist’s office, but at spas or even at home. For a great home peel, try the Brazilian Peel, a peel of 10% glycolic acid that tends to show noticeable results after 4 weekly home treatments. for something a bit stronger, look to local spas an dermatologists.

Medium and Deep Chemical Peels

Medium and Deep peels work to address deeper problems in the skin and, according to Dr. Glenn Kolansky, a Board Certified Dermatologist in New Jersey, are often the next step for people who seek greater results than a glycolic or other superficial peel can give. These peels also often work better at addressing pigmentation problems and acne.  TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) peels are one of The older and most common forms of medium peels, and the depth of the peel is determined by the strength of the acid or the time it is left on the skin.

Greater effects might be seen from a medium or deeper peel, but Dr. Kolansky cautions that the key to remember is that while more skin damage from the peel can show greater skin improvement, it also can have more side effects and down time. One prime example of this is the VI peel.

As a newer peel, the VI peel, is also getting quite a bit of attention for its ability to address pigmentation issues, such as melasma, and acne. The VI peel works by using high concentrations of glycolic acid, azaelic acid, retinol and vitamin C, and causes actual “peeling.”  Many women report excellent results, but also report heavy redness akin to a sun burn, followed by a peeling of the dead skin, again similar to the effects of sun damage.  A red appearance and peeling can last for up to a week. But a majority of women also tend to report excellent later results and highly recommend the peel.

Laser Peels

Laser peels go even further than chemical peels and often are ideal for those with significant melasma, acne, and deep acne scarring. Dr Shultz particularly recommends laser peels, stating:

“I love laser resurfacing. It will take away the browns, but nothing to take away the reds on your skin. It certainly take away fine lines, some medium lines, and makes the skin tighter-it just makes it look a lot better.”

Older lasers are “ablative,” meaning that they will take off the top layer of skin. The result is heavy downtime with a week or two of raw skin that requires the application of compresses, and month or more of redness afterward.  However, newer technology focuses on non-ablative, fractional technology, which does not remove the full top layer of skin.  Dr Schultz explains that these types of laser have little downtime-perhaps a day or two of redness, but in order to be effective multiple treatments are needed and the final result isn’t quite as good as what is seen from an ablative laser.

Laser peels can be done alone, or in combination with chemical peels. Kathleen Stegman, Founder of Midwest Medical Aesthetics, reports that she thinks combination treatments work best, stating that “a chemical peel done before any other procedure will help reduce the dead skin layer and allow the laser to perform better.”

Stegman prefers the non-burning lasers, such as the Portrait PSR, over other lasers such as Fraxel, CO2, and Erbium, because it does not burn skin. Instead, it uses a nitrogen plasma that goes under the skin while leaving the top layer intact to act a a wound dressing.

In the end, Laser peels offer the greatest result, but that comes with much greater expense. Downtime with a laser peel is often greater than that of chemical peels, and lasers are expensive, with treatments often running well over $1,000.

Recommendations

When considering peels, start with some light chemical peels. This will help you determine how sensitive your skin is to the process and also get you accustomed to it. Over time, if you want greater results, it is easy to move up to deeper peels or to laser technology. Those who simply seek brighter smoother skin will likely never have a need to go to the expense and downtime of a laser, while those with serious melasma, acne scarring, or those who seek serious treatment of fine and medium lines, will mostly likely find the best overall results from laser peels.

Interested in learning more about current  beauty technology? See Our related articles:

Best  Beauty Gadgets

Home LED Light Therapy

Laser Tattoo Removal

Light Therapy For Rosacea

Home Laser Hair Removal Guide

Home Microdermabrasion Guide

Photo licensed via paid fotolia subscription

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Holidays are a great time to give beauty gadgets and higher end tech items as gifts. Technological advances in beauty have been huge the past few years, resulting in many interesting and unique items that many women would love to have, but might forgo buying for themselves because the items seem like a splurge. Thus, beauty gadgets make perfect gifts-they are interesting, unique, fun and make you, as the gift giver, stand out from the crowd.

Here are our top beauty gadgets for gifts this holiday season. Or, if you simply want to know our opinion on the best beauty gadgets to consider buying this list is for you!

(1) Tria Laser: Home laser hair removal costs a small fortune at the salon, but is now very affordable at home. For women who are best suited for it (people with lighter skin and darker hair) it also is highly effective. I know so many women who want a Tria that you really can’t go wrong with this one. One important caution. Laser hair removal cannot be performed on medium or darker skin tones. If your recipient has medium or dark skin, look to the eGlide further down on this list instead. Want to know more? Read our full guide: Home Laser Hair Removal.

(2) Ott Lite Makeup Mirror: This is the best makeup mirror a woman can have. The lighted mirror provides the perfect type of light for makeup application and is highly adjustable. The OttLite also has an attractive and unique appearance, making it much preferable over other lighted mirrors on the market. Trust me, any woman would love this mirror! Learn more here: Ott Lite Makeup Mirror Review.

(3) Clarisonic: Sonic skin cleansing does wonders for the complexion and is great for overall exfoliation. The Clarisonic is the most popular tool of choice in sonic cleansing and is adored by women who own one. Looking to save money? The Skinsonic is a more affordable similar product for those on a budget. Want to learn more? Read our guide: Home Microdermabrasion.

(4) Baby Quasar: Baby Quasar is the leader in LED skin therapy devices. For women with oily skin or acne, a blue light device can be an incredible skin saving gift. For the spa loving woman with anti-aging concerns a red light will be a welcome item. To learn more, see our previous article on Home Light Therapy.

(5) Whitening Lightening Tooth Lightening Pen: This unique new tooth whitening product is a compact, easy to use pen that whitens teeth without the mess of using strips or trays and without causing sensitivity. It also freshens breath. Just paint on the lightener and go! Definitely a neat and interesting gift.

(6) Lasertron Hair Growth System: Laser combs and brushes are some of the most interesting new developments in hair growth, especially for thickening hair. This system offers a brush over a comb, which makes it particularly nice for women, but men will love this one too.

(7) Verseo eGlide: The eGlide offers permanent hair removal without the use of lasers, making it perfect for those who cannot use a laser because they have darker skin. Unlike a laser, the eGlide can also be used on facial hair. However, for those with lighter skin and for use on the legs, we prefer the Tria Laser, number one in our list. For more on the eGlide, see our Verseo eGlide review.

(8) Personal Microderm: The personal microderm provides home microdermabrasion at a fraction of the cost of similar spa services. the device is easy to use and leave skin feeling soft and looking fresh. Perfect for women who love to their own home facials. Want to learn more? See our at home microdermabrasion guide linked above.

(9) Glo Brilliant Tooth Whitening System: The Glo tooth whitening device lightens teeth without messy gels and promises to do so without sensitivity. To learn more, read our Glo Brilliant Tooth Whitening Review.

(10) Pressure Leg Massager: This compression leg massager feels incredible and provides a great way to improve circulation and get a relaxing leg massage at home. Buy two for the most comfort and spa-like experience! Conveniently, they often are offered at half price for that purpose.

Copyright Beauty and Fashion Tech

Beauty products have come a long way through the ages. Back in the times of ancient Egypt, women in power used milk to treat their skin and pigments to stain their nails, while today women perform home glycolic peels and sport chip proof shellac. Products such as these continue to improve and evolve. The future may see truly chip proof nail polish that is also healthy for the nails and promotes growth, while a non-invasive fat freezing machine is likely to be one of the next big things in beauty.

Below are 6 common beauty products and procedures that have come a long way through the ages and will continue to evolve well into the future.  In many cases, such as in the case of increasingly natural and gentle hair color, the evolution is of benefit to beauty lovers. But in some cases, such as in the formulation of hair spray, evolution of the product may result in something less desirable for the consumer, but will be more beneficial for the environment.

Nail Polish

Nail polish dates back to ancient Egypt where women of rank colored their nails with dark red pigments. Women of lower rank were limited to use of pale shades. The Chinese developed a colored lacquer that was left on the nails for several hours and then removed, leaving a stain behind. Nail color later evolved into easier to use tints and stains, and women took to buffing tinted nails to also make them shiny. But it was the advent of the automobile and the technology of the paint for it that led to the nail polishes that we see today.

In recent years, nail polish technology has grown immensely. Now standard polish is seen in holographic, glitter, and matte shades. Magnetic polish that is applied and then altered with a magnet in the cap is also available for an interesting look. But the largest evolution is in gel polish and shellacs which, as Linda Massey of Rick and Company Salon and Spa in Sioux City, IA, notes, can last for two weeks without chipping. However, they are a bit hard on the nails and are not the easiest of products to remove. With shellac being in its early stages, one can expect the technology to continue to evolve to the point where chip proof polish that is also healthy and easy to change will become the norm.

Exfoliation and Peels

The use of substances to keep skin soft and blemish free also dates back to ancient Egypt, when women of power discovered the power of lactic acid in milk for skin care. Over the years, women have used all sorts of substances to exfoliate the skin, many being rather abrasive. But the past 20 years have seen an increase in the ability to exfoliate gently, yet effectively. Devices such as the Clarisonic, now use sonic technology to clean and  exfoliate skin, while more gentle glycolic peels, such as the Brazillian Peel, can now be performed at home.  Microdermabrasion is no longer limited to the dermatologist’s office, with devices no available for microdermabrasion at home. In the future, expect to see less and less invasive ways to obtain clear skin through the use of light therapy, sonic therapy, and increasingly gentle, yet powerful chemical peels.

Shaving and Hair Removal

Women began shaving around 1915, when an ad campaign targeting underarm hair as unsightly appeared in Harper’s Bazaar and was coupled with the rise in popularity of sleeveless dresses. Over time, women also moved to shaving their legs and various other forms of hair removal, such as through the use of depilatories. In the 1980’s the painful epilady was introduced and waxing started to come into fashion. Since then, epilation and waxing, while still uncomfortable, have been improved, but the biggest development has been laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is effective for those with lighter skin and preferably darker hair. People with dark skin cannot use it, as the laser targets pigment and is not safe for use on darker skin.  The past 5 years have seen a rise in popularity of effective home laser hair removal devices, such as the Tria Laser, with many reporting permanent hair removal after six to nine months of regular use.  In the future, watch for developments in permanent hair removal for people of color, either through new developments in laser technology or through improvements to alternate devices, such as the Verseo eGlide, which purports to permanently remove hair through the use of a galvanic current, making it safe for people with darker skin.

Fat Loss

One of the most interesting advancements that may be just around the corner is in the area of fat reduction. Over the years, numerous weight loss methods targeting fat have been developed and, with the exception of normal dieting and liposuction, have generally failed. It is generally understood that fat cannot be vibrated or rolled away, despite the popularity of machines in the 60s,70s, and 80 that promised to do so.  Liposuction, which became popular in the past 25 years, does work to remove fat, but it is painful and invasive. However, a new evolution may be just around the corner.

According to Debra Jaliman, a New York Board Certified Dermatologist and author of the upcoming book, Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist, Coolsculpting by Zeltiq is a non-invasive way of freezing fat in order to slim and contour the  belly, love handles, and back. Patients spend one to four hours with a cooling device on the area of fat that they want to eliminate and the fat disappears two to four months later. The product is expected to be available in a hand piece soon to treat the arms and thighs. Kathleen Stegman, Founder of Midwest Medical Aesthetics, predicts that similar home machines will be developed and become popular, given that obesity is a growing issue.

Hair Color

Synthetic hair color came about in 1907 from the French chemist Eugene Schueller. His commercial hair dye went on to become the well known name of L’Oreal. Hair color evolved from there to dyes that penetrated the hair shaft for longer lasting results, leading to the formation of the Clairol company. But early hair color products often appeared false and were harsh on the hair.

Over time, hair color has evolved into products that are more gentle and less damaging to the hair and skin, while also providing more realistic color. Organic products, and even gluten free products, have become available for those who desire them. According to Mark Kuzma, owner and educator of Laboratory Hair Studio in Morristown, NJ, we can expect to see further developments in the area of gentle, yet long lasting and vibrant hair color.

Hair Spray

Developed in the 1940s, hair spray used to be anything by soft and manageable. Originally called resin, it consisted of a substance similar to shellac, which created a sticky film when dry. “Helmet head” was the norm with older styles of spray.

In the 1970s, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) aerosols were phased out to protect the ozone layer, and Alberto VO5 went on to become the first brand to provide a CFC free aerosol. During recent years, hair spray has become softer and more manageable, with many products focusing on light hold so that the hair retains a natural look and movement.

Very recent developments, however, don’t bode as well for the favorite sprays of some stylists. Hairspray normally contains alcohol and sometimes other ingredients that are known as Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs), which are implicated in the formation of ozone and affect global warming. As a result, restrictions on the use of VOCs have increased over the years. As Kuzma explains, new VOC limits effective in January 2012 will require hairspray manufacturers to change their formulas to increase the amount of water in the formula, leading to a wetter spray. He states that “some of us will be losing our favorite sprays because that will not work in some cases.”  So in this case, evolution of the product is beneficial for the environment, but perhaps not so beneficial for consumers who use the products.

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