Ah, a new year, a fresh start. This is the perfect time to give your skincare an upgrade. If the holidays left you with some spending money (or swoon, a Sephora gift card!), consider skipping that lip gloss palette or nail polish sampler that’s on sale and treat yourself to one of these three beauty splurges that you will appreciate all year long. You and your skin deserve it.
One for your skin, one for your hair and one for your body, these are some of my favorite tried-and-true beauty tool splurges for 2017.
Trophy Skin MicrodermMD At-Home Microdermabrasion Machine
I know it’s a mouthful, but believe me when I say that device this will forever change you skin. You know about microdermabrasion, right? It’s a procedure you can get done at your dermatologist or a medi-spa. It buffs off the outer layer of dead skin to reveal fresher, younger skin, while at the same time stimulating the body to increase cell turnover to produce more collagen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, micorderm can help deal with dull complexion, uneven skin tone or texture, age spots, acne spots and melasma.
This professional-grade microderm system comes with a diamond tip with eight levels of suction. It has both a manual and pre-programed auto-mode that adjusts the suction level as it directs you to different parts of the face. I know, I know — $300 for a machine that sloughs off your dead skin? But consider this: Most derms recommend you get a series of 4-6 microderm sessions, with an average cost of $150 per session. Or, you could own a Trophy Skin microderm machine for $300 with a near endless number of treatments and all these added accessories:
- Pore Extraction Tip
- Pore Infusion Tip
- 100 Filters
- Cleaning Brush
- Carrying Case
- 5x Magnifying
- Interactive LCD Screen
- Auto-Mode with Timer
From face to neck to chest to back to hands, I’ve had mine for over two years and continue to be impressed with it. I still haven’t run out of filters (which, by the way, you change after each use because they get nasty with the dead skin cells you just buffed off) and am just starting to think about replacing my diamond tip. All in all, a skincare investments worth making. (Trophy Skin MicrodermMD At-Home Microdermabrasion Machine, $299)
T3 Whirl Trio Curling Rod with Interchangeable Barrels
Raise your hand if you have endless bathroom space. No, you neither? Then you will L-O-V-E this curling rod from T3. One handle + three interchangeable barrels = all the hairstyles you can handle (and still store in your drawer). The Whirl Trio includes a 1-inch straight barrel, a 1.5-inch straight barrel and a 1.25-0.75-inch tapered barrel. Mix-and-match barrel sizes for a single ‘do or choose your fav barrel-of-the-day to create a unique style on its own. The curling iron also boasts the T3 Tourmaline and ceramic barrels that seal the cuticle for a smooth, shiny finish and their digital T3 SinglePass™ technology that measures and adjusts the temperature for consistent, healthy results and one-pass styling.
Believe me, I am no hair styling genius, but even I have been able to create some bouncy volume, beachy waves, and tight wringlets depending on the barrel and curling technique. And luckily, T3 includes a number of tutorials with the Whirl Trio to help you practice creating different looks. Don’t just take my word for it either — the Whirl Trio has been a winner of both the 2016 and 2015 Allure Best of Beauty Award. (T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand, $270)
Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X
Let’s all agree, it would be no sad loss to spend less time shaving. From legs and knees to pits and other body parts (ahem), we ladies can spend a great deal of time on hair removal each week. Granted winter’s long sleeves and tights and infrequent swimsuit appearances might allow you ignore your razor for a day or two, but underneath those layers, you know the fuzz is still there. This is what makes winter the perfect time to invest in a Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X device.
The Tria Hair Removal Laser relies on diode lasers (the same technology used by many dermatologists for hair removal) to “disable the hair follicle by targeting the melanin at the root without damaging the surrounding skin.” In other words, it zaps that sucker so it won’t grow back. Charge up the handheld device, choose from five different strengths depending on your pain threshold and start zapping.
I’ll answer the two questions I’m guessing you’re having now: 1) Yes, it does indeed work. For complete hair removal, you do need to complete multiple treatments over the course of the hair’s growth cycle to prohibit it from coming, back but it does indeed work. Like no shaving my pits. Ever. 2) Yes, it does hurt a bit… like a rubber band sting, but with five levels to choose from, you can find one that is manageable and work your way up.
An investment device to be sure, but if you remember that the cost of professional laser hair for just one body part can range from $400-900, and the the Tria 4X is FDA-cleared for all over the body and face, well, this is one little device that could help you kiss your razor goodbye forever. Now to decide what to do with all that extra non-shaving time… (Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X, $484)
