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THE CLAIM: This galvanic energy device improves penetration of active ingredients, making the company's anti-aging serum 80 percent more effective. It can be used on the face or body. THE EXPERT SAYS: "By stimulating nerves, you can make a difference," says N.Y.C. dermatologist Doris Day, noting that aesthetitcians in Europ have been using galvanic currents for years to drive product into the skin. "It temporarily causes cells to swell, diminishing fine lines around the face. But something this small isn't going to work on a large area like your thighs." OUR VERDICT: Our faces looked tighter and more sculpted after using it, but the "lift" was temporary: By the next morning it was gone. The dimples on our thighs didn't budge.
TRY IT YOURSELF: NuSkin Galvanic Spa system, $350; at nuskinusa.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: No more disappearing eye shadow! This densely pigmented powder-gel hybrid combines shimmer with transclucent emollients to lock the color in place. THE EXPERT SAYS: "These shadows are ideal for my red-carpet clients because there's no need for a touch-up," says makeup artist Joanna Schlip, who works with Jessica Simpson and Ellen Pompeo. However, "Because the color is so rich, they can be tricky to apply. I suggest dipping a damp brush in the pot and swirling it on the back of your hand until the shadow is a sheer paste." OUR VERDICT: It definitely lived up to the long-wear claim. We applied it on a steamy summer morning, and the color didn't budge, fade or crease until we wiped it off with an oil-based remover 10 hours later.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Armani Metallic eye shadows (launching in October), $32; at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com. (Photo: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: Think of it as five products--a keratin-and-amino-acid growth treatment (which fortifies and protects nails), a filling base coat, a strengthener, color and a quick-dry top coat--in one bottle. Plus, it has an extra-wide brush for full coverage with one sweep. All-in-One Polish THE EXPERT SAYS: "Home manicures typically don't last as long as professional ones because you rush through the coats and don't let them dry completely," says N.Y.C. manicurist Jin Soon Choi. "This eliminates that problem. I've even started using it at my spa." OUR VERDICT:Our nails looked perfectly groomed in a flash. After four days of constant tapping on our keyboard (and occasional dish washing), the color was still glossy and chip-free.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, $8; at CVS.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: Within five minutes of application, the color morphs into one that perfectly suits the complexion of the person wearing it. THE EXPERT SAYS: "These lipsticks react to pH and heat, so they do change color according to body chemistry," says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson. "But they don't flatter everybody. The nude is hard to wear." OUR VERDICT: Well, they definitely morphed! WE tried each shade on three staffers--one with very pale skin, another with a dark complexion, and the third with an olive skin tone--and it looked completely different on each of them. Basically, the fairer the skin, the darker the color looked. Of the two shades, each staffer found one that was flattering--but no one looked good in both.
TRY IT YOURSELF: DuWop Personal Color Changing lipsticks in Private Plum (left) and Private Nude, $22; at duwop.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: An adjustable dial allows you to vary the amount of mascara deposited on your brush so you can use the same formula for day and night. THE EXPERT SAYS: "The adjustable applicator is amazing," says N.Y.C. makeup artist Nick Barose, noting that it saves time and money. "It spares you from having to wipe away excess product when you want a more subtle look." OUR VERDICT: Love! The sheer, clump-free formula let us leapfrog from natural-looking lashes (setting 1) on Saturday afternoon to major volume (setting 3) later that night. Setting 2--which provided serious definition with minimal heaviness--was our sweet spot for daily office wear.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Almay One Coat Dial Up mascara, $8; at walgreens.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This bright pink cheek color is the first powder blush that adjusts to your skin tone, taking the guesswork out of picking the perfect shade. THE EXPERT SAYS: "In fact, it isn't actually self-adjusting, but the color is just translucent enough to blend in with any skin tone," says Ni'kita Wilson. "The shade is bright, but the base that's used is not titanium dioxide, so there's no chalkiness." OUR VERDICT: We tested the blush on five people (with complexions ranging from milky white to deep mocha), and amazingly, it gave a flattering, blushing-from-within glow to everyone. The color was bright enough to show up on very dark skin yet sheer enough that it didn't look clownish on pale complexions.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Stila Custom Color blush, $20; at stilacosmetics.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: Most smoothers keep hair fuzz-free for a few blissful hours. But this two-step, heat-activated treatment (containing rice oil and the amino acid cysteine) promises sleek hair for three weeks. THE EXPERT SAYS: "It's a mild relaxer," says hair stylist Rona O'Connor, who works with Blake Lively. "It will make your hair smoother, but you're dealing with chemicals, so follow directions closely or it can fade your color or dry your ends." OUR VERDICT: Our frizz-prone hair air-dried without expanding for 10 days.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Garnier Sleek and Shine Blow Dry Perfector, $12; see stores. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This tool's design mimics the way many pros hold a dryer in the salon--by the nozzle instead of the handle--for more targeted air flow. Ceramic-coated grills in the motor produce negative ions to cut back on frizz and drying time. THE EXPERT SAYS: "Taking the handle off is a smart idea," says N.Y.C. hairstylist River Lloyd. "I love how it allows for more controlled grooming but doesn't burn your hand." OUR VERDICT: The powerhouse got our thick, coarse locks sleek in half the usual time. And it's compact enough to fit in a purse--great for travel.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Chi Hand Shot Ceramic hair dryer, $208 (available in September); at ulta.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This ceramic-plated tool has a built-in reservoir of conditioner that's deposited onto your hair as you iron it, so strands are repaired as you straighten your hair. THE EXPERT SAYS: "The conditioner leaves locks silky, but it lasts only till your next shampoo," says L.A stylist Neil George, who suggests a salon keratin treatment instead ($150-$500, depending on hair texture and length). If you're looking for long-term improvement, "The keratin lasts six weeks," he says. OUR VERDICT: Staffers with thick, damaged hair raved about this iron. "It turned my fried hair into silk!" said one. But those with fine hair had limper reactions. "It made my hair glossy but flat."
TRY IT YOURSELF: Joico K-Pak ReconstRx Vapor iron, $160; joico.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This oil-absorbing spray gently refreshes hair without leaving behind any white residue. THE EXPERT SAYS: "I tested this against my go-to dry shampoo and found it cuts the grease without that telltale white powder," says N.Y.C. stylist Eliu Rivera, who has worked with Sheryl Crow and Penelope Cruz. "It left the hair shiny and clean." His only complaint: "It smells like Lemon Pledge!" OUR VERDICT: It's completely colorless! No chalky streaks, no talc-like buildup. But--and this was a big but for our fine-haired staffers--it doesn't absorb oil or plump up limp locks as well as its talc-ier cousins. Our fave for fine hair: Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk ($14; at amazon.com).
TRY IT YOURSELF: Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible dry shampoo, $23; at beauty.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This tourmaline-charged, tapered iron makes it easy to create a more natural-looking wave even if you barely know how to wield a curling iron. THE EXPERT SAYS: "The tracked guide makes it impossible to miss a hair," says N.Y.C. stylist Ted Gibson, who has worked with Angelina Jolie. "You can achieve various types of curls thanks to its wide range of temperature settings." OUR VERDICT: Genius! Once we got the hang of placing our hair into the guided tracks--which took some practice—we mastered the goddess waves we've been trying to pull off for years. The trick: By wrapping hair in the spiral template, you get a much more natural wave than you'd achieve through clamping and rolling strands up or under. It essentially forces you to curl hair the way Hollywood' best experts do it. Goodbye, Shirley Temple curls; hello, Kate Hudson boho waves.
TRY IT YOURSELF: RSession Tools Runway Series tapered curling iron, $50; at amazon.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This almond-scented mist freshens up your sheets while repairing and protecting skin with a free-radical-busting cocktail of antioxidants. THE EXPERT SAYS: "There is no evidence these ingredients can be delivered to your skin from textiles and result in any real benefits," says Ni'kita Wilson. "This concept is moving in the right direction, but it's not quite there yet with this product." OUR VERDICT: We sprayed it on our sheets, went to bed, and…woke up with exactly the same skin we faced every morning. The upside? Our sheets had a sweet, intoxicating almond scent which helped us relax and fall asleep--reason enough to stick with the wishful spritzing.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Borba Atomizer Linen, Face and Body Reviving mist, $20; at borba.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: A proprietary blend of tightening agents--aka "firm-a-tite"--temporarily smooths out wrinkles and fine lines. THE EXPERT SAYS: "It frezes your face and feels tacky, like spackle," says N.Y.C. dermatologist Anne Chapas. "Even dabbing on just a little of it can plump up fine lines and give a quick improvement around your eyes and forehead. If you don't want to try Bototx, this is a fun, fast fix--but it doesn't last. OUR VERDICT: When it first dried on our face, it was startling: Our wrinkles weren't just softened, they were gone! The effect was so dramatic, we almost didn't care that it felt like we had swiped glue across our forehead. Then we rinsed it off as directed and--poof!--our delusions of permanently suspended youth trickled down the drain. Yes, our skin looked slightly smoother, but the improvement was much subtler. Worth it? Possibly on a Saturday night. Definitely not every day.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Temporary Face Tightener, $48; at sephora.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: A battery-operated wand uses micropulses to relieve undereye bags and help skin-lightening and collagen-boosting agents penetrate skin; polyamide textile fibers produce an instant firming effect. THE EXPERT SAYS:"Gentle massaging can temporarily reduce puffiness, but it won't work on protruding fat or excess skin. The fibers in the cream account for the tightening you feel," says N.Y.C. dermatologist Heidi Waldorf. OUR VERDICT: Straight out of the tube, the cream was as thick as a balm, but the vibrating applicator helped it soak in quickly (phew!) and gave our swollen eyes instant visible relief.
TRY IT YOURSELF: L'Oreal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse Eye, $22; at amazon.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: Most mouthwashes contain alcohol to mask bad breath for about an hour. This one relies on zinc ions (activated when you mix the two liquids together) to target the germs that cause halitosis. THE EXPERT SAYS: "The zinc penetrates plaque, where bacteria live, and prevents the bacteria from breaking down amino acids, which is what produces the foul smell," explains cosmetic chemist Ni'kita Wilson. OUR VERDICT: Morning breath be damned! We rinsed before hitting the sheets and felt fresh when our alarm clock buzzed eight hours later. But we missed the cool mintiness of our usual mouthwash and didn't love the chalky aftertaste.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Smart Mouth mouthwash, $11; at drugstore.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
THE CLAIM: This galvanic energy device improves penetration of active ingredients, making the company's anti-aging serum 80 percent more effective. It can be used on the face or body. THE EXPERT SAYS: "By stimulating nerves, you can make a difference," says N.Y.C. dermatologist Doris Day, noting that aesthetitcians in Europ have been using galvanic currents for years to drive product into the skin. "It temporarily causes cells to swell, diminishing fine lines around the face. But something this small isn't going to work on a large area like your thighs." OUR VERDICT: Our faces looked tighter and more sculpted after using it, but the "lift" was temporary: By the next morning it was gone. The dimples on our thighs didn't budge.
TRY IT YOURSELF: NuSkin Galvanic Spa system, $350; at nuskinusa.com. (CREDIT: Time Inc. Digital Studio) More Beauty Tests
