November Gadgets and Goodies
By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS
There are tons of new beauty products and handy gadgets on the Mexican market right now, just in time for the holidays and gift-giving (or simply indulging yourself, after all, you’ve been a lot less naughty than nice this year).
So here are some of the best new must-haves we’ve found to get your through the rest of the year looking great and feeling fantastic.
Start with a Flawless Complexion
MartiDerm, the Spanish pharmacosmetic company that created the ampule face treatment, has introduced a new ultra-intensive, anti-wrinkle, firming and anti-oxidant multipurpose elixir, Black Diamond Proteum Serum.
Suitable for all skin types, MartiDerm Black Diamond Proteum Serum is part of the company’s Smart Aging range, and contains MartiDerm’s exclusive Proteum 89+ formula, based on next-generation proteoglycans that provide firmness, elasticity and a lasting anti-wrinkle effect.
This extraordinary serum — enriched with vitamins A, B, C and E — goes on milky smooth and has a special deep-skin repair complex that promotes the body’s natural DNA cell repair systems, thus delaying the aging process and increasing the production of collagen, the building blocks of facial structure.
Used daily, MartiDerm Black Diamond Proteum Serum leaves skin looking brighter and more toned, for a fresher, younger appearance.
Frenzied Sun Defense
New to Mexico, the Greek FrezyDerm line has an entire range of health, skincare and beauty products, including gentle cleansing creams, hydration (four types, from matte to restructuring), velvet-textured sun protection and a variety of anti-aging serums.
First established in 1986 by Anastasios Anastasiou, FrezyDerm products are designed to conform to strict European Union pharmaceutical and dermatological standards and are so gentle that they can be used by infants.
It’s star product is its sunscreen, a gently tinted, SPF 50-plus Sun Screen Velvet that doubles as a light, matte foundation.
Paraben- and fragrance-free, FrezyDerm’s award-winning and innovative Sun Screen Velvet has a unique silky texture that protects against photo-aging and discoloration caused by sun exposure.
The cream also has a revolutionary Second Skin Technology, which gives a matte appearance for up to six hours after application, absorbing excess oil and softening the appearance of wrinkles.
The sunscreen’s clear, non-oily texture leaves no white marks and makes an excellent base for makeup.
Beauty with a Twist
Finally, it’s November and Sisley has at long last released the latest additions to its Phyto Twist cosmetic collection.
Heading up the new line if Phyto-Lip Twist in a brand new Black Rose color that hydrates and leaves lips soft and smooth for continuous comfort.
This come-on-and-kiss-me dark cherry color comes with a special bullet tip that makes it easy to apply.
Then there is the Sisley Phyto-Eye Twist with three new shades to wake up your eyes (including an equally seductive Black Rose to match your lips).
Phyto-Eye Twist is an all-in-one eye makeup solution: eyeshadow and eyeliner all together.
The jumbo tip blends and glides to color the eyelids, easily applying graphic shadow or a dynamite line.
The Phyto-Eye Twist formula is enriched with plant-based ingredients like green tea, white lily and camellia to protect your delicate lids, and the gliding, waterproof texture allows for an ultra-easy application and a flawless hold all day.
And finally, there are two new shades of Sisley Phyto-Blush Twist, Passion and Contour, to give your face an incomparable glow or a touch of bronze that can add a splash of refined definition in a jiffy.
Forty Shades of…
Foundation.
Yes, that is the number of new perfect match makeup base shades that Dior Backstage now offers in its latest collection of runway-inspired cosmetics and brushes.
The line was designed by Dior makeup artist Peter Phillips for everyday women who want to get a professional makeup look without the intimidation and complexity of extreme color combinations and exaggerated contouring.
The foundations, which are the heart and soul of the new Dior Backstage collection, run the color gamut from flawless porcelain to lusty Latino shades-
They all have long-wear, waterproof formulas that provide a radiant and natural-looking finish that stays put all day long.
The shades cover an entire spectrum of skin tones, including colors suited for warm beige, cool beige, olive, peach, pink and yellow-based complexions.
Made to be applied by brushes so that they can be blended seamlessly into the skin, Dior Backstage has also created a new line of silky soft brushes to accompany the liquid foundation line.
Best of all, the foundations are buildable, which means that you can layer them on depending on whether you want a hint of makeup or full coverage.
The collection also includes eye, lip, brow and highlighting and contouring palettes in a range of fool-proof shades that can be mixed and matched without fear of clownish combinations.
The two Eye Palettes each have nine neutral earthy shades (including a primer) and a variety of textures so they can create both day and night looks.
The Lip Palettes also have nine classic shades, three of which are sheer, three with a satiny finish and three that are matte.
The four-shade Glow Palette combines subtle contouring and blush.
The Dior Backstage Brow palettes each have three shades so you can blend to create your own natural look.
The Sounds of the Season
Now that you’ve got the look of a perfect late autumn beauty, odds are pretty good that you will be taking advantage of the upcoming holiday season to head of to some romantic or exotic vacation destination to show yourself off.
And since that usually means boarding a plane and having to cope with the obnoxious sounds of droning jet noise, screaming kids behind you and that oh-so-loud snoring man sitting next to you, your best bet is to protect your sanity (and eardrums) by creating your own auditory sanctuary with a good pair of earphones.
Fortunately, Urbanears, the Swedish audio brand that has mastered the art of combining light, wireless, full-acoustics headphones, earbuds, speakers and headsets with sleek, trendy, colorful design, is now available in Mexico through its online store.
Urbanears headphones offer great sound rendition and incomparable attention to the detail, as well as affordability.
And each Urbanears product comes with a little extra functionality you wouldn’t expect, such as a microphone and a remote, allowing you to pick up calls and communicate mid-music, and uncomplicated on-off switches that double as volume controls.