What new textures, technologies, and innovations will have the biggest impact this year? We’re putting our money on these standouts (and stashing them all in our makeup bags and bathrooms).
—Baze Mpinja, Style.com
10 Beauty Products That Will Change the Game in 2015
John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7-Day Volume In-Shower Treatment
Why it's a game-changer: Products that promise to makes strands look fuller have been crowding salon and drugstore shelves for the past several years, with bouncy blow-outs still trending on the runways (see DVF Spring ’15) and more and more women expressing concerns about thinning hair. Countless stylers create the illusion of more volume, but the results typically don't last. John Frieda is aiming to change that with a new semipermanent, rinse-off treatment that uses polymer and fruit acid technologies to add texture and thickness to fine strands. The product also strengthens hair with protein over time so that it doesn't just look good, but feels healthier, too. The patent-pending mix of ingredients delivers noticeable fullness after the first use, but "the product was designed to last through multiple washes, therefore it does not need to be used every time you shampoo," says Niyati Chanchani, associate director of R&D at John Frieda. An affordable, at-home body builder that lasts from Monday to Sunday? We haven't been this excited since dry shampoo. US $10; AED/SAR 37 Buy it now Photos: Sonny Vandevelde / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of John Frieda
Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-in-Oil
Why it's a game-changer: 2014 was easily the Year of Oil. American women finally embraced it in skincare and hair products, and no doubt the momentum will continue this year. The twist for 2015? Oil will begin seeping into unexpected products like color cosmetics. Forward-thinking YSL is already on the case. The company's new technology, Color Link Infuser, merges five nourishing oils (apricot kernel, macadamia seed, coriander fruit, jojoba seed, and passion flower) and pigments together so that the color doesn’t separate in the tube. "It took our labs almost two years to finalize the tint-in-oil technology. We screened more than 17 technologies," says Caroline Nègre, scientific communication director for YSL. The effort seems to have paid off. The shades are sheer yet gorgeous and the formula makes lips feel supersoft—like you just put on a rich lip balm minus any stickiness. We'll have to wait and see if it's enough to convert die-hard lipstick loyalists to the glossy side, but early signs point to yes. US $32 each;AED/SAR 117 Buy it now Photos: Marcus Tondo / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent
Redken Metal Fix 08
Why it's a game-changer: We've gotten so used to hair color streaks and wild dye jobs that we hardly bat an eyelash at a celebrity or model going gray or purple or green anymore. So where do we go from here? Redken is banking on metallics. As part of its new fashion collection launching this spring, the brand is offering a silver and a gold pomade that add shimmer and hold to slicked-back hair. If you can't get your hands on the gilded tiaras from Valentino or circular barrettes from Céline, consider this your next best (and more affordable) option. "This is a product that's designed to give highlights—it's fun for women to have in their bags if they're going out at night," says mane master and Redken creative consultant Guido Palau. US $27; AED/SAR 99 available in April; visit redken.com for more information Photos: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Redken
Dior Pastel Eyes Multi-Wear Adhesive Eyeliner Patches
Why it's a game-changer: After so much innovation in the nail arena—Gels! Appliqués! Texture!—it's about time for something exciting to shake up the eye category. We found it in Dior's reusable eyeliner adhesives. The laser-cut satin patches created by Peter Philips got a lot of attention backstage at the Spring runway show, and now non-models get to try it out, too. "I thought it would be interesting to take a classic fabric like satin and subvert it to obtain a really modern makeup finish, which in fact looks very similar to a 'neoprene' effect," the face painter explains. Besides being a cinch to apply, it's the only liner in the world that is guaranteed not to fade or smear. Our only complaint is that they don't come in black—at least not yet. US $61; AED/SAR 224 for set of four, available February 1 at dior.com Photos: Sonny Vandevelde / Indigitalimages.com; Paul Armbruster
Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum
Why it's a game-changer: We all know the unspoken skincare rule: What's big in Asia will eventually become big in the States. In 2015, look out for micro-encapsulation technology to pop up in antiaging serums, like this new one from Chanel. The idea behind the formula's tiny droplets is that they'll help keep key ingredients (like camellia oil extract) fresher and more potent so that you get a more concentrated blast of benefits when you apply them to your skin. Niche brands such as Wei and Skin Inc. have introduced similar formulas in the East, but now that Chanel is on board, there's sure to be a ripple effect across America and Europe. US $110; AED/SAR 404 Buy it now Photos: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Chanel
Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant
Why it's a game-changer: Spray-on antiperspirants fell out of favor decades ago due to environmental concerns about aerosols, as well as the inconvenience factor. "In the past, spray-ons were prone to leaving a sticky residue that felt like it stayed with you all day," says Matthew McCarthy, senior marketing director of antiperspirants and deodorants at Unilever. Enter a new alcohol-free formula from Dove that doesn't leave white streaks on your LBD and dries in seconds. Karlie Kloss has been toting it home from Europe for seasons, and that girl knows how to break a sweat. US $5.50; AED/SAR 20 Buy it now Photos: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Dove
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+
Why it's a game-changer: Dermatologists (and maybe your mother) often warn that sunscreen loses its effectiveness when it's exposed to water or sweat. That's why it might be hard to wrap your head around the new WetForce technology infused into Shiseido's cult-favorite SPF: It actually works better when it's wet. Instead of resisting water, the formula uses it along with positive and negative ions to create a stronger UV protective veil around the skin. Now that's what we call a breakthrough. US $36; AED/SAR 132 available in February at shiseido.com Photos: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Shiseido
Gillette Venus Swirl
Why it's a game-changer: This razor has the maneuverability of a Dyson vacuum when it comes to ridding knees and sensitive curves of hair. And it's all thanks to a little ball—or "Flexiball," as the R&D peeps at Gillette call it. Created by women, the brand's newest razor is designed with a sphere between the blade and the handle, making it easy to shave in hard-to-reach spots without resorting to contortionist moves in the shower. Engineering might be a boys club, but leave it to the ladies to solve the real problems. US $13; AED/SAR 48 Buy it now Photos: Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Gilette
Dr. Jart+ BB Bounce Beauty Balm
Why it's a game-changer: Liquid foundations and BB creams of the past were often confined to tubes and bottles, but the Korean beauty phenomenon known as a cushion compact—particularly this one from Dr. Jart—is set to revolutionize the way you apply and store your base. A layer of thin elastic netting covers the hyaluronic acid- and hydrolyzed marine collagen-laced formula, dispensing a controlled amount of product with the slight press of a puff. Not only does this make for light and buildable coverage, but it eliminates any chances of spillage in your makeup bag. US $48; AED/SAR 176 Buy it now Photos: Sonny Vandevelde / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of Dr. Jart+
NYC New York Color Strip Me Off Base Coat
Why it's a game-changer: Textured polishes and glitter are all fun and flash—until you have to chisel them off. The same goes for vampy shades of red and black that can leave nail beds stained no matter how much you scrub. That's why we're intrigued by this new base coat that allows you to peel off your polish like the Tinkerbell lacquers we used to play with in the '80s. The verdict is still out on how well this base coat wears (rigorous tests that involve typing and texting at Style.com are currently in progress), but we're sold on the idea of quick removal that doesn't require any elbow grease. US $2; AED/SAR 11 visit newyorkcolor.com for more information Photos: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com; Courtesy of NYC New York Color
