NewBeauty Awards: Innovations

Droplette ($299)

Based on the idea that skin-care products need a more efficient delivery system to really work their magic, this NASA-backed device was created by two MIT-trained PhDs who were using a similar method to treat serious skin diseases on children. Simply insert a single-use capsule—choose from retinol, glycolic acid or collagen—hover the device over your skin and click the button to activate the aerosolized micro-mist. “It penetrates up to 20 times more effectively than traditional serums,” says cofounder Madhavi Gavini. With the retinol capsule specifically, “clinical testing shows a 68-percent reduction in wrinkle depth compared to topicals with retinol, and it stays in the skin longer, too.”

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Opte ($599)

The future of foundation, this revolutionary device houses a tiny printer that deposits water-based “ink” in the form of serum onto dark spots and discoloration to make skin look even without the need for makeup. “It combines a complex algorithm with the precision of thermal ink-jet printing in your hand to precisely cover certain spots but let the rest of the skin remain bare in order to preserve its natural radiance,” says founder Thomas Rabe, a beauty industry vet who spent 13 years developing the product. Each cartridge contains enough serum for about 60 uses, and although it takes a few tries to get the hang of it, the feather-light feel and natural-looking, near-magic effect is more than worth it.

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Endo Aesthetics Qwo

The first and only FDA-approved injectable that’s able to smooth dimples on the derrière, Qwo targets a frustrating concern that more than 90 percent of women face: cellulite. “Qwo is based on collagenase, which is an enzyme that when injected, can ‘cut’ the septation of the cellulite bands in a process known as chemical subcision,” says Vero Beach, FL plastic surgeon Alan Durkin, MD. “By offering an affordable, durable and injection-based treatment, Qwo will likely increase the number of patients opting to treat cellulite, at all ages.”

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask ($75)

A social media sensation with praise from hair pros across the world, this mask acts like a miracle worker to strengthen hair as it reverses damage on all hair types. “It’s truly revolutionary to the hair industry, and especially for me as a colorist,” says celebrity colorist Aura Friedman. “Regardless of the frequency in which hair is put under stress, whether it be through color, heat, mechanical or chemical styling, the patented bioactive K18Peptide reconnects keratin chains and reconforms broken bonds to repair hair from the inside out, restoring each strand to near virgin strength and elasticity.” Work the cream through damp hair and let it sit for four minutes. It’s that easy.

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Shani Darden Facial Sculpting Wand ($399)

We’d buy anything celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden uses on her A-list clientele during her raved-about facials—her loyal clients include everyone from Jessica Alba to Chrissy Teigen—but her skin-firming wand is in a class of its own. “The wand uses vibration therapy, which was originally used to treat muscle pain, and acoustic sound waves that travel deep into the skin and almost workout your facial muscles,” explains Darden. The result: a tighter, more toned appearance the more often you use it.

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Velour Beauty Lash & GO ($23)

At-home lash extensions became even more popular during the pandemic as salons were forced to close, but that doesn’t mean they became easier to apply. Well, that was until we discovered this invention: a black liquid eyeliner that doubles as lash glue. An alternative to magnetic lashes, it works without magnets and can be used with any lashes you love, making the notoriously difficult process of falsie application much less frustrating. It dries matte, it stays put all day and it’s beloved by lash aficionados and novices alike.

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Sciton BBL Hero

When dermatologists and plastic surgeons received the prototype of this laser more than two years ago, they knew it had immense potential. Now, Chicago plastic surgeon Julius Few, MD calls it a “dramatic game changer.” It’s best for those with superficial sun damage on the face and body in the form of spots and fine textural changes, and also reduces redness, which can be associated with rosacea. “The laser itself is four times as fast as the next closest thing, which is IPL,” he says. “We can treat an entire face in four minutes, and only one or two treatments are needed to see results—not four or six.” There’s also next to no downtime: Just put on a little tinted sunscreen to hide the temporary redness, and you’re good to go.

Goli Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies ($19)

The age-old benefits of apple cider vinegar range from increased immunity and digestion support to heart health, but its bitter taste and high acidity—it can be harsh on the teeth, too—can be a big deterrent to even the most health-conscious among us. To solve the problem, savvy scientists at Goli Nutrition created the world’s first apple cider vinegar gummies. Two per day—there’s truly no bitter taste to be found—equals one traditional ACV shot.

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Waterpik Sonic-Fusion ($170)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever lied when your dentist asks if you remember to floss every day? Don’t worry, we’re not judging—one study showed that only 30 percent of people actually do so. But thanks to this smile breakthrough, brushing and flossing become one foolproof step. The two-in-one technology not only features a precise flossing brush head, but also a built-in two-minute timer and 10 pressure settings. It’s the deepest clean and freshest feeling we’ve experienced outside of the dentist chair.

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PRIORI UNVEILED LED Mask ($395)

You’ve probably seen red LED face masks before—the concept itself isn’t new. What is new, however, is the use of flexible, medical-grade silicone instead of hard plastic, so the mask forms to the face rather than canopying above it, resulting in a deeper delivery of red and infrared light. This mask uses 633 nanometers of red light and 830 nanometers of near infrared light, both of which have been shown in clinical studies to stimulate collagen and elastin production and trigger cell renewal, helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and brighten dull skin. Wear it for 10 minutes a day—it’s comfortable and doesn’t get hot—and bask in the instant glow.

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InMode Evoke

Evoke is a noninvasive, hand’s-free, headband-shaped device that is positioned on the face or neck to contour the cheeks, jowls, neck or jawline—no anesthesia necessary. “This technology is an industry first, and no other device can do what it does,” says Fort Myers, FL plastic surgeon Ralph R. Garramone, MD. “Radio-frequency energy penetrates deep into the skin and structurally remodels the facial tissues for a more youthful appearance. The results we are seeing are beautiful.” Patients can relax and surf the web or watch TV during the 30-minute treatment—it’s ideal for social distancing—and in just three to six sessions, patients notice tighter skin and increased tone in the target areas.