I’ll be the first to admit, I love anything that makes my day feel just that little bit easier, especially if it means that I can use my time more efficiently – and that especially applies to my skincare and beauty routine.
And I’m not alone; lots of us are looking for more convenient, hard-working and time-conscious products to streamline our routines. But that doesn’t always mean that we want to leave old favourites behind in favour of all-new formulations. Thankfully, this doesn’t always have to be the case; lots of beauty brands are changing, adapting and improving their best-sellers to meet this ever-increasing customer demand for convenience.
For the sixth edit in my technology series, I’m going to be looking at some of the most innovative ways that the skincare, fragrance and makeup industries are reimagining beauty classics to offer exciting innovations that are easier to use and, ultimately, more convenient for everyday life.
1. Innovations In Skincare
The Trend: When it comes to skincare, I instantly think of one texture style; a cream or a balm. As a result, my thoughts don’t instantly go to a mist, spritz or a spray. But with the current cream-to-mist trend that’s making waves within the beauty world, this is certainly changing.
There’s no doubt about it – a quick spritz is a fun, fast and easy way to target and treat your skin, especially larger patches. One thing I love about mist formats is that they can be much more convenient for a wide range of people – from little kids who loath having thick creams worked into their skin, to busy adults who want to avoid time-consuming skincare routines (if this is you, you’ll love Avene’s Hydrance Hydrating Mist; it offers 24-hour hydration in just 3 seconds), or even elderly individuals who want to apply a fine layer of skincare to fragile, weakened skin.
I think it’s safe to say the balm-to-mist trend is here to stay, and I’m here for it.
My Standout Choice Of The Moment: Eucerin Aquaphor Body Ointment Spray
Although a number of skincare favourites are being revised as a mist, I simply had to pick Eucerin’s Aquaphor Body Ointment Spray as my top recommendation of the moment. Designed for very dry, damaged and rough skin, the Aquaphor Spray is a clever reinvention of their iconic Aquaphor balm (the cult classic loved by everyone from Team Escentual to Meghan Markle).
The innovative ointment spray has a 360-degree reach, so you can spritz and spray it to soothe and relieve skin all over, so we’re talking optimum ease and convenience. But what really makes this skin-saving spray stand out? Well, let’s start with the fact that it’s the world’s first ointment spray!
The revolutionary Aquaphor spritz has been designed to repair dry, irritated skin, but it’s particularly good for larger areas of dry skin – including the legs, back, torso, arms and feet. It even helps alleviate dry skin symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and xerosis.
Plus, its mist format is ideal as the formula is both emollient and occlusive; this means that it protects the skin by creating a skin-softening, breathable protective barrier over it while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier function. Thanks to this protective barrier, the body’s regeneration process is accelerated for healthier, happier skin.
2. Innovations In Fragrance
The Trend: Of course, I love a stunning fragrance flacon, but even I’ll admit that they’re not always the most convenient things to carry around, especially when it comes to travel or wanting to top-up throughout the day. So, it should come as no surprise that perfume houses are rethinking the ways we experience and use fragrance.
Narciso Rodriguez’ For Her fragrance pens are a notable example as they allow you to ‘write’ fragrance directly onto your pulse points, which is ideal for when you’re out and about. These pens – alongside Issey Miyake’s new IGO range – perfectly exemplifies the trend for high-convenience, travel-friendly fragrance.
My Standout Choice Of The Moment: Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey IGO Eau de Toilette
As soon as it launched in Spring 2021, Issey Miyake IGO instantly caught my attention. The perfume is a jetsetter’s dream, but it’s also perfect for anyone who wants to ensure they’re never without the timeless, iconic fresh floral-aquatic L’Eau d’Issey fragrance – no matter where they are.
What’s so special about this fragrance? Of course, the way it’s been updated to offer a stay-at-home base flacon and a super-lightweight, transportable lid-flacon hybrid that you can remove to take with you wherever you are (what’s more, you can also buy the cap on its own if you want to pop a backup straight into your handbag or travel bag).
The main thing I love about this fragrance is just how much time and research went into perfecting its innovative 2-in-1 bottle. In fact, it took four years to research and develop the IGO design – and the bottle is even subject to a patent application, proving just how unique it is.
I definitely think that IGO is an exciting take on the fresh, airy 1992 L’Eau d’Issey scent; but this time, it’s made for the 21st century. The bottle’s ultra-lightweight silver cap perfectly showcases the way the fragrance world is rethinking and challenging the drawbacks of traditional fragrance flacons to offer an everyday solution. And it gets better; L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme has also been given an IGO twist too, so fans of the male fragrance don’t have to miss out.
3. Innovations In Makeup
The Trend: Okay, I’ll admit, it might look like I’m cheating a little bit here as I’m featuring another texture innovation – but this time, I’m looking at the way that beauty favourites are undergoing changes in both texture and product type. We’ve recently seen Urban Decay’s All Nighter range welcome a whole host of new additions, including spray-to-primer formulations alongside mattifying or glow-enhancing versions of the original iconic setting spray. And let’s not forget Benefit’s latest edition to the POREfessional range, their long-lasting setting mist.
But whether these beauty classics are being transformed from a primer to a setting spray – or vice versa – the result is a formula that has been perfected to meet your skin’s individual needs, while effortlessly enhancing your makeup in moments – if that isn’t convenient, I don’t know what is!
My Standout Choice Of The Moment: Benefit POREfessional Super Setter Setting Spray
The Benefit POREfessional collection is loved by beauty experts and novices alike. It’s a world-renowned cult classic, so fans were undeniably excited to see that Benefit have recently revisited and revamped their best-selling range to offer the same pore-minimising effects in an exciting new format. The latest launch within the range is their fuss-free, quick fix setting spray to guarantee a longer-lasting makeup look.
The microfine mist locks your makeup look in place for up to 16 hours while instantly reducing the look of pores, thanks to pore-blurring powders that softly scatter light. The waterproof, smudge-proof setting spray also helps visibly reduce shine for a natural-looking, soft-focus finish. The mess-free applicator cocoons the complexion in a smooth, even and featherlight cloud that doesn’t feel sticky or heavy. And of course, is incredibly time-efficient; it works to set makeup and leave skin feeling smooth, refreshed and quenched in a matter of moments. Thanks to its easy mist format, you can quickly reapply throughout the day too, which is another added convenience! Plus, it’s also available in a handy mini version that’s ideal for trips away.
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