Boost Your Inner Glow by Making the Most of Your Outer Assets

From next gen tech to supplements, there are plenty of options for boosting your beauty routine. Illustration: Hanna Barczck

Level up your beauty routine with these 12 ways to pamper your body and feel great.

 

Next-Gen Tech

 

Treatment: The makers of Emsculpt, the body-contouring device dermatologists use to give skin a firmer appearance and muscle a leaner look, have introduced Emface, and Dr. Trevor Born is the first in Canada to offer it, at TMB Cosmetic Surgery in Toronto. “I personally try out every new treatment I bring into my practice, whenever I can,” he shares with me, via email. “I’m impressed with the technology. It targets the skin surface, as well as the facial muscles responsible for lifting the face, to reduce the visible signs of aging.”  

According to Born, it’s a 20-minute, non-invasive solution with zero downtime for those who aren’t ready for surgery. The treatment combines radio-frequency heating, to elevate tissue temperature, with high-intensity electromagnetics to stimulate the muscles. In the U.S., dermatologists report wrinkles can be reduced by as much as 37 per cent; muscle tone increased by 30 per cent; and an increased lift, at 23 per cent, in the face overall. A caveat: For optimum results, the patient typically would be within 20 pounds of target weight. tmbcosmeticsurgery.com

Topical: Clarins’ cult favourite, Beauty Flash Balm, with its tightening and radiance boosting properties, has been around for 40 years. Now it has been updated with energizing acerola seed extract, Clarins’ plant-based anti-pollution complex and oat sugars to create that tightening effect. clarins.ca

 

For the Face

 

Prime: CoverGirl has been in the makeup business for more than 60 years, but in 2021 launched Clean Fresh Skincare. Try Priming Glow Mist with rose water and vitamin C, which the company says improves skin texture, to “prime” and prepare the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturizers. Bonus: Wear it alone or after applying makeup to help it set, or spritz it on for a boost. Another reason we’re fans: Queen Latifah, at 52, is back as a brand spokesperson, and model Niki Taylor, 47, is also on the CoverGirl roster. shoppersdrugmart.ca; walmart.ca

Brighten: Naturally Serious C Your Glow Vitamin C radiance oil promises to brighten, nourish and protect even the most sensitive skin. This cruelty-free product is made in a carbon-neutral facility Tip: Apply before moisturizer, and massage in with a jade roller or gua sha tool for maximum absorption. shoppersdrugmart.ca

Boost: St. Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Youth Boosting Cream contains a natural melanin booster (to gradually brighten and tan skin), blue-light protection, antioxidants to guard against free radicals and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and improve texture. shoppersdrugmart.ca

Highlight: Revolution’s Bright Light highlighter stick is infused with quartz, comes in four shades and features a sponge applicator to allow for light coverage. Dab it along the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, over the brow bone and even the collar bone. Tip: Use it to lighten skin above the upper lip that sometimes darkens with age. shoppersdrugmart.ca

Protect: If you prefer a pared-down skin care routine, try Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30, a multitasking moisturizer. It guards against damaging UVA/UVB rays and pollution, helps even skin tone and, with its light-reflecting and hydrating formulation, it might be all you need. dermalogica.ca

 

 

For the Eyes

 

For Day: “To me, the idea of a glow for your eye area is that you don’t want any dark circles – anywhere,” writes U.K.-based Trinny Woodall, when I put the question to her via email. She’s the creator of the Trinny London cosmetics line – 60 per cent of her customer base are 40-plus. Woodall’s tip: Place a dab of concealer on the inner part of your nose near the eye, where you sometimes don’t notice dark circles. “As soon as you cover it, you look – and feel – wide awake and fabulous.” Try Trinny London BFF Eye serum-concealer, which comes in 12 shades and contains peptides for toning the skin, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and a cooling applicator tip to reduce puffiness. trinnylondon.com

For Night: StriVectin Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream is a new formulation that provides the wrinkle-reducing properties of retinol for the delicate eye area, without the irritation. It uses the company’s patented NIA-114 niacin cocktail to reduce skin sensitivity and add radiance. It’s gentle enough to apply during the day, but giving your eye area a massage with the cooling applicator tip is comforting self-care for the end of the day. strivectin.com 

 

For the Body

 

Soak It Up: Dr Teal’s Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt Glow & Radiance contains vitamin C and mood-boosting citrus essential oil. If you’re a purist, the company also makes an Epsom salt soaking solution with the same ingredients. Tip: Take a few tablespoons of Epsom salt, mix it with water and use it as a body scrub to exfoliate and renew skin. drteals.com; walmart.ca

Shine It Up: Shu Uemura’s new Gentle Radiance Deep Cleanser shampoo soothes the scalp, doesn’t weigh down fine hair and removes excess sebum and pollutants to boost natural shine. Energizing citrus, calming blue chamomile and warm notes of cedar, add an aromatherapeutic experience. sephora.ca; www.shuuemura.ca

Chew It up: Try New Nordic Hair Volume Gummies, part of the Swedish company’s hair-volume collection, which also features shampoo and conditioner. The vegan chewable supplement, like its line of bestselling tablets, is said to help strengthen locks with biotin and add shine with a patented apple-extract formula. New Nordic has also stocked its herbal Hair Volume conditioner with the shine booster. newnordic.ca   

A version this article appeared in the December 2022/January 2023 issue with the headline ‘Boost Your Inner Glow’, p. 70.