Do These Beauty Products Really Work?

By InStyle.com
Aug 10, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Jeffrey Westbook
Do These Beauty Products Really Work?
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Lash-Growth Serum

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Latisse, the first prescription treatment to grow eyelashes ($120; latisse.com for more information).
THE PROMISE Longer, thicker, darker upper lashes after four months.
THE EXPERT SAYS "Latisse works amazingly well-I wouldn't be surprised if it outsells Botox," says Katie Rodan, an adjunct clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. "I've seen it produce lashes that look like feather dusters."
WE SAY Love it! By Week three, our lashes were so long, they almost touched our brows. Everyone asked if we were wearing falsies.
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Detox Shake

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT SoCal Cleanse detoxing protein powder made with a mix of organic hemp and herbs ($48/16 oz.; socalcleanse.com).
THE PROMISE The 130-calorie drink flushes toxins, making you look and feel better.
THE EXPERT SAYS "This provides protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids," says Eric Braverman, M.D., founder and director of PATH Medical in N.Y.C. "The fiber will help cleanse the intestines, and essential fatty acids will improve skin condition."
WE SAY Drinking this shake in place of a snack every day for a week gave us lots of energy to work out, but the taste was a bit reminiscent of cardboard. That said, one tester-who combined the shake with sensible eating-lost 2 pounds in a week. Bottoms up!

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Home Laser Kit

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Ansr Skin Rejuvenation kit, containing exfoliator, a laser that uses both red and blue LED lights, and a follow-up anti-aging serum ($195; ansr.com).
THE PROMISE The company claims the combination of blue laser waves (which destroy bacteria) and red ones (which stimulate collagen growth) leads to diminished fine lines, wrinkles, and redness in a few weeks.
THE EXPERT SAYS "The laser uses the same wavelengths we use in the office for photo rejuvenation, so it may make skin brighter," says Heidi Waldorf, dermatologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in N.Y.C. "But doctors also use photosensitizers to get more out of LED light treatments, so managing expectations is key. Results won't be dramatic."
WE SAY: The laser was painless, and our skin looked clearer-but the difference was still minor after a few weeks.
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Brow Pen

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Anastasia Brow Pen, a fine-tipped brow-enhancing pen ($21; anastasia.net).
THE PROMISE Easy application and brow tint that won't smudge or wear off all day.
THE EXPERT SAYS "I love this product-it's my newest obsession!" says makeup artist Anthea King. "The marker-like tip is a truly fabulous idea and works really well to naturally fill in gaps in the brows."
WE SAY The pen was easier to apply than a brow powder, and the finish looked just as natural.

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Long-Wearing Liquid Lipstick

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Liquid lipstick ($11; drugstore.com).
THE PROMISE Color that stays put for 12 hours-even after eating and drinking-without drying out lips.
THE EXPERT SAYS Delivers a rich hue, "but you'll need lip balm to combat the dryness," says celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles. "Use it as a long-lasting stain-pat it on with your ring finger, then apply a dab of the balm-it'll last hours longer than regular lipstick."
WE SAY It lived up to the "long-wearing" claim-the color didn't budge or smudge from the moment we put it on until we got home 10 hours later. The only complaint? Our lips didn't feel that moist.

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Hair-Smoothing Treatment

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola ($300–$500; beauty-mart.com).
THE PROMISE Eliminates up to 95 percent of frizz and curl and cuts blow-drying time by 70 percent.
THE EXPERT SAYS "It deposits a coating of keratin and silicone, which is then heat processed to lock the hair into a smooth, straight appearance," says cosmetics chemist Jim Hammer. "It won't make curly hair pin-straight, but I've seen the results, and it does significantly improve manageability."
WE SAY The treatment took three hours and made our eyes sting, but it was totally worth it! Our styling time has been cut in half, and our hair resists frizz on even the most humid days.
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Vibrating Lash Primer

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster lash primer ($39; lancome-usa.com).
THE PROMISE To strengthen and lengthen lashes and help keep mascara on all day without flaking.
THE EXPERT SAYS "The vibration simulates the way we makeup artists wiggle the brush to thicken lashes," says makeup artist Anthea King.
WE SAY It made our lashes huge, and it didn't flake. But it needs to be applied with care-if you really load it on, it can get clumpy when you put mascara over it.

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Fast-Drying Polish

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color ($5; walgreens.com).
THE PROMISE One-coat polish that paints each nail in a single sweep and dries in a minute.
THE EXPERT SAYS "The brush is amazing. It covers the full nail with one stroke and the look is very finished," says nail expert Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spas in N.Y.C. "I was impressed by how fast it dried while still creating a nice sheen."
WE SAY Painting it on was a cinch-even left-handed-and it really did dry in 60 seconds.

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Hair-Thickening Conditioner

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Hair by Revitalash ($180; skinstore.com).
THE PROMISE Thicker, fuller, stronger hair after two weeks.
THE EXPERT SAYS "This foam works," says cosmetics chemist Ni'Kita Wilson, vice president of Cosmetech Laboratories. "When you use the product every day, you're building a film on your hair shaft that makes your hair look temporarily fuller."
WE SAY The foamy formula, with its subtle, appealing scent, was easy to apply. But we can't say our hair looked noticeably lusher or had more body.
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Pedicure Power Tool

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Pedi Pistol, a long-handled motorized tool with five multitasking attachments ($20; walgreens.com).
THE PROMISE To sculpt, shape, smooth and shine feet and toenails-all without requiring you to bend over.
THE EXPERT SAYS "The wand is so long that you can lose control," explains N.Y.C. aesthetician Joanna Czech. "So be careful. You can damage your nail bed if you file too much."
WE SAY The length did make it awkward and hard to handle, and there were more attachments than we really knew what to do with. The best one was the brush, which buffed nails to perfection.

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Volumizing Treatment

Jeffrey Westbook
THE PRODUCT Kerastase Volumorphose, an in-salon hair treatment ($35; visit kerastase-usa.com for salon locations).
THE PROMISE Instant body and thickness that lasts a few days and prolongs a professional blowout.
THE EXPERT SAYS "This could potentially be very effective," says chemist Jim Hammer. "It has a molecule that bonds to the hair's surface, and when moisture is applied-whammo! The molecules link to form a three-dimensional polymer, which has thickening effects and promotes volume."
WE SAY Our hair definitely had more oomph, and the blowout lasted an extra day.
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