Beauty
at its Best—The Year in Review
As we venture into 2007, let’s take a moment to look back
on the products that really wowed me, based on my strict
criteria coupled with the latest substantiated research.
All the skin-care items listed here truly represent the
best of the best from 2006, and it is gratifying that
not all of them carry prohibitive prices. One surprising
point is that there were no state-of-the-art new anti-acne
products launched last year. Instead, skin-lightening
and “brightening” options grabbed a foothold, perhaps
a testament to the reality that many baby boomers are
facing: that their years of sun-tanning are finally catching
up with them. What’s unfortunate about many of these types
of products is they omit hydroquinone, which is still
the most well-researched and effective skin-lightening
agent. Regarding acne, the good news is that there are
still effective over-the-counter products out there (just
not new ones) to help manage this all-too-common condition,
though keep in mind this is assuredly a category of products
that you want to be well-informed about when you shop.
The pinnacle of makeup in 2006 is almost exclusively in
the realm of improved powder and silicone technology.
Not only are strides in this area producing some of the
silkiest textures around, but the products that use these
technologies adhere better to skin and blend beautifully,
providing a polished, refined look. It is now easier than
ever to find makeup products that enhance, rather than
detract from, good skin. And even if your skin isn’t in
its best state, the products listed here will create that
illusion. Just make sure you’re doing what you can via
skin-care products to improve your skin’s appearance,
and to protect it from harmful influences, such as sunlight.
The Best Skin-Care Products of 2006
Almay Daily Moisturizer for
Normal/Combo Skin with Grape Seed SPF 15 ($11.99 for 4
ounces), Sun Protector for Body SPF 30 ($8.99 for 4.2
ounces), and Sun Protector for Face SPF 30 ($8.99 for
4.2 ounces)
Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted
Skin Tone Lightener ($15 for 0.85 ounce)
Clinique Turnaround Concentrate
Visible Skin Renewer ($36.50 for 1 ounce)
Cosmedicine Primary Care
Multi-Tasking Moisturizer SPF 20 ($48 for 1.35 ounces),
MegaDose PM Skin Fortifying Serum with Retinol ($85 for
1 ounce), MegaDose Skin Fortifying Serum ($80 for 1 ounce),
Opti-mologist Eye Cream with Light Diffusers ($45 for
0.5 ounce), and Opti-mologist PM Intensive Eye Cream ($48
for 0.5 ounce)
Dove Energy Glow Brightening
Moisturizer SPF 15 ($10.99 for 1.7 ounces)
Dr. Denese New York HydroShield
Eye Serum ($44 for 0.5 ounce), HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing
Face Serum ($125 for 2 ounces), HydroSeal Hand & Decollete
Serum ($35 for 3 ounces), and Perfect Pucker Line Filler
with Pro-Peptide Factor ($36.50 for 0.3 ounce)
Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant
Lotion SPF 30, for Normal/Combination Skin ($38 for 1.7
ounces) and Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery
Boosting Treatment ($85 for 1 ounce)
Good Skin Clean Skin Oil-Free
Lotion SPF 15 ($15 for 1.7 ounces), All Right Oil-Free
Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12 for 1.7 ounces), All Bright Moisture
Cream ($23.50 for 1.7 ounces), All Firm Rebuilding Serum
($25 for 1 ounce), All Calm Gentle Creamy Cleanser ($15
for 6.7 ounces), and All Calm Gentle Sunscreen SPF 25
($12 for 1.7 ounces)
Mary Kay TimeWise Even Complexion
Essence ($35 for 1 ounce)
Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock
SPF 30 ($9.49 for 4 ounces), Age Shield Sunblock SPF 45
($9.49 for 4 ounces), Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive
Eye Cream ($16.99 for 0.5 ounce), Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle
Intensive Night Cream ($16.99 for 1.4 ounces)
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 ($42 for 1 ounce) and
Retinol 1.0 ($48 for 1 ounce)
Wei East
China Herbal Eyes Alive ($35 for 0.7 ounce)
The Best Makeup Products
of 2006
Almay One Coat Nourishing
Mascara Triple Effect ($7.99) and One Coat Nourishing
Mascara Triple Effect Waterproof ($7.99)
American Beauty* Blush Perfect Cheek Color ($15)
Becca Compact Concealer ($35),
Eye Color Powder ($20), Pressed Shimmer Powder ($34),
Translucent Bronzing Gel ($34), and Brushes ($19–$64)
Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara
($20) and Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22)
The Body Shop Lip Line Fixer
($9)
Clarins Express Compact Foundation
Wet/Dry ($36)
Clinique Colour Surge Eye
Shadow Quad ($25) and Brush-On Cream Liner ($14.50)
Cover Girl TruBlend Whipped
Foundation ($7.89)
Dior DiorSkin Sculpt Lifting
Smoothing Concealer ($28) and DiorShow Waterproof Mascara
($23)
Estee Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Duo ($24) and Pure Color
EyeShadow ($17.50)
Flirt* Pretty Easy Quick
Cover ($10)
Good Skin* All Firm Finishing
Powder ($15)
Guerlain Maxi Lash Extreme
Volume Mascara ($26)
IsaDora** Compact Foundation
Powder ($11.99), Eye Shadow Quartet ($10.99), and Triple
Eye Shadow ($9.99)
Jane Max Lash² for Intense
Volume Mascara ($4.99) and Shimmering Bronzer ($5.99)
L’Oreal Waterproof Volume
Shocking Mascara ($11.99)
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra
Enduringly Divine and Comfortable Makeup ($35)
Laura Mercier Flawless Face
Silk Creme Foundation ($40)
M.A.C. Technakohl Liner ($14.50)
Max Factor Lash Perfection
Waterproof Mascara ($6.99)
Maybelline New York Intense
XXL Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara ($7.99) and Superstay
Lipcolor ($9.49)
N.V. Perricone
Active Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($65)
Rimmel Volume Flash Instant
Thickening Mascara ($5.99)
Sephora Arch It Brow Kit
($35)
Stila Perfecting Foundation
($30)
*Note: The American Beauty, Good Skin, and
Flirt lines are exclusive to Kohl’s stores and Kohls.com.
**Note: The IsaDora makeup line is exclusive
to Walgreens and Walgreens.com.