LYRA MAG.

The most recent NYC IBS tradeshow for spa professionals highlighted non-invasive skincare trends. For at home users-the  proliferation of FDA approved beauty tools available...and salon only brands-being sold on Amazon or direct to consumer also lined the aisles... SOME HIGHLIGHTS: CRYO FACIAL SYSTEM-Cryotherapy's deep freeze anti-inflammatory benefits-are now available for the face/neck only-and is very tolerable.  Liquid nitrogen vapors (-130º) targets the area--supposedly increases blood flow, reduces pore size, reduces inflammation+puffiness, reduces dark spots-and- this def makes sense to us-might sooth dermatitis, eczema patches. 

Part 2 At the recent IBS-IESCS tradeshow-the Visia Imaging System-revealed its 7th version of  its awesome Complexion Analysis system-that captures/interprets 3D images of skin's top and lower layers (pictured below-the facial 'camera')...conjuring up true selfies of what lies beneath with regard to various measurable skin conditions  (like UV damage, textures, pores/poryphrins, fine lines/wrinkles, spider veins, red/brown spots),. Selfie Alert: Why stop at the surface... Similar to earlier versions that we've tried...three images-three angles (left-center-right) are photographed - skin cleansed , eyes closed-chin placed on the cup shape holder-while the Visia camera part-rotates around-taking the pictures. The instant images-are then analyzed in a software database that records/measures in three modes-dubbed Intelliflash®, cross-polarized and UV lighting. What one sees-is unique and color differentiated...of the (your) measured skin type/conditions-including s...

IBS-IECSC Conferences-NYC DYSON SUPERSONIC™ HAIR DRYER, REFA MICROCURRENT ROLLERS Selfie alert-salons and spas are getting etched out-for your selfie best. At the most recent International Beauty Show s...and International Esthetics's, Cosmetics & Spa ...we saw more technology on display along side popular items-hair+ eyelash extensions, organic -(natural leaning), cosmetics+treatments, effusive hair coloring options, and micro-needling -hand rolling devices. PART ONE via GIPHY DYSON SUPERSONIC™ Hair dryers- -a price-y option sold over 500 of these slick beauties at this show...which included a "professional' smoothing nozzle attachment, concentrator attachment and a diffuser. Beautifully packaged as one would expect of this high end hand held-we asked how this sleek machine was conjured up by James Dyson -who is well know for his tricked out vacuums..."HIS WIFE'" apparently admonished him for not re-inventing a staple of people with hair, used...

Javits Convention Center, NYC International Beauty Show, International Aesthetics Cosmetics+Spa Show from the louder side of the tradeshow...the hair centric International Beauty Show -hair demos and eye candy galore ...from Alterna Italy Private label skin and body care manufacturing companies offer a range of increasingly sophisticated -standard and customized collections, and packaging options---for those looking to launch their own lines including physicians, spa owners, make-up artists---or really anyone who can afford it. This is a side of the beauty biz a lot of consumers don't know about-but explains some of the likeness of so many products on the market. One reason why so many folks benefit from launching their own lines- those nice profit margins -with no middleman mark-ups/ad budgets...selling directly to their customer base. Vitelle Labs was one company exhibiting- that impressed- with its products and packaging options, ranging from the eco -plant de...

International Beauty Shows and Int'l Aesthetics, Cosmetics&Spa Show, CEW- NYC 2016 Part Two Part One No surprise here-collections of skin/body care with "natural"  a not legally defined, meaningless title -arch a skeptical eyebrow when ever that's on a  label-  and certified USDA organic ingredients continue to win favor with customers wary of toxic ingredients in skincare/haircare/and cosmetics-just like they are concerned with what they eat. Paraben, phthalates and triclosan free and/or no artificial fragrance/dyes products are increasingly important to consumers of all ages...who read the ingredients list and scan the  Environmental Working G roup website for what to avoid and really avoid (or embrace). An "O" List fav: Farmhouse Fresh Practically every skincare, hair care and novelty items at this Texas home grown exhibitor space-including masks in plastic tubs, body oils in glass bottles, and moisturizing creams in tubes= sold-out when...

International Beauty Shows and Int'l Aesthetics, Cosmetics&Spa Show NYC 2016 PCA SKIN® -New Product Launches PART ONE: This sorta  two in one  tradeshow at Javits convention center-is always a big draw with spa owners, estheticians, and those in school to be ...hauling rip free over-sized tote bags- filled to brim with the latest adornments and goodies.  Crowded aisles- even on the last day when we got there -are aligned with exhibitors serving up new and tried /true products in hair (attached and clip-in hair extensions are still HUGE), haircare tools, nail art, and our focus-skin/body care. Sell-outs of what's hot...were common. Some Highlights: From a Queens based importer-tables of fun-South Korean skin care products...incredibly cheap---from a country acclaimed for its product innovations-and loads of them...no wonder their export skin care/beauty market is BOOMING.  Anti-Aging +Treatments Skincare: Multi-Tasking cosmeceuticals with...

NYC In the past-we never met a beauty product that didn't beg for sampling---and now an industry delivers fulfillment of that need (Birch Box etc.).  Upside=consumers try out skin+haircare without really  a major commitment. BUT it does take a week-to a few months-to see the kind of game changing skin altering results often claimed by beauty products nowadays…versus the quick hit solutions that disappear along with the water-down the drain… For THAT- $ down and a required dedicated use are musts. Which makes what we're willing to try out…subject to a lot more scrutiny. AS IN: First off -imo- packaging matters--- since active ingredients  -even so-called'stable' fixings-need to be delivered in preferred airless pumps/nozzle/jar -to preserve the efficacy/potency of the goodies we are paying for (+portion control). FYI-we've asked this ? -and a well respected high-end brand countered with ---  the "luxury experience" of a glammy packaged wide ...

You are what you eat...is a common phrase-for a reason...it's true. As scores of topical hair treatments get introduced every month---guaranteeing luscious locks...(though two of our favs is the been around  awhile-the multi-tasking VMV Hypoallergenics Know It All 100% USDA Organic Coconut Oil -cold pressed, preservative free- that really penetrates hair shafts to sooth frizz and repair the chlorine from the pool damage...as well as moisturize our skin, grease-free AND the divinely scented, deeply moisturizing -  Lenore Greyl   Masque Fleurs de Jasmin   -a staple in upscale salons worldwide-even the ones where the owners have their own lines)... There are also nourishment aids that work from the inside out-meaning vitamin/mineral supplements that are slightly off the radar do-gooders...effective, yet without the massive marketing budgets of conglomerates. We've written about the amino acid packed  Viviscal ---( our review )...a cult must-have for ma...

International Beauty Show NYC/Javits Center OSSWALD BOUTIQUE/311 West Broadway, NYC Remember how Black Friday/Cyber Monday- brought out the frenzy of the motivated looking to score deals. Not that the annual International Beauty Show...a tradeshow and educational event- had attendees knocking over the 'competition' to snag some of the specially priced goodies from the 500+ exhibitors...but since we first started covering this show---it has grown in attendance--- by a lot . And we were there on a Monday---that was jammed pack from the get go---particularly in the main area where most of the hair/nail/salon exhibitors were located. SHE® by SO Cap --a lucky volunteer! TRENDS: For hair ---argan oil and Keratin straightening treatments and haircare products are still popular-but there is a noticeable uptick in hair extension products---both realistic looking (shade wise) real human hair tresses---to the bold tinged, clearly fake locks...of all lengths. Sponsor SHE®...