Wednesday, April 15, 2020
If the last time you bought an at-home salon product was a foot spa in 2019, you're missing a trick. Beauty gizmos and home treatments have, quite simply, exploded. So much so that we've started re-thinking those regular salon visits we make on autopilot – and considered trying some more advanced beauty tech we never thought we could afford. We road-tested the latest beauty heroes that claim to give the professionals a run for their money. OK, some are still a little pricey, but when you work out how much you'd spend in-salon you'll definitely feel a little smug.
A trip to the salon is great—until you factor in the hefty price tag and hassle of booking a convenient appointment. At-home pampering is all the more appealing now that there are plenty of do-it-yourself versions of salon-style services that really work. From DIY Keratin treatments to easy gel manicure kits, read on to learn how to get salon-quality looks without ever leaving the house.
1. Spray Tan
Spray tans are a great way to get that beachy glow without soaking up harmful rays. And now you don’t have to head to a specialty salon to get one. SheerTan Sunless Spray on Tanning allows you to apply an airbrushed tan at home with ease. Spray the sugar-based aerosol tanning formula with a plastic wand, which makes getting hard-to-reach spots—like your back—a cinch. You’ll look sweetly sun-kissed soon after.
2. Keratin Treatment
There’s a reason why keratin treatments have a cult-like following—the salon procedure, which uses the smoothing protein keratin, zaps frizz and leaves you with long-lasting silky smooth strands. But the treatment’s hefty price tag (the cost can total hundreds of dollars) is often prohibitive. Instead, give Suave Professionals Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit a try. The at-home set comes with smoothing cream, which infuses your hair with keratin to detangle curls and waves; cuticle seal cream, to promote smoothness with staying power; and leave-in conditioner to keep your tresses ultra-moisturized. The best part: Your sleek ‘do will last a month. Because results vary by hair type, take this quiz to find out if the product is right for you.
3. Gel Manicure
You’ve probably heard about gel manicures—the ultraviolet light-cured polish lasts for weeks, resists chipping and lets you leave the salon with completely dry digits. But they’re more expensive than regular manicures and can take about an hour to apply. You can get the same long-lasting results at home in about 10 minutes with the Red Carpet Manicure kit. Brush on the adhesion polish and base coat gel, let it set under the light for a minute and follow up with a few more coats of polish and a little more time under the light (see more detailed instructions here). One thing to note: Removing gel polish takes a bit more time than swiping off regular nail polish (you have to soak and scrape the lacquer off), so gel manicures may not be for you if you frequently switch up your polish shades.
4. Highlights
While achieving good-looking single-process color from a box is relatively simple, at-home highlights have always been trickier to get right. L’oreal Touch-On Highlights makes painting on dimensional highlights easy, not intimidating. The kit comes with an applicator that fits right on your fingertip, so you can dye specific strands with control. (For subtle results, they recommend adding between eight and 10 thin highlights spaced evenly around your head.) The moisturizing after-color conditioner will help ensure glossy locks.