Bringing the Spa Home

By Beth Whiffen
July 9, 2010

Regular spa appointments can really drain a girl’s bank account. Thankfully, there are now a handful of hi-tech beauty gadgets that mimic the effects of costly cosmetic treatments and allow you to skip the spa in favor of an at-home session. We rounded up the best of these body and complexion perfecting devices and gave them a test drive.

Get-Gorgeous Gadget: Tria Laser

Roll over items for details

NEW Hot 5 Settings Version Tria Laser Hair Removal System

Bikini Wax Laser

(buy it now price, $479)

How it works: For those who wince at the mere thought of a bikini wax, the Tria Laser may be the answer to your prayers. Tria is the first FDA-cleared laser for at-home unwanted hair decimation. If you have the patience, privately rid yourself of unwelcome fuzz on your legs, underarms, and bikini line. Just beware: It does sting a bit. But like they say, no pain, no gain.

Spa appointment to skip: Waxing, threading, or laser hair removal

Get-Gorgeous Gadget: Baby Quasar and Baby Blue LED Light Therapy

NEW Baby Quasar and Baby Blue Power Pack

Anti-Aging Lights

(buy it now price, $699)

How it works: The genius Baby Quasar and Baby Blue light therapy devices have the power to remedy two of the biggest bad-complexion culprits: acne and fine lines. The Quasar LED light wands work separately or in conjunction with each other: the bacteria-killing blue light flattens pimples and eradicates inflammation, while the red and infrared wand shrinks pores, smoothes fine lines and firms skin. The best part? You can give yourself this treatment while catching up on your DVR backlog.

Spa appointment to skip: IPL Photofacial

Get-Gorgeous Gadget: Clarisonic Brush

NEW Clarisonic Pro Kit Skin Care System & Spot Therapy Kit

Skin Care Kit

(buy it now price, $179.99)

How it works: Similar to an electric toothbrush, the spinning head of the Clarisonic brush uses sonic frequency to deep clean and exfoliate the skin the way your fingers—or a washcloth—can’t. It gets rid of residual makeup, dirt and oil, which results in healthier skin tone, smaller pores and better absorption of cosmetic products like serums and moisturizers. It’s often recommended by aestheticians—quite possibly to the detriment of their businesses, as this miracle-worker can greatly extend the length of time one can go without getting a facial.

Spa appointment to skip: Deep cleaning facial

Get-Gorgeous Gadget: Wellbox Lipomassage Machine

NEW Wellbox Anti-Aging Device Cellulite Treatment

Anti-Aging Device

(buy it now price, $1,499)

How it works: Say sayonara to cellulite with this apparatus that is actually a mini version of the LPG Endermologie machine used in medi-spas. The Wellbox has two modes: Self Lipomassage and Self Liftmassage. The Self Lipomassage mode targets dimples and releases localized fat in hard-to-tame areas like the hips and stomach. Self Liftmassage mode helps to firm sagging skin and restore a natural glow to the face, neck and decolletage. The best part: The machine feels great running over your problem spots—like getting a relaxing rubdown—so you kill a few birds with one hi-tech stone.

Spa appointment to skip: Endermologie

Get-Gorgeous Gadget: Crystalift

NEW Crystalift Skin Resurfacing Vacuum Microdermabrasion

Skin Resurfacing

(buy it now price, $199)

How it works: This money-saving gizmo resurfaces skin in the same way that microderm does—using crystal and vacuum technology—but for a fraction of the price of in-spa sessions. Crystals remove dead cells from the skin’s surface, while the vacuum-lift suction of the device’s hose helps to stimulate surface cell renewal and plumps the skin. The upshot? Fresh, smooth skin that looks lit from within, without the dent in your wallet.

Spa appointment to skip: Microdermabrasion

Tags: