Best of Beauty 2006 Report

By Paula Begoun

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) find, Sun Protector for Body SPF 30 ($8.99 for 4.2 ounces) find, and Sun Protector for Face SPF 30 ($8.99 for 4.2 ounces) find

Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted Skin Tone Lightener ($15 for 0.85 ounce)

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer ($36.50 for 1 ounce) find

Cosmedicine Primary Care Multi-Tasking Moisturizer SPF 20 ($48 for 1.35 ounces) find, MegaDose PM Skin Fortifying Serum with Retinol ($85 for 1 ounce) find, MegaDose Skin Fortifying Serum ($80 for 1 ounce) find, Opti-mologist Eye Cream with Light Diffusers ($45 for 0.5 ounce) find , 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) find and Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment ($85 for 1 ounce) find

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) find

Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.49 for 4 ounces) find, Age Shield Sunblock SPF 45 ($9.49 for 4 ounces) find, Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Eye Cream ($16.99 for 0.5 ounce) find, Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream ($16.99 for 1.4 ounces) find

Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 ($42 for 1 ounce) find and Retinol 1.0 ($48 for 1 ounce) find

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) find and One Coat Nourishing Mascara Triple Effect Waterproof ($7.99)

American Beauty* Blush Perfect Cheek Color ($15)

Becca Compact Concealer ($35) find, Eye Color Powder ($20) find, Pressed Shimmer Powder ($34) find, Translucent Bronzing Gel ($34), and Brushes ($19–$64) find

Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara ($20) find and Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22) find

The Body Shop Lip Line Fixer ($9) find

Clarins Express Compact Foundation Wet/Dry ($36) find

Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad ($25) find and Brush-On Cream Liner ($14.50)

Cover Girl TruBlend Whipped Foundation ($7.89) find

Dior Dior Skin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer ($28) find and DiorShow Waterproof Mascara ($23) find

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Duo ($24) find and Pure Color EyeShadow ($17.50) find

Flirt* Pretty Easy Quick Cover ($10)

Good Skin* All Firm Finishing Powder ($15)

Guerlain Maxi Lash Extreme Volume Mascara ($26) find

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) find and Shimmering Bronzer ($5.99) find

L’Oreal Waterproof Volume Shocking Mascara ($11.99) find

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Enduringly Divine and Comfortable Makeup ($35) find

Laura Mercier Flawless Face Silk Creme Foundation ($40)

M.A.C. Technakohl Liner ($14.50) find

Max Factor Lash Perfection Waterproof Mascara ($6.99)

Maybelline New York Intense XXL Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara ($7.99) find and Superstay Lipcolor ($9.49)

N.V. Perricone Active Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($65) find

Rimmel Volume Flash Instant Thickening Mascara ($5.99) find

Sephora Arch It Brow Kit ($35) find

Stila Perfecting Foundation ($30) find

*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.

Paula's Choice, Inc.
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1-800-831-4088

© Copyright 2006, 2007 by Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron. This publication is the property of Paula's Choice, Inc. ("Paula's Choice"), and/or its owners or affiliates. Reproduction, republication, alteration, posting, transmission or distribution of this material requires written permission from Paula's Choice. For more information see our Terms of Use.

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