Top ten beauty trends of 2009

Introduction

As the world of beauty and treatments gears up for another year of fast-moving fashions and trends, US website SpaFinder has revealed what it sees as the top new beauty trends that will hit the market this year. These treatments and products will make their way out of the professional spas onto the High Street, red carpet and into the fashion and lifestyle magazines.

The list reflects the effects of the tightening economic circumstances, customers who are increasingly time-poor and the demand for clearer definitions of ‘organic’ treatments as buyers become more concerned with the sources of their products.

Multi-tasking products

At once concerned with saving time and money, the growth of targeted and specific products will give way to products that have multiple beautifying uses. Joey New York has a Quick CTSM2 product that acts as a cleanser, toner, scrub and mask all in the same product. Also growing in popularity this year will be do-it-yourself and home spa products as customers tighten belts further.

Brand-name facialists

New products hitting the market will be branded towards the individual skincare specialists who use them, rather than the spas in which they are used. These ‘franchise-facialists’ will see their products spread to spas outside of their own, and then reach the retail big time.

Gem Stones

Following the recent growth of gold, silver and platinum based products, spas worldwide are now boasting treatments infused with precious and semi-precious gems. The effectiveness of gem extracts has yet to be scientifically-determined, though more and more spas are beginning to swear by the subtle healing energies they are said to impart.

Skin-care diet

The beauty market is coming to see food as the new skincare, as the mantra for spas is that of inner beauty and that good diet leads to good skin. Organic ingredients, beauty supplement-like beverages and new brands like Bioelements and Nude are likely to be on the rise.

Antioxidants march on

The benefits of antioxidants will continue to be big news this year, with the number and diversity of antioxidant-giving products increasing, and being joined by new and more obscure sources of skin-benefitting herbs, teas and extracts.

Sunscreen questions

As the science of protecting skin from the sun develops, it seems more questions are being asked than answered. Do mineral sunscreens work? Do some antioxidants boost skin protection? Expect a summer of mixed messages on this most important of issues this year.

Sud-free shampoo

Brands are now producing products without the traditional foaming agents such as sodium laurel sulphate. These produce a softer lather without compromising results.

Organic growth

The continuing growth of regulation in the organic market will make the industry define more precisely how organic their products are. The focus will be on environmentally-friendly packaging, stripping parabens from their formulations, and touting transparency in the production of their products.

Hammams

Tipped as the top spa bathing ritual this year, hammams are a traditional Moorish-Mediterranean steam bath being installed in the top spas. Moroccan-sourced ingredients are using in the preparation of the steam, and spending hours lounging in the hammam is a great way to make the most of your spa money!

Science sells

In times of economic stress, there is nothing like hard science proving a product works to prompt people to buy it. Therefore, science-backed products will be selling strongly this year as buyers look for the maximum value for money. This will stretch into marketing as well as scientific terms invade packaging and advertising.

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