ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, put dozens of blow dryers, straightening irons and mascaras to the test, revealing that you don’t have to spend a lot to get the top-rated products.

So which ones blew the testers away? Details are below and in the January 2009 issue of ShopSmart, on newsstands today, November 18.

ShopSmart Tests Reveal Beauty Staple Standouts

—January Issue Features Ratings for Blow Dryers, Straightening Irons and Mascara—

YONKERS, NY – If you’re looking for a good blow dryer, hair straightener or mascara, you don’t need to spend a lot of money – that’s according to the latest lab tests results of these products by ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports.

“You can pay anywhere from $20 to $200 for a blow dryer or a straightening iron, but it doesn’t really matter what you spend. ShopSmart found standouts at both price points that will give you plenty of great hair days,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief, ShopSmart. “The same goes for mascaras, so before you reach for that department-store brand, check out our smart picks.”

Blow Dryers

Winner: CHI Pro Dryer GF 1505, $80.19

ShopSmart tested 10 models of blow dryers on swatches of human hair in an environment chamber (to keep temperature and humidity steady).  Additionally, a panel of 10 staffers used the dryers at home. Despite big differences in price and wattage (ranging from 1,300 to 1,875), drying time did not vary much. But once noise and other features were factored in, ShopSmart found three standouts. ShopSmart’s smart splurges include the CHI Pro Dryer GF 1505, $135 and Bespoke Labs T3 Featherweight 83808-se, $200. The bargain buy, Revlon’s Ionic Ceramic Pro Stylist RV484, $20, had one bonus pricey dryers lacked, separate heat and speed settings so you can control temperature and airflow. It, along with the CHI, comes a diffuser and concentrator.

Straightening Irons

Winner: Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair SS9, $100

Nine straightening irons were tested in a humidity chamber and nine staffers tried them at home. Results of in-house tests and user feedback revealed that these products claims of ionic, tourmaline and nano silver technology did not make a difference in straightening performance. ShopSmart’s choice for smart splurge, the Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair SS9, $100, had all three features, but the bargain buy, Revlon Perfect Heat Ceramic RVST2001C, $30, had none. Paying a higher price also did not guarantee a better straightener and neither did the brand names. Conair was the maker of the top and bottom rated models while the CHI Ceramic GF-1001, $130  was the second-most-expensive straightener tested but did not rate anywhere near the top.

Mascaras

Winner: Lancome Definicils $24.00

Thirty-four women tested 16 lengthening and/or thickening formulas of mascara. While the top-rated wand was the more expensive Lancôme Definicils, $24another very good choice was the affordable Max Factor Lash Perfection Volume Couture, $7. Another surprise was how beauty magazine staple Maybelline Great Lash Washable mascara fared in the tests. While it rated very good overall, several panelists said it was nothing special and some complained about clumps.

The full reports on blow dryers, straightening irons and mascaras are featured in the January 2009 issue of ShopSmart magazine.

About ShopSmart magazine:

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. Subscriptions are now available at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

I love Courtney Cox, she is just gorgeous! I have only had a chance to try a few Kinerase products but they work amazingly well. Courtney just helped launch the new Kinerase C8 Peptide Intesive treatment with brand new Snap-8 technology.

New York, NY (November 17, 2008) – Leading skincare brand Kinerase introduced the beauty world to the new C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment and the dermatologist-exclusive Pro+Therapy C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment – innovative next generation products that target skin damage on every level for noticeably younger looking skin within 28 days. At a breakfast on Tuesday, November 11th at Milos in Manhattan, Kinerase VP of Dermatology Alexandra Coles with the help of Kinerase spokesperson Courteney Cox Arquette and Orlando-based dermatologist J. Matthew Knight, MD, revealed the newest peptide on the market, SNAP-8, and discussed the amazing anti-aging benefits it will provide.

“Kinerase is a head of the curve with the introduction of the new SNAP-8 technology found in the C8 Peptide. This neuropeptide works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face caused by repetitive facial expressions – especially those found around the eyes and forehead area. Women are going love the results they will achieve with this new product,” said Dr. Knight.

Dressed in a stunning Nina Ricci chocolate brown dress and Thomas Wylde shoes, the world’s favorite “friend” Courteney Cox Arquette expressed her love for Kinerase and new C8 Peptide products. “I have been using the C8 Peptide for the last few weeks now, and I can see a real difference already! My skin looks great and even my makeup artist commented on the results. I live in Hollywood where everyone is looking ALL the time, and I’m just glad to be with a company who makes me look good all the time.”

PRICE

Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment.……………………………………$98.00 MSRP

Kinerase Pro + Therapy C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment with Kinetin and Zeatin………………………………………………………………………$119.00 MSRP

AVAILABILITY

Kinerase® C8 Peptide will be available in January, 2009 at Kinerase.com, Nordstrom, Nordstrom.com, Sephora, Sephora.com, ULTA, and Ulta.com. To purchase Kinerase by phone, call 1-800-826-9755.

Kinerase® Pro+Therapy C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment with Kinetin & Zeatin will be available exclusively through preferred dermatologists and plastic surgeons in January, 2009. For more information or to find a physician near you, please visit www.kinerase.com.

With my recent hair color treatment and the cold air my hair is just not loving me. I definitely need to find a great new shampoo and conditioner treatment and this set looks great. Plus everything from Carol’s Daughter that I have tried smells and works amazing.

Recipe For Great Hair ($40 Value)
What it is:
A holiday set of haircare essentials.

What it does:
Carol’s Daughter Recipe For Great Hair is a Sephora-exclusive kit with a soothing, healing touch. Get all the ingredients you need to transform your tresses—gentle cleanser, relaxing moisture, and refreshing leave-in. This herb-infused, natural, revitalizing ensemble will help heal the effects of heat styling, chemical processing, and harsh weather, leaving you with lovely locks.

What else you need to know:
This set includes an 8 oz Tui Herbal Shampoo, an 8 oz Tui Hair Smoothie, an 2 oz Tui Leave-in Conditioner, and a Wooden Comb.

$35.00 Carol’s Daughter Recipe for Great Hair

So over the last few weeks the cold air and constant hand washing has been starting to irritate my hands. Especially my ring finger with both the bands of my wedding ring my finger was staying a little wet and the skin was getting really irritated. I decided I needed to take my ring off to let my finger get some fresh air. The problem I have had my wedding ring on for four years straight I just stopped taking it off at some point and now it doesn’t want to move.

I tried a few things like cold water, lotion, oil but nothing seemed to work. I finally checked the Internet and everyone was raving about Windex to remove rings. It sounded a little weird but I figured it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. I had generic Windex but a lot of reviewers said it worked just fine. I squirted my finger a few times and after a minute of twisting and pulling it slid off!

A great at home trick, I don’t know how I survived before google. My hand now feels great and I have learned my lesson about leaving my ring on so long.

Windex

Thanks to its key ingredient, Ammonia-D ®, Windex ® Original works great for fast and easy cleaning of tough dirt and grime. Use it on glass, mirrors, chrome, plastic, stainless steel, and other surfaces in your kitchen, living room, patio, bedroom, bathroom, and car — everywhere you want a streak-free shine! Windex ® Original works harder because it works before you wipe!

Get a $1 off coupon here

I have EXTREMELY fussy hair.  It never does what I want it to.  It’s either too frizzy, or too oily, I have a hard time getting the perfect balance in between.  So I loooooooooove getting hair products, because I’m waiting to find that perfect combo to make my hair really beautiful!

I’m broke as a joke these days, so I’ve been dying my hair myself.  This makes my hair a little more brittle, and so  good products is a must.

When I was sent these three products to try, I was so pumped.  And I was even more excited to find out that they really are amazing.  Together, they make the perfect hair combination!  My hair is left shinier, healthier, and softer.  Can’t go wrong there, can you!

I had never heard of ICON before, so I want to introduce them to you - and hopefully you guys will check them out over at Planet Beauty.

Icon DRENCH Moisture Shampoo: Ideal for dry color, chemically treated hair. Helps repair dry, brittle, unruly hair while infusing moisture. Delivers shine and hydration whitouth weighting the hair down.

Icon FREE Conditioner: Lightweight detangling cream with proteins to leave hair feeling healthier and stronger. Use daily on any hair type, after shampooing and rinse completely for conditioned shine.

Icon INNER Moisture Mask: Reconstructs dry, damaged, brittle hair with strenghtening proteins that add moisture, manageability and shine. Use on lightly towel dried hair, applying roots to ends. Leave on for a minimum of 15 minutes before rinsing.

For all these items, check out Planet Beauty!