Beauty routines that really pay off

Smooth Strands

Rejoice, sleek-hair seekers: Straightening-iron brand CHI has a hot—pun intended—new wand that delivers smooth locks in minutes. The just-out CHI Magnified Straightening Iron heats up in mere seconds, has snag-proof (and moisture-infusing) ceramic plates, and even features a cute, rhinestone-encrusted logo. Testers rave about the results: In addition to delivering glossy locks quickly, it produces sleek strands that last up to 24 hours.

SHOP NOW: CHI Volumizing Straightening Iron, $168

Refresh Complexions

Using a facial treatment that's huge in Asia—botanical-infused cloth face masks—this new Karuna system is a super-quick fix for moisture-depleted skin. The all-natural infusion (including of-the-moment ingredient coconut water) smells delicious and delivers a rapid refresh. After 15 minutes, our sampler reported her fine lines plumped, pores smaller, and redness banished.

SHOP NOW: Karuna Luxe Skin Restoring Treatment, $48

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De-Dimple Derrieres

Packed full of active ingredients, including a potent antioxidant as well as glycolic and alpha lipoic acids, Perricone's anti-jiggle cream has had impressive outcomes. Within 24 hours, 82 percent of women in an independent Consumer Use Study noticed cellulite improvement on their thighs. And a whopping 92 percent who tried this trusted brand's just-released treatment said that the skin on their body was firmer and tighter.

SHOP NOW: Perricone Cold Plasma Body cellulite treatment, $98

Whiten Smiles

Crest's new home whitening kit claims to deliver a smile that's five shades whiter and just as effective as a $500 dentist procedure. Our tester's dazzling results confirmed the promises; after just five days, she started receiving compliments on her visibly brighter smile. Although the strips are a time commitment—you wear them two hours a day for seven days—they are invisible, and you can talk and sip water while wearing them.

SHOP NOW: Crest 3-D White Intensive Professional Effects Whitestrips, price varies

Diminish Dark Spots

Unlike other skin-brightening products, which inhibit the production of melanin, Luminaze uses a naturally occurring enzyme that actually breaks down skin pigments. Our sampler reported a quick reduction in dark spots on her face, neck and hands.

SHOP NOW: Luminaze Catalytic Skin Tone Illuminator, $120

Heal Heels

This nifty kit includes a hyper-moisturizing cream and "socklets" lined with gel at the heel. Worn overnight for a month, NightCare's lotion has active ingredients—vitamins A, D and E, as well as urea, an enzyme that breaks down tough skin—that deeply moisturize skin and prevent future dryness. Our tester got baby-smooth heels where pedicurists once feared to tread.

SHOP NOW: NightCare Heel Treatment Kit, $20

Enhance Lashes

Makeup artists tell us that wearing (and removing) mascara, eyeliner and false lashes can wreak havoc on delicate lashes. Available over the counter, RapidLash uses high-caliber proteins and polypeptides to improve their appearance. Condition fine hairs with the souped-up serum to get shinier, healthier-looking lashes in a little over a month.

SHOP NOW: RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum, $33

Strengthen Nails

Enriched with calcium and vitamin C, LCN Nail Hardener can be used as a base, top coat or clear polish. Applying it once a week, said a tester, strengthens the nails considerably and protects polish from fading. Added bonus? Left bare, treated nails have a healthy sheen.

SHOP NOW: LCN Nail Hardener, from $8