RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW
A love letter to instant gratification.
Written by Laura Regensdorf
Patience is a virtue, an increasingly salient maxim in this warp-speed age. The task is to bide time, thereby building resilience and stoking anticipation and coolly floating above it all. Eventually, there’s the reward. Sweeter, maybe, like the extra marshmallow dispensed to those children who practiced self-control in the often-cited 1970 Stanford experiments. We appreciate that good things come to those who wait—and in the world of beauty, that’s the longitudinal promise of so many creams and devices, their glowing results borne of a dutifully followed, weeks-long protocol.
But if we’re being completely, unabashedly honest, there is nothing like instant gratification. This is the before-and-after improvement you can see with your own eyes, a bibbidi-bobbidi-boo twinkle of the magic wand. We expect such immediacy to come from experts’ hands, the wizards of high-tech facials and in-office tweakments. But to experience a flash of transformation at home is a different order of thrill. That is the impetus behind this collection of products, each with its own potential for a visible pick-me-up, from lips to fingertips. Patience will always have its place—even expedited shipping takes time—but we’ll happily take the fairy-tale glow-up.
THE HAND RENEWAL
Our delicate extremities need extra care, given their repeated exposure to the elements. This high-performance duo noticeably rejuvenates hands in a seemingly miraculous single session. The peptide-packed serum brightens and plumps, and the sleek occlusive gloves seal in moisture.
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THE BODY BUFFER
Just in time for the limb-baring of spring, this body treatment delivers a thorough polish. An ode to Korean spa culture, the Instant Peel is designed to be massaged into dry skin, where the cocktail of gentle exfoliants and anti-inflammatory botanicals works its smooth magic, fast.
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THE MOISTURE BOOST
Thirsty skin needs an emollient, sinks-right-in cream, but those prone to breakouts find that rich formulas can trigger flare-ups. This genius moisturizer from New York’s “acne whisperer” aesthetician has an immediate quenching effect and dewy finish, without the downsides.
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THE LIP SERVICE
Prone to dehydration and weather-induced wear, the lips deserve a powerhouse formula. This doctor-developed treatment combines 30 potent actives that work to restore moisture, smoothness, and volume—over time and, impressively, in the short term.
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THE DEEP CLEAN
It’s the season for a serious refresh, and this targeted cleansing booster is the place to start. A dose in hand, emulsified with water into a cloudlike foam, helps to deep-clean the pores and polish lackluster texture. The result is gentle, visibly renewed skin.
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THE EYE BRIGHTENER
Leave it to a woman accustomed to long-haul flights to create a trick for looking instantly awake. This creamy pencil, formulated in a universal shade, visually extends the whites of the eyes and reduces the appearance of redness. It boasts lash-nourishing ingredients, too.
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THE RADICAL REVEAL
Yes, glass skin can be born in mere minutes, to judge from this fast-working exfoliating treatment. Featuring a blend of glycolic acid and fruit AHAs, the formula also brightens and soothes skin with stabilized vitamins C and E, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. It’s a home facial essential.
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THE ELEMENTAL GLOW
This powerhouse face oil is the stuff of legend, for excellent reason: A 21-day botanical infusion results in a formula that’s packed with antioxidants, brightening actives, and nourishing phytoceramides. This is skin food, and the result is a healthy, lit-from-within glow.
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THE WAKE-UP CALL
Mimicking the invigorating effects of extreme cold, this pair of hydrogel eye masks is a quick fix for smoothing and plumping the ultra-delicate skin around the eyes. Formulated with a marine complex and strengthening peptides, they are even better straight from the fridge.
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