New In Beauty: The Wacky and The Wonderful

The multi-billion dollar beauty industry seems to thrive on the next new thing. Yes, there are the old classics that will hopefully never leave us: that iconic pink and green Maybelline Great Lash mascara, the tingle of Noxzema, and perfectly pretty Essie Ballet Slippers. But pick up the Friday WWD or take a quick cruise through your local beauty emporium, and you’ll see all sorts of glamorous (and often confusing) new offerings.

Read on for some of the new things you can expect to see this season.

Volare Hair Dryer: You can consider this either a really expensive hair dryer or a really cheap Ferrari. In one of the stranger collaborations we’ve seen, Conair-owned BaByliss Pro has created the $400 Volare dryer with a Ferrari engine and insert-molded construction to make it more lightweight. This sleek, lipstick red dryer runs on 2,000 watts of power, and this supposedly gives it a longer lifespan. (2,000 hours vs. the usual 500-700 hours, according to WWD). There’s also a Ferrari-approved ball bearing design which reduces friction and vibration. If you like your gadgets high-tech and superhero-worthy, look no further.

Nars’ Line Inspired by Daphne Guinness: You can now channel some of Daphne Guinness’ eccentric style, at least on your eyelids. This fall Nars is introducing a color collection influenced by her, er, exuberance. Daphne is the face of the Fall 2010 campaign and also has an eponymous eye shadow, in a vibrant royal purple shade. Yellow shadow and an aquamarine liner also make an appearance. Neutrals for fall? Not here. Find it at Sephora now.

Beauty for Coffee Addicts: Barista Bath & Body is launching a line of “natural” products which incorporate brewed coffee, ground beans, coffee seed oil, and coffee extracts. They’re offering shampoo, conditioner, and lip balm, as well as bath and body products. The product names are clever, borrowing from the Bliss school of sassy packaging. “Room for cream” and “one lump or two” are two of the better ones. There’s nothing like the smell of freshly brewed coffee, but do you want it in your hair? The products are currently only available on their website, but can a Starbucks partnership be far behind?

The Perfect Post-Summer Hair Mask?: Argan oil has surfaced in all sorts of cosmetics lately, and Kiehl’s is the latest to use this sometimes controversial additive. Argan oil comes from the argan tree, which is now a rare and endangered species found only in Morocco. The production of the oil is controlled by women’s cooperatives in Morocco, and extracted by local Berber women. Through fair-trade, the oil is sold for use in food and cosmetics. Kiehl’s Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak looks absolutely luscious and we need to try it on our fried summer locks. Other argan products are available in the line and they are between $18-$55.

Any new, fascinating products you’ve seen lately? Tell us about them!