By Merilee Kern
“The Luxe List” Executive Editor

Today’s marketplace is overflowing with products designed to make our lives safer, easier and better, and this certainly includes the billion-dollar self-care trade, where an innovative assortment of such “improvement products” abound. Here’s a look at some of the more affordable items that’ll keep you well-coiffed and help you put your best foot forward:

Ambiance Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($20)

Elegant in design, Ambiance Volumizing Dry Shampoo is an innovative alternative to other dry shampoos on the market. Its 100 percent natural, powder formula comes in five hair colors (brunette, blonde, black, red and gray) and is safe and gentle enough to use every day. Beyond making hair look, feel and smell freshly shampooed without the need for water, it does an equally outstanding job of concealing roots between hair colorings. It can even cover areas where hair is thinning. This “three products in one” benefit, along with a sleek applicator brush that fits easily into purses, makes it a great choice for anyone who seeks beauty on the go.

For more information, visit ambiancecosmetics.com.

Cool Care Curling/Flat Iron Holder ($30-$35)

Have you ever accidentally left your flat iron on and realized it hours later in a complete panic? Do you long for more countertop space in your bathroom? If so, consider Cool Care Heat Protectors ~ 100 percent stainless steel receptacles ~ to help safely store and cool down your hair tools while keeping your bathroom organized. Cool Care offers both wall-mount and tabletop options. The wall-mounted unit is particularly useful in bathroom and vanity areas where space is at a premium. The countertop model has a sleek, sexy appeal for individuals who have bathroom counte tops and vanities with room to display their hair-styling tools. The rounded stand is flexible and will not tip over, even with heavier hair-styling accessories. Both designs serve to protect users from burns, providing peace of mind should they inadvertently leave any appliance on.

For more information, visit americanbeauty.ws.

Cool Care Mini Flat Iron ($20)

This adorable miniaturized hair appliance is ideal for daily use and so compact and lightweight that traveling with your flat iron is a breeze. The stylish case makes this mini even more mobile. But don’t let its small size fool you. This flat iron boasts many features: It heats up in one minute, has ceramic plates so you do not burn your hair and comes with a 2-foot, 6-inch cable and PSE plug. As an added assurance, the Cool Care mini flat iron also meets UL standards. It’s a compact product that handles large and small curling needs at home or on the go.

For more information, visit americanbeauty.ws.

The Braun Satin Hair Brush ($65-$75)

This brilliant, battery-powered brush combines Braun’s breakthrough Active Ion Technology with its innovative Seamless Bristle Technology to give hair incredible smoothness and shine. Braun’s Active Ion Technology, delivered through uniquely designed jet action, is designed to instantly deliver visibly more silkiness and radiance to hair with every brush stroke, taming frizz and fly-away locks for a sleek look and feel. Seamless Bristle Technology is designed for anti-damage brushing, featuring a super-smooth surface to glide gently and effortlessly through hair to prevent breakage and damage to the scalp. It also has a removable brush head for effortless cleaning. The easy-to-use Braun Satin Hair brush is a portable beauty tool you’ll soon find indispensible.

For more information, visit braun.com.

Boo-Boo Cover-Up ($20)

Have a boo-boo? Conceal while you heal! Skip the bandage and the shiny ointment and look your best while on the mend with Boo-Boo Cover-Up. This innovative formula offers effective flesh tone-tinted concealer coverage for skin imperfections. With ingredients like aloe, chamomile, green tea, tea tree oil and vitamin E, you probably won’t have to wear Boo-Boo Cover-Up for long. Each ingredient was selected for its help in curing common, minor blemishes like acne, burns, bites, bruises and more. Happy healing!

For more information, visit booboocoverup.com.

Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Sprays ($19-$39)

Put your best face forward! These fabulous finishing sprays extend the wear of makeup for up to 16-plus hours. The brand has been used on Hollywood sets for years and recently was utilized on tour with Lady Gaga and Britney Spears. Moisture Lock is a unique and easily absorbed super-hydrating setting spray that keeps the makeup surface moist and dewy. It goes beyond keeping your makeup on to actually reviving dull makeup. Its counterpart, Moisture Lock Makeup Finish, uses a proprietary blend of four moisturizers that are delivered through a patent-pending encapsulation technology. This unique technology is time released, so moisturizers work throughout the day, providing consistent hydration levels to the makeup surface.

For more information, visit skindinavia.com.

Sugaring Wax ($10-$20)

Sugaring wax is not just a salon intervention; it’s also great for home use ~ like the specially formulated line of sugaring wax sold at the San Diego-based Beauty by Dolly Salon. Sugaring is an effective and efficient alternative to shaving, which lasts much longer ~ from three to six weeks! Similar to waxing, the sugar wax is applied to the skin and emoved with linen strips. But sugar wax is applied at room temperature and adheres only to the hair, resulting in less discomfort or skin irritation during and after the process. Compatible with any skin and hair type and able to remove even the tiniest of hairs, sugar wax is also made only sugar, water, lemon juice and glycerin. With this product, you’ll be compelled to toss the tweezers, shelve the shaving cream and say good riddance to that rash-inducing razor.

For more information, visit beautybydolly.com

Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System ($20)

Considered even more effective than its professional counterpart, this Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System is a simple, convenient, at-home solution that features single-use puffs and the microdermabrasion applicator. Each puff is pre-dosed with ultra-fine crystals and mild purifiers for the perfect degree of gentle exfoliation. What’s more, the massaging micro-vibrations boost surface cell turnover for firmer, younger-looking skin. Your skin will glow with appreciation!

For more information, visit neutrogena.com.

Fog-Free Shower Mirror ($10)

This fog-free shower mirror by The Shave Well Company is a great beauty solution for makeup removal, as well as for exfoliating and product application. It also offers a warm, relaxing place for eyebrow shaping and precision shaving. The mirror is also helpful for men who shave in the shower to get a closer, smoother and more comfortable shave. The mirror’s adhesive hook affixes to any shower surface, holding it solidly in place.

For more information, visit theshavewellcompany.com.

Joy Mangano 900-Watt My Little Steamer Go Mini ($20)

Whether traveling on business or taking a vacation, no one wants to be out and about in wrinkled clothes. Enter the My Little Steamer Go Mini. This super-compact unit easily fits in a carry-on or tote and is ready to blast wrinkles away with steam whenever and wherever you need it. Just fill the device with ordinary tap water, turn it on, and in just two minutes, it’s ready to tackle even the most stubborn creases. Think of it as fashion on the fly!

For more information, visit HSN.com.

“The Luxe List” executive editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LuxeListEditor and Facebook at Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.