Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it," was on-the-mitch schoolboy Ferris Bueller's startlingly prophetic pronouncement in the 1986 film of the same name.

I doubt he was thinking along the lines of beauty buys when he said it, but it's increasingly the case: where once we expected cosmetics to merely colour our faces, now we want them to be harder, better, faster and stronger than ever before. Oh, and we want ever increasing numbers of them, too. Behold the rise of power beauty, a hot new hi-tech trend.

At its most literal level you've got motorised mascaras and Wilkinson Sword's heavily-advertised 'mow the lawn' Quattro bikini razor, but I'm talking about a smarter proposition, and it's all a bit Terminator: Giorgio Armani's Designer Modelling Compact foundation contains elastic micro-fil technology to lift your face and unify your complexion, and Smashbox and Clarins both make lipglosses that react with your body chemistry to deliver a pop of pink that'll flatter you -- and only you.

But this isn't another batty fad or something that's far off in the future. Blusher that's imbued with antioxidants, foundations with serum benefits and anti-cellulite products so advanced they could almost sit up and beg are all probably adorning your dressing table right now.

This summer will see a wave of new beauty buys joining the existing power lineup. Read on for our top 10 hi-tech spends.

1. Neutrogena Wave

Neutrogena Wave, €14.98, launched here in January, it took the country by storm, but what does it actually do? Best suited to teenage and sebum-prone skins, it gently resurfaces skin, helps regulate oil production and that keeps zits at bay. Blackhead-prone gals love it for its deep-cleaning abilities. For use on a daily basis, it can even be taken in-shower, as it's got a waterproof casing. Buy at supermarkets and pharmacies.

2. Vani-T pure white Tooth Whitening Gloss

Using an innovative brush-on wand that Touche Eclat fans will immediately be comfortable with, Vani-T's Pure White Tooth Whitening Gloss, €34, contains ingredients such as carbamide peroxide and peppermint oil which gently foam to lift discolouration. Downside? It doesn't taste great and didn't make a noticeable difference to my teeth, but then, laser teeth-whitening won't work for all comers either. Available at the Arnotts Project.

3. Smashbox O-Bronze

The latest in intuitive lip and cheek products, O-Bronze, €28, from Smashbox, reacts with your body chemistry to deliver a sun-kissed glow that's unique to you. But, er, how? Microscopic pigment beads adjust to your colouring as they burst on contact with your skin.

4. Avon Spectracolour

Spectracolour, €16, is a snazzy idea -- the dual-sided tube contains two separate lip colours which you can dispense in up to seven shades, depending on how you twist the dial at the bottom of the wand. Buy from www.avon.ie.

5. H2O+ Sea Results Instant Power Patches

Fancy a bit of nanotechnology with that? Instant Power Patches from H2O+ are specifically for eyes and contain a teeny, tiny electrode embedded in each stick-on wrinkle-reducer. The small electrical charge produced propels nutrients into the skin, boosting your collagen production and giving you a reduction in crows feet and fine lines. All that helps to explain the price: you'll hand over €70 for six treatments, for use once a week, and you can bag yourself a box at Clerys.

6. Tua Viso

A hand-held facial massager, Tua Viso is a wireless gadget that uses hydro-electric microcurrents to painlessly zap facial muscles and stimulate collagen and elastin production.

That all leads to a plumper, younger-looking complexion. The price? £179 (€212) from www.tinarichards.com.

7. PureLogicol Age-Defying Face Mask

One of the problems with high-performance skincare is that, after a while, there's no way to tell if the active ingredients are still, well, active. It's not a issue with PureLogicol's Age-Defying Face Mask, €62.50, because each time you use it, you mix up a new batch of mask activator and collagen for a fresh skin treat.

From www.purelogicol.ie.

8. Wella System ProfessionaL 30 Second Repair Cream

A haircare product that performs miracles in less than a minute is not to be sniffed at, and that's the claim made for 30 Second Hair Repair, €14.50. This cosmetic treatment uses glycine and wheat-germ oil to nourish each strand and coat it with a protective film, giving you shiny locks. Check www.wella.ie for stockists.

9. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Gold

While long-wear formulas have been lurking on the fringes of beauty for a few years now, new technology has massively improved them. L'Oreal Paris' James Bond-esque Infallible Gold is stylish and hard-working. This product looks futuristic and delivers deep, lasting colour. Yep, it does dry your lips out, but if you hate having to reapply gloss or lipstick, then this is for you. €6.99 in eight shades, at supermarkets and pharmacies.

10. JetPeel

Fancy having water and vitamins jetted across your face at high pressure? That's the premise of JetPeel, €150, available at Redmond Molloy clinics, (www.redmondmolloy.ie). It's the new microdermabrasion, gently and painlessly resurfacing your complexion while you lie back and think of Ireland.

Afterwards, skin feels soft, well-moisturised and you'll be delighted to know that if you suffer from blackheads, all that gunk-removal will shift some, and make the rest easier to poke out later on. It is expensive, but a good one-off spend that will revitalise skin stressed by changes in the seasons.

- Kirstie McDermott