Yesterday I went to the launch of a new brand to SA: Polaar. I should start by explaining the name and logo. The products all contain polar plants – the founder of the brand, Daniel Kurbiel is from a family of polar explorers, so the name Polaar means ‘from the polar regions’, and the double ‘a’ stands for Arctic and Antarctic. Then, you’ll see that it looks like the name is cut in half – it’s an iceberg, genius! For more on the brand’s history, visit the website. Not all of the products on there are available here yet, but good things and all that...
The brand started out as a male orientated brand, but they have thankfully made a range for us girls too.
There are 14 products available for the boys, and they’re divided into man-cave like groups. Think clean, then shave, moisturise, then repair (anti-age, if needed), and finally body. The packaging is suitably male, and all the products do exactly what it says on the tube. The directions are also very succinct and simple.
The most exciting product in the men’s range, for me, is the Very Different Shaving Oil. It’s a jellified oil, which means you won’t lose half of it down the sink! The other clever feature is that it creates a pale white film, so you can always see where the razor has been.
On the girls’ side, there are 15 products from 6 groups to choose from.
The range I can’t wait to get my hands on is the Supra Vitamin range, which comprises a Face Cleanser, Scrub, Perfecting Radiance Serum, Nourishing Radiance Cream and Eye Contour. The miracle plant contained in all of these products is Siberian Olive, which is a small arctic berry which contains 3 times more vitamin E than sunflower oil, 9 times more pro-vitamin A than carrots, and 30 times more vitamin C than oranges. They say dynamite comes in small packages, and this little berry contains 108 natural bioactive elements!
The 2 products in the Ice Source range are made from encapsulated glacier water: Micellar Cleansing Lotion and a Moisturizing Cream-Gel.
Antarctic glycoproteins were found at the bottom of the Admiralty Bay glacier in Antarctica, and are used in the 3 products in the Age Defy range for their anti-aging properties. The products are designed for the first signs of aging for all skin types: Reshaping and Lifting Cream, Intense Youth Serum and Smoothing Eye Contour.
The body range is called Pure Fitness, and there are 3 great products: Toning Shower Gel; Rehydrating Body Milk; and a natural alum stone Mineral Deodorant.
My favourite product in the collection is the Icy Magic Instant Eye Contour Multi Energiser – a very clever little product which has an ice cold metal ball which you use to massage on the serum. This helps with eye bags, and the cold makes the skin contract. The serum contains tetrapeptides, which fight free radicals, and helps water retention in the area drain away; and Siberian Ginseng, which is very high in micronutrients which strengthens and stimulates the skin. I fear this may become more of a feature in my skincare routine than 8 hour cream!
The last product is the Extreme Care Intensive Hand Cream, and they’re not kidding. It’s the richest hand cream I’ve ever tried. But unlike other rich creams, it absorbs very quickly, and doesn’t leave a sticky film.
I haven’t been this excited about a launch for ages, and I really can’t wait to become an addict!
Polaar is available at selected Foschini stores countrywide.
All pictures are from the Polaar website: www.polaar.com
