Earlier this week I traveled across the ocean to Cannes in France in search for everything that's "It" right now in the luxury travel retail. TFWA is an annual event bringing together premium brands to showcase their latest products sold in Duty Free stores in airports and on the planes - from the most innovative beauty products, to luxurious fashion, hottest fragrances and gourmet food. When I was approached by ELLE TIME with the invite to cover the event, I couldn't resist an opportunity to visit the picturesque town and spend two days scouting the latest luxury innovations.

The event itself, a very exclusive affair involving top buyers making the deals mostly behind closed doors, isn't a typical press frenzy. My phone camera was misinterpreted few times as invasive, but despite this obstacle I managed to find quite few innovative items and bring you the scoop on five of them which caught my attention:

1. goLITE BLU energy light by Philips.

What's one most upsetting thing about travel? Obviously the jet leg... Imagine a portable device that could cure your jet leg and even boost your mood and energy - the Philips goLITE BLU energy light does just that! Its small size makes it easy to use wherever it suits you best, and I would say is a must have for any jetsetter (or an over-worked New Yorker in this case).

 2. a.a.a (apple anti age) skincare products

 

I learned that besides being the most wildely eaten fruit in the world, apples are extremely beneficial to our skin and could be used as a major anti-aging product. In fact, there is a natural skin care line of products made entirely from apples (a.a.a). As a true apple lover (the green sour kind), I was sold on the benefits.

3. TMEA - The most expensive and active anti-ageing product in the world.

From apples to caviar - the TMEA product is half-way between luxury and science; this fruit of seven years of medical research offers the privileged few the most expensive anti-aging product in the world. If you think your skin deserves a 495,00 € product - then you definitely should indulge it in caviar.

4. Bath Jewels by Les Savons Gemme

I've seen many luxurious bath soaps, but these one of a kind items in shapes of precious stones definitely deserve the "It" spot. Compatible with even the most sensitive skins, the soaps have a natural purifying effect, and most importantly they are hand made right here in Upstate New York.

5. black|Up Cosmetics.

Few months ago WWD reported that makeup for women of color is the most overlooked beauty market, in fact black|Up, the first make-up-artist brand dedicated to women of African descent, has been around since 1999, still without much competition.  Never before has there been a luxury line of cosmetics created exclusively for ethnic women that respects the nature of their skin, and black|Up not only addresses the need, but also proposes some hot color palettes, which look desirable for women of any color.

Look out for these hot products next time you travel around the world - whether you shop on the plane or land. After all shopping is one of the many things that make our travel so pleasant and... adventurous.

TFWA coverage is sponsored by ELLE TIME and ELLE JEWELRY