Back in April I blogged about my new Clarisonic and told you how much I loved it and the results I was already seeing after only using it a short time. Well, it's been 5 months since that post and I thought an update was in order.
I have used my Clarisonic every day since I received it, sometimes twice a day, but mostly I use it at night after removing my makeup. I tried a few times to not use it, but my face just didn't feel as clean and I'd cave and use it anyway. I think I'm addicted to it. On a related note, the Mia hold it's charge a long time... considering the fact that I use it daily, I can go at least two weeks without having to charge it. I think that's pretty good.
Originally my Mia came with a sensitive brush head and I'll admit I was pretty happy with it...at first. Initially I was impressed with how it seemed to make my pores appears smaller, my fine lines appear more smooth and my breakouts less frequent, but I'd say about two months after starting to use it the long-term results weren't as great as I was hoping for and I was a bit let down. However, I still continued to use it faithfully.
The makers of the Clarisonic recommend replacing the brush head every 3 months. Well, being the frugal person that I am (and the fact that they're $25 a piece), I thought as long as the brush looked good and felt OK, that it was doing it's job. Wrong. By month 4 I was starting to experience more frequent breakouts, my skin was lackluster and my makeup wasn't looking as good nor lasting as long throughout the day. Finally one day it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, it was the brush head. So I broke down and placed a Sephora order (they sell a 2 pack for $40, great deal!). I went back and forth over sticking with the sensitive brush or bumping it up and trying out the normal...in the end I decided to try the normal and, worst case, I guess I could return them (no clue if Sephora would take them back, but I was hoping).
The first night I used the normal brush head I thought I had made a mistake - it felt harsh. But I kept using it. About a week or so into it I started to experience some horrible breakouts...probably the worst occurrence in about a year. I was NOT happy, especially since it was a few weeks before we were leaving for vacation - not the best time to be looking like a pizza face! But again, I kept using it. Amazingly, by the time vacation rolled around my skin was in much better shape and it wasn't until I was actually on vacation that I realized what had happened...the normal brush head had purged my skin - the one thing I was terrified of when I first started using the Clarisonic was the "purge" everyone talks about. I had never experienced it while using the sensitive brush head so I think I just kind of forgot that it was a possibility. Apparently, the normal brush head was just doing it's job and getting all the gunk out of my skin like it's supposed to. Now, after almost a month of using it and thankfully getting through that purge period, I'm super happy with the results and I now realize that the sensitive brush head was not enough for me in the first place. Lesson learned.
So that's the update. I was asked by a friend a while ago if I was still loving my Clarisonic and if I would recommend buying it. At that time I was just "eh" about it and suggested waiting for a really, really good sale, that I didn't feel it was worth paying full price. Today, I've changed my tune. While I still suggest waiting for a sale (who doesn't want to save some cash?), I really, truly feel it's worth paying full price if you have to. It may take some trial and error to find the right brush for your skin, but once you do, you won't look back.
Showing posts with label Clarisonic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clarisonic. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
10 Products I Can't Live Without
I have a bunch of relatively inexpensive "health & beauty" items that I can't live without...items that I use everyday (or almost everyday) that I would probably cry a river over if they were ever discontinued. I'll probably jinx myself by mentioning these items now, but oh well, it's bound to happen anyway. Everything I ever really like ends up being discontinued. By now I'm used to it. Not ever happy about it, but used to it. At any rate, on with it...
Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Lotion, which they now call HandiBac...um, ok. I actually haven't purchased any of this for myself in a very loooong time, hence not being aware of the "new" name. I usually get a bunch as Christmas gifts or birthday gifts, so I tend to have a little stash built up. I always have some in my purse because I need hand lotion a lot throughout the day, especially after washing them, otherwise they feel like sandpaper...not a good feeling. So I mainly use it for the moisturization factor, but the anti-bac feature is great too since you never know if/when you won't have hand-washing facilities near you. My favorite scent is the cucumber melon because it's pretty universal, I'd say, and not super "girly" so the hubster can use it if he wants/needs to. I feel like these are always on sale, at least 2 for $5 if not better.
Softlips! Oh my word, how I love Softlips. The vanilla is by far my favorite flavor. I used to love and use the mint too, but I haven't been able to find any in a very long time...and now as I look on their site I see it's not listed...must have discontinued it, see, story of my life. The reason I love these is because they go on so nice, feel amazing, make your lips look super soft and it tastes good. Plus, the tube is super skinny and I can tuck one in my back pocket and you'd never know it was there. They always come in a two-pack and they're around $3-$4-ish? It's been a while since I bought any of these too, I usually buy a few packs at once (sometimes I find coupons!) and they really last a long time.
Next up, Blistex, regular old Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment in the white tube. I put this on after I shower in the morning and after I wash my face at night before bed. I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to it. If I don't have it with me (when traveling or what have you) it throws my whole "routine" off, really. This blurb is from their website: Beauty professionals also routinely use Blistex Lip Ointment to return a smooth texture to lips before applying lip color. When using as a lipstick base, apply liberally and leave on lips for five minutes. So after I brush my teeth and moisturize my face, I slap some of this on and let it sink in while I put on my makeup or while I sleep. Love this stuff! Again, I typically use a coupon and get two for a few bucks.
Another lip product, this one I use as my everyday lipstick/lipgloss, neither of which it's actually classified as. It's Avon Slick Tint for Lips in Glossy Opal. I love, love, love a frosty pink and this is just about perfect for me. And they're only 99 cents!!! I have a few of these in my purse, a few in my makeup bag, and then a few stashed away. It doesn't give much, if any, moisture to my lips, but I usually put it on over my Blistex in the morning or my Softlips while I'm out and about. Like I said, I use this as my "lipstick" so it's more about the color over moisture. I'd really be lost without it.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment...whew! So the title is long-winded but the actual product is awesome. The active ingredient is 2% salicylic acid, and I credit it (along with the Clinique 3-step, and my new BFF the Clarisonic) with keeping my skin clear, or clearer I should say. I love that it treats my breakouts (and stops others from forming) without having to dry out my skin, it gives the perfect amount of moisture for overnight and makes my skin feel so soft. I've noticed it being a bit harder to find as of late...I pray they're not discontinuing it!!! This varies between $6-$8 depending on where I find it, sometimes I get lucky and it will be on sale at CVS.
CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder...this is another item that's always in my purse. A must-have for any touch-ups needed throughout the day, and they just introduced an oil-control version which I'm planning on picking up ASAP. Cheap, and does the job. About $6 or $7 I think (it's been a while since I had to buy this too), but CVS and Rite Aid frequently have BOGO free sales on CoverGirl products or you can almost always find a coupon. I'm sure you all know what this compact looks like (although they did just redesign it I think, still pretty much the same though) since it's a classic.
St. Ives Naturally Clear Blemish & Blackhead Apricot Scrub is my go-to exfoliator. Actually, just the regular St. Ives Apricot Scrub was my go-to, until I discovered the Naturally Clear version over a year ago. The new version contains 2% salicylic acid to help with blemishes, and any help I can get in that category I'm all for. I use this towards the end of my shower (best to give the pores time to open up) about 3-4 times a week. Now that I'm using the Clarisonic, I'll probably try to cut it down to 2-3 times a week, but I kind of just know when I'm due to exfoliate by the way my skin feels so I may just do it as my skin dictates. Between $4 and $5.
Dove Ultimate go fresh Cool Essentials in cucumber and green tea scent is my deodorant of choice. It smells clean and works great...and I sweat...a lot. TMI, probably. I find this scent stays with me all day too, which is nice. It also doesn't transfer onto my clothes, a HUGE selling point for me. I know a ton of other deodorants out there claim to not get all over your tops, but I find this one truly delivers. Another plus is it doesn't dry out my underarms as much as others I've tried. So... super effective, non-irritating, doesn't get all over my clothes, and smells great. Check, check, check and check.
This next product I don't use everyday, sometimes not even once a week, but it's still a product I can't live without: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. I have oily hair and I also use styling products every day, over time it can build-up and weigh my hair down. When it starts to feel gross I'll use this shampoo and it gives me new hair ;) I love the smell too. Because I only use it once a week or less, it lasts forever...I think it's about $8 for the larger sized bottle.
Pond's Cold Cream is what I use to remove eye makeup residue. I know it's bad to not use a specific "eye makeup remover" before washing my face every night...but I just can't get into that routine. I own a Clinique and a Mary Kay eye makeup remover, and they both work great, I just prefer to use the Pond's. After I wash my face, I use a q-tip with the slightest amount of cold cream to gently remove any stray eyeliner or mascara left around my eyes. It doesn't irritate at all and it slightly moisturizes. It's also great to have on hand to correct any makeup mistakes during application. A small jar is around $5.
So those are probably my top 10, can't live without them, inexpensive, mostly available at a drugstore, products. There are probably more, but I won't bore you. Do you use any of these? Any tried-and-true products you want to recommend?
Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Lotion, which they now call HandiBac...um, ok. I actually haven't purchased any of this for myself in a very loooong time, hence not being aware of the "new" name. I usually get a bunch as Christmas gifts or birthday gifts, so I tend to have a little stash built up. I always have some in my purse because I need hand lotion a lot throughout the day, especially after washing them, otherwise they feel like sandpaper...not a good feeling. So I mainly use it for the moisturization factor, but the anti-bac feature is great too since you never know if/when you won't have hand-washing facilities near you. My favorite scent is the cucumber melon because it's pretty universal, I'd say, and not super "girly" so the hubster can use it if he wants/needs to. I feel like these are always on sale, at least 2 for $5 if not better.
Softlips! Oh my word, how I love Softlips. The vanilla is by far my favorite flavor. I used to love and use the mint too, but I haven't been able to find any in a very long time...and now as I look on their site I see it's not listed...must have discontinued it, see, story of my life. The reason I love these is because they go on so nice, feel amazing, make your lips look super soft and it tastes good. Plus, the tube is super skinny and I can tuck one in my back pocket and you'd never know it was there. They always come in a two-pack and they're around $3-$4-ish? It's been a while since I bought any of these too, I usually buy a few packs at once (sometimes I find coupons!) and they really last a long time.
Next up, Blistex, regular old Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment in the white tube. I put this on after I shower in the morning and after I wash my face at night before bed. I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to it. If I don't have it with me (when traveling or what have you) it throws my whole "routine" off, really. This blurb is from their website: Beauty professionals also routinely use Blistex Lip Ointment to return a smooth texture to lips before applying lip color. When using as a lipstick base, apply liberally and leave on lips for five minutes. So after I brush my teeth and moisturize my face, I slap some of this on and let it sink in while I put on my makeup or while I sleep. Love this stuff! Again, I typically use a coupon and get two for a few bucks.
Another lip product, this one I use as my everyday lipstick/lipgloss, neither of which it's actually classified as. It's Avon Slick Tint for Lips in Glossy Opal. I love, love, love a frosty pink and this is just about perfect for me. And they're only 99 cents!!! I have a few of these in my purse, a few in my makeup bag, and then a few stashed away. It doesn't give much, if any, moisture to my lips, but I usually put it on over my Blistex in the morning or my Softlips while I'm out and about. Like I said, I use this as my "lipstick" so it's more about the color over moisture. I'd really be lost without it.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment...whew! So the title is long-winded but the actual product is awesome. The active ingredient is 2% salicylic acid, and I credit it (along with the Clinique 3-step, and my new BFF the Clarisonic) with keeping my skin clear, or clearer I should say. I love that it treats my breakouts (and stops others from forming) without having to dry out my skin, it gives the perfect amount of moisture for overnight and makes my skin feel so soft. I've noticed it being a bit harder to find as of late...I pray they're not discontinuing it!!! This varies between $6-$8 depending on where I find it, sometimes I get lucky and it will be on sale at CVS.
CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder...this is another item that's always in my purse. A must-have for any touch-ups needed throughout the day, and they just introduced an oil-control version which I'm planning on picking up ASAP. Cheap, and does the job. About $6 or $7 I think (it's been a while since I had to buy this too), but CVS and Rite Aid frequently have BOGO free sales on CoverGirl products or you can almost always find a coupon. I'm sure you all know what this compact looks like (although they did just redesign it I think, still pretty much the same though) since it's a classic.
St. Ives Naturally Clear Blemish & Blackhead Apricot Scrub is my go-to exfoliator. Actually, just the regular St. Ives Apricot Scrub was my go-to, until I discovered the Naturally Clear version over a year ago. The new version contains 2% salicylic acid to help with blemishes, and any help I can get in that category I'm all for. I use this towards the end of my shower (best to give the pores time to open up) about 3-4 times a week. Now that I'm using the Clarisonic, I'll probably try to cut it down to 2-3 times a week, but I kind of just know when I'm due to exfoliate by the way my skin feels so I may just do it as my skin dictates. Between $4 and $5.
Dove Ultimate go fresh Cool Essentials in cucumber and green tea scent is my deodorant of choice. It smells clean and works great...and I sweat...a lot. TMI, probably. I find this scent stays with me all day too, which is nice. It also doesn't transfer onto my clothes, a HUGE selling point for me. I know a ton of other deodorants out there claim to not get all over your tops, but I find this one truly delivers. Another plus is it doesn't dry out my underarms as much as others I've tried. So... super effective, non-irritating, doesn't get all over my clothes, and smells great. Check, check, check and check.
Pond's Cold Cream is what I use to remove eye makeup residue. I know it's bad to not use a specific "eye makeup remover" before washing my face every night...but I just can't get into that routine. I own a Clinique and a Mary Kay eye makeup remover, and they both work great, I just prefer to use the Pond's. After I wash my face, I use a q-tip with the slightest amount of cold cream to gently remove any stray eyeliner or mascara left around my eyes. It doesn't irritate at all and it slightly moisturizes. It's also great to have on hand to correct any makeup mistakes during application. A small jar is around $5.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Hello, Lover!
We had a busy weekend full of cleaning, household projects, grocery shopping, and we had company Saturday into Sunday...then, I got sick. Sunday afternoon and evening were no fun and Monday was not much better. I still wasn't feeling the greatest yesterday either, but I think today I can finally say I'm over it. I missed food so, so much. So that's where I've been and the reason for the lack of posts, if anyone out there is wondering...
The title of this post is a nod to Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City - which I'm super, duper excited that the SATC 2 movie will be out in less than a month, May 27th, woot! She'd often use this phrase while gazing at a pair of shoes with that "where have you been all my life" tone in her voice. I used this phrase yesterday while using my new "toy" for the first time... and NO, not that kind of toy, get your mind out of the gutter!
Here she is, my new friend "Mia"...
Seriously, where have you been all my life Clarisonic? It was delivered on Monday and it took all I had not to rip into the package and use it immediately. Unfortunately, I was sick, so standing for long periods of time was not possible, plus it had to charge for a full 24 hours before the first use. But yesterday morning I used it in the shower for the first time (it's completely waterproof!) and oh.my.word. it is the neatest feeling ever! My face felt so clean and smooth, I was instantly in love. But then my moisturizer felt like it absorbed better and my makeup went on like butter...I was even MORE in love. Then I used it last night after removing my makeup*, and my face actually looked better...already? YES! I have oily/combo skin, so I have large pores on my nose and cheeks. My pores already look smaller. I have the start of crows feet around my eyes and a horrid crease between my eyebrows. Those wrinkles already seem firmer and not as deep. I am amazed! I am, however, waiting for the "purge", meaning the breakouts bound to happen from the Clarisonic pulling out the dirt and grime from my face. So far so good though.
Here are just some of the benefits:
6X more makeup removal
Soft, smooth skin
Cleanses so well that products absorb better
Reduces appearance of oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
Reduces the appearance of visible pores
I chose the Mia for a few reasons after going back a forth between that and the Classic: it's smaller, therefore easier to handle, and it works just as well as the bigger, more expensive models. The Mia only has one speed (where the Classic has two), but now that I have it I don't see the big deal. I really can't imagine it having a higher speed, whoa! It still automatically shuts off after one minute of cleansing and it even takes the same brush heads as the Classic. Speaking of brush heads, the Mia comes with the sensitive while the Classic gives you a choice between the normal and sensitive (they also offer a gentle brush head as well). Again, no big deal because the sensitive is probably as far as I'll go, I'd be afraid the normal would be too much for my skin.
Overall, I'm very happy I went with the Mia, although I do wish I could have gotten the yellow but I didn't have a choice unfortunately. And...drumroll please...it didn't cost me a cent! It was free! My dear, sweet husband had a bunch of frequent flyer miles that he actually forgot about. He got an email a few weeks ago in regards to the miles program he used when he traveled a lot for work, figured out the amount he had really wouldn't benefit us much as far as future travel goes, so he thought he'd buy something fun with them. Fortunately for me, there wasn't anything he needed/wanted in the range of points he had to shop with so he let me use them! Nice, huh? I am, however, going to buy him his own brush head as a thank you. After all, he just HAS to try this thing out. I know he'll be just as amazed as I am.
If you already own a Clarisonic, I know you probably sing it's praises to anyone that will listen. If you don't own one but are thinking about it even just a teeny, tiny bit - buy it! You won't be sorry!
* ETA: the Clarisonic can be used to remove your makeup as well, but there is a chance it could stain the brush head or gunk it up, therefore having to replace it sooner. I usually wash my face twice anyway, once to remove makeup and the second time to actually cleanse my skin, so continuing a two step routine at night is what I plan to do to keep my brush heads nice and last as long as possible :)
The title of this post is a nod to Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City - which I'm super, duper excited that the SATC 2 movie will be out in less than a month, May 27th, woot! She'd often use this phrase while gazing at a pair of shoes with that "where have you been all my life" tone in her voice. I used this phrase yesterday while using my new "toy" for the first time... and NO, not that kind of toy, get your mind out of the gutter!
Here she is, my new friend "Mia"...
Seriously, where have you been all my life Clarisonic? It was delivered on Monday and it took all I had not to rip into the package and use it immediately. Unfortunately, I was sick, so standing for long periods of time was not possible, plus it had to charge for a full 24 hours before the first use. But yesterday morning I used it in the shower for the first time (it's completely waterproof!) and oh.my.word. it is the neatest feeling ever! My face felt so clean and smooth, I was instantly in love. But then my moisturizer felt like it absorbed better and my makeup went on like butter...I was even MORE in love. Then I used it last night after removing my makeup*, and my face actually looked better...already? YES! I have oily/combo skin, so I have large pores on my nose and cheeks. My pores already look smaller. I have the start of crows feet around my eyes and a horrid crease between my eyebrows. Those wrinkles already seem firmer and not as deep. I am amazed! I am, however, waiting for the "purge", meaning the breakouts bound to happen from the Clarisonic pulling out the dirt and grime from my face. So far so good though.
Here are just some of the benefits:
6X more makeup removal
Soft, smooth skin
Cleanses so well that products absorb better
Reduces appearance of oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
Reduces the appearance of visible pores
I chose the Mia for a few reasons after going back a forth between that and the Classic: it's smaller, therefore easier to handle, and it works just as well as the bigger, more expensive models. The Mia only has one speed (where the Classic has two), but now that I have it I don't see the big deal. I really can't imagine it having a higher speed, whoa! It still automatically shuts off after one minute of cleansing and it even takes the same brush heads as the Classic. Speaking of brush heads, the Mia comes with the sensitive while the Classic gives you a choice between the normal and sensitive (they also offer a gentle brush head as well). Again, no big deal because the sensitive is probably as far as I'll go, I'd be afraid the normal would be too much for my skin.
Overall, I'm very happy I went with the Mia, although I do wish I could have gotten the yellow but I didn't have a choice unfortunately. And...drumroll please...it didn't cost me a cent! It was free! My dear, sweet husband had a bunch of frequent flyer miles that he actually forgot about. He got an email a few weeks ago in regards to the miles program he used when he traveled a lot for work, figured out the amount he had really wouldn't benefit us much as far as future travel goes, so he thought he'd buy something fun with them. Fortunately for me, there wasn't anything he needed/wanted in the range of points he had to shop with so he let me use them! Nice, huh? I am, however, going to buy him his own brush head as a thank you. After all, he just HAS to try this thing out. I know he'll be just as amazed as I am.
If you already own a Clarisonic, I know you probably sing it's praises to anyone that will listen. If you don't own one but are thinking about it even just a teeny, tiny bit - buy it! You won't be sorry!
* ETA: the Clarisonic can be used to remove your makeup as well, but there is a chance it could stain the brush head or gunk it up, therefore having to replace it sooner. I usually wash my face twice anyway, once to remove makeup and the second time to actually cleanse my skin, so continuing a two step routine at night is what I plan to do to keep my brush heads nice and last as long as possible :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
