Monday 30 January 2012

Clarisonic Mia: First Update


Right so I'm still a little undecided on the Clarisonic. Obviously for the price tag I want to love it. But I am aware of that. So I'm trying to not let that sway me. And I don't think it is actually. If anything I'm being more harsh on it.

Now I figured the point of it was to remove daily dirt and make up so it makes more sense to use it in the evenings but I like the potential for it to tighten up your facial muscles so I sometimes do a 'double shift' with it and use it again in the morning.

To give you an idea of the routine, I use a natural cleanser, Stem Organics Gentle Cleansing Milk (review to follow) for a quick pre-cleanse so as not to get the brush head too discoloured with make up. Then I squish a bit out onto the brush and I'm away. Rinse with cool water. Wash the brush clean and Tah-Dah! There's not much to it really.

I haven't suffered any breakouts, certainly nothing that I think was caused by the Clarisonic anyway, which is great. I've heard that this can be the case as your skin starts to respond but so far so good with me.

I do think I might have a little more firmness around my cheeks, in the smile line area. This is probably only noticeable to me and might be non-existent - I'm not squealing with excitement just yet. But I'm going to watch this carefully as I continue to use it and if this is indeed the case I might start a one-man parade with a sandwich board and a megaphone to declare my jubilation because that really was what I was hoping for!

I can't say I've seen outlandish improvement in the unblocking of pores around my nose and chin however, maybe a little bit but I'll persevere and monitor this.

One slight concern with using it was I was getting pesky dry patches on my forehead and nose which I never get and considering this is the oiliest bit of your face - the T zone- I did find this a little strange and obviously very much unwanted! This made me switch back to a hot cloth and coconut oil every now and then to sort this out. I thought the Clarisonic would be ace at getting rid of dead skin, like an industrial floor sanding machine but I suspect it's actually causing it. Maybe it's too abrasive?

In summary: It's not bad but it's not magic. More Paul Daniels than Paul McKenna.


I'm curious. I'm not blown away but I'm not disappointed. I will continue to subject my face to the experiment and I will report back when I have fully made my mind up on this funny little gadget.

I would love your feedback on this. If you have a Clarisonic, what are your experiences using it? Did you love it right away? Did it take time to notice a difference? Did you have any problems with it or has it been plain sailing on a sunny day?

Comment below! Thanks y'all.

17 comments:

  1. I can't comment on the Clarisonic as I haven't bought one (looks like a weapon of torture to me ha ha) I just love your writing style and you had me in stitches with the Paul Daniels reference/picture :)

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  2. I have had exatly the same thoughts as you! I have noticed dryer patches on my forehead since using it! Maybe that is the skin getting use to it??? I have noticed that my overall skin tone is smoother buy still have red spots and things that haven't gone! But I have noticed that products and things soak in better. However I feel like you that I really want to love it but don't know if I do!

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    1. How long have you been using it? I think I might have been using it too much. Skin might be better when it's only a couple times a week as opposed to every night and day!

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    2. Since beginning of Jan twice a day apart from last week when I didn't get out of bed cause I was ill! And now I have a break out on my chin!

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  3. Hi
    Thanks for getting in touch and for liking the blog.
    I have a couple of primers in my kit but the Inika one is my fav! I also have the foundations although they are not always my first choice as the colours are limited.
    I mainly work in TV/commercials so have additional things to take into account when choosing products ie things being HD suitable. I see you work in film so I guess have similar considerations? :)
    Laura

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    1. Thanks for commenting Laura!
      Yeah it's always a challenge to get suitable products - so many have light reflecting particles- natural or not and this is a real pain when trying to get a good solid natural kit together. Obviously what is a staple for a make up artist is rarely what the current trend is in the beauty industry!

      I really look forward to hearing more from you on your blog and see what else makes it into your kit!

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  4. I was in lurrve with my Mia from first use, I have to say. It cut back on my random acne breakouts and made my skin so much softer. Within a week, I found myself using a lot less foundation because my skin had improved so much. I've used it ever since so I've kind of forgotten what life was like, pre-Mia!

    I love it for all of the above reasons, and it's great for really giving your skin a good, deep clean. I use mine with Dudu Osun African black soap and together they've given me the best skin I've had in ages.

    Since you use more natural products than I did at the time, you may not be noticing a huge difference because your pores aren't clogged like mine were?

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    1. Well that sounds great! Glad it's worked for you! I was wondering this - if my skin didn't have anything too drastic going on with it maybe the results aren't so obvious? I expected to turn into Barbie or something!!

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  5. Interesting .... very interesting.... Thanks so much for your comments folks! Keep 'em coming!

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  6. I love my Clarisonic, have had it for almost 4 years, BUT... it does nothing for my pores! I think I may have to do more clay masques. And I did stop using my Clarisonic for a month, and my skin was worse. I think it's a matter of me being consistent and not switching up my organic/natural skin products so much... my skin might calm down a wee bit. xx

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    1. Well that's interesting your pores haven't really changed. I guess you can't reduce pore size. It's just about keeping them clean. Clay masks! I love a clay mask... I need to get one!

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  7. I have been interested in this since I read about it on your blog the first time, however I don't think I will be buying one for myself even though I'm very curious about it. I'm looking forward to read your upcoming posts on the Clarisonic. :)

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  8. I love the idea of the clarisonic, bc I think it would feel so nice in the mornings to really wake up the skin! But overall I think manual exfoliants are the devil, and I don't think it would suit my sensitive skin - a muslin cloth is about as much abrasion as I can take!

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  9. I have a cheapo version of the Clarisonic and I experienced serious dry patches all over my face when I first used it. I didn't use it for a whole month afterwards. After using it a few more times, the drying stopped. I think it was just my face reacting to it the first time.

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  10. I'm a little bit in love with my Clarisonic. I only use it about once a week (when I use it more often I also get dry patches), but I have noticed an enormous difference in my skin - I've had pigmentation left from acne scarring for the past 5 years, and have always had to apply quite a full face of makeup, but now I barely need foundation (and concealer is a thing of the past!). But progress came slowly - it's been 6 months, and I'm really seeing the results now.

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