goodness this is a large picture of my face... yikes.. i hesitated to share it. but here it is. by no means do i think my skin is perfect, because it is not. i spend a lot of time taking care of it and this is what it looks like in all photos on this blog. no foundation, no photoshoppin'. just plain ol me.
behold. my best friend. the Clarisonic Mia facial sonic cleansing brush. (try saying that three times fast!)
soon, it will be your best friend too... if you don't already own one.
from the Clarisonic website:
"Cleansing is the essential first step in a healthy skin care ritual. The patented Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing Brush uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to deeply cleanse the skin far more effectively, yet more gently, than traditional superficial cleansing or simple rotating brushes. The result is noticeably smoother, more radiant skin."
in my own words:
a few years ago, i hesitated to buy this brush. i didn't want to spend so much money on a face brush?! what was i thinking?!?! what a small price to pay for good skin. fast forward six years later and i am a total convert. i tell all my friends about it, their friends, and... basically anyone who will listen to me. i've convinced them to use it, their friends, their moms, and even guys! you would think i'm a clarisonic rep the way i talk about it. (hrmm.. ponders.) there are many lines from Clarisonic, originally i purchased the Clarisonic Pro. it had multiple settings, speeds etc.. it was too fancy for me. i didn't use all the features that it offered and the downside was that it was not easy to travel with. the charger was also a bulky stand. so, i went and bought myself a Mia 1 (they didn't have Mia 2 back then). i've been so happy with the single setting. it also comes in sooo many pretty colors. the brush itself is much smaller than the Pro and the charger is magnetic and tiny! Clarisonic.com has a good comparison between all the systems they sell. it looks like they are up to a Mia 3 now!
how to use:
i use this brush once a day with a cleanser that has a good lather to it. i use the Dermalogica special cleansing gel. with your hands, lather the cleanser onto your face, wet the brush with water and whatever is left on your hands, turn it on and move the brush in a slow circular motion on the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin... etc.. i even do my neck. the brush will beep when the cycle is complete. turn it off, clean off the excess foam, and dry it off until the next use. i do not store my Clarisonic in the shower, but in a cool dry place like my sink.
if you wear foundation/makeup:
i suggest removing all traces of foundation/makeup before using the Clarisonic via a cleansing oil or regular makeup remover. this gives the Clarisonic a clean canvas to work with which yields better results.
replacement brush heads:
the only thing you need to do after buying the device is to replace the brush head every three months. you can keep it longer, but i found that when keeping it longer, the bristles would start to break down and therefore wouldn't clean my face as well. what's great about Clarisonic is that you can buy replacement brush heads that fit your skin type/needs. the replacement brush heads come in: radiance, sensitive, normal, deep pore, and acne. i use sensitive. they recently came out with a luxe line of brush heads for real sensitive skin or delicate targeted areas. the luxe brush heads come in: cashmere, and satin precision. the replacement brush heads also have a protective cap. i never use it, unless i'm traveling with it.
here comes the analogy:
if you are wondering why you should invest in this brush... here's my analogy--how does a manual toothbrush clean compared to an electronic one? (insert long pause.) there is no comparison. you simply cannot compare cleaning your face with your hands versus a brush... okay, point made. and plus, the brush is doing all the work for you!! you just have to use it.
side note:
i also use a Sonicare toothbrush... twice a day and the results are breathtaking. (literally.) i'm never going back to manual brushing again!
recap:
this brush will change your life. well, at least your skin's game. and yes, your skin does have game. once you start using it you will wonder how/why you went so long without it.. trust me. when i first started using this brush i made a mistake and stopped using it because i felt like it wasn't doing anything. biggest mistake ever. good skin starts with a clean canvas, and this brush will get you just that. if you suffer from breakouts or have acne, this will help clear it up. if you think you have dull skin, this will make it radiant. remember, miracles do not happen overnight. the key here is to be persistent.
purchasing:
if you are unsure, purchase the cheapest system. the Mia 1. if you want something fancier take a look at the Clarisonic system comparison mentioned above to determine which one is right for you. i'm also here to help you save a few more bucks by purchasing it tax-free (i can only speak for us Texans!) from Beauty.com (currently, they do not sell the Mia 3 yet).
Mia 1 - $99 (one speed)
Mia 2 - $149 (two speeds)
Mia 3 - $199 (three speeds, and larger)
join me and...
SAY NO TO MANUAL CLEANING!