I was doing a bit of thinking recently. Dangerous business, this thinking thing š
But I was thinking of all the beauty gadgets and fads that have hit us with cult status at one time or another through the years and how many Iād fallen for just āto tryā and how much money I have wasted over time. Yeah, I think you know my answer to my question above.
I have followed fads and although they were fab at the time, just how many of they are still fab for me months or years down the road?
Iām going to share with you a couple of beauty gadgets and fads that Iāve tried and you can tell me if you too have fallen for them or any other fad or gadget du jour, and whether you are still using them. Deal? š Onward!
Clarisonic Mia (review)
Biggest and most expensive fad of all. I think it did a fair job of cleaning out pores but I couldnāt use it too often. Perhaps itās because I donāt have oily skin. Perhaps itās because my pores are already fairly clean. Either way, it killed my skin and gave me one of the worst breakouts Iād ever experienced as an adult.
I can use this weekly if I wanted to. I did. Then the battery wore out and I never bothered getting it recharged. It is now a very expensive white elephant. Bah.
Aspirin Mask (review)
Back in the day when I was just learning more about my skin the aspirin mask was THE thing. Everyone and their aunty was trying it. So I naturally did.
Only to find out that we donāt take aspirin for headaches here in Malaysia, we take paracetamol, popularized by Panadol. So, aspirin is terribly hard to find and not as cheap as it is in the USA where the hype was coming out of. The key ingredient in this aspirin mask is salicylic acid. So no, paracetamol or Panadol is NOT a substitute for aspirin when making this mask. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesnāt know what theyāre on about.
It does work, in case youāre wondering. It leaves your skin feeling lovely and smooth and clean. But itās helluva messy and when I eventually ran out of Disprin (which is about the only brand of uncoated aspirin we get here ā yes it must be uncoated for it to work) I told myself to forget it. I could get just as good results from using proper skincare. I have š
Konjac Sponge (review)
Konjac sponges burst on the beauty scene some time last year, I believe. I tried it and it was a very lovely, gentle way to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. Itās like the Clarisonic, only less abrasive. It was fun.
But friends reported of their sponges growing mould (yucks!) and it will disintegrate over time, and also, after a while, it looks manky and horrible and you donāt want to use it anymore. They come in varying prices, and although I donāt know if the cheaper alternatives are as good as the pricier ābrandedā ones, I never bothered finding out. I now use a washcloth that I change daily. Better in the long run, Iām thinking š
Talika Cream Booster (partial review)
I have to say this gadget does work. It did make my skincare absorb into my skin more quickly and seemed to make lines less noticeable. But, it takes far too long. I think it was something like a minute each time, but it was a minute too long. I found that I preferred doing just a simple facial massage and my skincare never takes effort to absorb into my skin anyway. So, often I was running the gadget over a cream-free face which I didnāt like either.
Yes, it works, but no, I have no patience nor enough conviction to use it daily. I find I get better results with my skin with just using proper skincare and techniques, rather than a gadget.
BeautyBlender foundation Sponge (no review because I donāt own it! LOL)
Ok, this one is a curveball out of left field (if you forgive my mangling baseball terminology) I donāt own the Beautyblender although I have toyed with the idea from time to time over the years. Back in the day when it first exploded on the beauty scene, I was not into liquid foundation and when I did use it, I was using my hands to apply foundation.
I eventually got the hang of using liquid foundation but not with a sponge. Iāve graduated to brushes and learned an awesome technique for applying foundation with brushes but Iāve recently experimented with using a damp sponge and Iām liking the results!
I happen to own the Sonia Kashuk foundation blending sponge pictured above, which at one time was widely touted as a ādupeā for the Beautyblender. Had it for a couple of years and this is the first time Iām actually getting any results from it LOL! Opinions do differ of course, and I canāt compare since I donāt own the BB (yet) but after about a week, Iām quite happy with the effects and the results. Maybe once this dies, Iāll graduate to the Beautyblender. I know it gets a lot of love so feel free to share the love š
Are you using or have used any of these very popular beauty gadgets/fads? Are there other fads/gadgets youād like to share?
So far, it appears only the foundation sponge fad has found favour with me and only now, because Iāve only worked out how to use it now LOL! As for the rest, as fads go, they were fleeting (and expensive).
Paris B
Haha, you got me thinking about all the white elephants I have that are tucked away. I have the Clarisonic Mia and the Beauty blender and Iāve never tried the others. Clarisonicā¦ It got a good amount of use for the first few months I had it, but I didnāt see a difference when I stopped using it so I got lazy and stopped. It did, however, irritate my skin when I used more than once a day. Iām talking red and raw.
Beauty blenderā¦ I whip it out on the rare days that I use foundation. If Iām just applying BB cream or tinted sunscreen, I use my fingers. The beauty blender does give a nice even finish which doesnāt look like Iāve got foundation on.
Haha good to make you think Lana š Your experience with the Clarisonic sounds painful! I havenāt recharged it since, because I need to use an adapter and itās just too much of a hassle setting everything in place. Also, I figured my skin wasnāt looking worse for wear without using it š I have heard a lot of good things about the Beautyblender and am tempted to give it a go, but am going to wear out the SK sponge first š
Of all the above, I only have the beautyblender. It works well enough, but I hated cleaning it. So now I only take it out occasionally.
Iām feeling the same way about using the sponge! So I use it in the bathroom and then wash it immediately. Quite a pain, and definitely not for days when Iām in a hurry!
Konjac sponge before anyone starts to rave about it. I was attracted to it because it is bouncy. Haha. Gadgets, not interested. Am using washcloth these days.
Iām using a washcloth too! I like it, and at least it isnāt an expensive experiment š
I have used Konjacv Sponge before and I stop using it because I think that using your hand is far more better than the spongeā¦ It gets mouldy and I break out easily and even when I used up all of it I dont think it gives any difference at all..so why bother using it ā¦.
Good point, Bee! I had good results when I was using it, as in my face felt clean, but then, it feels clean now too LOL
Hi Paris,
Interesting post again! But some how I donāt understand the need of so many gadgets in the beauty world. I am not saying they donāt work, some of them do and do it well but quite a lot of others just sit with you after a while as āwhite elephantsā, either they are too cumbersome to use or we get super lazy to replace their one or the other replaceable parts.
And, to tell you, after living in Japan and now in Singapore, I have seen these gadgets here and not so much in India. Even if you do get something in India, people are not very open about trying them out while here I have seen, everybody would like to possess the latest fad.
I know it looks so tempting when the SA or the promoter show you how products work and also the before and after effect specially for those āAs-seen-on-TVā products but then after a while, you donāt feel like using them or maintaining them.
Btw, Thanks for telling about Aspirin Mask, I never knew about itā¦ that was interesting and since you say you can get similar effect by proper skin care, still I think I would love to try it once. And Disprin is most commonly used headache medicine in India, so I am getting some on my next visit to India š
Hi Neha, thatās interesting. I think people in this region are heavily influenced by the gadget culture that emanates from Japan and Korea. We love our gadgets in everything haha š The late night or day time TV shopping channels are the funniest. I have to admit that they actually do look very tempting (especially kitchen gadgets for which Iām a real sucker!) but Iāve tried enough to know they donāt work or if they do, donāt last! The aspirin mask is quite nice and very affordable. Just be sure not to inhale it or youāll end up sneezing the mask right off your face LOL
Expensive white elephant ā ouch! š My friend just got the new Olay regenerist one and sheās been waxing lyrical about how effective it isā¦ makes me a little bit tempted to get it but I need to finish up my Neutrogena Wave pads first! š
Ahh my favourite Aspirin mask! Still works like a charm for me although I have to admit that I have ran out of tablets and havenāt replenished in awhile! š Oh, you can get Bayer Aspirin which is the one I use ā it melts pretty quickly with just a few drops of water.
I hopped onto the Konjac sponge bandwagon pretty late so Iām still loving it now! I have a review scheduled for next week so I hope people are still interested to read what I have to say about it!! Hahaha! š
You know, Iām actually curious about the Olay one, but I keep telling myself that I should look at my Clarisonic to see just how much use I get out of these things š I compared Bayer aspirin once, but I didnāt like them although I canāt remember why. Maybe because they were more expensive than Disprin? Iām not sure LOL But Iāve worked out Iām not a DIY skincare girl. Iām sure loads of people are still keen on the konjac sponge! I do think it is a nice tool, just that I got tired of it far too quickly (but just before mine started getting mold!)
LOL! my thoughts exactly towards the MIA, when the batt is out, i just couldnāt be bothered. and the konjac sponge is in my bathroom as a deco now š and the beauty blenderā¦well i still use it once in a while when i need seriously flawless skin. guess i should never spend a bomb on these again ><
Sigh, us and our 15 second passions LOL! Do you mean you havenāt tossed your konjac sponge?!?! I remember you had it before I did!
Very interesting post as usual š Have not use any of the gadgets/tools mentioned but I am about to purchase the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System since I have managed to find a good deal and plus it is highly raved about on Makeup Alley. I am pretty late to the bandwagon for this tool but I guess I just wanted to try to see what the hype was all about. Lol. By the way, what sort of washcloth are you currently using?
Iāve heard the Olay one is quite good and itās not as pricey so even if you donāt use it after a while, it shouldnāt be too much of a heart ache š I just use your regular handkerchief or face towel. You know how sometimes you buy a set of towels and thereās a random square that you arenāt sure what to do with it? Those š
iāve always been conflicted about the beautyblender. i remember really wanting one when it first came out, but i much prefer my fingers for application. iām still feeling a bit tempted though. I didnāt really like the clarisonic either, so I returned it after a week or two :/
Iāve been toying with the idea of the beautyblender for years, Joyce! LOL I never got the hang of using a sponge before so I decided not to take the plunge. Just as well, because it would have been an expensive experiment again! Now that Iām comfortable using a damp sponge, I reckon I could quite easily achieve similar results with any sponge, not just the beautyblender so Iām holding off for a while more š
I use the assets we are born with ā hands! :p
I tried using damp makeup sponge (those denser ones) for liquid foundation application. Coverage is lovely, and skin feels cool when sponge touches skin. The ONLY setback isā¦ itās DAMN difficult to wash off. Brush is easier to clean!!
Agree with you re: sponges! Which is why the Daiso sponge detergent is such a Godsend! I use it to wash the sponge after I use it and it gets it as clean as it ever will be š
I donāt use my Clarisonic now either. I started to earlier this year, but gave up again. Itās too aggravating for me. I use it now in the shower on my arms! WHen I remember though LOL.
I LOVE MY BEAUTY BLENDER. The Sonia Kashuk one isnāt the same at all-you need to get the real deal girl! I never use a brush.
Iāve been trying to kick start the Clarisonic but every time, I get tired just thinking of the charging. Takes so damn long to charge! Ahhh thanks to you I have been again toying with the idea of trying the beautyblender! Iām waiting for the Sonia Kashuk one to die and then Iāll see š The funny thing is, I keep reading people complaining about their SK sponges dying on them after a short while and Iāve had mine for years! No signs of it giving up yet
donāt own any of these.. hmm.. but the cleaning brush is a hype nowadays especially after Olay launched the cheaper version. might give it a try and see if would clean up my dirty nose (hate those black/white head).
Yep! Olay has theirs available here now, and there are some manual face brushes you can get too. Just be sure not to overdo it when you do get it or your skin may hate you and break out š
I discovered the Konjac sponge about 3 months ago and I have not stopped using it =D Initially I was thinking of getting a Clarisonic, but the mixed reviews scared me. Iām not ready to spend over RM400 for something that isnāt necessarily going to work for me haha~ The sponge is so much cheaper too! Yes it needs replacing every 2 or 3 months, but for RM8.90 thatās not too much to shell out =D I get mine from Sasa, but Iām not too sure if itās real Konjac @_@
The konjac sponge is quite nice to use, if youāre diligent about it Angela š On the bright side, it isnāt abrasive at all, so thereās no fear of your skin being rubbed raw the way the Clarisonic can. The only thing Iād caution is to be very sure you hang the sponge to dry properly or it is very susceptible to getting mold and that wonāt be nice to use on your face!
I still love my BeautyBlender! Nothing beats it when it comes to liquid foundation application. Love.
The Clarisonic Mia is a tough one. I gave up on it 3 years ago after trying it for just 1 month. It was way too abrasive for me, even when used weekly. Back then I have normal-dry skin. Now, my nose gets clogged really easily and has become a true combination skin. I just whipped it out 2 weeks ago and have been using it once every two days. It has really helped with my clogged pores. So, I guess it really depends on your skin type(?).
The Konjac sponge was a fad for me. Gave up after 2 weeks and just lost interest. š
Yep! Anyone who asks what I think of the Clarisonic I tell them the same thing. Use it if you have oily/combination/clogged pores. Donāt if you already have fairly decent skin or dry skin because there is a chance it can break you out the way it did for me. No one listens of course, because everyone wants to try it LOL! So, the Beautyblender is all that and a bag of chips eh? š
Hahaha my Clarisonic has taken the boot now (not even the backseat) as Iām now using the Olay Regenerist brush. Works just as well and cheaper too. Iām afraid the Konjac sponges have also taken a backseat but thatās more because Iāve got other new stuff to try and not because I donāt like them. I used the Baby Quasar for a while and that too has stopped because Iām lazy to hold it to my face for 45 minutes š
Yāknow, I still have yet to try the Beauty Blender or similar from other brands. I guess itās just not for me (also because Iām, again, lazy to wash the sponge every time I use it :P).
Ok, this is a scary scary post! Just when I was planning to buy Clarisonic š For makeup, I so rarely use tools (meaning brushes) since I do my makeup at work and use very little. But skincare is a whole another dimension! Iām sooo obsessed with my skin and since it is acne prone and porous (well, you know what I mean!) I am willing to try anything. I usually use a plastic brush-like thingy I bought from Sephora and use my cleanser with it. If I donāt use brush or similar stuff while cleansing, I donāt feel like Iām clean enough. The plastic brush is very veeery mild and doesnāt have modling problem like sponges. But still Iām gonna get me some Clarisonic, I didnāt get well results from mild chemical peelings, physical peeling is still the one that gets me going..
Haha hereās the deal Casey, as I tell everyone, the Clarisonic will work for you if you have oily/combination/clogged skin. It will help improve your skin quality. If you have dry/normal skin then you wonāt get as much benefit from it and you can also risk breaking out if used too regularly š I have come across the hand held brushes so if you think of the Clarisonic as a mechanized version then itās pretty much that! š
I saw your post on the Olay Regenerist one and I have to admit I was bloody tempted! But Iām going to be good and if I use a brush, to try the Clarisonic again. After all, itās already sitting in my room as a bloody white elephant innit? š Iād read about the Baby Quasar but it just looked like far too much effort. Different when you are in a salon getting a treatment you know š
Beauty blender is a LIFESAVER for me! I use it every time I use liquid fdtn and it works when nothing else does. I think if you already get great results from fingers/brush you donāt need it, but I highly rec for people whose skins tend to cake everything up, even after exfoliating, primers, all that jazz.
Havenāt tried any of the others!
So Iāve heard so often, Julia! So many people love the Beautyblender and I have to admit that this damp sponge thing has its merits. My foundation looks flawless š
I try konjac sponge pretty late. The 3rd one is still hanging in my bathroom, all dry and wrinkly ^_^ . It did soften my skin, so I think it really did exfoliate but it did nothing to clear my congested chin, and that the black heads on my nose are still there. I get a clearer nose when I use better quality cleanser.
Youāre right about it not doing as good as job at unclogging the skin. I find the konjac sponge is great for gently exfoliating the skin, getting rid of flaky skin etc, but not for unclogging. Definitely need something stronger for that!
I just bought Olay pro x cleaning brush and loving it!! First few times used my skin really looks brighter and squeaky clean. After many tries, skin look d same and really squeaky clean. Mine is sensitive with dry combination skin more to really dry side. So using pro x make my skin dry n taut but if you quickly slap on moisturizer skin will look fresh n good:-)
Good to know youāre getting good results from the Olay brush, Leona š You have mentioned that you have dry skin so Iād just have a word of caution not to use it too regularly. I have dry skin too and using the Clarisonic regularly is what killed my skin. So, use it weekly or twice a week. It is just as bad to overcleanse the skin as it is to undercleanse š
I have been using the Clarisonic Mia 2 since the end of last year and I am currently still using it. I place the Clarisonic in the same basket as my hairdryer in my bathroom so that I will remember having it. Haha. If I donāt, it will be a case of out of sight out of mind. And itās near a plug point too, easy for recharging.
But I am naturally a lazy person so I ended up using the Clarisonic once a week at most. This Clarisonic has a timer function and I love it. Normally I use it to deep exfoliate before I put on a moisturizing mask. It works for me this way.
Good idea, Kay! I have my Clarisonic with my shower things actually but because I only use it sporadically, it was easy to forget. Now that Iām using a regular chemical treatment, Iām keeping it aside. Canāt overdo all the exfoliation or Iāll have no skin left! Haha!
I hate to talk about my clarisonic mia. Itās sitting in a quiet, dark corner somewhere. I hope i forget all about it. One of my worst pricey investment. Yes, it broke me out if used daily. And talking about cleansing brush, Iām currently testing out two cleansing brushes from Taiwan brush maker Lam Sam Yick: the clean acne brush and the clean brush. So far so good, no break out and face looks quite clear. Will continue with it and see how it goes. Personally, it feels quite therapeutic to use at the end of the day as the brush is so densely made and just so soft.
hahaha āI hope i forget all about it.ā It does make us feel bad right? š I was asked to test out a face cleansing brush that is pretty much a manual Clarisonic but I passed. I just knew Iād never be able to keep up with these things. For now, Iām using a washcloth which is relaxing and comforting and I think, Iām reaping a lot of benefits from it (plus itās cheap!)