The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Clarisonic is now a little more prominent and a little easier to find in recent times. Previously, it wasn’t even sold in Malaysia and when it was, it was only in Sephora. But these days, you can spot Clarisonic counters in some major department stores e.g. Parkson Pavilion KL as well as Sephora stores. I was told also that you may even be able to get them at selected Biotherm or Lancome counters but I haven’t seen it for myself so I can’t say for sure.
But if you’re thinking of getting on that bandwagon, let me introduce to you the newest addition to the Clarisonic family – the Clarisonic Aria.
The Clarisonic Aria was launched here in Malaysia about 2 months back and I was told it’d be available in April 2014. However, I have also been told that it’s been available for about a month already so I’m guessing some of you may have already bitten the bait 😉
Before I tell you about the Aria, let me just say that my previous thoughts on the Clarisonic face cleansing system still stand. I still think that it is best used not daily but at most twice a week unless you have very oily skin and I still think that you should not over do it. Which will bring me to a feature of the Aria that bugs me.
But let’s talk about the good things first. The Aria is rather larger than the Mia but seems to fit in the hands better. The size and design is at once ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The set I have is in White but it comes in other colours too, I believe.
What makes the Clarisonic a little different from its competitors out there lies in the system. Most competitor systems operate on a spinning brush head but the Clarisonic’s brush head moves differently. It oscillates at a sonic frequency that produces about 300 movements per second. On the skin, it feels like it’s spinning, but it isn’t because there is a pulsing motion as well as it cleans the skin.
So, what Clarisonic promises and what many people experience, is cleaner skin. It is supposed to be able to remove makeup with just a cleanser and cleanses skin better than just using your hands. And cleaner skin usually translates as clearer, healthier skin. I disagree, because I don’t think a gadget should replace proper cleansing – makeup remover or cleansing oil/balm and facial wash but that’s me. I’m a little anal about proper cleansing 🙂
In fact, Clarisonic is so confident you’ll love their gadget, they are offering a 30 day money back guarantee along with a 2 year product warranty!
But how did I like the Clarisonic Aria and how different from the Mia is it to me?
Well, I like the Aria about as much as I liked the Mia, which is to say, not much. The reason is primarily because I prefer not to use a cleansing gadget on my skin. My previous experience with the Mia has taught me that these gadgets are actually quite harsh on the skin and the brush acts like a scrubber. So, if you aren’t recommended to use a face scrub daily, why use a brush like this daily? So for me, a face flannel and a cleansing balm does a good enough job and keeps my skin happy. (I know purists will stop me at this juncture and tell me it doesn’t exfoliate. It does. Perhaps not as vigorously, but it does. Anything that brushes against the skin that way exfoliates in every true definition of the word)
I do have one caveat and that is that Clarisonic sells a Sensitive and Delicate brush head. I find that both the Sensitive and Delicate brush heads most skin-friendly if you really want to use this gadget. The brush supplied, which is the normal brush, is really far too harsh even if I know a lot of people like it. I’m just sayin’ 🙂
So if you use either the Sensitive or Delicate brush heads, then it is more gentle on the skin. The other thing I wasn’t too keen on with the Aria is that it comes in 3 speeds. Fast, faster and fastest 😛
I tested the 2nd and 3rd speeds and found the brush was too harsh for me especially if you aren’t careful and press it on your skin with too much pressure. I personally do not see the need for those sorts of speeds and I’d tell you to proceed with caution. In that sense, the Mia is quite sufficient, with its one speed that does the job well enough.
If you are planning to purchase the Clarisonic though, I’d recommend you buy it here or in whichever country you are living in because of the plug and voltage. I bought my Mia overseas and it came with a US plug. It charges up well enough with a universal adapter but that’s a hassle.
So if you buy it here in Malaysia, you’ll get the plug and voltage suitable for use here which I can tell you will mean you’ll use it more, because I can’t be arsed to charge up my Mia 😛 Recognising this probably, the Aria comes with a USB type charger which makes it very easy when you travel with this. I know of people who can’t live without their Clarisonic and this makes it much easier to take it with you. You can just plug it into a laptop to charge, or into a wall plug that accepts USB ports. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! 😀
All said and done, the Aria is pretty much an upgraded Clarisonic device. The selling points would be the 3 speed control and the USB charger. Otherwise, if you already use other Clarisonic gadgets, there’s no need to upgrade. If you want to get on the Clarisonic bandwagon, this is one to consider, but then the Mia is more affordable, especially because I’d advise you to buy the Sensitive or Delicate brush head and swap out the one supplied.
Ultimately, all the Clarisonic devices serve the same function – to clean your face. Many people love it and can’t live without. I’m one of the rare few who’d tell you to skip it but I can also tell you that it’s not going to stop any of you from buying one in your lifetime, just to see what the hype is all about 😀
So go on then. Buy one, but do consider getting the Delicate or Sensitive brush heads. I swapped mine out and I prefer it. I rarely use the gadget but with the water shortage going on, I’m a bit more lax about my face cleansing than I should be and a once or twice a week run of the Clarisonic over my skin does seem to help.
Are you a fan of the Clarisonic devices? Are you thinking of getting one or has the hype got to you already?
As I have them, I use them occasionally. In fact, I’d suggest you read my previous review together with this one because my thoughts are the same. I maintain that it’s important not to overdo (it caused my skin to over-exfoliate and break out really badly and dry out with daily use) and it’s important not to put too much pressure on the skin (make my skin over sensitive). I maintain oily skin types will benefit most from this because it does clean your skin incredibly well but if you have drier skin, reconsider. I’d only suggest you use it once or at most, twice a week and really, do you need a RM600 gadget for that? I’d tell you to invest instead in a pile of face flannels that you can use daily. Just sayin’ 😛
Paris B
Clarisonic Aria Facial Sonic Cleansing Device Price: RM690 Availability: Clarisonic counters at selected department stores and Sephora stores
I stole Tine’s when it was first launched. I proceeded with a lot of caution and perhaps too much caution that I saw no difference 😛 I didn’t want to bother with another item plugged into my bathroom for one and I don’t even exfoliate my skin that often. Having dry and sensitive skin, I was extremely wary of any new gadgets. So no. To exfoliate I use a cleansing balm and face towel every other day. Or if I can’t be arsed, then I can’t be arsed to exfoliate. I’ve gotten my skin to behave just how I want it to. I’m not going to introduce another unknown into the equation. *shudders*
Hahaha I loved the baby smooth effect the first time I used it but I think this is something that’s seriously love or hate. The thing is so many people love them and I’m told people are giving up going for facials because they use the Clarisonic. I personally will never give up going for facials because of the pampering factor (and we all need that in our lives!) plus my previous experience did cloud my thinking. That said again, considering the water issues we’re having, it has been useful having it on hand just to be sure I have a properly clean face, once a week 🙂
i always jump on the bandwagon of something then to find that i lose interest in them rather quickly and Mia is sort of one of them. i decided that my skin didn’t like regular scrub, and even now at best i scrub once a week, and less redness and sensitive now
haha I remember how you exfoliated away a piece of your chin with the Mia! 😛 It definitely exfoliates which is why I get upset when people tell me it doesn’t. Like hello, a rotating brush WILL remove bits of skin!
I got the Mia last year when Clarisonic launched in Japan. I only use it every other day at best. I found the delicate head too harsh so I switched to the acne head which feels softer. It’s called the ultra plush head here. Recently the cashmere heads have been released here and they are so soft. They feel completely different than the original heads. The bristles are about 3 times longer and they tend to sling water around but they work well for my ultra sensitive skin. If you already have a Clarisonic and find it too harsh give the cashmere head a try if you can get your hands on it. It’s a bit more expensive than the normal heads and Sephora sells it.
Thanks for the heads up about the Cashmere brush Melanie! I didn’t even know it existed! At least that way maybe I’d actually get more use out of it rather than letting it sit there and collect dust 😛
I agree with you… I bought a Clarisonic Plus years ago, and used it faithfully for three months. I didn’t see a single bit of difference in my skin: nothing bad, but nothing good either. And $250 is just too much to pay for something that doesn’t even do anything. I have a cheaper manual scrubby brush, and a battery-powered one that I will break out a few times a month if my skin is flaking out on me, but otherwise I stick to chemical exfoliation.
I’m all for chemical exfoliation too Audrey! 😀 I use the Alpha H Liquid Gold on alternate nights and an exfoliating toner on regular days and it has made such a difference to my skin! Well except for my stress related breakouts, that is 🙂 Glad we’re sort of on the same page on this one 😉
I remember reading how Caroline Hirons dislikes Clarisonic brushes. LOL. I like you will stick to face cloth and cleansing balm as my method of cleansing. On days when I used my Olay Pro-X which is 2-3 times a week, I will use Bioderma Micellar water to remove my makeup. I find that cleansing with face cloth has made a difference to my skin so it is best to stick to what works best for me. I do think that over-cleansing especially with gadgets can cause skin to become more sensitive.
Yes she does! She says it’ll make your face fall off LOL I tend to agree. In fact I realised that a lot of my bumbling around with skincare and my personal philosophies gel with hers which is a good thing of course since she is definitely doing something right 🙂 I love the face cloth thing too. Seriously, so cheap, so efficient and so effective. What is there not to love eh?
It’s available at Biotherm Pavilion. I’m not into it because there’s the fear of over scrubbing my face. I have thin skin.. the idea of scrubbing with this gadget seems too much for my skin. Haha. I’ll just admire this gadget from afar 😉
Ah yes thanks for the info Angelina! I did think I saw it at Biotherm but I couldn’t be sure. This is definitely not one for thin-skinned people! Just far too harsh >.<
The BA told me that we can change the brush head. I’m still not into it. True that we can change the brush head according to our preference but I only have 1 face and the skin on my face. Waaa, I don’t want to risk damaging my already thin skin.
Yep, there are some new very soft brushes but really, they should come with the soft ones not the hard ones 😛
It’s so tempting to get one for myself everytime I read a good review about this Clarisonic device! Somehow I’m still skeptical of jumping onto this bandwagon, especially when there are also some bad reviews about it! So I’m stick with the tradition cleansing like using facecloth, even with the olay brush doesn’t seem too appalling to me compare with this Clarisonic :S
Yep, people love them and then there’s me HAHA! 😀 Honestly, I think it is a bit overhyped but those who love it swear by it so it’s really hard to say. I haven’t tried the Olay brush yet, but I think I’m scared of it too LOL
Hi, I am a hitachi hadacrie user. Initially I was in dilemma either to buy Clarisonic or Hadacrie. I read up a lot of reviews regarding both products. In the end, I decided to buy Hadacrie because of it function which using ions to cleanse and hydrate skin. I really like my Hadacrie. Just want to ask you what is your take about these cleaning gadget tools available in our market? How do you decide to buy which is best to you?
Hi Ivo I haven’t used the Hitachi Hada Crie although I’ve heard of it, so I can’t comment I”m afraid. The only thing I can say is that as the Hada Crie uses a cotton pad, it appears far less abrasive to the skin than the Clarisonic so that might be something positive in its favour. As for gadgets like these, I personally don’t put a lot of faith in them because in order to derive the most benefits, you have to be very diligent. So the key things to consider would be efficacy, cost and to think about how often you are willing to use it. I personally stick to simple routines using a face cloth and then using an exfoliating toner which basically does what a gadget does, cleanse my skin further, without exfoliating, tugging my skin. That suits me. But if using a gadget makes you happy and you think it works then by all means use it 🙂
The Clarisonic will ALWAYS be a 3 or 4 times a week thing but never daily.. I did that and it didn’t work out as planned 🙂
Definitely too harsh for daily use although I know of many who swear by it! To each their own i guess 😉
I went out and got the Aria after my poor lil’ Mia died. Completely dead… kaput. Anyway, I’ve been using the Aria regularly for the past month and have to say that lowest speed setting is very helpful. My skin can tolerate it on a more regular basis and have been using it almost every evening and interchanging with the Mary Kay Skinvigorate.
Haha you must have been working the poor Mia to death 😀 I agree that the lowest setting on the Aria is best but with the brush supplied I even found that too harsh. There’s this spot on my cheek that seems to have been rubbed raw by the Clarisonic so it’s back in cold storage 😛
every time i step into the sephora store, the SA’s will always try to persuade me to buy it. thanks to your post before, i declined the offer (also because i think the price is way too steep for me). they kept saying no, the brush is soft, no it is gentle, and no, it is a detox way of repelling all your toxins under the skin. sigh…
The price of the previous less advanced versions have dropped actually 🙂 That said though, I do think the regular brush is pricey and so many people claim it replaces facials or cleans their skin so much better or helps reduce spots, I don’t know what to believe haha! Then again I didn’t have a good experience with it which does color my thoughts somewhat
It seems there is a korean brand called PoBling which has a battery powered facial brush that works similarly to the Clarisonic but way more affordable… some even said that its brush is softer than Clarisonic… have u heard of it before, Paris? Would love to hear your take on it…
Hi Seraph, afraid I have come across it, but I’m not a fan of these facial washing gadgets so I likely won’t try it even if I do, sorry! 🙂
Hi I read your review and it’s nice and informative. Please tell me where can I purchase clarisonic in Kuala lumpur now? Thanks in advance.
You can get it at Sephora stores or at some Biotherm or Lancome counters as well.
Hi, may i know where can i purchase the Clarisonic brush head in Malaysia? I could not find them in Sephora stores and most items are out of stock in Parkson. Thank you!
Last I know they are at Sephora and perhaps at some L’Oreal brand counters e.g Biotherm, Lancome etc. Try seeing if it’s available at Sephora online?