NEW TN feature for 2015: Ask Normal Girl Beauty! We try to answer your biggest beauty concerns that even the NORMAL girl can handle!
Q
Hi Normal Girl Beauty –
I am sitting on $100 in gift cards to Sephora. Thinking about purchasing a Clarisonic…what would you recommend?
My skin is dry, I get the occasional break out, but mostly dealing with blackheads on my nose or big pores. I would love a good face wash, moisturizer and eye cream. One catch…I only buy Cruelty-free.
Does the clarisonic help with wrinkles? Also, can I look 10 years younger?
Jamie
A
Lucky you, gift cards are the best! This time of year is a great time to buy a Clarisonic because many places like Ulta and Sephora still have get gift sets. The difference between the two most popular brushes, the Mia and the Mia 2 (besides the $50 price gap) is that there is two speeds to the Mia 2. Ask me how many times I’ve ever used the second speed…. {the answer is … pretty much never.} Save your money and just get the regular Mia unless you really have a need for speed or find a holiday kit that has lots of extras included on sale. Personally, I just don’t see the benefit of the faster speed.
I have naturally very dry skin as well. I used to have major texture (raised bumps) around my jaw line. My Clarisonic completely wiped those out. I also had visible pores on and around my nose, those are also just about completely gone as well. If I use a cheaper foundation or face primer they show back up again, but as long as I use good quality products they stay at bay. My night time routine goes like this: Eye makeup remover, Cleanser (sometimes I use mac wipes) then my Clarisonic. Its amazing how much makeup STILL is on my face after washing it the first time around!
Clarisonics can help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles IF you are currently using anti aging products. Personally I have seen a difference in the fine lines around my eyes and on my forehead. The idea is that since you are getting such a deep clean from using the device it allows your anti aging products to penetrate deeper into your skin, causing them to be more effective, but beware! This also has the opposite effect with cheaper products. I find that if I use products with cheaper ingredients, my skin gets irritated a lot more often now.
Unfortunately it still is difficult to find great products that are cruelty free, but luckily one of my favorite brands is! I recommend Murad. They are high quality and worth every single penny, and they are also 100% cruelty free! The kit linked here gives you a little bit of everything. I have never struggled with acne but their Time Release Acne Cleanser is by far the best cleanser I have ever used combined with my Clarisonic. Sorry I am not sure these prodcuts can make you look 10 years younger, but who wants to relive their 20’s anyway?
xoxo,
Tiff
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