Review: Clarisonic Mia

So I was thinking, since posting the final installment of my (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles - Week 4.

Apart from the Comments received on the post, I received numerous messages via various channels (YouTube, Twitter, email, FaceBook) about my BOTTOM LINE...

I have this sneaky suspicion that you guys skipped ALL my rambling and just zoomed to the Bottom Line ^_~ (naughty, naughty!)

"Some were DISAPPOINTED that I didn't fall to my knees, declaring it...
...my be-all end-all skincare tool...
...turned my skin perfect...
...THE MIRACLE OF MY LIFE..."

"Some (kind of) REJOICED because they were relieved that the Mia was not a guaranteed cure-all."

In fact, I think some may have misconstrued that I dislike my Mia =_=


And NOW, allow to explain why I THINK the Mia didn't blow me away,
because it MAY be miraculous for YOU!

By the way, in case you have not been following my Mia Chronicles, links below for recap:
- Intro: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles
- Week 1: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles
- Week 4: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles

UNO:

The Effectiveness of the Mia Depends on your Current Skincare Routine

All of us (I assume) know that the Mia's patented Sonic technology excels at cleaning out and unclogging pores - EXFOLIATES!

Bingo!

Which is why the Mia was not "Oh-My-God" on my skin.

Because...my skin routine (which you would already know if you had *clears throat* clicked on the link I provided in Intro: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles)...for the past 6 years...includes Salicylic Acid cleansers and serums, morning and night, every single day.

And that my friends, (chemically)-exfoliates my skin, whilst the Mia is an additional MANUAL exfoliator.
Conclusion:
IF you don't exfoliate your skin regularly, either chemically or manually with any other skincare tool, try the Mia.
It might just turn your life around *kaching!*

In my case, I experienced the most difference in Week 1: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles because Mia-ing got rid of what my Salicylic Acid COULD NOT ^_^

And my pores are progressively improving even as I speak...

DOS:

The Effectiveness of the Mia Depends on your Skin's Condition Prior To Mia-ing

Apart from exfoliation, another of Mia's niche is in CLEANSING. Dirt, makeup, etc.

The very reason I purchased the Mia was because of my Hot Zones (see Intro: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles). I was desperate to get rid of the clogged pores there.

No fear! I declared the Mia a fail in removing them (Week 4: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles), and I still stand by what I said!

My breakouts and clogged pores were due to allergy (I remove my base makeup religiously), which is why the Mia couldn't remove them.

Conclusion:

IF your skin is not perfect (clogged pores, breakouts, etc) due to improper makeup (especially base) removal,

OR your makeup removal process isn't cutting it

and you need additional ooommpphhh in that aspect, by all means, try the Mia.

Allow me to reiterate that I LOVE my Mia.

I would definitely repurchase a replacement brush head in May, I would repurchase the whole damn set should I ever lose it (heaven forbid!)
for though it failed in the Hot Zones, it DID improved my  skin at all levels on the rest of my face.

I really hope that this clears the air about my declaring the Mia a partial failure in Week 4: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles, and not put anybody off from trying it.


Thanks for reading! <3

Week 4: Clarisonic Mia Chronicles

So, 17 March 2011 marks Week 4 of my Clarisonic Mia ("Mia") journey.

Chronology:
Week 0 click HERE
Week 1 click HERE

SKIN CARE REGIME

** After 4 weeks of use, I've noticed that my skin can get a little dry on cooler days. When this happens, I apply an additional moisturiser on top of my current routine. (Yo Carol! - No additional oiliness :D)

** I could only come up with 2 possible reasons:
[1] the Mia's Sonic action is exfoliating VERY well; and/or
[2] the my topical acne cream is sinking in better, thus the dryness.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

** The Mia’s brush-head (mine is the Sensitive head) doesn't seem as abrasive as how I described in Week 1 (click HERE). A little birdie (Hi Ruth!) told me that the brush head does break in after a while, and true enough, it did ^_^

WEEK 4 – PROGRESS

Black Face Chart from http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Zone A – THE HOT ZONES, which got me to get the Mia in the first place

Predicament: 

Lots of small headless bumps  (cause is explicitly detailed HERE!)

Results:

(Right Side)   NO photo today (explanation below in pink), because at the end of Week 3, there were still NO changes in the bumps.
Didn't shrink; Didn't erupt (I was actually hoping they would, just so I could medicate them!!!) Much to my disdain, they just . DIDN'T . budge!
As they say, desperate times call for desperate/drastic measures:

I PICKED AT THEM.

Well, to be more accurate, I extracted those bumps under very sanitary conditions in a very controlled environment and packed on my topical acne treatment. Flakies be damned!

And I must say, aside from the leftover scars (sighs T_T), the bumps are gone! ^_^ (for now...that is...)

Now, I'm hoping the Mia would erase these scars, pronto!

Note: This is the reason why I didn't post a photo, for it would pretty much freak you out with all the redness caused by my picking/extraction, and not a true reflection of the Mia's results.

(Left Side)     One of the 2 small cystic pimples from a Laura Mercier primer has healed (leaving a scar behind as always) and the other is...kinda...shriveling...slowly...

No new breakouts though, so that’s a plus ^_^ 

Zone B 

Predicament: 

A scar on each temple from previous bouts of breakouts

Results:

Fading... :)

Zone C 

Predicament: 

Lots (x1000) of blackheads [Think "unripe-beige-strawberry" nose *eewww*] 

Results:

I raved about this area in Week 1 because it showed the most OBVIOUS improvement.

However, the improvement seems to have reached its plateau. It is much better than the pre-Mia days, though.
My poor nose is not black-head-free as yet; the super deep-set obstinate spots are still hanging on for dear life.
Extremely persistent, they are =_=

Zone D

Predicament: 

Whiteheads

Results:

I had a zit here during Week 1, so I avoided Mia-ing the area.

However, since then, I've used it continuous.

Less whiteheads, so YAY!

Zone E 

Predicament:

Large pores 

Results:

Pores are definitely less obvious.

To be honest, if you're anything like me and keep scrutinising them day in, day out, you won't see much difference.

However, one fine day, it struck my fancy to use the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in "Nectar" as blusher.

Now, even though Nectar is one of the more finely-milled BB bricks, it still emphasizes my pores like no other if I'm not careful, and this is THE...well...MY...acid test for pore-size.

I am glad to report that yes...the pores have indeed shrunken, but nowhere near invisible...YET ^_~

Zone F

Predicament: 

Nothing much…yet…

Results:

I think I can see some frown lines between my brows, so *fingers crossed* they'll improve over time :D

Same goes for my laugh lines!


BOTTOM LINE
4 Weeks = 1 Month

I will say this.

The Mia-ing HAS helped quite a bit in terms of improving the OVERALL texture of my skin, and for that, I am ecstatic.

However, I still have a long (x100) way to go before my skin is completely clear and flawless, and only time will tell.

I guess the biggest disappointment is the month of Mia-ing FAILED to heal hot Zones A, because that's the WHOLE reason I purchased it in the first place.

This will be the FINAL installment of the  (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles, UNLESS things take an MIRACULOUS turn for BETTER, or heaven forbid, a tragic U-Turn for WORSE!

Thanks for reading <3

Week 1: Clarisonic Mia Chronicles

 Yup! I'm on the Clarisonic Mia bandwagon. To know why, click HERE (Week 0)!

Apologies if this is formatted like an article from a scientific journal.
I just think it’s easier to keep track of this weekly/bi-weekly progress series if I keep things consistent.

FIRST IMPRESSION

** I was quite surprised at how "abrasive" the Sensitive brush head is (which comes by default with the Mia). I've always assumed that with years of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide products, my skin is pretty much iron-clad. In fact, I was toying with the idea of getting the Normal brush head. Well, now that I've actually used the Sensitive brush head, I would definitely choose the Delicate brush head if I ever want to up the usage to twice a day.
** The whole “angels are dancing on my skin” feeling most people rave about after their first use, I did NOT experience on my face. Actually, I was rather underwhelmed LOL - I literally said "That's it?" :P

** However...my neck area..feels...divine…(probably had dry fish scales growing there? ^_^)

Poor neglected area…You’re saved now :p 

SKIN CARE REGIME & FOUNDATIONS

** Changed NOTHING; using the same products as before.

** The ONLY difference is I use the Clarisonic Mia (“Mia”) to cleanse my face AFTER removing my makeup, ONCE a day at night.

** And this is really NOT the time to be testing out new bases.

Using Make Up For Ever Face & Body, NARS Sheer Glow or B’Liv You Got Me Covered (I raved about it HERE! But it's a little too light at the moment T_T).

That’s it. 

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

** The Mia’s timing is rather “to-each-her-own”, so I don’t follow the 20-10-10-10-10-second thing strictly. Anyway, if you intend to do so, you'd need to bring a timer into the bathroom HAHAHA

I Mia (yes, I just turned “Mia” into a VERB ^_^) the areas which need it longer, and vice-versa.

** I prefer applying cleanser on my face first as opposed to squirting it directly onto the brush; less splatter as the Mia does its Sonic thing ;)

** Slightly more product is needed: 

     * Cleanser – just so the Mia doesn’t drag on the skin

(NOT that I apply pressure!)

     * Moisturizer – maybe product IS indeed absorbed better now? ^_^ -

** For sanitary purposes, after each use, I detach the brush from the handle and dry everything OUTSIDE the bathroom. Humidity breeds bacteria? 

WEEK 1 – PROGRESS 

Black Face Chart from http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Zone A – THE HOT ZONES, which got me to get the Mia in the first place

Predicament: 

Lots of small headless bumps  (cause is explicitly detailed HERE!)

Results:

(Right Side)   As you can see from the photo below (or maybe not :P), the small bumps are still there, same size, no change.

However, I believe the 2 new breakouts in the area are due to the purging process, or at least I HOPE SO! 

I really don’t want the Mia to break me out even more OMGawwwddd
If it's any consolation, most reviewers in MakeupAlley go through a period of purging.

(Left Side)     Prior to Mia-ing, I had 2 small cystic pimples from a Laura Mercier primer (TQ LM! =_=). 

They’re still there, but at least they haven’t grown any larger so that’s a plus ^_^ 

Week 1: Right Jaw

Zone B 

Predicament: 

A scar on each temple from previous bouts of breakouts

Results:

No visible difference yet, but my scars do take longer than most to fade. 

Zone C 

Predicament: 

Lots (x1000) of blackheads [Think "unripe-beige-strawberry" nose *eewww*] 

Results:

Here is probably where I can see the BIGGEST improvement, relatively speaking.

Obviously, the blackheads have NOT miraculously disappeared into thin air, but the tiny ones are gone, the smaller ones on their way, and the larger ones not as obnoxiously obvious. 

Also, any HARD-CORE “unripe beige strawberry”-nose sufferer will know this:

When I touch my nose, I don’t feel tiny bumps; feels a LOT smoother! ^_^ 

Zone D

Predicament: 

Whiteheads

Results:

I had a zit here during Week 1, so I avoided Mia-ing the area.

Thus, the whiteheads are still thriving.
To be fair, I avoided the area, so the Mia didn't have the opportunity to work its magic :p

Zone E 

Predicament:

Large pores 

Results:

The pores have tightened quite a bit, but they're still nowhere as “invisible” as I want them to be :D
Only time will tell!

Zone F

Predicament: 

Nothing much…yet…

Results:

I was focusing a lot more on the problem areas, so I don’t see much difference here.

BOTTOM LINE
It has only been a week, so I guess it's still too early to tell whether it'll clear up Zone A, the Hot Zone.
I'm really praying my little heart out that the 2 new breakouts there is a result of the purging process most people talk about, and not the Mia backfiring on me!
Now THAT would be a nightmare...

Next installment of the  (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles in 2 weeks' time!

Thanks for reading <3

Intro: Clarisonic Mia Chronicles

Oh yes...
I hopped on the Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing System ("Mia") bandwagon...
But prior to that...
I had to eat my words, eat humble pie...BIG TIME...

For I was one of those who scoffed at the whole Clarisonic hype,
especially before the Mia came out and the Original System costs a (nuclear) bomb!

Oh bollocks! It's just "a giant tooth brush - Pffftttt!"
Oy! To my defence, Clarisonic uses the same Sonic technology as their toothbrushes ~_~
I distinctly recall saying that to a fellow blogger (I sure hope she doesn't remember :P).

Million Dollar Question: "Why the Mia NOW?"

Because my skin...is at its WORST...in...4 Years? 5 Years?

And I ain't being a drama mama...My confidence level is actually compromised...

** My Significant Other had this brrriillliianntt brainwave in November 2010

to dry the laundry out in open air in the porch (+) try out a new detergent.

Sure thing! Although in 27 of my 35 years existence on Planet Earth, my laundry has always been dried in a room right beside an open window.

** A week down the road after this new laundry routine (NOTHING ELSE CHANGED - Skincare nor Bases), I started noticing small headless bumps appearing on my jaw, especially the right, on which I usually sleep.

And they multiplied...day..by day...by day...like rabbits...

Before I knew it, I had bumps all over my jaw line and lower cheeks...

** Alarm bells went off because my breakouts are very bi-polar. Yea, even my acne has "issues" ^_~

They're either full-blown nodular/pustular/cystic ones visible a mile away,

or blackheads/whiteheads.

Also, I could usually pinpoint EXACTLY what causes them because I try ONE new product at a time.

And these annoying nodules, I AM sure, were due to EITHER the new laundry detergent AND/OR the allergens hovering in the air, mingling with my (supposedly "cleaner") laundry! In this case, my pillow case & the hand-towels over them.

The last time these small headless bumps hounded me was when I was still struggling with adult-acne, before settling on my current skincare routine (for details, simply click HERE).

** Knowing my skin, these would not stay small and headless for long.

Oh nooo...They're ticking time-bombs...

They'd erupt sooner or later into full-blown zits...
In fact, quite a few HAVE already erupted...
Thus, there's plenty of scarring in the photo as well T_T

And I will NOT wait for a full-blown catastrophe...If I could help it...

** Up until end of January 2011, I tried every possible remedy I could think of,

and NOTHING worked T_T

They're still here, as you can see from the gory photo below...Nice, eh?

Bottom Line:

Instead of plonking down cash on Dior and Lunasol's Spring 2011 Collections,
(Thank God for little favours that I wasn't really keen on them in the first place anyway),
I decided to invest in the Mia instead.

After all, 'tis the year of Skincare & Bases for me.


The following installments of these Chronicles would be brief:
- consisting of short Progress Reports and
- gory Photos
(which speak a thousand words, no?)
And if you find these photos icky, bear in mind that it took me quite a bit of guts to showcase them in the first place =_=

They may be weekly or bi-weekly.
We'll see...

So, tag along my "Mia Journey"
....I pray that I will be healed...
...I pray that the purging process would not be too traumatic...
...On second thought, I pray that I won't have to go through the purging process at all....

Week 0: Right Jaw