Have you heard of the Clarisonic? According to the company, it is a “Sonic Skin Cleansing System.” Which means it is essentially a large electronic brush used to clean your face. If you, like me, have been using your hands for this task for 20+ years, you might question the necessity for such a tool.
But over the past few months, my friends and acquaintances appear to have become paid spokespeople for Clarisonic, because I have not stopped hearing about the thing. Does it make sense to pay over $200 for an electronic toothbrush for your face? No. But the company recently came out with the Clarisonic MIA, which retails for around $100. So I decided to try it out and see if this thing makes sense to own.
Again, spending $100 on a product that is meant to replace my hands (cost $0), still seems silly. But about a month ago, I was getting bothered by my problematic winter skin and decided it was time to get a facial.
I have gotten exactly one facial in my life. I didn’t find it particularly enjoyable. And three days afterwards, there was no noticeable difference in my complexion. This time when I started researching spa options in and around New York, I found out that most facials come in around $100-$150. And if I was going to spend that kind of money, why not purchase something that has more than an hour shelf life?
Since I have been hearing non-stop chatter about the Clarisonic, I went online to research the thing. On Amazon, I found out that the Clarisonic MIA can be purchased for $106.
I went into Sephora to ask about these brushes and she told me I should skip the regular Clarisonic (retail cost $225 ) and just get a MIA. According to her:
“The MIA only has one setting, but it’s half the price and I only use one setting on my regular Clarisonic, so it just makes a lot more sense. Also, it’s smaller so you can pack it easily for trips.”
Sold! I stowed it in my purse and excitedly brought it home with me that night. I was careful not to turn it on while at a bar that night, for fear that everyone would suspect I carried an emergency vibrator with me wherever I go.
The first week, I was more than pleased with my purchase. The Clarisonic has a soothing sound and gives you the enviable impression that in fact you are actively making your skin better while setting aside two minutes to use it and stare at your pores in micro detail.
Other than the confusion it induced in my husband, I had no complaints. (As a side note, explaining the logic behind purchasing an electric brush for my face reminded me why there is a stereotype that women are a strange and frivolous species.)
However, if I looked around my apartment, I would likely be embarrassed by any number of tools and products lying around the place. Onward!
About five days in, I started to have a problem with the Clarisonic. Or rather, what it was doing to my face. One morning I got to the office and noticed that my cheeks were splotchy, red and teetering on raw. When I expressed my concern with my new wonder-product to Ashley and Jennifer, they laughed in the general direction of my purchase. I believe their words went something like this:
“Hahaha. Silly earthling. WHY would you buy a Clarisonic? What is wrong with you!?”
Again, this is probably a conversation I should have had before making my purchase, but oh well. Ashley had received a Clarisonic, tried it and promptly tossed it aside as useless. Jennifer had the foresight to realize that it was a dumb product that would only antagonize her skin problems.
But I was unfazed.
