Clarisonic Plus Review

Okay so I've been working up to this review for a few months now and I feel as though I've used it frequently enough to warrant a thorough, accurate review after using this product twice a day for the last three months. As I have previously mentioned, I have sufferred with acne and skin problems from the age of 11 and now I can finally say that at almost 25 I would be confident leaving the house without a scrap of make up. And that's all thanks to my Clarisonic. 

I'll give you a little background on my situation so you can compare it to your own (as what works for one person may not necessarily work on another.) As anyone who knows me well will know that I am addicted to the latest revolutionary skin products and acne fixes which promise you clear skin and as a chronic sufferer you are willing to try anything, trust me. Since the age of 11 I have been prescribed various antibiotics, gels, creams, steroids and pills but NOTHING worked. It improved slightly when I was in college (I don't know how or why because that's when I went through my 'not taking my make up off after a night out' faze,) but it was a combination of poor diet and irregular sleep pattern whilst at university which caused me to have more and more breakouts, which never seemed to clear. 

Obviously as you get older your skin matures, so products for 'teen skin' would no longer have the described effect on my (then 21 year old) skin. It was at the age of 22 I plummeted to rock bottom. I was not in the best place emotionally and was under a lot of stress, not to mention I had an accident which caused all sorts of additional problems. I took my make up off and cleansed, toned and moisturised twice a day but my skin became angry and raw and new breakouts were appearing every day. I remember researching laser skin surgery and even considered booking a consultation after a phone call to my Dad where broke down and told him how miserable I was.

Throughout the next 3 years it improved slightly (I'm now a lot more careful with what I eat, and make sure I eat plenty of fruit and drink more water) but I was still getting regular breakouts with absolutely no logical explanation. It wasn't until November 2012 when I was in Sephora in NYC that I discovered the Clarisonic.

So, for anyone who has never heard of a Clarisonic, here is a bit of background info.

'Clarisonic is the sonic technology that gently yet effectively loosens dirt, sebum and helps tighten your pores appearance. The Clarisonic cleansing system uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean skin, leaving it soft and smooth. In just 60 seconds daily, the Clarisonic action cleans skin six times more than manual cleansing. Benefits for the face are that it removes more make up than manual cleansing, leaves skin feeling smoother and healthier, tightens the appearance of visible pores, helps to improve general skin tone and texture.'

Whilst in New York I actually ran out of money (of course, it's New York!) I was also hesitant to lay out such a large amount of money for something I didn't think would really work (why would it? After all, nothing else had.) But the helpful lady in Sephora loaded me up with information and leaflets and back to England I went, curious about whether this thing would really be the answer I was looking for.

Throughout the winter I frantically researched the Clarisonic, reading hundreds of reviews (mostly on make up alley, YouTube and Amazon.) The general consensus seemed to be that I definitely needed this product in my life and as I read more and more stories like mine I began to think I could really be onto something, so I popped over to my FAVOURITE online store Asos, and bought one, instantly feeling guilty for putting it on my credit card but hey, if it was going to change my life and give me confidence, that's surely less than what I'd be spending on the hundreds of creams and gels I'd be buying in the future if I didn't have a Clarisonic. And you can't put a price on happiness.

At this point it's probably a good idea to say that The Clarisonic Sydtem is not a cure for acne. It is merely a revolutionary device which will clean your skin thoroughly, allowing your products to simply melt into your skin, making them able to do their job better, therefore leaving you with brighter, healthier looking skin. 

There are a few different types of Clarisonic system you can purchase. The Classic (£155,) which is the regular sized system which comes with one facial brush and varying speeds and timers, The Clarisonic Plus (£179,) which is the same as the Classic but with three speeds and in addition to the facial brush you also get a brush for the body as well as four trial size Clarisonic cleansers. The Clarisonic Mia (£99,) which is a single button, single speed device and is slightly smaller than the Classic. And lastly the newest addition The Clarisonic Mia 2, which is the same size as the Mia, but with two speeds rather than one.

All appliances are waterproof (by that I mean suitable for use in the shower, I wouldn't want to submerge it in water just to be safe) and you can buy an assortment of brush heads, depending on your skin type. Choose from regular, gentle, sensitive and acne-prone. The default brush that comes with the Clarisonic Plus is gentle. Brush heads are to be replaced within 90 days and are actually relatively cheap to buy online once you've laid out the initial deposit for your device. I found a pack of two brush heads for £25 on Amazon.

I decided to opt for the Clarisonic Plus, because I came to the conclusion that a body brush would be handy for arms, chest and back, should further breakouts appear. The device needs charging for a minimum of 24 hours before use, so my sister kindly charged it in its cradle for me while I was at work. (Never before have you seen someone so excited to wash their face and go to to bed ready to wake up and do it again in the morning.)

So I followed the instructions which tell you that the system will beep once to start, at which point you move the brush in circular motions across the forehead and temples area. This lasts for 20 seconds. The system then beeps again, reminding you to then move the system to cleanse your nose and chin area, again for 20 seconds. The same happens again for each cheek, but only requires 10 seconds. The device will then turn itself off and you are free to rinse your face and out on whichever products you use at night time. (For me it's an alternation of Soap & Glory's Doctor Spot or good old Sudacreme.)

After my first use I touched my cheek which was tingling. Never before had my face felt so clean. This was definitely a sign of good things to come. I found that the Clarisonic Cleansers that come with the device were pretty rubbish. A lot of reviews I read recommended using your own regular cleanser with the device. I use Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser which is oil free and foams gently without stripping your skin. It's entirely natural and has no nasty chemicals in it, making it ideal for my skin type. I use this in the mornings then in the evening I use the Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel which is a gel you apply to dry skin and it turns into an oil once massaged into the skin, melting any traces of leftover make up or dirt. I then use my Clarisonic to deep clean my skin, leaving it soft and fresh for the night. I tend to use the oil in the evenings so that it has chance to nourish my skin overnight. (See below.)

                            

I'd read online about the 'purging' faze. This is when your first start using the Clarisonic and for the first few weeks (or 6 weeks in my case) your skin breaks out worse than usual as it isn't used to the system or being so clean, but after this it settles down and clears. I must say that my purging stage was horrendous. Big angry breakouts which lasted days and wouldn't budge, red blotches all over my face, it wasn't nice. I almost gave up and classed my Clarisonic as another fad and I was destined to have this problem forever. However I persevered, determined that forking out that £179 was NOT going to be a waste and after a further four weeks of twice daily use I can finally say I'VE DONE IT. Well, my Clarisonic has done it but you get what I mean. My pores are noticeably smaller and I've not had a single spot for over 2 weeks. My skin products melt into my skin and actually do their job now that they're not just being rubbed over the top of leftover make up. My make up also looks so much better on my face as well and looks a lot more even.

So it's at this point we arrive at present day and I end my story. I hope you've found my review helpful and informative. If you're thinking of purchasing a Clarisonic Cleansing System, I highly recommend (as someone who has tried everything.) Just do your research first.

Annoying Pre-Sleep Irrational Thoughts

So I've been meaning to write about this for a while but for some reason hadn't gotten around to it but I'm doing it now and that's what's important. I really need to know I'm not the only person who does this so please back me up! I recently had a discussion with a friend about it and she does it too so at least there's two of us which is something and I now have someone to discuss it with so I don't feel like a complete crazy person.

Do you ever find that after a long day at work (or doing whatever) and you get into bed ready to sleep, your brain decides its a totally appropriate time to have the most ridiculous, irrational thoughts in the world? For example, last night I'd done my pre-sleep ritual (make up removal, clarisonic, sudacreme on blotches) and I get under the covers and try to switch off when my brain pipes up 'Hey, you know what would be interesting? To shave your eyebrows off just to see what you look like. It's a really good idea. You should probably do it tomorrow before work.'

WHERE HAS THAT THOUGHT COME FROM? I do not want to shave my eyebrows off. I then start  obsessing over my eyebrows and what I would actually look like if I shaved them off (which will never happen by the way) and how on earth would I find an eyebrow pencil to match my hair colour. This continues for at least half an hour.

Another example. I should probably mention at this point I have a deathly phobia of snakes / getting bitten by a snake. (After watching Kill Bill Volume 2, who wouldn't?) I Performed the pre-sleep ritual once more and began to snuggle down, when there it goes again. 'Hey, it's your brain here. Just wondering what you'd do if there was a snake in your room RIGHT NOW? You probably wouldn't be able to sleep would you? What if it was a black mamba like on Kill Bill Volume 2 and you couldn't catch it, but you could hear it? Anyway, just a thought. Enjoy.'

At which point I have to check all rooms of the house and open all of my drawers, cupboards and wardrobes to check they are in fact, snake-free. 

My brain is supposed to be my ally. Why does it do this to me? Or if it insists on testing me in such a way, why not during the day whilst I'm at work? Not when it's bedtime. No, brain. Naughty.

Anyway I sincerely hope I'm not the only one out there, or I may look like a nutter.

It's been a while.

First off... Sorry for being so utterly rubbish on the updating front. It's been a crazy (and super stressful) couple of months that I haven't particularly felt like writing about. Plus I'm currently without a laptop so blogging from the iPad at the moment which isn't as fun as it seems.

I've been watching a lot of youtube videos and reading other peoples blogs trying to think what my niche is. How can I set myself apart from every other blogger out there? What makes me different?

I am a normal person. I work a normal persons job and do normal person things. I go out for dinner, hang out with my family, drink cocktails with my friends (only when it's happy hour, Manchester is pretty expensive) and, like every other girl out there, I buy things. Lots of things. I like things.

The things I know most about are probably skin care products, nail polish and make up. I currently have a collection of around 200 (and growing) nail polishes, and four make up bags (yes, four) filled with my favourite products. Being the super organised person that I am, they are categorised. everyday essentials, summer products, things I rarely wear and favourites. Also, having SUPER problem skin which is only just starting to show signs of improvement at the age of 24, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to skin care. Because I have tried everything. No, really.

I love clothes and I love fashion, but would never consider myself as one of these girls who posts a daily picture of what they're wearing that day. Don't get me wrong, that's totally fine if that's what you want to do but the thought of me doing it makes me cringe. Plus, what I wear on an everyday basis is kind of boring so I doubt a lot of people would even be interested. You hardly want to be dressed to kill in your best clothes when you're unpacking a 40 carton delivery of shoes on a Tuesday morning. I save the good stuff for my days off.

 When it comes to clothes, I don't tend to follow trends. (I know thats what everyone says, right?) Being a size 14 and 5'8 I am NEVER going to be able to pull off leather trousers, disco pants, crop tops or dungarees (I tried them, I looked like one of those adults who has a fetish to dress as a baby. Not cool) and I'm okay with that. I wear what suits me and what I like. Although admittedly it's getting more difficult now because I'll see something I like and get really excited about it but at nearly 25 I sometimes have to take a step back and think 'Am I too old to be wearing this?' And sometimes the answer is yes. Sob.

 It's great to take inspiration from other people or magazines or other girls on the high street but at the end of the day what looks good on one person doesn't necessarily look good on another. And above all it's nice to be individual, not just copying everyone else.

I won't leave it another two months before my next post. Promise.

New Blog

So, I've decided to start a new blog. Purely because my old one got a little bit boring and I needed to up my game. (No potential employers are going to be interested in looking at my holiday photographs or what I had for breakfast yesterday.) So here's my new blog. Because I'm all professional an' that. 

On this blog, you will discover my tres interesting thoughts on beauty products, make up, fashion, books, music and generally things that excite me. (Which is rather a lot.) I'm also going to try and be a grown up and give my opinions on articles and pieces that I have an opinion on, whatever they may be.

For people who were not fortunate enough to encounter my other incredibly interesting blog, here is a little bit about me so that you can feel like we know each other a little better.

My name is Francesca Price, I am 24 years old and I am from the countryside where not a great deal happens. I'm currently living in the North, (it's COLD) dreaming of a job in the Women's Magazine / Publishing industry (Children's publishing in particular, because they are our future after all!)

I currently work in Retail Management, I sell shoes to old ladies and eat lots of snacks in my stockroom because I have on average, 3 customers a day. HOWEVER, I also do a little bit of work for magazines and have had my work published in print and online by VIVA magazine and have also managed to recently score myself a summer internship at Comma Press publishers which I'll be starting in July. I know what you're thinking, you have a full time 40+ hours a week job, how are you going to do an internship on top of that? Well friends, I want it THAT badly, I am willing to work myself into the ground doing 7 days a week with no time to play. THROUGH THE SUMMER. So if that doesn't show determination, I don't know what does.

Anyway, that's it for my first post. Have fun reading!