REVIEW | Clarisonic Mia - after 5 years

Hi beauties

To preface this post, I know I made a post in 2011 and totally fell off the wagon in updates. I think sometimes I slip into the comfort of using something so often and forget to blog about it bc it's not new to me anymore. However, this is a pretty comprehensive update bc I've owned the same Mia for over 5 years.

In these 5 years, I've repurchased countless brush heads (preferably when they were on sale)

Used brush head vs New btw - even when the brushed dries it never looks the same before it was new.

Tries the FOREO Luna and the Luna Mini (which I kept)

As well as different types of brush heads, and a Konjac sponge.

Here are my thoughts:

Pros

Gently exfoliates very effectively

Makes the skin FEEL really clean

Easy to use

Low maintenance - 1 minute a day

Neutral

Works better with more fluid cleansers

Cons

Expensive to change brush heads every 3-6 months

Could be too harsh if you have uber sensitive skin, but there are many brush head options

Price

Mia: $129

Mia 2: $169

Mia Fit: $219

Replacement brush heads: $27 each or $44 for 2 (or $81 for 4 at Ulta, but it's all 1 type of brush)

Sephora and Ulta often has deals on these with a combination of their best selling skin care, so definitely look for that.

Verdict

After owning mine for over 5 years and trying other cleansing devices on the way. I have to say that Clarisonic Mia is still my favorite. In my 10 month study abroad trip, I didn't bring it with me, and my skin noticeably looked less radiant with bigger pores (it also didn't help that Beijing was heavily polluted, and I didn't exfoliate routinely).

Recently I tried weaning off the Mia because the brush heads are simply too expensive. They're supposed to be replaced every 3 months but I do it every 6 months (since I now use it every other night). 

I unsuccessfully did this for the past 6 months (trying out the FOREO Luna Mini and Konjac sponge, liquid exfoliators and supposedly gentle, natural exfoliators) and finally repurchased the brush heads last week after seeing how flaky my skin is and how bad my blackheads on my nose are. I don't routinely exfoliate my skin bc sometimes work gets busy or I start getting too comfortable with having little to no acne. But I often do it when I notice flakes or if my skin just feel congested. So the Mia is the ultimate fit for my lazy personality. Now that my skin is better but more sensitive, I can't use it as frequently as I used to. But I love this to gently exfoliate, remove flakes from my skin and make my skin just feel super clean.

My favorite cleanser to use with this is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated cleanser, it makes my face feel so clean. But it is a bit harsh if you don't have acne or oily skin.

A lot of people like the Philosophy Purity and I've used up an entire 24 oz bottle, but I'm still not sure I get it... I mean, it's good I guess?

If you have a favorite cleanser to use with it, please let me know (: I'd love to try it

Repurchase?

Without a doubt. If I lost mine I'd repurchase a color I like (:

In 2011 they didn't have all the cute colors they have now.

Would I recommend it?

This is definitely an investment in skincare. You may be able to get the Mia for less than $100 if you go to Nordstrom Rack or shop online, but the brush heads is how they get you. I tried the Target $17 brush head (which is not even that much cheaper) and it FELL OUT before the full 1 minute even ended. 

If you are considering the Mia, also consider the costs of the brush heads, which could be $44 to $81 a year (depending on if you buy them in sets or alone, on sale, etc.)

MASCARA | CoverGirl Katy Kat waterproof mascara in Very Black

The bristles spiral around the wand, not sure if it does anything but it doesn't clump on my lashes, which is good

Bare lashes > 1 coat > 2 coats

I noticed my left eyelashes always photographs better, the overall length is more consistent and they don't look all crazy

Pros

Lengthening

Doesn't clump

Natural looking

Neutral

Dry formula

Cons

Could fan out the lashes more

Price

$8 for 0.35 oz / 10.5 ml

Verdict

I am pleasantly surprised by this mascara. I honestly just bought it bc it's new and the tube is cute, but any mascara that makes my lashes visible on top of eye makeup without clumping is good in my book. I think this is comparable to my holy grail (the Maybelline Lash Sensational, review here), although the CoverGirl has a much drier formula, so it depends on what formula usually works better for you.

This Super Sizer (review here) is a bit more volumnizing but it clumps too much for my taste.

This mascara will be available in stores in July, I bought mine off Amazon.

I know it seems like I try a lot of mascaras, I love my Maybelline ones but I can never resist new things with cute packaging. This mascara also comes in blue, but not waterproof so I passed

Repurchase?

Yes.

Would I recommend it?

Yes.

Minimal smudging - I was pretty impressed, I reach for this more than my Maybelline Lash Sensational now. Although I find when I remove it w cleansing oil it tends to get in my eye?

SUNSCREEN | Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50 PA+++

New version that you supposedly don't need to double cleanse

Pros

Lightweight

Dries quickly

SPF 50

Neutral

Doesn't control oil (it doesn't claim to do this so I put it here)

Cons

Seems to give me blackheads if I don't double cleanse

Dries out your skin if you don't use moisturizer prior

Not water resistant

Price

~$10 for 50 ml (1.7 oz)

On Amazon here

Verdict

I've tried really hard to like this sunscreen since it's so lightweight, but it is not my ideal facial sunscreen. With or without moisturizer underneath, this seems to give me blackheads because my skin still gets plenty oily during the day. My cousin bought me two of these from China so I've just been using it as a body sunscreen. I think this is an awesome body sunscreen if you don't want that thick sticky feeling a lot of water resistant American sunscreens have, the size is also small enough to toss in your purse. Keep in mind the Biore is not water resistant, so don't go swimming or to the beach with it.

There's a watery gel version (instead of watery "essence"), maybe I'll give that a try and report back.

Nivea Japan also makes a gel textured sunscreen sold on Amazon, so I will be trying that out some time.

Repurchase?

No.

Would I recommend it?

If your skin doesn't get oily

SUN (for oily skin) | Cotz Face SPF40 Natural Sunscreen (Tizo SPFDupe? So Underrated!)

Update 8/2016

I repurchased it at Ulta and they seem to have changed the packaging - ingredients look the same but it seems greasier now, I returned it :/

Pros

Smooth, matte finish

Great base for makeup

Physical sunscreen (see verdict)

Keeps my oiliness at bay (without being dry)

Cons

Contains silicone

Tint makes little to no difference

Price

~$20 for 1.5 oz / 42.5 g

Amazon sells it for cheaper than Ulta

Verdict

Rating: A-

I really like how this sunscreen is a physical sunscreen, which blocks the sun's rays instead of chemical, which absorbs them. Upon application it is very smooth and matte on the skin. Compared to other silicone sunscreens I've tried, like the MDSolarSciences SPF50 (review here), the Cotz is A LOT less slippery and helps the makeup actually stay on my skin. I did notice the non-slipping finish is a bit more difficult to spread product on? (I recommend dotting your base makeup on this sunscreen rather than spreading it from one spot). 

If you accidentally apply too much of the sunscreen the tint is noticeable, the 'natural tint' looks a bit orange on my pale face.

With the E.L.F. HD powder to set everything I notice that this sunscreen keeps my oils at bay, literally through the entire day from 9am to 9pm, which is refreshing after trying so many sunscreens that make my face look shiny in a few hours even if it's matte at first. I did some research on the Tizo tinted SPF which I wanted to get originally, but I saw people saying that the Cotz is made by the same company with the same exact ingredients. If I try the Tizo I will definitely write a comparison post.

Because it helps control my oil, I notice sometimes my face feels a bit tight (but not dry necessarily), I should probably use a thicker moisturizer now that it's colder. I've been trying out more basic moisturizers like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (review here) and the CeraVe cream (review here)

Update (June 2016)

After going to Orlando, Florida (where the humidity is >90%) this sunscreen is definitely tried and true. I saw on Amazon they have a "light" tint in addition to the "natural" tint as well. Looking forward to trying it. I wonder if their regular formula with higher SPF is as effective in controlling oil without being dry.

Repurchase?

Definitely.

Would I recommend it?

Yes! But if you have dry skin you might want to use a heavy moisturizer