Clarisonic Mia 2 and Kiehl's

I mentioned back in July that I got the Clarisonic Mia 2 skin cleansing system and that I was going to test it out for a while before posting a review.  Well, it's been exactly 2 months to the day!  I've been using it everyday since I got it.  So I think I've had enough time to thoroughly test it out.

The above picture is exactly what I got.  It's the gray one (box says it's for men but I think that's only because of the color) that comes with a little tube of cleanser, and a travel case.  Right now, Nordstrom has the Keith Haring Silver limited edition one, which I must say is pretty cute.  But the main reason I got the gray one is because of the travel case it comes with.  I think it's just really useful to have one since I try to travel as much as I can.  It does come with a lid for the brush head as well, which you can use solo, but I just really like the full case.

My first impression with the Mia 2 was 1. how cool is the charging system (the charger snaps onto the handle of the Mia 2 as if it's magnetic), and 2. why do I have to wait 24 hours for the first charge??  Hahaha.  I was impatient!  But I had to wait a whole day to use it for the first time.  When I was able to use it, I read instructions which tells you that the cleansing process divides your face into 4 parts:  you use the brush in a circular motion, and start at the forehead for 20 seconds, then nose and chin for 20 seconds, then 10 seconds on each cheek.  So that is 1 minute total, and the system beeps at you at each time interval.  Even to this day, I just can't wrap my head around 1 minute being enough time to clean my whole face!  Sometimes I restart it.  One cool tip that my facial girl shared with me about the Clarisonic is that you can only use the inner portion of the brush head.  So you just take the whole brush head off, and then screw back on only the smaller inner portion.  That way it is more direct and great for a closer cleanse of the T zone.

So the first week or so of using the Mia 2, I did get a couple break outs on my face.  I read that this happens to some people who have more sensitive skin.  I guess I'm one of those people.  But in my case, it wasn't nearly as bad as some reviews I've read.  I really only got a couple here and there.  So I went easier when that happened, by using it only every other day or every 3 days.  Once my skin calmed down, I started using it everyday.  I think this took about 2 weeks.

Do I think it does a good job cleaning?  Yes, I think it definitely cleans my skin better than my hands alone.  The reason I can tell is actually very simple.  I always use a cotton pad to apply toner to my face after cleansing.  If I wash my face using my hands, after I apply toner, I turn the cotton pad over and still see a bit of makeup residue left on the pad.  However, if I use Clarisonic to wash my face, then I don't see any makeup left over on my cotton pad at all.  So I know for sure that it does a better job.  But, is it worth $150 for a little bit of a difference?  That's definitely subjective.  To me, I think the more dirt or makeup I can get out of my skin, the better my skin will be when I get older.  So if you see it as an investment to stay looking youth a little bit longer, then $150 doesn't seem to be much at all haha.  But honestly other than what I see on my cotton pad, I don't think there is any other obvious change to my skin that I can see.

As a side note, Clarisonic tells you that you can use the brush directly onto your face even if you have makeup on.  But I do not do this.  I tried it once and didn't like it.  I didn't like my brush head getting makeup stains, and I just couldn't believe it was actually taking off all my makeup in 1 minute.  So my process for cleaning my face is as follows:

1. Use my trust Shu Uemura cleansing oil all over my face to remove makeup.  Use as directed.  I really do believe Shu makes the best cleansing oil on the planet.  I've used others that have good reviews, but they just do not compare to Shu.  Shu is amazing and takes off even the toughest eye makeup.  It is a MUST HAVE!  More than the Clarisonic for sure.  
2. After washing off the cleansing oil and while my face is still wet, I then wet the Clarisonic brush head and put facial cleanser onto it, and go over my face for the prescribed minute.  Note, I tried putting the cleanser onto my face first, then going over with the brush head.  But it created a mess with water and cleanser splashing everywhere.  So I can only do that in the shower.  Otherwise it is cleanser on brush head, then face.
3. Then I proceed with the toner, serum, and lotion (still using Skin Food Peach & Sake line and loving it).
4. Lastly, I put on my eye cream, and Latisse every other day. 

Ok, speaking of eye cream, it brings me to the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.  I just think this product is amazing.  I got a sample of it a while ago when I was still using the Shiseido eye cream.  I loved it so much that I bought the full size after the Shiseido was done.  The bigger of the 2 full sizes too!  It's a better deal.  =)

Even though I love Shiseido as a brand, and their eye cream has great reviews, I just never liked it that much.  I only bought it a couple times for lack of a better choice.  I felt that it was just too heavy and oily for me.  The eye cream seemed to always sit on top of my skin and never really get absorbed.  The Kieh's avocado eye cream is the total opposite.  If you use the Kiehl's Creme de Corps lotion, then you know how effective it is at treating dry skin issues.  It just gets absorbed immediately into your skin.  This eye cream is the same.  It never feels greasy or oily.  It has a slight cooling effect when you first put it onto your skin, then it just gets absorbed.  Can't say enough good things about it!

Another awesome product that I recently got is the Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.  I've heard for years about how great this product is but this was the first time trying it out!  

My lips are not usually dry, but ever since I started my Invisalign treatment last week, they have been parched.  So that's the reason I bought the Kiehl's lip balm.  So far I really love it!  It's unlike any other regular chapstick I've used.  The consistency is a lot more liquid, and it is very spreadable.  I would say it feels more similar to having vaseline on your lips than a regular chapstick.  It lasts for hours, and makes your lips moist.  It looks slightly shiny on the lips, which looks like you might have some lip gloss on.  It also doesn't give you the nasty white residue as normal chapsticks would after a few hours.  It is more expensive than a chapstick, but you only need to use a tiny bit of product each time, so the little tube will last forever.  Also, it comes in flavorless, mango and mint - I prefer flavorless, which is not an option that is always available in other chapsticks.

So these are my recent 3 beauty finds!  As usual, I am always trying out new things, so I'm sure I will post about more products later!