Clarisonic Review

In our industry, we see many “miracle” machines and have heard all types of horror stories pertaining to skincare.  Our clients try “it all” and spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to look their best.

It is no doubt that having great skin gives you confidence.  Just ask the estimated 2.7 million women that walk through the doors of doctor’s offices every year in hopes that they will solve skin conditions or slow the aging process.

The Pros are late to this party for sure as we have heard for the past 2 years, on a constant basis, how great the Clarisonic Cleansing System is and we finally had a client special request the machine during a shoot, so we added it to our professional skincare kit.

One of the Pro’s big rules is to never use products on our clients without first testing them on our own skin, but in this case we had to fulfill the client request and try it personally another time.

However, IMPO Pro Melissa Street saw first hand the benefits of using the Clarisonic and was so confident in the results that the cleansing brush would provide, that she decided to purchase units for herself, her IMPO partners, Cathi Singh and Aileen Wrench and for her two teenage daughters.

Each of the IMPO Pros (and the teens) had different results while using the Clarisonic personally, so we decided to write this post and share with our readers what we really thought of the brush and how it works for us.

Remember, all the Pros are in different age groups – 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, plus the teen’s perspective appears in this post, so if you are considering investing in this machine, hopefully this information will help you decide.

The Teen’s review:

Oh the woes of being a teenager!  Having a professional makeup artist as a mom has its perks, but it also comes with a price! Our mom is constantly lecturing us about skincare and each talk ends with the same words…”you will thank me for this...someday!”

Well mom, you are totally right!  Today is the day that we thank you for giving us the very special gift of the Clarisonic Cleansing System.

Because you know that we are very typical teenagers and sometimes indulge in a good old fashion pimple pop, french fry eating binge and we have fallen asleep without removing our makeup (your biggest pet peeve), you can rest assure that the Clarisonic comes to our rescue and cleans out our abused pores!

In fact, it has also helped dissolve the black heads that appear around our nose and has reduced the number of breakouts from our ever changing skin.  You purchased us the machine called “The Mia,” which is perfect for our needs and we love that it is totally waterproof so we can use it in the shower.

Thanks for making it easy for us to improve our skin issues and our confidence, but we will still eat french fries!

IMPO Pro, Cathi Singh’s review:

My skin just turned 28 and if what science says is true, the decline of my skin has begun. After 25, certain proteins that your skin naturally produces to create new cells just stop working! 

After hearing this alarming, and somewhat depressing news, I began an intense regimen of skincare and upped the ante on my sunscreen applications.

The piece to complete my skincare puzzle was the Clarisonic. At long last I had my very own. After waiting the torturous 24 hours to charge it, I was excited to experience the deep clean machine.

I was so distracted by finally having my own Clarisonic that I did not take into consideration the extremely sensitive condition of my skin due to the dry, cold weather change, the stress of two Thanksgivings at my home, and the construction in my backyard. All of it compiled on my skin, making it overly dry, with redness and a small breakout.


Wanting to use it so badly, I actually overused it by cleansing my skin twice a day for too long and not on the lowest sensitive setting. My skin fought back as it was being over stimulated. Keep in mind, this was an operator error.

However, after reducing my usage to once a day, and cleansing with the correct preset timer, my skin is glowing, blemish free, and more hydrated than it’s ever been.


Friends have approached me more than ever as to what I am doing differently to my skin. The key is to find the right balance for your skin type. Using it twice a day may be too much if you are extremely sensitive as I am.


I keep the sensitive brush head on, and use my Jan Marini BioGlycolic Face Cleanser, followed by Jan Marini C-Esta Serum and Orlane 25+ Anagenese Eye Contour Cream.

What I love about this device is the ease of it - it doesn’t take the time of a facial or exfoliating mask, but it polishes my skin in one minute and I look and feel like I’ve pampered myself all morning.

As discussed in previous posts, I am a professional makeup artist and an airbrush tanning technician and something I stress with all of my clients is the importance of exfoliating before the tan. It makes a world of difference in the depth of color and the life of the tan.

To put it to the test, I used the Clarisonic with the body attachment and exfoliated my left arm with the Clarisonic Refining Skin Polish. I scrubbed the right arm in the shower with a loofa sponge and body wash. I then tanned both arms and let the tan set. After rinsing off the cosmetic bronzer, here are the results:

*Note: I did not spray my hands.

It was my first time using the refining polish and body head attachment, and I instantly felt like I was getting a deep cleanse and thorough exfoliation. My arm looked more vibrant and had a healthier color even before tanning.

While the tan doesn’t appear completely different in the picture above, the feeling on my skin was. The Clarisonic “arm” had a noticeable smoothness and the tan set quickly and evenly. The right arm also set, but the sticky bronzer stayed longer and did not feel as smooth.

I highly recommend the body attachment for exfoliation if you have plans to do any type of sunless tanning as well as the Refining Skin Polish in the Clarisonic Pro kit.

IMPO Pro, Aileen Wrench’s review:

The Clarisonic Cleansing System is great but like many tools of the trade, you need to know how to use it and in my case, WHEN to use it.


I am going through two major life changes: I moved from the beach where I have lived for 20 years to an inland valley community AND I am pregnant.  So, I am contending not only with hormones but also the dry winter air of my new community (not to mention the heater that is on a ton in our new house!).

I am in my mid 30’s and have always had very sensitive skin, as my aesthetician will attest.  For me, the Clarisonic was NEVER used twice a day.  But now, I find myself using it less than twice a week!

The onslaught of hormones I didn’t even know I had play a fun game with my skin. Primarily I feel dry, which results in flakes but when I exfoliate, my skin becomes red and irritated, still flaky and dry.  Lotion and facial moisturizer are my best friends.

I have learned to use my Clarisonic less coupled with gentle face wash leaving my face more balanced between the dessert and jungle affects of previous routines.


For a short while, in the early first trimester of my pregnancy, my forehead broke out in little pimples and the Clarisonic was a godsend.  Oil production went into overtime in my t-zone but once I passed through that phase, I discovered the need to retire it to a once a week face-décolletage-back facial.


The Clarisonic is helping to keep my skin healthy during my big life changes and just because I don't need to use it daily, doesn't mean it wasn't worth the investment!

IMPO Pro, Melissa Street’s review:

As a…(cough, cough)40 something female, my skin is pumped full of some great skincare (as you know from past posts), but when I decided to purchase the Clarisonic Cleansing System I wasn’t prepared for exactly how much more amazing my skin would look and feel.

This machine really cleans the pores and preps them to receive the skincare.  In fact, it is my professional opinion that my skincare works better when using this cleansing system.

I am big into anti-aging products because truthfully, I am scared to go under the knife or have needles prick my face!  So, my answer to gravity is to try to defy it with moisturizers, serums and creams instead.  So far, I am winning that battle and I am hoping that with a combination of good health and excercise along with my Clarisonic, I can age gracefully for the next 20 years!

I use the brush to cleanse my face twice a day (morning and night) with my normal cleanser and I exfoliate both my body and face twice a week with the machine too.  My skin feels very clean and glows after using the Clarisonic and my pores are clear, open and prepped to receive my skincare.

I get compliments on my skin all the time and people tell me that I don’t look over 40 years old.  I really feel that it is a combination of great anti-aging skincare and the Clarisonic Cleansing System.

My clients have skin that is unpredictable and is caused by the crazy world of being a celebrity, but now that I have added the Clarisonic to my professional skincare kit, I feel confident that all the makeup I use on each client’s face is able to be removed properly and the skin is cleansed effectively and gently with this machine.

I even purchased another machine for my mother (who is in her early 60’s) and she loves that the Clarisonic is helping to reduce the large pores around her nose, forehead and cheek area, which eliminates the need for heavier makeup to hide imperfections.

When I decided to purchase the Clarisonic Cleansing System for my IMPO partners, my professional makeup team and for my family, I did a ton of research and read many blog reviews.  It was important to me to invest in a product that not only works, but also in a company that has a great reputation.

In conclusion, the folks at Clarisonic have great customer service and most are trained Estheticians so they give you professional advice on skincare, proper use of the machine and good product recommendations.  Their website is packed with incredible information and each cleansing system comes with a warranty incase of manufacturer defect.

The IMPO Pro's hope that our readers have found this post useful and be sure to visit the Clarisonic website www.clarisonic.com for great holiday specials! Please feel free to leave us a comment and let us know your review of the Clarisonic!

Exfoliate!

Proper skin care should be as important as eating healthy and exercise.  Taking care of your skin is crucial in the anti-aging process and should be a part of your daily skin care regime!

As a professional makeup artist, skin is my canvas.  I cannot properly apply makeup and achieve the look I want unless the skin is properly cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized.  Exfoliating might seem unnecessary, but it is an important step because it removes the top layer of dead skin cells and makes a huge difference in how the complexion appears with or without makeup.

The exfoliation process does not need to be harsh.  Scrubs with smaller grains are all you need once or twice a week to make your skin have a healthy glow.  Large grains are usually found in body scrubs and can damage facial skin so make sure that you do not use a “body” exfoliate on your face!

Because we are an equal opportunity blog, men should exfoliate too!  This process is typically done after every shave and helps to keep the skin more youthful-looking.  You can also exfoliate prior to shaving, but make sure to use a very mild, gentle exfoliant.

You should also exfoliate your neck and décolleté weekly.  In fact, the neck skin is not as fragile as the face, but it can be a sensitive area so use a gentle exfoliant.  Exfoliating the neck area will help to stimulate cell rejuvenation and keep the skin healthy.  Also, getting rid of dead cells that block the effectiveness of moisturizer and other products applied to the face and neck area will be a huge benefit in your fight against anti-aging.

As we age, skin needs the opportunity to rejuvenate itself and exfoliation provides critical skin cell renewal.  There are two types of exfoliation…”mechanical” method, which involves using a slightly more abrasive scrub and a “chemical” method, which means using a skin care product that includes a chemical exfoliant like alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxyl acid to remove the dead skin cells.

The Skin Care Resource Center says to “think of a chemical exfoliation like stripping off old paint from a piece of furniture!”  The higher the percentage of chemical ingredient, the deeper and more powerful the exfoliation will be, so do your research and get a grip on your individual exfoliation needs prior.

Sensitive skin will have a definite reaction to exfoliation whether done DIY (at home) or by a skin care professional in a salon or spa.  Usually, an oily skin type will benefit from a daily exfoliation while a more normal to sensitive skin will only need this process once or twice a week.

Personally speaking, my skin fits into the traditional “normal” category (not dry and slightly oily in the t-zone).  I use a very gentle exfoliant every Wednesday and Sunday.  It helps me to map out specific days to exfoliate in order to make sure that I am getting the most out of my anti-aging routine and skin care products.

There are three types of primary methods used in at home DIY style products and will be found in most consumer friendly exfoliants; fruit acid (AHA) creams, retinol creams and mircrodermabrasion creams.  According to my research, products with up to three Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs or Fruit Acids) will give you the best results.  Look for products that contain Lactic, Glycolic and Pyruvic acid for superior results.  This type of exfoliant also works well with other skin care products such as peptide creams.

Retin A and other retinol creams work by removing the top layer of dead skin and can help the skin produce more collagen.  As we get older, our skin can stop producing collagen and that is what causes wrinkles and lines.  Again, if your skin is sensitive to retinol, use a product that is fruit acid based as mentioned above or try a microdermabrasion cream.

Microdermabrasion cream can make the complexion glow.  Make sure to use a product that is a gentle formula and has small grains.  Used day and night, you should see results in 4-8 weeks.

As always, you should protect your eyes from exfoliants and you MUST wear sunblock daily and always after using an exfoliant.

Don’t forget that the body also benefits from a weekly exfoliation.  Preparing for summer exposure and pampering the skin prior to wearing a cute sundress or bathing suit can boost your confidence.  I exfoliate my body weekly around this time of year because I am beginning to use self-tanners and this process helps to get the best tan possible out of my self-tanner because my cells are free from blockage.

I also use a Dry Brush method when exfoliating my body.  The skin is the most important eliminative organ in the body and it’s responsible for the body’s detoxification each day.  As a matter of fact, over one pound of waste acids are released through the skin in an average adult.  So, it makes sense to clean out those big body pores right? Right!

Dry Brushing benefits:

* May remove cellulite

* Cleanses the lymphatic system

* Can strengthen the immune system

* Can stimulate the hormone and oil producing glands

* Tightens the skin preventing premature aging

* May tone the muscles

* May stimulate circulation

* May improve the function of the nervous system

* May aid in digestion

Here are a few exfoliating and dry brushing products I love and use both personally and professionally:

Votre Vu Royal Treatment – this product is not promoted as an exfoliant, but it does the trick.  It is extremely gentle and it feels like a masque on the skin.  Reduces redness, softens, calms and cools skin.  I use this product twice a week.

Embryolisse Crème de Soin Exfoliante – when I want a little more boost I reach for this exfoliant – very gentle, but a tad bit more abrasive feeling than the Votre Vu product.  This is a luxurious cream with tiny micro-beads that will resurface, smooth and nourish the skin with Vitamins E and F.

Billy Jealousy Liquid Sand Facial Cleanser – this product is promoted for men and is used before shaving to exfoliate the skin, but everyone can use it and I would guess that it would be a great, mild exfoliant for those with uber sensitive skin.  Less penetrating than a scrub, but more powerful than a face wash, this product will remove all dead surface skin cells, dirt and grime!

Bella Bronze Body Sea Kelp & White Volcanic Scrub – I received this product as part of my BeautyFix package and I love it – only used on the body – this scrub will sloth away all dead skin and leave you feeling smooth and ready for summer!  Use prior to applying a sunless tanning product.  I use this product once a week in the shower to polish my skin.

Eight Dry Brush Systems – I met Vicki Weaver-Payne at a launch party in Hollywood a few months ago and I listened to the history of her product.  I jumped at the chance to volunteer for an Eight dry brush treatment and was gifted the system in Lavender afterwards.  I love the way this product makes my skin glow (even though it took some getting use to).  If you suffer from dry, itchy skin this product is fortified with essential oils and natural ingredients.

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

When my skin is in need of some major exfoliation, I leave that up to the professionals.  Brenda Druilhet is my esthetician and she is located in the San Fernando Valley in California.  Brenda does a very unique exfoliation treatment on my skin called a Dermafile. 

This process lightly polishes the skin by hand removing the top layer of dead skin cells.  Currently, this application can and should only be administered by a professional, but I am hearing through the grapevine that at some point an at-home version will be available to the consumer.  Dermafile is a safe, natural, holistic alternative to chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

Dermafile exfoliation helps:

*Build collagen and smooth fine lines

*Remove sun damage and pigmentation

*Lessen ingrown hairs

*Smooths away dead skin cells and rough, bumpy, dry patches of skin

Microdermabrasion is a process that sprays microcrystals across the skin’s surface, blasting away the top layer of dead skin.  It usually takes several treatments to be effective and can be expensive.  Also, finding a good technician that you feel comfortable with when under this high-powered machine can be a concern.  Irritation caused by the microcrystals can happen if they are not completely removed properly.

Dermafile is an alternative that has the same effects as mircrodermabrasion, but is a safer, more cost-effective way.  It is a resurfacing and polishing tool, manufactured of stainless steel and finely crushed cosmetic diamonds.  This tool can be used on the face, chest and back.  Again, finding a qualified professional is key and Brenda is available for both professional esthetician training and for customer treatments.  For more information on this product or to schedule an appointment with Brenda, please email her at: bcdruilhet@sbcglobal.net.

DISCLAIMER:  PLEASE CONSULT WITH A DERMATOLOGIST IF YOU HAVE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE SKIN OR ALLERGIES– THE PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED IN THIS POST HAVE BEEN TESTED ON NORMAL, DRY, OILY AND SENSITIVE SKIN, BUT YOU MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT REACTION.