Clarisonic Archives - Makeup Deconstructed

Sephora Mini-Haul
Bobbi's Skincare Picks
Bobbi Brown Mask
Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil
Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Balm
Peter Thomas Ross Acne Invisible Dots
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Swatches

Here is a glimpse of my Sephora Mini-Haul for the month of October. This month my focus was on the necessities vs. splurges. Alright, the Stila was definitely not a necessity. 🙂 Below is a breakdown and review.

Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner ($10) : I’ve was on the lookout for a universal lip liner because I’ve been sick and tired of trying to match every single lipstick or gloss with a similar lipliner. I don’t know about you all, but its way too much work and too much money especially if your lip collection is extensive. There were quite a few options on Sephora’s website, but I decided on the Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner because of its reviews and great price. I’ve used it for a week now and must say that its a great value product that gets the job done. There was no feathering, no bleeding and no smudging no matter what lip product I used. The only negative I found was with its waxy consistency, but I expected this given the purpose of the product.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation ($39): I have combination skin (normal to oily) and sometimes its difficult to find a foundation that will last hours without having to powder every hour. I use this foundation for daily wear because its one of the few that lasts a full work day and with minimal touchup. It also lives up to its name as being a full coverage foundation, which can make its application a bit difficult. I either use a damp Beauty Blender ($20) or the Tarte Airbrush Bamboo Foundation Brush (what a gem!) with a few pumps of MAC Fix+ ($22).
Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots ($12 for 24 dots): I always thought that the minute I past puberty I could kiss pimples goodbye forever. Adios. Hasta nunca baby! Yeah…I was sorely mistaken. Millions of adults continue to suffer with acne well past their teens and I’m no exception. The difference is what I use to combat these nasty little suckers — Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots. Simple apply the dot over the blemish overnight and let the salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid do its thing. After two treatments, my blemishes are gone leaving behind no scarring.
Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head Twin Pack ($44/radiance): I’m a month away from having to replace my Clarisonic Mia 3 brush head and decided to stock up. However, this time I decided to deviate on the brush head type going from sensitive to radiance. Apparently, the radiance brush heads are much softer and better for sensitive skin. Once I try this bad boy, I’ll be sure to post a review.
Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in shade Firenze ($24): This line of liquid lipsticks are my absolute favorite, hands down! So when the shade Firenze popped up as a Sephora VIB Exclusive, in a shade I normally gravitate to, I quickly put it in my basket. Its such a lovely, dusty mauve shade that I highly recommend!
Samples: Smashbox Insta-Matte, Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer , Dior Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme
Bobbi Brown Bobbi’s Skincare Picks: I’m so excited I received this box as part of a promotion code (check RetailMeNot.com for Sephora codes 🙂 ). As we all know, Bobbi Brown products are expensive, but so, so good. This box contains a coral grass & green algae moisture mask, a cleansing, and an extra repair moisture balm. I look forward to trying all of these out.

I debated long and hard before I decided to finally take the plunge and purchase my very first Clarisonic. I came to this decision after experiencing constant frustration with my skin’s complexion. No matter what products I used, my skin remained flakey and dull. So with my renewed vow to a better and healthier glow, I chose the Clarisonic Mia 3 K-Beauty Cleanse Set ($199). While pricey, I gravitated towards this Clarisonic set because it offered me the ability to try out three Korean beauty brands that I had heard of but never tried. The Clarisonic Mia 3 K-Beauty Cleanse Set includes brands such as Boscia, Dr. Jart+, and AmorePacific. I figured that using these products in conjunction with the Clarisonic Mia 3—a three-speed cleansing device—would give me the best results (the Clarisonic Mia 1 is one-speed while the Clarisonic Mia 2 supports 2 speeds). Well, my gamble paid off and I am beyond pleased with my new radiant face.

Within several weeks of use, my dry, patchy skin was becoming a thing of the past. In conjunction with the Clarisonic Mia 3, I used the accompanying Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil ($30 for full version) which worked amazingly well to remove all makeup residue and other impurities. This new regimen left my face refreshed and luminous. Another added bonus was that it left me with a better canvas in which to apply my foundation. I instantly noticed my makeup application go on more smoothly and evenly. Overall, I can’t say enough great things about the Clarisonic Mia 3 K-Beauty Cleanse Set.

My Clarisonic Regimen:

Remove all makeup.
Dampen the Clarisonic brush head with warm water and place 1 to 2 pumps of the Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil directly onto the brush head. (Note: this Clarisonic set comes with a sensitive head brush. Other brush types can be purchased according to your personal needs. Clarisonic recommends replacing the brush head every three months).
Begin by pressing the Clarisonic’s middle button, then gently holding and moving the brush along sections of your face. This device does timed sections, so simply move to another part of your face with every beep. I like to use the fastest speed for my nose and chin (bye bye blackheads!!). I then lower the setting for the rest of my face.
Rinse off your face with warm water and apply your favorite night cream. I use the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM ($13.99) because its non-comdogenic.
For best results, use a maximum of three times per week. I found that using it more than that can cause breakouts. On my off days, I follow through with either a Dr. Jart+ mask or Dr. Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel.

Care and Cleaning:

Aside from changing the brush head as recommended, there are other steps that I take to ensure that my $200 investment lasts a long time.

After every use, I rinse and clean the brush head against my palm in smooth circular motions. This removes any excess makeup residue and prevents discoloration.
I then place the brush head on a clean flat towel to dry off.
Next, I clean the inside of the Clarisonic with a Q-tip. Grime and other gunk can accumulate if you don’t follow this step. When finished, place it on the Clarisonic drying stand and let dry.
I would not recommend using or storing the device in the shower. Keeping it dry helps keep it from becoming a breeding ground for grime.