The Review: Clarisonic Mia 2 - Does It Really Work?

By now, it seems like almost everyone in the beauty community owns a Clarisonic. There are several imitations available from drugstore brands, as well. If you're unfamiliar with the Clarisonic, it's a professional-quality skincare brush that promises to cleanse your skin far better than any typical washcloth routine. The premise sounds interesting, and the buzz surrounding it is hard to ignore. But is the Clarisonic really something you'll use every day? Is it worth the high price tag? And will it honestly do a better job of cleansing your skin? I went ahead and bought one to figure out if the cleansing brush could live up to the hype.

First of all, keep in mind that Clarisonic is just the brand-name; they manufacture several different skincare brushes. Some of the most popular ones are the Mia and Mia 2, among others. Each one has different features. The Mia 2 features 2 cleansing speeds, and reminds you when to move the brush around your face. The Mia is an earlier edition and does not have those features. I opted for the Mia 2.

Packaging: The Mia 2 comes in a box which describes what it can do. Inside, you'll get several products along with your brush - the magnetic charger, a brush head designed for sensitive skin, a 1 oz bottle of Clarisonic gel cleanser, and a travel case for the Mia 2. It also contains an instruction booklet that gives specific instructions on how to use and clean your brush. Overall, the packaging is compact and well-organized.

Claims: The main reason most people look into purchasing something like the Mia 2 is because of the claims that accompany the product. Clarisonic states that the skincare brush will cleanse six times better than your hands - and remove 30 times more pollutants. It's designed to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that other methods of cleansing, like using a washcloth, will leave behind. The brush is gentle on skin, and works with its natural elasticity, so that there's no pulling or tugging. After using it for 60 seconds, your skin will be able to better absorb moisturisers and serums, so that they can work more efficiently instead of just sitting on top of impurities. With continued use, Clarisonic also promises smoother skin, as well as a reduction in dry patches, oily areas, and blemishes over time.

How It Works: When you first open your Clarisonic, you'll need to charge it for 24 hours. The charger is magnetic, so it doesn't actually need to snap into your brush. First, remove your eye makeup and wet your face and Mia 2 with water. Then, you simply apply cleanser to either your face or your brush (in my experience, it doesn't make a difference). Turn on the Clarisonic, and move it in small circles across your face. The timer will prompt you to cleanse your forehead for 20 seconds, each cheek for 10 seconds, and your chin for 20 seconds, totalling one minute.
There are 2 speeds - the default slower speed, and the faster speed for deeper cleansing. You can switch between these by pressing a button. The brush is extremely soft on my skin, and I had no problem with roughness. Best of all, the Clarisonic handle is waterproof, so you don't have to worry about damaging it (you can even use it in the shower). Personally, I don't use the cleanser that comes with the product - I'll usually stick to my Vichy Normaderm or Neutrogena Deep Clean.

Results: I notice a difference when I cleanse with the Mia 2, as opposed to just a washcloth. I get a feeling of a deeper clean within my skin. While this probably won't help with hormonal acne or severe cases of hyperpigmentation, it can make a huge difference for those with an uneven skintone, dry or rough patches, excess oil, and small acne scars. My favourite part about using it is that because of it's gentle exfoliation, I really believe it helps my skincare products to be absorbed more quickly. If you're using a brightening serum to combat scars, or an anti-bacterial gel or toner to get rid of acne, the Mia 2 might be just what you need to help your products do their job.

Who Would Like It: Who wouldn't like it? The Mia 2 is designed to work with any and all skin types. Every 3 to 4 months, you have to replace your brush head in order for it to work properly. There are several different brush heads you can purchase - the Sensitive skin one comes with it - but specialized variations for deep pore cleansing and acne-prone skin are available, among others. This makes it a great and diverse tool for anyone, whether you're looking to brighten, get rid of blackheads, or banish acne. And it works with any cleanser, making the products you already own more effective. 

Overall Value: At Sephora, the Mia 2 (complete with everything that comes in the box) will cost $180 CA/$149 US. While that's a lot to spend on a single skincare tool, it's designed to last for at least two years. You can also purchase the Mia 2 in several skincare sets offered by Sephora, featuring additional products like those from Fresh and Kate Somerville. You can use it with any cleanser you choose, making it a versatile and valuable purchase, especially for those who wear makeup daily (it removes any remnants of foundation, in addition to creating a smoother surface for makeup application). The Mia 2 comes with a 2-year warranty, making it a good investment.

Conclusion: I'm glad I was intrigued by the Clarisonic hype. Beyond the buzz of the beauty world, it really does work. It makes all of my skincare products more effective, from my cleansers to my serums. I have no problem recommending this, as my experience with it has been extremely positive. It takes your skin and makes it better - and who doesn't want that?

If you've tried the Mia 2, or any other Clarisonic product, let me know your thoughts!