Ask Belle: The Best Gift Ever
Dec 8, 2010
Dear Belle,
Thanks for the gift guides. Today’s were great. Just one question, what is the best gift that you’ve ever received?
-LL
Removing priceless, sentimental gifts (like my Papa’s Navy peacoat) from consideration, the best gift that I have ever received is my Clarisonic. Nothing makes me feel more gorgeous and refreshed than freshly scrubbed skin, and your skin will never be cleaner than when you use the Clarisonic.
Clarisonic Mia (Sephora, $149)
If you need a gift for your mother, your sister, or your best friend, the Mia is a great gift. Toss in a great beauty product (serums absorb better post-exfoliation) like Ole Henriksen Truth Serum or Kate Somerville Quench, and you have a Spa Day in a Box. What woman wouldn’t want that?
And men, if you need a stocking stuffer for your wife, fiancé or girlfriend, this is a great choice. Now, it cannot be your primary gift (jewelry and shoes, gentlemen, jewelry and shoes). But if you need to augment the main present, a Mia is an awesome choice. (And no, no woman I know would look at this gift and say, “My husband thinks I have bad skin!” as she bursts into tears. But that’s because I know women who don’t over-interpret their man’s every move. So plan accordingly.)
Until someone Santa drops a $10,000 shopping spree in my stocking, this will continue to be the Best Gift Ever. I use it every day, and every time I use it, I think, “Man, I love this thing.” It’s my electronic skincare Superman.
dude, could not agree more. seriously fantastic. i sang my praises, too: https://witwhimsy.com/2010/08/04/mia-amore/ great minds think alike, no? 🙂
dude, could not agree more. seriously fantastic. i sang my praises, too: https://witwhimsy.com/2010/08/04/mia-amore/ great minds think alike, no? 🙂
Yep. Great gift. Perfect because most women want one, but wouldn't buy it for themselves. I have one, love it. Bought it for myself, felt really guilty about it until I realized, over time, how freaking fab it is.
I agree wholeheartedly. Second to my engagement and wedding rings, it is my favorite gift from my husband.
dude, could not agree more. seriously fantastic. i sang my praises, too: https://witwhimsy.com/2010/08/04/mia-amore/ great minds think alike, no? 🙂
I finally caved when Sephora has 20% off an entire purchase. Retail therapy, if you willl. But this thing is AMAZING. I have very sensitive skin, and this has helped immensely with redness and psoriasis. My face feels amazing, and I only get blemishes if I don't use it twice a day.
The Clarisonic is worth every penny.
Amazon has it on sale for $116 right now!
Can someone explain why this works so great? I have really sensitive skin and I am constantly fighting blemishes. I am very tempted but I worry this will be too agressive. Thanks!
Also, can you use it in the shower?
Melissa-
I have really sensitive skin too, so I use it every other day and buy the brush head for sensitive skin. Works great.
It just exfoliates so much more fully than you can with a scrub, and much more gently as well. The first time you use it, you feel like you've never washed your face before.
Yes, you can take it in the shower.
Thanks so much Belle!
Bought it last year per your recommendation, Belle, and have never regretted it!
this sounds suspiciously like a paid promotion.
Claire, as a reader I assure you I'm a real person, who bought the Clairsonic on her recommendation. It really is great. I don't know Belle personally or know what she does/doesn't have a stake in, but I love it.
Claire-
Clarisonic has never given me a dime, or a product for my repeated fawning over their product.
Though how I wish they would.
Thank you for your analysis and sharing, from your article I learned more.
Is there a difference between the original or pro and the Mia? Which model would you recommend?
There are some differences. Primarily that the regular Clarisonic has some speed functions the Mia does not, but other than that, not much is different. For me, it all comes down to how much you want to spend.
When you first starting using the Mia did it make you breakout worse than usual? My skin was okay before and after about a month of use it has never been more covered in acne. I've read that this happens to some people at first but mine only seems to be getting worse and I am wondering if I should just call it quits. Thoughts?
I didn't have that problem. Before you call it quits, I would try to disinfect the brush. Place it in a bath of vinegar for about an hour and then wash it with antibacterial dish soap. If the acne doesn't go away, I'd see give up the Mia until I talked to a dermatologist.