Campus, Candy, Clarisonic
Heyyyy 
How are you? Hope you’re having a lovely day.
I spent my morning at my alma mater, passing out fliers on the U of A campus 
Being on campus made me REALLY miss school- I’m a big school nerd. I also started the debate with myself on if I want to finish my MBA…
Anyway, a friend and I met up, walked around, and somehow ended up at a cute boutique and then the new Froyo and candy shop that opened on University.
Get this: super fresh, delicious froyo, free WiFi, and 500 different types of candy that you can buy alone or use as toppings, as well as fresh fruit. I die.
Lunch today was packed:
An organic chicken wrap on brown rice tortilla, with goat cream cheese, arugula and mustard, a salad and an apple
So, quite a few of you guys have asked me to review the Clarisonic that the madre got me.
Disclaimer: I don’t have anything to do with the products I’m mentioning- I’m always transparent when I receive products for review or are compensated for a post. Even so, if I dislike it, I’ll gladly say so
To be honest, Clarisonic and emu oil have saved my skin. My skin has been temperamental ever since I stopped taking birth control a year and half ago. It’s been hit or miss, but when I got to Tucson from Orlando, my skin was a hot mess. I had the worst acne I’ve ever had because I was coming from a bad environment with lots of stress and a horrible water system. We had well water, which smelled like eggs, and did a number on my skin. When I visited for Thanksgiving, my mom suggested that I put a replacement on my bro’s Clarisonic and use emu oil as a moisturizer. My skin cleared up within a couple of days, and then madre surprised me with my own Clarisonic for Christmas- now everyone in the fam, including my mom and both brothers have one
As far as the emu oil goes, it can be found online, but isn’t vegetarian/vegan-friendly. Coconut oil and olive oil are great moisturizer options if you avoid animal products.
The Clarisonic pros:
-It’s easy to use. You wet the brush, add a little face cleanser (I’m using Skin Ceuticals right now) and turn it on. It does little pulses to exfoliate your skin as the brush spins. It stays on for one minute and beeps at different intervals, so you know when to change which area you’re cleaning. I do the left side of my face (outward strokes from my nose towards my ear, the right side, circular strokes on my forehead, down my nose, circular strokes on my chin, and then my neck.
-It comes with a charger, and you can buy different replacement brushes- I like the one for sensitive skin.
-It works wonders. My skin feels super clean and smooth afterwards, but it isn’t too harsh. This says a lot because my skin is super sensitive.
The cons:
-It’s pricey… but so is an electric toothbrush. It’s an investment and will (hopefully) last a long time. I’ve had my electric toothbrush for 3 years (obviously buying new brushes for it, haha) and it still works amazingly- I imagine the Clarisonic will be the same kind of thing.
I hope this helps those of you who are debating on getting one! <3
Dinner time!
xoxo
Gina
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You just convinced me to get one. My skin has been out of control and I am looking for something to help. I’ve heard great things about this but the price concerned me. I will try it out. Thanks!!
I just recently purchased the Clarisonic Mia, which is slightly cheaper/smaller, and I’m loving it. It’s one of those things I feel will always be part of my skin care routine. Do you know how often you’re supposed to change the brush heads? I could probably look it up, but who knows where I put the manual for that thing 😉
I believe you should change them every 3 months or so. That’s what I do with mine anyway.
thanks!
Oooo! I want to try this now! I’ve been hearing a lot about emu oil. I think I’ll stick with my normal moisturizer. 😉 That’s great that it’s been working for you!
P.S. That candy store? OMG.
My skin is SO dry right now from the harsh winter weather, I’m kind of at wits end and tired of applying moisturizer every 10 minutes. I want to get one eventually..thanks for the honest review!
I’ve never heard of it..but I’m definitely interested now!
Hmm, I have rosacea and pretty much everything bugs my skin – I wonder if that would be too harsh on my skin? I’ve never heard of emu oil, but I’m glad your skin is looking good!
This review is very timely for me. I debated one a while ago and then never bought one. Last night at dinner, I was talking with some folks about these and they raved about Clarsonic so now I’m debating again! 🙂
I LOVE my Clarisonic too! I have had one for about 3 years and accidentally left mine in a hotel room last October. No one turned it in, so I just ‘had’ to use that as a sign to upgrade, right? I just today wrote on my blog about it as one of my favorite beauty items 🙂 Great minds think alike 😉
I’ve been wanting one of these since Oprah had it on her favorite things a few years ago! I haven’t been on BC since September (just giving my body a break) and my acne has been mostorous!!! Maybe it’s time I got one too. Thanks for the review!!
I just finished university and I have a list of things I’m going to buy when I get a full time career-type job thing and I have some disposable income, and a Clarisonic is on there.
My skin is also very sensitive and acne-prone and my Clarisonic definitely saved my skin! Anyone with skin issues should invest in one.
Have you used the exfoliator attachment? I havent tried that one yet.
no i haven’t yet!
Hi Gina–I’m confronting similar feelings about going to grad school. Some life stuff happened that has prevented me from pursuing the graduate degree I always dreamed I’d finish. The great thing about it is there is no rush. Many of my friends are going back to school in the early to mid-30’s. Also, priorities change. I’ve realized it’s best to feel your way through your future and career, rather than cookie-cutter plan it. With that said, though, nothing beats being a student 🙂
Just curious because I just went off the pill a few months ago.. Have you noticed any hair regrowth since being off the pill??
I lost so much hair while I was on it and hope that it will all come back!!!
Love your site <3
no, i didn’t notice any changes on or off the pill with that
Hi Lisa – I just went off the pill in November, and my hair is soooo noticeably thinner. It is really frustrating! I read from other people that after about 3-4 months they stopped losing so much hair. I’m hoping mine starts getting thicker again!!
I want to live in that candy store.
you and me both
I think you should finish your MBA (if it’s feasible, of course)!
Random but what is the best way to store tortillas? I usually purchase the GF brown rice ones from Trader’s and have the hardest time keeping them from molding before the week is up.
Thanks!!
store them in the freezer- when you want one, take it out and just microwave for 30 secs
Froyo is always a winner in my book. That place sounds delish! And i’m glad you’ve found a tool that works for you. BC sure can take a toll on your body and can leave it high and dry once ya get off…
Uggggh I WANT ONE! This might just have to be what I ask for my birthday in a couple months. 😉
hm very interesting! thanks for the info.
i desperately want to go to that candy shop. now. haha
I actually just ordered one this week. After searching for the best price I found that Skinstore.com was the lowest. They are currently running 20% off plus free shipping (bonus!). In addition they have a few colors to choose from. I went with the Lavender!
I didnt even know what the Clairsonic WAS! I have heard a few other ppl say they want to get one and i didnt even know what it was. Now i do! And your review sounds awesome.
Glad it has worked wonders for you…I want one, too! 🙂
And the electric toothbrush..i have had my Sonicare base for like 5-6 yrs. I swap out the bristle head every 4 mos or so, but the base unit works great and I cannot imagine my life without my electric Tbrush. Sorry for the random endorsement but i like hearing that you love your electric TB too 🙂
I really want a clairisonic now, I think I’ll look into getting the cheaper one.
I just started using argan oil on my face as a moisturizer. I really like it so far…I haven’t had any breakouts or anything. I wonder if Emu oil is cheaper?
I’m a major school nerd too. I really miss being in school. And now I want a clarisonic.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh candy!!! The campus looks really nice!
Clarasonic rocks, I love mine, and I also use the sensitive brush head, I cant use the regular, my skin is sensitive ; ) Glad you are loving it, it really is a worth it splurge!
I get so weirded out about putting oil on my skin, I think I’m scared it will cause a breakout. I’ve only in the past six months actually started to use moisturizer because pregnancy caused me to break out like a freak and then my skin went way dry. I’ll have to look into this after I have our baby and my skin hopefully normalizes.
The clarisonic will definitely last and last..I’ve had mine for a couple of years and it is still going strong. You reminded me I need to start using it more regularly!! Glad you like it!
Thanks for the review Gina. I’ve been debating whether or not to get one of those puppies for awhile now. My birthday is in April, so maybe I’ll casually throw a hint or two or ten to my hubby. 🙂
After the advice of Glamour magazine, I started using a baby’s hair brush with my cleanser to help exfoliate. Sounds odd, but the bristles are just soft enough and it works wonders on my skin in the winter. It’s no Clarisonic but a cheap drugstore option which is only a few dollars and really works! 🙂
that’s an amazing tip!
Thank you so much for this post!!! I’ve never heard of the clarisonic, but will have to get one because at 30, my skin is still bad!!!!! Especially now since I just had my 4th baby, my skin is out of control!!! Can’t wait to get me one!!!
Combining that much candy with froyo sounds genius to me!
I’ve been using a Clarisonic for 3 years now and it’s the best – worth every penny. I have oily skin and I use it daily with a Dermalogica Clean Start Wash Off and All Over Clear and Suki Balancing Day [Oil] Lotion or organic coconut oil as a moisturizer.
Wow! I think I need one. I got acne late in life. So at almost 22 I look like I am 14 all over again!
You can never fail with FroYo and Candy! I have had the opp to visit your alma a couple times as I played softball for Stanford. U of A typically got us 🙁
Thanks for sharing the review–I thought when I hit 30 my skin would calm down, but it’s still unpredictable. Do you use it every day?
I bought a Nutra Sonic over a year and a half ago because it was cheaper and exactly like the Clarasonic (it WAS $70, now it is the same price as the Clarasonic since it has become so popular), BUT the only thing I like about this product is how it exfoliates my face. I have ACNE prone skin (literally been going to the derm since I was in 8th grade), but I find what helps me now is eating real food and using organic EVOO as my moisturizer at night (it’s been about 6 months now). I always thought my oily skin didn’t need anything extra, but it helps and heals amazingly!
Hm, that’s really good to hear because my acne-prone skin is CRAZY sensitive and I’ve always had a hard time finding a gentle enough exfoliating regime. Thanks for the review 🙂
love and more love to my clarisonic mia! i use it with philosophy one step facial cleanser. i tone and moisturizer with derma-e fruit smoothies… and during the daytime, i use mario badescu suncare spf 30…
additionally, i also put mario badescu control cream around my chin/lower cheeks area bc they get drier in the winter… i am obsess with moisturizing! gotta keep them skin supple! 🙂 it helps that i have filipino genes.
OK that thing sounds pretty baller. My skin is pretty sensitive, too, and lately has exploded due to stress (I never believed that was actually a cause for breakouts, but the past few weeks have made me a believer).
Maybe the Clarisonic will be in my future…for now I’m trying to figure out the best face wash for me. (I think I’m going to love St. Ives green tea scrub.)
Anyway, totally unrelated, but I’m a big school nerd, too. I miss it so much, and would be a lifetime student if it paid the bills. 🙂
I had the same problem – BAD acne when I stopped taking birth control. Clarisonic made my skin feel and look so so so much better. Yeah it’s expensive, but ohhh it’s so worth it. I LOVE my Clarisonic. I used the soft brush that it came with first and then switched to the “normal” strength when I needed a replacement. Love love love.
Does emu oil come from actual emus? Those are some cranky birds, I can’t imagine how you would get anything from a live one.
I could be locked in that candy shop for years before I would even start to complain 🙂
a. HIIIIieeee old friend!!! I’ve been lurking as ush for a while but i wanted to pop back in and say hayyyy 😀
b. OMG my alma mater has seriously balled it up with food/stores/fun things since I graduated…I’m so jeal!
c. I loveee that you were borrowing your bro’s Clarisonic- I love a boy that can werk the skincare with confidence!! xxooo
LOVE ya G$$$!! Sooooo sooo happy for you that you did what’s best for you and are happy with your fam in AZ 😀
oh my goodness, i’m so happy you’re blogging again! what a lovely surprise to hear from you 🙂
hope you’re doing well <3 anytime you want to come chill in az, do it!
love you friend!!!
Thanks for the info, I really was not aware of Clarisonic. Super cool to know, Where to reccomend getting one?
I’ve never heard of a clarisonic before! It looks neat though!
Have a great day Gina!
I’m going to miss campus when I’m done school too! It has such a nice feeling of community and I love it how there are always so many events going on. 😀
I got one for Christmas and I absolutely love it. My skin is so radiant afterwards. When I visited the UofA campus I was debating getting a Masters too 😉
omg froyo on campus? love that
I have wanted to try the Clarisonic for a while, thanks for the good review!
1. Finish the MBA! I earned mine a couple of years ago and it is the best thing I’ve ever done. (Bonus: you could go to that yogurt place all the time… to use the wi-fi, of course.)
2. I just got a Clarisonic over the holidays too. Isn’t it amazing how much stuff comes off your face AFTER you think you’ve washed it well?! Scary.
I am really wanting a clarisonic now! About the emu oil…do you use it straight or have you ever tried any of the emu oil creams/cleansers?
Aww, do it! Finish your MBA- you will NOT regret it!! You will only regret it if you don’t 🙂