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There’s nothing quite like a facial. Where else is it socially acceptable to fall asleep in the middle of the day, as you lie on a comfy bed while someone cleanses and treats and massages your skin’s stresses away? The air is filled with the sweet, spicy scent of essential oils. You’re swaddled in warm towels like a baby. And when you leave, your skin will be so hydrated and glowing that you’ll probably be charged a child’s fare for the bus journey home. Bliss. If I could have a facial every few weeks, I think I’d be a much nicer person.
The only issue? The cost. Now, I’m all for treating yourself but, let’s be real: the economy is not our friend right now, and money is tight. And so, expensive beauty treatments have had to take a back seat.
I’ll start with a disclaimer: I have naturally ‘good’ skin. Usually, with a regular skincare regime, it plays ball and I don’t have to contend with any major issues. But with late nights aplenty, gloomy winter mornings and my lack of professional facials, my skin has started to suffer of late.
After my constant complaining, my friend recommended I try one of the Foreo Luna electric cleansing devices – she gave one a go after hearing good things from her friend. According to the Foreo website, these bright little silicone treats offer an ‘unparalleled cleansing experience’. A bold claim to live up to, no?
Foreo Luna 4 Smart Facial Cleansing and Firming Massage Device: my verdict
Price: RRP £269
Usage & benefits: cleansing, massaging and firming
Technology: T-sonic technology
How much is the Foreo Luna 4?
I won’t lie, the price tag isn’t the cheapest – my device of choice, the Foreo Luna 4, costs £269 (currently £239 at Cult Beauty), which made me feel a bit ill, but the brand’s range does include other, still very effective, versions that start at around £55, which is a bit more palatable.
The range has also been clinically proven to remove 99% of dirt and oil from skin, and the silicone finish means the devices are bacteria-resistant. Plus, there’s a Foreo app, which connects your phone to your Luna device via Bluetooth (more on that later). Fancy. There’s no way I wasn’t giving this a try.
How does the Foreo Luna 4 work?
I’ve been using the Luna 4 for over a month now and, let me tell you: the difference I’ve seen in my skin. Even after just a few weeks, I noticed less congestion in my pores and the spots dotted around my face began to disappear – impressed doesn’t even begin to cut it.
So, how does it work? The rechargeable device (note: it’s been five weeks and I still haven’t had to charge mine yet) uses T-sonic technology (the ‘T’ stands for ‘transdermal’) to create 8,000 pulsations per minute that travel through the skin’s outer layers. These pulsations create a low-frequency massage, which helps to relax your facial muscles and improve blood flow, as well as helping to temporarily dilate pores, thus allowing skincare to penetrate your skin’s outer layers more easily.
In other (simpler) words, the Luna is basically an oversized techy toothbrush for your face. Its vibrations cause the blood rush to your face (for an instant healthy-looking glow and a plumper finish) and encourage your skincare to work on a deeper – and therefore more effective – level.
How do you use the Foreo Luna 4?
All you have to do is apply a couple of pumps of your usual cleanser (check out my favourite foaming options that pair well below), add a little water, and go. After cleansing, you can really feel the difference in your skin versus just using your hands to scrub at your face.
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There’s no harsh ‘squeaky clean’ feeling, but there’s a noticeable lack of oily build-up – common for my complexion by the end of the day. It’s perfect for removing makeup and it even negates the need for a double cleanse, which means you use less product overall.
The full-sized Luna device – rather than the smaller, more budget-friendly ‘Luna Play’ options – offer up to 16 adjustable vibration levels for the deepest cleanse. Plus, if you flip the device over, instead of soft silicone fronds swap you’ll find a smooth, rigid surface – perfect for facial massage.
This is where the Luna really comes into its own. As I mentioned earlier, the device comes with an accompanying app, which feeds data from your device back to your phone and vice versa. So, as you use it, you can follow a guided tutorial to ensure you’re focusing on each area of your face for long enough to provide a thorough all-over cleanse.
Through the app, the Luna also becomes a multi-functional facial massage tool, with different vibration patterns depending on your needs, from lymphatic drainage (perfect for getting rid of early morning eye bags) to deep tissue massage (great for de-stressing tense jawlines, and I even use this on my shoulders to get rid of knots). Simply apply your favourite serum or oil for slip and get sculpting.
What are the main benefits of the Foreo Luna 4?
Through regular use of the Foreo Luna (every evening to remove makeup, plus most mornings for much-needed de-puffing), I’ve noticed a real change in my skin’s appearance.
My dehydration lines appear less frequently – which I put down to the pulsations both encouraging blood flow as I wash my face and allowing deeper absorption of my serums during facial massage.
I haven’t had a breakout since I started using the Luna, either (I’d often get hormonal spots every month) and, overall, my skin just looks… better. The glow is making a comeback and my complexion is smoother, plumper and has an overall firmer texture.
I realise the Luna is not exactly an everyday purchase, but if your skin is in need of a boost, and you’re due a payday treat, it might just be worth considering. After all, a basic facial starts at £30 (£50 or more, if you’re in London – and for a high-tech one, you’re talking £100+), and this device gives you a daily dose of advanced technology for the cost of a session or two.
I haven’t even considered going back to the salon for a skin boost – now I have my own pocket-sized facialist at home, ready for whenever I need it.
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