Update: Silkn Long Life Lamp Sale

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On May 3, I shared that Bed Bath and Beyond was running a Silkn Long Life Lamp Sale, and that combined with their common 20% off an item discount, you could get it at almost 40% off – a steal!

The Bad News

I ordered one, having had the following conversation with them back when I originally ordered the device at the beginning of the year:

At the time, Flash n Go Freedom-specific long-life cartridges were not available Sephora or Nordstrom’s sites, so I didn’t know they were selling a unique one.

So I received it in the mail several days later. Removing it from its packaging (I should have taken pictures, but I’m an idiot), I could already tell its shape differed from that of my current lamp and cartridge. The connector was still in the right place, and it did actually click into place – but the plastic housing was not flush with that of the handle, so it looked weird. Okay, whatever – that doesn’t really matter to me as long as it works.

I plugged in the A/C adapter and powered it on. Orange lights all around. Flash, flash, flash, “What the hell is this? No, I’m not turning on so you can enjoy a lifetime of hair reduction,” orange lights, they blinked, they turned off. I reseated the cartridge, power cycled, what have you. No dice.

There was little info online, so I reached back out to Silk’n to see if it wasn’t compatible or if it was a dud. Unlike our first correspondence, I didn’t get a response immediately. I decided, on my own, that I would be returning it to my local BB&B. It wasn’t until I complained, on Twitter, that I was going to have to fight through traffic to fuss with this return, feeling disappointed by the incorrect advice I had received, that I received a response: 

It was nice to hear back from them, but it was still disappointing not to have gotten a clear answer about the Silkn Long Life Lamp the first time. I understand that no one was trying to cause inconvenience, but it is so important that PR and social media managers can thoroughly speak to products if they will be answering questions about them via those channels. Hopefully this was a learning experience.

Thankfully, I was able to return it without issue despite it being opened (no flashes were ever used, so I don’t think there would be an ethics issue when it comes to re-selling), and double-thankfully, I can use my 10% VIB Welcome Coupon at Sephora to knock a little off the price of the proper lamp (though nowhere near as much).

SO – this was not a bash session, just a heads-up that my previous advice to buy this is not correct IF you are using a Flash n Go Freedom model. It is compatible with other Flash n Go models (the original one(s)), but I’d suggest doing research first if you have little time on your hands to fuss with returns.

The GOOD News

The Silk’n Flash n Go Freedom is working – slower than I anticipated, but I’m not in a rush and am happy to wait for full results. I’m still happy and still recommend it!

NYT on Manicurist Conditions

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If you haven’t yet heard or read, the New York Times published a piece on the manicurist conditions in NYC. Instead of the content I had scheduled for today, I wanted to talk about this. Today’s content will instead be shared on Saturday, May 16 at 10 AM EST – so be sure to check back then!

I’m not going to re-write their article, but the short of it is that if you’re paying for a cheap service, someone is getting screwed – and in many of these cases it is the manicurist, and sometimes, it is you. References to $25 for a manicure and pedicure together – a service that most of us consider a treat, a luxury; a service that would normally take at least an hour total with the skills of a licensed, trained professional – think about it. Corners are being cut.

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Melanoma Awareness Week 2 – Sunless Tanning

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May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month. Each Monday of this month will feature a post pertaining to sun safety and skin cancer awareness and prevention.

Week 1

I used to tan. I loved to tan! Like many people, I think I look a little better with a little color. I don’t seek to resemble a cognac leather handbag, obviously, but whereas I’m naturally roughly NC15 in MAC, I prefer to be around NC25, at least in the fair-weather months (I don’t bother in late Autumn and Winter).

Unfortunately, though, while tanning in the sun’s glorious rays or worse, in a tanning bed, might produce nice short-term results, the long-term consequences do not make it worth it. The attitude of, “We’ll deal with that when we reach it,” is not a healthy one. I’ve heard some people say, “Well I want to stop, but…” and then append some myth they heard or some excuse they have about why they’re just going to keep baking in the rays.

Let’s dispel three of those.

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Worth it? Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

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The makeup industry often has weird (OCC Technopagan) or even oddly sexualized names. To name a few? NARS Orgasm and Deep Throat (duh). Urban Decay Rule 34. I could go on.

Too Faced, however, has no bushes to beat around, and no bothers to give. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Bam. Shock value!

Too Faced Better Than Sex

Well, aren’t you cocky?

I’m here all week, folks. Anyway, it isn’t a new product, but I’ve noticed a bit more buzz around it lately. I got a deluxe sample tube with my Everything Nice palette and finally decided to crack ‘er open.

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April 2015 Favorites

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April 2015 Favorites
April 2015 Favorites
1. Chef’n Fresh Force Citrus Juicer, $25 / 2. Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip & Cheek Creamy Oil, $11 /
3. Urban Decay Freelove $18 / 4. Plus White Gel, $9 / 5. Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade, $18

I hope you all aren’t bothered by a non-beauty item sneaking in here every now and then, but I’m unreasonable excited about the first one in the April 2015 Favorites graphic.

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How to Clean Your Clarisonic

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This is the second post (see the first) in my originally unintentional Spring Cleaning Series. I’ve shared extensively that I enjoy some buttons and internet in my skincare via the Clarisonic Mia2. Like any tool, Clarisonics require maintenance not only to work as intended, but to avoid introducing any ilk to your skin that, by its very design, it shouldn’t. So let’s talk about how to Clean Your Clarisonic. For that matter, these steps should apply to most replaceable-brush-head skincare tools, but illustrations will be with my trusty Mia2.

Maintenance is not something we should do when we realize that we can’t quite remember how long our Clarisonic has been hanging out in our shower. You don’t need a significant amount of time and you don’t need any fancy cleansers or materials to clean your Clarisonic. It’s quick and easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do so. (It takes less time than cleaning makeup brushes, come on).

1. After use, dry your Clarisonic.

Clean Your Clarisonic - Dry it After Use

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