Worth it? MiroPure Straightening Brush

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MiroPure Straightening Brush // straightening brushesMiroPure Straightening Brush, $40

No matter what I seem to do, I can’t seem to bring myself to stick with consistently styling my hair. I’m not particularly good at it. I like sleep more than I like fiddling with my hair first thing in the morning, and that often means my hair isn’t as smooth and visually tidy as I’d like. Late last year I became aware of thermal straightening brushes and shared my initial thoughts in November. Since, the MiroPure Straightening Brush arrived and I’ve used it more times than I can count.

First, we’ll get into how straightening brushes work, then to my review.

How do Straightening Brushes Work?

All brushes are designed a little differently (here’s a Dafni, for instance), but the core concept is the same. The back plate of the brush (analogous to the cushion area) is heated just like the plates of a flat iron. Likewise most or all of the, “bristles,” or, “teeth,” are constructed of or surrounded by that same plate material and are heated.

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Remember: Exfoliate During Winter

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Exfoliate During Winter

Many people do not exfoliate during winter or, if they do, it takes a back seat to other things. Once the cold sets in and we start piling layer upon layer, some eschew certain grooming procedures (like shaving). There seems to be a notion of, “Why does it matter? I’m all covered up anyway/everyone looks blah during winter!”

I challenge that line of thinking. To think of exfoliation (or even hair removal) as a chore you have to get out of the way in order to bare some skin is looking at it all wrong. That is ludicrous – you don’t just stop bathing as often in winter, do you?

Exfoliate During Winter

…because exfoliation isn’t a seasonal or, “do it once-in-a-while,” skincare behavior. It:

  • gets rid of dead skin (ew) and promotes cellular turnover
  • makes skin appear more radiant
  • makes skin look and feel smoother
  • can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • evens out skintone
  • facially, removes with sebaceous filaments
  • bodily, prevents or frees ingrown hairs
  • preps the skin for hair removal
  • improves the efficacy of other skincare products (like serums)
  • prevent and minimize the impact of blemishes

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Worth it? Clarisonic Smart Profile

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Clarisonic Smart Profile

Several years ago, I purchased my first Clarisonic (a Mia 2). After an entire year of use, I wrote a comprehensive review. Following that, I created a bunch of other Clarisonic–related content. As time went on, my Mia 2 suffered normal wear and tear. I noticed that it’s battery was waning. It still charges, it still operates, but the longevity of a charge isn’t as robust as it once was. I suspected that it might be on its last legs soon, and I had resigned myself to replacing it. The Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift had just come out and I scoffed at its ridiculous $350 pricetag. I had decided a long time ago that I’d go with a Mia next; the dual-speed feature of the Mia 2 wasn’t worth the extra money to me (I never use the slower speed).

Then, I was in Costco one day late last Autumn and they had a Clarisonic Smart Profile clearanced for $150 (insane!). The Smart Profile replaces the Aria line of years’ past and is compatible with the body brush heads. Considering the regular price of the Mia has increased to $129 in the last year or two, I was sold on the Clarisonic Smart Profile.

I’ve had it for about three months now and I’m ready to open up on its features, flaws, and other fun stuff.

Clarisonic Smart Profile Features

To be clear, this is not the Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift. The original Clarisonic Smart Profile seems to have been discontinued, but the Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift retails for the same price point and includes some different skin tools.

Multiple Modes & Notifications

The Smart Profile features four facial speeds, a body mode, and a turbo option for an extra, quick burst of cleansing power. If you’re using the Smart Profile brush heads, the device can tell identify them (vs all the classic heads) and supposedly adjusts the cleansing mode(s) accordingly.

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Bi-Weekly WTF :: Vol 3 – Shoe Fashion Strikes Again

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Every now and then I encounter a piece of fashion-related minutiae that makes my head spin. That spinning then inspires an off-usual-topic post here at Beauty Skeptic.

I’ve professed before that I am not a fashionable individual. So when I see things like what I’m going to share in this post – yeah, I know I don’t, “get,” it. I’m fine with that.

Socks with Sandals

It all started with these ridiculously offensive Gucci heeled sandals…

Shoe Fashion Strikes Again

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Mouthwash

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Mouthwash

Mouthwash

In my opinion, mouthwash or mouth rinse is not a critical part of an oral hygiene routine. You can have healthy teeth and a healthy mouth without it. That said, with my cavity-prone teeth, I do like to use it. Right now, I’m being a little extreme keeping three varieties on hand. See which ones and why.

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First Look: As Seen on TV Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler

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First Look: As Seen on TV Kiss InstaWave Automatic CurlerAs Seen on TV Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler

I had seen the Beachwaver. It’s a lovely-looking device and gets great reviews. That said, there is a ceiling on how much I’m willing to spend on a product I’m just curious about and don’t have a yearning for. What they want for the Beachwaver far exceeds that, so it was never on my radar as a possibility. Later, when I was treating myself a bit before the holidays I came across a handsome deal on the Kiss InstaWave automated curler…which is an As Seen on TV product.

As far as I’m concerned, there are two As Seen on TV products worth the time of day. The first is Oxi Clean (I use unscented) and the second are Turbie Twists (so cheap, so useful). $25 wasn’t a huge risk for me, though, and I had a gift card – so I decided to bite.

Benefits

Kiss pitches the following benefits from using the InstaWave curler:

  • Tangle-Free Curling
  • Stress-Free Styling*
  • No Skills Needed

If it’s true, sign me up. I’m about as hair inept as they come. For now, color me skeptical; I’m not sure a rotating barrel + long hair = truly stress free, though. Not at first, anyway.

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