Beauty Squared Round-Up for January 4, 2015

Hello and a Happy New Year to you! How has 2015 been treating you so far?

Here's this week's round-up of beauty-ful links. 

• Let's start with some look backs at 2014 with Temptalia's favourite products of 2014 and her least favourite products of 2014.
  
• Tracey of Beauty Reflections names her favourite products of 2014.
  
• Beauty trends from 2014 that Glamour magazine are looking forward to moving on from.
  
• Beautezine's favourite product launches from 2014.
    
• Some beauty resolutions for the new year that should be easy to keep.
  
• Thinking of cutting your hair shorter in the new year? Check out the #cleartheshoulders Instagram hashtag for inspiration.
  
• No-shampoo regimes. Here's what you need to know.
  
• The latest trend in skincare is facial oils. What are they and why should you be using them?
  
• You've heard of the Clarisonic, right? No? Read on.
  
• Are you a redhead? Here's how to wear bright lipstick.
  
• Think gel eyeliner is just about the cat eye flick? Think again.
  
• Looking for a new foundation? Here are some that won't dent your bank account.
  
• Got pimples? Here are some masks and treatments that can help.
  
• The power of perfume.
  
• We've all had favourite beauty products get discontinued. We're not alone. Some women go pretty far in trying to get their favourites even after they've been discontinued.
  

Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System vs. Clarisonic Skincare Brush

Olay as part of their Pro-X line, recently put out their version of the motorized skin care brush, a gadget made popular by the high end brand Clarisonic. I have personally been using the Clarisonic now for the past 3 years and so was interested to know how the Olay version stacked up to the Clarisonic. The Olay brush was sent to me for review by Olay, the Clarisonic Skincare Brush was purchased.

As with any good comparison, it's helpful to look at the stats:

1. Price - this is where the most dramatic difference occurs. Olay's brush retails for approximately $34.99 CA, which is a whopping 84% cheaper than the standard Clarisonic ($218.00 CA). As well, Olay's version, being a drugstore purchase goes on sale every now and then. In fact London Drugs recently had it on sale for $24.99 CA. The best you can do with the Clarisonic is purchase it when Sephora has 10 or 15% off for Beauty Insiders/VIB's. In addition the replacement heads for Olay's brush are approximately $9.99 CA, while a single replacement head for the Clarisonic is $25.00 CA.

2. Brush Head Size - The head of the Olay brush measures1 1/4" in diameter, while the Clarisonic measures 1 9/16".

Clarisonic Skincare (top), Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing brush (bottom)

3. Body Size - The Olay systems body is about 5" long, and 1.5" wide, which makes the tool feel on the small side in your palm. The Clarisonic's body is about 7" long and 2.5" wide, which makes it feel on the medium large side.

Clarisonic Skincare (top), Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing brush (bottom)

4. Power - Olay's system is powered by 2 AA batteries (which are included), while the Clarisonic is fully rechargeable by the included wall charger.

5. Speed and Programs - Olay's brush has two speeds and one way of moving which translates into the brush head simply rotating either slower or faster. The Clarisonic has a built in timer which tells you how long you should use the brush on different areas of your face, and two different types of motion - some areas of the brush rotate while others oscillate back and forth.

6. Claims 


Olay


"Designed by a team of dermatologists along with Olay, the Advanced Cleansing System is as effective as a system sold by skin professionals for nearly $200.* (system with normal/dry cleanser) Professionally and clinically designed to cleanse 6 times better** (than basic cleansing), the Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System also sets your skin up for supersonic anti-aging moisturization. ( Helps maximize the immediate hydrating effectiveness of your anti-aging moisturizer.)†"


Clarisonic


"The sonic frequency moves Clarisonic's soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing pores and skin surface. Here are some of the benefits this revolutionary skincare tool delivers: removes makeup six times better than traditional methods, clears pores and reduces the appearance of pore size, cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better and creates noticeably healthier looking skin."

The Verdict

Please bear in mind this is my opinion based on my experience only. I have no scientific way of verifying a) the standard claims of either brand, and b) my own observations. That being said here are my findings:

1. Both brushes made my skin feel smoother and better exfoliated than normal cleansing (washing with hands only). I do find that my skin feels the smoothest after using the Clarisonic.

2. The Clarisonic definitely has more "guts", that is to say the brush head moves much faster and with greater power than that of the Olay tool, which means more exfoliation. The Olay brush seemed very slow and weak in comparison to the Clarisonic.

3. The Clarisonic, with it's larger brush head covers a greater area than the Olay brush, which again contributes to greater exfoliation.


4. When I cleanse with the Clarisonic, I do notice that other skincare products I use are absorbed better. The best example of this is with the Differin XP Gel I use. Differin XP can cause slight peeling and I feel like this exfoliating action is far greater after cleansing with the Clarisonic (as opposed to hand washing).

If you want a tool to help you clean and exfoliate your skin beyond regular washing, the Olay brush is a good place to start. It definitely provides more thorough cleansing and exfoliation than washing with hands alone. In my opinion, the Olay Pro-X brush offers good value and is practical in its affordability. However, having used both, I cannot say they are equivalent tools. The Clarisonic, with it's oscillating head and greater power, gives my skin a polish the Olay brush didn't. To put it another way - the Olay Pro-X brush achieves cleansing and exfoliation beyond washing with hands, but I think you could get close to the same level of cleaning if you diligently used another exfoliating tool, such as a microfibre cloth or a manual cleansing brush. The Clarisonic, in my opinion, offers a thoroughness of cleansing that would be impossible to get with any other type of manual exfoliation. 

Olay Professional ProX Advanced Cleansing System 3-speed Brush Review

I was sent the Olay Professional ProX Advanced Cleansing System 3-speed Brush to try out recently. It's in stores now and is retailing for approximately $34.99 CDN.

The Advanced Cleansing System 3-speed Brush is basically a much less-expensive version of the popular Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System and it claims to do the same job as it's pricier competitor.

I've never tried the Clarisonic brush but I'm impressed with the results of the Olay Skin Cleansing System. It's meant to be used with the Olay Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser which Beauty Squared reviewed last year here. 

You can use the Skin Cleansing System daily and the brush has three speeds so you can alternate the speed of the rotation. The Skin Cleansing System allows whatever cleanser to work more effectively and it turns every skin cleaning into an exfoliation. I've been using the Skin Cleansing System almost daily, sometimes in the morning but mostly in the evening and I've noticed smoother, cleaner skin. I've also noticed an increase in blemishes but that's to do with the fact my skin is being renewed more quickly with daily exfoliation. The toxins are surfacing more readily but overall my skin is brighter and clearer.

If you've been eying the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System but balk at the pricetag, this is a great option. Each Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System comes with a brush, a brush head and a tube of the Olay ProX Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser. 

C.

Splurge VS Steal: Skincare - Pimple Treatments, Masks and Exfoliators

Looking to see what our recommendations for those specialty skin treatment splurges and steals are? Read on, but first, here are our skin type specifications. We have similar skin types so if you've got dry skin or sensitive skin or something else entirely and want to know if we have any suggestions for your skin type, ask us!

Jill: Combination with an oily t-zone.  I rarely break out but the few pimples I get tend to be fairly  deep & painful.  I sometimes suffer from puffy eyes. I live in an extremely dry climate.

Catherine: Combination skin - normal on my cheeks, oily in my t-zone. My skin is rarely without pimples, but they tend to be small. When I don't exfoliate, my skin gets flaky. I live in Toronto, a city with a temperate, moderately humid climate.

Pimple Treatment

J: SPLURGE - Zeno Acne Clearing System ($129 US)

Ever wish you could zap your zits with your cell phone?  Well this device (which oddly looks like a cell phone) really does help decrease the size and life span of a pimple by delivering heat which helps kill the bacteria responsible for your zit.  It is a sizable investment, but for me it was really worth it.  I've been using mine for somewhere around 5 years.  It won't make large zits dissapear entirely, but it does help prevent them from getting bigger and helps stop the inflammation.  I can't recommend it enough.

C:  I don't use pimple treatments since nothing has ever effectively worked for me. A dab of my Jamieson's Vitamin A Retinol cream helps to speed up the pimple's life span and concealers do the rest for me.

Exfoliator

J: SPLURGE - Clarisonic Skincare Brush ($217.00)
Another sizable investment - but let me tell you the Clarisonic really does remove dirt & makeup effectively all the while providing you with light exfoliation.  Since using this product I rarely bother to use other types of exfoliators.

C: SPLURGE - Philosophy The Great Mystery (one-minute deep cleansing daily facial) (5 fl.oz., $25 US)
I used to work at a store that sold Philosophy products, so I got to try many of them. This was one of my favourites. Unfortunately it's not one of the Philosophy products Sephora carries, but it's available on the Philosophy website. It was created to mimic the microdermabrasion effect and it's warming, soothing and incredibly softening. It does what it claims, it's like a very speedy facial and leaves my skin smooth, radiant and softened.

STEAL: Baking soda and water.
You really can't get much more simple than this. A teaspoon of baking soda and a drizzle of water (or your facial cleanser) becomes a softening, very gentle exfoliator in the palm of your hand. It's fantastic for sensitive skin and a good place to start if you're new to exfoliators.

Mask

J: SPLURGE:  Proactiv Solution Refining Mask (2.5 oz. $13.95 US)

This sulphur based mask works nicely to reduce oil and more importantly cut down on blemishes.  Like the infomercial suggests, put a dab on your pimples and leave on overnight.  It really helps!

C: I like my masks to draw out impurities, tighten, soothe and smooth my skin and exfoliate.

SPLURGE: Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask (3.4 oz, $85 US)
I received a sample of this and it's way more pricey than anything I could ever afford but it is unbelievable on my skin. Every Fresh product I've tried has been like this - it's gorgeous (though pricey) stuff.

STEAL: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Mask of Magnaminty (125 g, $9.95)
I used to work for Lush and this is one product that's been stuck in my skincare routine ever since. It's everything a mask should be - minty, deep-cleansing, thick, exfoliating, refreshing. This is great on your feet and back (if you have bacne) too. I've even done an all-over body mask with this. In the summer this is an amazing product because it's so minty, it cools your skin.

Stay tuned for more Splurge VS Steal posts (and feel free to suggest a category). If you haven't already, check out our Splurges VS Steals for Cleansers and our picks for Moisturizers.

As always, give us your opinions and if you have any questions, ask away!

C&J