Review: The Braun Face with Jocelyn Petroni, Miranda Kerr’s facialist
EXFOLIATING devices are all the rage right now. But is the latest tool to hit the market all that? We tested it with Miranda Kerr’s facialist to see what all the fuss was about.
I AM addicted to my Clarisonic.
I once forgot to take it with me on a weekend away and had a meltdown more befitting a toddler when I realised my mistake.
For the unitiated, the Clarisonic is a cleansing face brush. It’s like a giant electric toothbrush that you with a cleanser to exfoliate your face. It clears out pores like no face scrub ever could and leaves you with that shiny, fresh skin feeling.
So when I was asked to review the Braun Face I knew it would have to be damn good to convince me to cheat on my Clarisonic.
The Braun Face is a two-in-one device. You have a small, Clarisonic-style brush head and an epilator — which is almost like a mechanical tweezer.
I first had the device tested on my face during a facial with Sydney’s skin whisperer, Jocelyn Petroni. Ms Petroni tends to the skin of celebs such as Miranda Kerr and is one of Sydney’s most in demand beauticians. Her facials cost $350 and are a huge luxury. But oh, they are so worth it.
MORE: Miranda Kerr’s daily health rituals
I strip down and slip into the warm, towel-lined bed in Ms Petroni’s minimalist Paddington salon.
There is steam, there is blissful relaxing music and I drift in and out of sleep.
After cleansing my face, Ms Petroni uses the Braun Face on my chin, which is where I get the most congestion. My first thought is that it’s a lot gentler than the Clarasonic, which suits the beautician extraordinarie’s feather-light touch.
She uses the epilator to remove some in-between-appointment hairs between my eyebrows, around my hairline and on my lady-moustache. It’s gentle, pain-free and strangely relaxing. I make a mental note to try out the epilator on my hobbit feet later on (spoiler alert - works like a charm).
MORE: 10 foods to eat for better skin
After several rounds of cleansing and exfoliating, I glide out of Ms Petroni’s salon with the best skin of my life. I’m in love.
When I tried out the Braun Face at home I found myself wishing it would offer a most robust cleanse. It’s very gentle and I’m used to my Clarisonic’s almost-abrasive touch. But my skin is pretty tough and I’m obsessed with having an almost over-exfoliated face.
Others with more sensitive skin will love the Braun Face’s gentle approach. Plus, being able to skip eyebrow appointments and avoid my hobbit feet embarrassment is a huge plus. I’d never used an epilator before, but I am a convert.
While I had her with me, I picked Ms Petroni’s brain for her inside skin knowledge.
What are your three basic skincare tips for skin rookies?
1. Use a cleansing brush like the Braun Face in the shower. This saves time and you’ll be reminded to do it every time you shower.
2. Wear sunscreen every single day, rain hail or shine.
3. Don’t touch your face, hands carry germs and spread oils, keep your face clean.
If people are going to splurge on one type of product, what do you recommend they choose?
A serum is the best product to splurge on because they contain active ingredients in high concentrations so you’re getting value for money and seeing best results.
How important is exfoliating? How often should we be doing it?
A weekly scrub will slough away surface dry dead skin cells and stimulate cell turnover. A fruit acid exfoliator will dissolve dead skin cells and break down hard oil blocked in the pores, best for congested skins and used daily.
How often do you recommend people get a facial?
“I recommend facials every six weeks. Even every 12 is still good which means you’ll receive four facials each year which is one every change of season, when the skin tends to need a boost.”
The Braun Face is available from Myer, David Jones, The Shaver Shop and Harvey Norman for $99.95.