Beauty and the geek
The quest for lasting beauty is always at the forefront of new technologies. Many of today's coolest beauty gadgets can be used right at home. Designed to do everything from cleaning faces and smoothing skin to encouraging weight loss, these new high-tech tools are further proof that electronics companies and cosmetic brands just can't let go of the opportunity to squeeze more money out of people eager to enhance their beauty. But, of course, the question remains - do these gizmos really work?
"They will be an inevitable trend, I think. They make things simpler, and more fun," said Zhao Jing, a Chinese beauty blogger with more than 200,000 followers online.
Zhao has a cleansing device, a face massager and other electronic beauty instruments. And that's not all. "I am planning to purchase a steaming device that can clean pores," she said.
If you, too, are tempted, Metro Beijing has collected a list of the top devices on the market, at a variety of price points.
Skin cleansing
High-end: Cleansing System Mia2 by Clarisonic, 1,250 yuan ($201)
Mid-level maven: NanoCare Minus Ion Facial Skin Ion Steamer by Panasonic, 699 yuan
Beauty on a budget: Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System by Olay, 360 yuan
According to the manual book of the Cleansing System Mia2, this tool's 300 tremors per second can tenderly remove dirt and oil from the skin.
The device is easy to use. Put facial cleanser on the brush or your face, choose a speed, press the brush gently against the skin and move it in a circular motion for one minute.
With a soft, replaceable brush head, the Pro-X is recommended for daily cleansing. It's designed to tackle acne, excessive oil and other skin conditions.
For those who want to steer clear of high-speed twirling devices near their faces, a steamer is another high-tech way of cleansing the skin. Use the Panasonic steamer after washing and before moisturizing. The steam carries nano-sized ions that can deeply hydrate the skin.
Pro tips: No matter how gentle the vibrations are or how soft it feels, it's still a brush. Use it with extreme care.
"One minute tops," said Daisy Qiao, 25, who bought a Cleansing System a few weeks ago. Qiao pushed the brush too hard against her face the first few times she used it, which caused her face to ache for days. After mastering the gentle technique, she says her skin improved.
With steaming devices or just in general, drink plenty of fluids to maintain beautiful skin.
Cell rejuvenation
High-end: Cream Booster Device by Talika, 980 yuan
Beauty on a budget: White Perfect Micro Vibration Eye Cream by L'Oréal, 220 yuan
These devices are designed to improve circulation and how skin cells absorb skin care products.
The booster device, with gentle vibrations, uses phototherapy to help the cells more readily taken in useful ingredients. After applying skin care products, glide the device over targeted areas for one minute.
The L'Oréal package of eye cream comes with a skin-rejuvenating tool built right into the container, which can help to improve blood circulation around the eyes. It's designed to solve under-eye dark circles, and puffy, droopy eyes.
Pro tips: The face, especially the eye area, is very delicate, so always be extra careful. Pressure on the eyes from the massager can be harmful. Shortsighted people or those with a history of eye issues should avoid the eye area.
Slimming
High-end: Face massager EH-HP30 by Panasonic, 1,088 yuan
Beauty on a budget: Multifunctional Fat-burning Massager by JCode, 169 yuan
The Panasonic face massager relaxes the skin through vibration, which can make the face appear slimmer. It's recommended for use in the shower since it's wireless and waterproof.
With three different massage heads to choose from, the JCode body massager can be used on the stomach, waist and buttocks. Stimulating these areas can potentially boost weight loss.
Pro tips: When using for the very first time, apply the massager over a layer of clothes to get used to the vibrations before using it directly on the skin.
Hair removal
High-end: Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal System by Panasonic, imported from Japan, 16,400 yen ($170)
Beauty on a budget: Ladyshave Wet & Dry by Philips, 249 yuan
Take hair removal to the next level - with lasers! This Panasonic device can remove unwanted hair on the arms, legs and armpits. It won the 2012 Rookie of the Year title in the Body Care and Beauty Instrument category on cosme.net, a Japan-based beauty advice website.
The Panasonic laser apparatus is much more convenient than professional laser treatments, but plain old razors are always cheaper. That's where the Philips Ladyshave comes in. It's an electric razor that can be used in or out of the shower. And with the comb attachment, it comes in handy for trimming or shaping the pesky bikini area, too.
Pro tips: The Panasonic device may cause slight pain or hot sensations on the skin area being treated.
New hair grows in slower than before, said Qiao, which allows her to do her hair removal routine just twice a month.
Wrinkle reduction
High-end: Skin Rejuvenation Photofacial Device by Tanda, 1,880 yuan
This cutting-edge phototherapy device claims to re-boost the collagen inside the skin. Better collagen means fewer wrinkles and more radiant, firm and smooth skin.
Pro tips: You don't want to overuse it and burn yourself, so use it for three minutes tops.