beauty
Two kinds of current = results.
By Dana Dickey
•
Published Nov 4, 2023
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
- Ease of Use: 19/20
- Product Design: 20/20
- Value: 18/20
- Effectiveness: 18/20
- Wow Factor: 20/20
TOTAL: 95/100
Pronounced under-eye circles. Furrowed forehead creases. Totally un-funny laugh lines. These are some of my recurring skin-care woes, so when I learned of a new home skin-care device called the ZIIP Halo ($349) that promises face-freshening results, I was curious. Would this device, which uses two types of electric currents to yield both short- and long-term benefits, be worth the investment? I'velovedthe mini-liftingeffects ofotherfacial skincare devicesin the past,andI'd heard celebs used this treatment before red-carpet events, so it had to be something special right?Skeptical and hopeful at the same time, I decided to give the ZIIP Halo a try;here’s what I discovered.
Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying?Sign up for our shopping newsletterto uncover our favorite finds.
How I Tested
I used theZIIPHalofive days a weekfor a monthstraight. I'd use it in the mornings,rightafter brushing my teeth, since thetemporarylift it provided made me look a little more awake and snatchedafter I followed the four-minute Lift treatment, which I accessed viaan accompanyingapp. At least once a week, I'd treat myself to alonger12-minutetreatment, which required slightly more involved instructionsfor where to swipe the device andfor how long.Fortunately,all of the 13 treatmentsoffered throughthe appare fairlysimple tofollowsincethey come with video tutorials led byfacialist and founder Melanie Simon.
What Does the ZIIP Halo Device Do?
There’s a temporary plumpingeffect you getbecause you’re drawing blood to your dermal tissue,soyour skin appears more"pumped up" and thus, higherand tighter rightafterwards.There’s also a longer-lasting effect since the microcurrentalso strengthensyour facial musclesover timeto support your skin soyour face will lookmore taut.Additionally,the nanocurrent part of thedual-wavetechnology stimulates something called adenosine triphosphate,which isone of the nucleotides linked to cellular replication and skin repair. Long-term benefits areslow, butcumulative, and whereas I’d spent a couple hundred dollars on a single in-office treatment, this device lets you zap away to your heart’s content anytime you want (after your initial investment of $349 for thedeviceand first bottle ofconductivegel, of course).
My Honest Review of the ZIIP Halo Device
Ziip
Inside myZIIPbox, I found asmalldevicethat looked sort of like a computer mouse, a bottle ofgeland instructionsfordownloadingtheZIIPapp, which contains seven videos that walk you through the treatments. Star facialistMelanie Simon(Jen Aniston is a client) developed the device, and in each video she demonstrates exactly how to use it. Sessions last between two and 12 minutes and include treatments for clearing acne, brighteningundereyes and evening out skin tone, as well as anall aroundrejuvenation protocol.
I loved thesensation of feelinga little jolt run through my skin as I swiped and stroked theZIIP across my face,whilelistening toMelanie Simon’ssoothingvideo narration. The process made me feelrelaxed, and the humming was actually calming. After just a few strokes, I was mesmerized by howthewhole right sideof my facewas perceptibly lifted andmorerested-looking.
How to Use the ZIIP Halo Device
First, you slather your face and neck with four to six pumps of a conductive gel. ZIIPoffers four formulations: I used theZIIPElectric Complex Gel($25), which comes with the device, though previously I usedtheirGolden Gel($129), whichcontains more smoothing and plumpingingredientslike peptides, niacinamide and aloe leaf extract. These gels are necessary to create a pathway for the electricity to move through, which I can confirm because one morning,while half-asleep,Iaccidentallyused the device on dry skin,andI didn't feel the device's little humor gentle jolt, nor did its little lightglow,as it doeswhenthe Halo is functioning correctly.
Using the ZIIPHalowas surprisingly simple, because all of my questions were answered either in thetutorialsorby the device itself (it’s programmed to beep or vibrate to signal when you need to move on to the next stroke). I startedby running the device over one sideof my neck (two swipes upward) and then proceeded to my lips, nasolabial folds, under-eye area, cheekbonesand forehead. The key move? Always keep both silver knobs on the skin during each swipe, which can lastanywhere betweentwo to 10seconds.
What's the Difference between the ZIIP Halo and the NuFace Trinity?
The NuFace Trinity+ Device ($395) is s another popular microcurrenttoolon the market (thatPureWowalso loves).The primary difference between the ZIIPHalo and the NuFace is the NuFace doesn't deploy nanocurrents in additiontomicrocurrents, astheZIIPHalo does, whichfurtheractivates collagen and elastin productionto delivermorelifting and smoothingbenefits.Additionally, the ZIIPHalo is designedto lookmore like a computer mouse, so it feels easy to cradle in the hand, while the NuFace Trinity+ looks more like a paddle with two contact points and feels in my experience a bit more awkward to use.
Can You Use ZIIP Too Much?
Melanie Simon, the device's inventor, recommends using the Halo no more than six times a week, and suggests that using it two to three times weekly is enough to achieve your desired results. And because the device is so powerful, there are special precautions regarding use simultaneous with Retin-A and on rosacea flare-ups, as well as contraindications against using the device if you have a pacemaker.
Is the ZIIP Facial Device Worth It?
Consideringa microcurrent facial costs upwards of $200 in Los Angeles, whereI live, and this device has both immediate and cumulativelong-termeffects,I'd sayit's a bargain for people who take good care of their skin. Also, it makes a great gift for beauty enthusiasts, sincetheface-sculpting results aresatisfyingand it adds alittle moment of zentoyour day, with the calm voice of founder Melanie Simon coachingyoufrom the app.After comprehensive testing,I'drecommend starting with the Electric Complex Gel, then upgrading to one of theperformance-targeted gelsinfused with ingredients for mature, sensitive or sluggish skinonceyou'vecommittedtoyournewregimen.
RELATED
This SolaWave Wand Made Our Skin Glowy AF
Dana Dickey
Senior Editor
- Writes about fashion, wellness, relationships and travel
- Oversees all LA/California content and is the go-to source for where to eat, stay and unwind on the west coast
- Studied journalism at the University of Florida
read full bio
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.