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New Product Alert: Zeno Mini

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:32 -0700

Pimple-stopping devices are great - if you can afford to shell out the big bucks for them. In fact, in comparing Zeno to Thermaclear, one of my main complaints about the otherwise awesome Zeno was its price. Oh, but times have changed!

Zeno has recently released a smaller version of its zit-zapping device. The Zeno Mini ($89) is petite and portable, but it still helps stop pimples from forming. Aside from the lower price, it's great because it's powered by AAA batteries; the original Zeno needs to be charged, and there are times when it would be out of juice right when Krakatoa was about to erupt on my chin. Now all I have to do is pop in a battery and stop that bad mutha from getting any bigger. Plus, how much does the new design look like Eve from Wall-E? So cute, and much more budget-friendly!

Thermaclear Vs Zeno: The Zit-Zapper Showdown

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:14:01 -0800

When I received a Thermaclear, I was pretty excited. I'd already had good results with rival device Zeno. Like Zeno, Thermaclear uses heat to destroy acne bacteria, thereby making pimples disappear faster (or never come to a head in the first place). These devices are great for those times when you feel a pimple coming on; just zap it and it retards the blemish's growth.

Now that I've tried both zit zappers, I've made a guide to comparing and contrasting them. (FYI, both devices were sent to me for review, so I'm not biased toward either.)

For a chart that shows the pros and cons of each device, read more.

			Who wins?
Looks	Sleek, modern design. Pro version available in pink and teal, too.	Grayish blue, not as sleek.	Zeno. It just looks better.
Warm-up time	About a minute	About 10 seconds	Thermaclear better fits my want-it-now attention span.
Application time per blemish	Two minutes, measured by a small beep every 30 seconds.	Two seconds.	Thermaclear. You could treat the whole face in the amount of time it takes to treat one pimple with Zeno.
Feels like	Warm and soothing. Feels great on cystic acne.	Yowza! It's a quick zap, but it stings for a second.	Zeno makes me feel pampered and cared-for, as though a benevolent complexion fairy were caressing me.
Replacement	Basic model comes with 60-count cartridge; replacements are $25 each.	Tip requires replacement once a year; a new one is $19.95	Thermaclear
Price	$150 for basic model; $189 for prettier Pro model	$149	It's a draw, although the replacement costs favor Thermaclear.

Product Review: Zeno PRO

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:00:30 -0700

When the zit-zapping device Zeno came out, I was very curious. The gadget promises to stop pimples by delivering heat to the developing spots, obliterating the bacteria that causes most blemishes. Now, I'm a pacifist, except when it comes to two things: Dust bunnies and zits.

To indulge in my acne-assassin tendencies, the folks at Zeno sent me a sample Zeno Pro ($189) to review. The gadget itself is lightweight, easily portable, and pretty in pink. Before the first use, you charge it, and then it's ready to go. For the full review, read more

Before we go any further, you should know what Zeno is meant to do. The device is intended for pimples that are developing-you know, the kind you can feel coming on. It doesn't work for zits that have already come to a head, or on blackheads.

To use Zeno, you hold the heated tip to the would-be pimple in question for two-and-a-half minutes. (It chirps when it's finished.) The sensation is pretty relaxing-it's just a steady delivery of heat. Afterward, that part of my skin was red from the warmth, so I wouldn't recommend doing a Zeno zap immediately before you have to go somewhere important.

The Zeno literature says that you might see results in as little as one treatment, but it might take two or three. I found that most of my pimples stopped forming after just one treatment. It's pretty crazy: I'd treat the burgeoning blemish at night, and in the morning, it was as though nothing was starting.

On one occasion, I was getting one of those nasty cystic pimples just under my jawline. I decided to try Zeno on it, even though it's not specifically made for that kind of pimple. The next day, it wasn't gone, but it had ballooned into a-sorry, this is gross-medium-sized sebum-filled pimple. Yuck, I know, but I'd rather be able to dab some salicylic acid on that stuff and just get rid of it.

I'm pretty impressed by Zeno, enough so that I decided to go off the Pill, which was keeping my hormonal acne at bay. (I'm going back on it because I can't handle the cramps, but that's another story altogether.) It's an effective way to treat many kinds of acne, but I'll admit: The cost isn't easy to swallow. However, if you shop online, you can get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it's definitely worth trying if you are having persistent breakouts that don't respond to any other treatments. Anyone else have a review to share?

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Enter BellaSugar's "Good Skin Is In" Giveaway and Win a Zeno Pro Acne Clearing Device!

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:00:22 -0700

This month every week we're giving away an electronic gadget that helps you achieve a flawless complexion. This week we're giving away the Zeno Pro Acne Clearing Device. I was pretty impressed with it when I gave it a whirl last October, so much so that I thought it would be the perfect addition to this month's giveaway. And at $159, it's not something you'd necessarily buy for yourself. Luckily Auntie Bella is bringing you Christmas in July!

To enter to win, just log in and take this quiz. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just simply on taking the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz. So if you're not already a member, register here for an account and to join in all the fun on the Sugar sites! One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Remember: YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO TEAMSUGAR FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT. Just click on "take the quiz" below; I will do a random drawing on Monday, July 21, at midnight PDT. US residents eligible only (sorry!). Click here for the official rules. Good luck!

Take the quiz

Best of Bella, 3/2

BellaSugar — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:01:45 -0800

Does she or doesn't she? Take my quiz to see if you can spot which celebs wear hair extensions these days!
Love Miley Cyrus's Oscars makeup? Check out our how-to for how you can get her look at home.
Would you pay money to look like Amy Winehouse?
It's the Thermaclear vs. Zeno in the battle for the best zit zapper.
UK cult classic Olay Regenerist Touch of Sun makes its way to the states.
Don't go to the cosmetics counter without this book!
Three-year olds getting pedicures? What's next, toddler facials?
New concealer alert: Benefit's Erase Paste.
Fake is in when it comes to a tan. Check out the new product to get you glowing the safe way.
No clue how to style yourself for a job interview? Memorize these tips.

Source

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Beauty Breakthrough

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:00:17 -0800

It looks like affordable at-home microdermabrasion kits were the big winners of the beauty breakthrough category for 2007. I am surprised about this one since I thought for sure that Botox and zit-zapping gadgets like Zeno and ThermaClear were far more popular - but the stats don't lie.

I actually just received Nature's Gate Organics Microdermabrasion Skin Refining Kit $38.50 as a gift and you guys have just really pumped me up to try it out. Since at-home microdermabrasion kits have won 26% of you over, can you tell me what your favorite brands are?

The Differin Diaries: Month Two

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to my "diary" of my experience being on Differin. The first installment explains what Differin is-essentially, a topical retinoid used to clear up acne. It's available only by prescription, so if you're interested in it, see a dermatologist. And as always, this is just my experience; everyone's skin is different, and only a doctor can work with you to see which treatment is best.

Now that I've been on Differin (and Klaron, an antibacterial lotion) for a little over two months, I'm definitely seeing an improvement in my complexion. At first, there was some peeling, but it wasn't painful or red. That's stopped, and now my forehead and nose are almost completely clear. Although I still have a tiny bit of congestion around the hairline, it's minimal, and I haven't had a horrifyingly large pimple there in at least a month.

To find out where Differin isn't doing wonders, read more

The only problem spot that remains is my chinny-chin-chin. It's not that Differin doesn't have an effect; it does. The blemishes sprout faster than they did pre-Differin; I'll feel one coming on in the morning, and by the time I go home after work, there it is in its pustulent glory. So I guess that's a good thing, since the zits rise and fall quickly. Additionally, when I do have a clogged pore, it clears up with just the lightest touch of pressure.

Still, it's frustrating that while the rest of my face is mostly clear and healthy-looking, the chin is like a little oil field. Part of the problem is due to hormones, I'm sure. And I could probably be more consistent with my exfoliation schedule. I'm going to remember to exfoliate the chin every other day, and maybe this will improve things. Plus, I've been using my Zeno Pro in hopes that it will help kill some of the acne bacteria. I'll give it some more time and let you know how it goes.

The Best of Bella, 10/21

BellaSugar — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:00:58 -0700

I love my Zeno. Find out why.
Don't miss any of these Breast Cancer Awareness products.
M is for marvelous. M is for musical. M is for Madonna, this week's Bella Donna.
Speaking of donnas: Tour the world of Italian beauty.
Trend alert: gunmetal nails!
Carmen Electra got a bang-up new haircut. As did Miss Kate Moss.
So pretty! MAC's showing off its holiday collection.
Hey, it's a new nomination for the Lousy Products Hall of Fame!
Are you a beauty snob? (It can be our little secret.)

Tuesday Giveaway! Sephora Bronzer Brush

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:30:48 -0700

We're teaming with Sephora to celebrate the Best of Sephora. Sephora's clients have voted and now we reveal the results of what they thought were the best products. Each day represents a different best-of category from concealer to shampoo, eye treatment to tools. Congratulations to all of the brands!

Today's winners are all tools. In first place is one of Sephora's own tools, the Bronzer Brush. Made of high grade goat hair, it allows easy and even application. Other top tools include T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer, Zeno Pro Acne Clearing Device, Sephora Professional Mini Heated Lash Curler, and Clarisonic Skincare Brush.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, October 2, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to Lorelei Spirit, who won yesterday's giveaway for Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Pour Homme!