Beauty gadgets have revolutionised almost every aspect of our regimes, and there's now a clever device to aid almost any concern. When it comes to hairstyling, many of us have a whole toolkit of gadgets to hand, from hairdryers to hot brushes and straighteners, enabling a salon-worthy blow-dry. But this year it's in the skin arena where innovation has really been driven forward, with a host of clinic-born technologies entering our homes, from microcurrent to radiofrequency, and even laser light therapy.
Beauty gadgets, the Bazaar top five
- Best laser: Lyma Laser, £1999
- Best LED: Dermalux Flex, £1999
- Best microcurrent: Ziip Halo, £379
- Best radiofrequency: Déesse Pro Sculpta, £499
- Best facial steamer: Sarah Chapman Skinesis Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer, was £138, now £55
While a face serum or cream can work wonders on surface brightness and glow, a good beauty gadget can go deeper, bringing about results that bridge the gap between topicals and tweakments, all from the comfort of your own home. Personally, I'm beholden to my Lyma Laser for finally calming my reactive complexion, while Bazaar's beauty editor Medina Azaldin raves about her ZIIP Halo microcurrent device for lifting and contouring. Beauty writer Katie Withington looks forward to using her facial steamer after a long day. And the one to unite us all? A good LED face mask is a prerequisite in any beauty expert's stash: and happily, this particular category has undergone rapid development in the past year.
From an expert-formulated massage tool for better product penetration to slick steamers for deeply cleansed pores, these are the beauty devices we think are truly worth the investment.
The best beauty gadgets to invest in now
The Lyma Laser is often mistaken for a high-powered LED device, but the secret to its skin-rejuvenating powers actually lies in LLLT (that's low-level laser therapy) rather than traditional light therapy.
The only laser device on the market for at-home use, it features a central cold laser that penetrates past the skin barrier to switch the cells' rejuvenating processes on, leading to better collagen production, faster skin recovery, and even the treatment of issues such as rosacea, acne scars, pigmentation and (to a certain degree) thread veins.
The kit comes with the slick and weighty laser alongside the efficacy-boosting oxygen mist and priming serum, which bring a pampering element to the treatment. For the truly devoted, there's now the high-strength Lyma Pro to invest in, and the two-strong Lyma Skincare system (which is again, outrageously priced, but I can attest it's astonishingly good).
Dermalux is the name to know in the light-therapy realm – they're the brand your facialist likely uses – and the Flex is the gold standard in at-home LED devices.
Yes, it comes with a price tag to match, but this flexible canopy boasts serious strength, with 360 lights at precisely honed wavelengths that cover the entirely of your face and neck, emitting either red, blue or infrared light (or a combination of all three).
The pre-set treatments take 20 minutes, during which you'll need to be lying down, goggles on, which will either be a deal maker or breaker for you (I'm firmly the former). Of course, it's neither as portable nor as practical as a wearable LED mask, but the power is unrivalled. For those with a little time to spare (and a spare shelf in their cupboard), it's a stellar investment.
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A world-first, the ZIIP Halo is an app-controlled device that uses differing levels of electric current – both microcurrent and the lesser-used nanocurrent – to stimulate the muscles beneath the skin and encourage collagen production closer to the surface.
We love the four minute ‘Lift’ ritual, which has both instant and long-lasting smoothing and tightening effects.
Not just our go-to for advanced skincare, A-list favourite Sarah Chapman also makes some brilliant beauty gadgets. A slick take on a long-time favourite, this facial steamer emits nanoparticles of steam to penetrate the pores, softening the day's oil and grime so your skincare can really do its best work. Proof that devices don't have to be a labour of love, this is one you'll really look forward to switching on at the end of a long day.
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Déesse's latest innovation is one for those who like to jump straight in at the deep end. Pulling no punches in the effectivity stakes, this multifunctional tool combines EMS and LED with radiofrequency: a protocol relatively new to the at-home market.
The dual probes at one end deliver the EMS stimulation, working to grab the muscles round the eyes, cheeks and jaw to lift and tone them, while the opposite end administers hot radiofrequency that tightens the skin's collagen matrix.
Whichever function you choose, know that this device pulls no punches: the EMS is strong (to me, it was alarmingly so) and the radiofrequency does feel akin to that you'd receive in a clinic. Don't buy this one for the light therapy (there are much better devices for that) it's these two advanced, strikingly effective, settings that seal the deal.
Foreo's Bear facial sculpting device has amassed a dedicated and loyal following, and the brand has now expanded this range to tackle the larger surface area of the body.
Designed to target dimples, loose skin and cellulite, this ergonomic hand-held device fits neatly into the palm of your hand, allowing you to effortlessly sweep it over your body. It harnesses two types of microcurrent to stimulate and strengthen your muscles, tightening and firming the skin as you go. Its built in AntiShock System constantly tests and adjusts the level of microcurrent being delivered to your skin, meaning you won't be getting any nasty shocks, no pun intended.
Claims around cellulite can be pretty wishy-washy in the beauty industry, with 'anti-cellulite' creams promising to banish dimples and replace them with smoother skin (not possible, by the way). The Bear 2, however, has clinically proven results of improving skin tightness and firmness, so you can be sure you're investing in a device that will definitely deliver.
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This nifty facial sculpting tool acts on multiple skin concerns at once, making it a good entry-point gadget to try before levelling up to some of our more hi-tech picks. You'll find an option for either blue or red LED light, which helps to target acne and fine lines respectively. It also uses EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) to contract the facial muscles through electrical impulses, encouraging a more sculpted and toned appearance.
The added heat and vibration also make it a nice tool for massaging the skin and releasing facial tension, and its curved design makes it an ideal shape for using on both your neck and face.
Social media has been in a frenzy over this Hailey Bieber-approved skin device, but cutting through the noise, what does it actually do?
In short, it's a 6-in-1 skincare device hailing from South Korea, which already starts it off in good stead. It targets almost every conceivable skin concern with the use of microcurrent technology, EMS, electroporation, and electric needles, alongside five types of LED, making it one of the most comprehensive skincare gadgets on the market, sitting at an impressive mid-tier price point.
It's not surprising that many dermatologists and aestheticians have lauded the device and keep it on hand in their offices. We also love that this doesn't require an extra step in your routine — it works on top of your skincare so you don't have to use a separate conductor gel.
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Best for combined technologies
FAQ 103 Diamond RF Radio Frequency EMS & LED Device
The specialist skin-tech sister to Foreo, FAQ makes some of the best multi-tasking devices on the market. The 103 Diamond is the jewel in its crown, combining LED with radiofrequency and EMS technology to offer a host of treatments in one.
Impressively, this pen-style device emits eight different colours of LED light (although bear in mind you'l have to move it aross your face, whereas an LED mask treats the whole face at once). The radiofrequency and EMS settings are undeniably effective though: use them before a big day (or big night) to see a reduction in fine surface wrinkles and sharper contours along the cheeks and jawline.
Best LED mask
FAQ 202 Led Mask
Now 16% Off
The LED mask market has boomed in recent years, with stronger, sleeker models coming to the fore. One that stands at the front of the innovation is FAQ's 202 Mask, which is lighter and more comfortable than most, and also boasts an impressive array of treatment options.
The body of the mask is made from light and flexible silicone, so it's much more comfortable than the solid older models, and emits eight different wavelengths through 600 light points, including an intriguing green-light setting that research suggests can brighten hyperpigmentation.
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For the firming benefits of a radiofrequency facial at home, this handheld device heats the skin to 43 degrees, which studies have found to be the optimal temperature for collagen production. There's no pain, redness or downtime involved, and the results are satisfyingly swift: expect toned and taught skin, with an improvement in skin texture over time, too.
Using a very low level of electrical stimulus and a conductive gel, this toning tool uses microcurrent to stimulate, strengthen and lift the face. The device works on the muscles (rather than just the skin) to define your facial contours and tackle fine lines. Start with the daily five-minute programme to lift the brow or contour cheeks within weeks.
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An at-home alternative to FaceGym's renowned sculpting facials, this non-invasive tool promises a visible lift in as little as 10 minutes. Powered by patented EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) which is a deeper, more powerful version of microcurrent technology, it stimulates the muscles beneath the skin for a chiseled, contoured appearance.
As with all muscle-stimulating devices, we find the results to be instant but fleeting, unless you're diligent enough to use it frequently and consistently. That said, the satisfaction of emerging after 10 minutes with sharper cheekbones is hefty: a perfect device for party season.
Pep-up a lacklustre complexion in regular three-minute sessions with the assistance of 100 red and 62 blue LED lights. Developed by a leading dermatologist, the Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite is a coveted LED mask that's perfect for tackling skin concerns from fine party inflammation (and pre-party prep).
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Ideal for frequent travellers, this pocket-friendly device utilises red-light therapy for boosting collagen, mild microcurrents for firming and massage for better circulation, all in one pencil-sized component.
It's effortless to add to any existing skincare routine and is completely comfortable to use. Not to mention, it can be used around the eye area to target dark circles and de-puff. You won't get the kind of results to rival a clinic appointment here, but it is a lovely way to boost your morning routine away from home, especially after (and during) a long flight.
Braun's Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL Hair Removal Device claims to deliver permanent hair reduction in as little as four weeks. Although it can't be used on very light hair or dark skin, it does have the additional benefit of SensoAdapt technology that adapts to your skin tone for optimum safety. There are three settings, including 'extra gentle', to limit discomfort, too.
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Bypassing any endorsement deals, numerous A-listers count the Theraface Pro as a must-have in their personal regimes (the likes of Karlie Kloss, Maude Apatow and Sydney Sweeney have all told us how they use theirs). Why? The world’s first muscle-therapy device for the face offers so much more than tension-melting appeal; it also improves muscle tone and contour, while helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles aided by the various magnetic attachments that come with it. An excellent all-rounder.
A bikini trimmer is a utilitarian little gadget you'll likely end up using religiously. If you are a regular shaver, but find your usual razor leaves nicks and redness around your most sensitive areas, this one from Wilkinson is a great upgrade. It features a five-blade razor on one end, and a motorised trimmer that offers four different lengths on the other.
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Using various depths and strengths of calibrated LED, this high-tech tool works alongside potent pods of serum to offer tailored results, be it clarifying or brightening, tightening or unifying. It's as simple as selecting a program: lift, repair, brighten, purity or redness. Use it for three minutes a day for more luminous skin in under a month.
Bear in mind that each device comes accompanied with four serum pods: the rest you'll need to purchase separately.
This one is a multifaceted contouring device for toning, relieving tension and boosting the lymph system in one fell swoop. Developed by the cosmetic dermatologist Dr Vali, the Cutis uses the power of vibration to rival the results of an in-clinic facial without the need to ever leave your bathroom. It's especially good for working around your jawline, releasing tension and stiffness.