Sunday, September 11, 2011

Review: Hitachi NC-550 Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine

About a month ago, I bought this Face Ion Cleansing device online.  It's a Japanese invention that's supposedly using charged ions to attract the debris / dirt on your face and in your pores.  I read reviews on a few beauty blogs and they all showed how this device works really well, so I decided to give it a shot.  Now I've been using this for a month - almost everyday, so I think it's about time to do a review.

Application:
I place a cotton pad in the slot, close the device and pour some toner on the cotton pad.  There is a white "Power" button that turns it on and has 4 intensity settings controlled by the gray button - from level 1 to 4, where 4 is the highest intensity.  I use level 4 as I find level 1 doesn't clean as well.  It has two metal plates that my hand has to make contact with when using the device, they're located on the sides.  Then in slow, circular motion, I move it around my entire face.  I tend to concentrate it around my nose.  After 3 minutes, the device auto-shuts off.  During the whole process of face cleansing, the device makes no sound to indicate it's doing its job.  The device makes beeping noises to let you know 3 mins is up.

Packaging:
It uses 2 AAA batteries.  It doesn't have the "hi-tech" packaging look.  It's very light-weighted.  Mine came in a box but I've seen ones that are sold in plastic cover.  Mine is pink but Hitachi also makes them in white and brown.  The online shop I bought it from, Cosme-de.com, only sells it in pink.  Sadly the packaging of the box and the instruction manual are all in Japanese.  Some English in there would have helped a lot.



Cost:
$70.20 USD (After 10% PayPal member discount; usually $78 USD @Cosme-de.com)

Thoughts / Results:
With or without using my Clarisonic Classic and a facial cleanser, before using this Hitachi Ion Cleansing Machine, I find a noticeable amount of debris/dirt on my cotton pad.  There's less dirt on the cotton pad after using my Clarisonic but visibly some debris on there.  I still haven't grasp the idea why Hitachi had to make 4 different intensity levels, since I find level 4 seems to be the best at deep cleansing, but I'll figure that out someday.
Clarisonic Classic + facial cleanser + Hitachi Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine
Facial cleanser + Hitachi Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine
One thing I don't like about this machine is the use of AAA batteries.  Supposedly, the batteries are to last 10 months, assuming I use the machine 3 mins per day.  I wish it wasn't using batteries but rather be a rechargeable portable machine.  It'd be easier that way, in case I didn't have AAA batteries lying around in the house.  If it were to use a rechargeable built-in battery, it could probably take less than 3 mins to achieve either the same or better results.
This machine is not abrasive on the face at all.  Although I think some improvements are needed, this is a genius invention.  It just further preps my skin for moisturizing and better absorption of my moisturizing products.  Though the price may be a turn-off but it still costs less than a Clarisonic.
I haven't seem many online shops that sell this product.  In case you want to know, I've checked eBay, Mihoko Shop and Rakuten carry this machine.

Product: Hitachi NC-550 Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Deep cleans my face using a non-abrasive method
- Light-weighted

Cons:
- Takes 3 mins, not a good feature as that's time-consuming (trust me, 3 mins will seem a long time)
- Uses AAA batteries
- Price is a turn-off

4 comments:

  1. This sounds really interesting and I'm glad you did a review on it since it's not very "popular". I'm so skeptical about machines though. I know they work for a lot of people, but I'm one of the few whom the clairsonic didn't work out so well for me. But this one seems LESS abrasive so it's kinda nice. Thanks for the review I may try this out one day!

    Practice, practice, practice on the lashes! I also watched a quite a few lash videos just to find different methods on how to place the lash. You can do it! (:

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  2. @Loren: Ya this isn't popular at all. I wonder why though because most Made-in-Japan products work really well.

    And about the lashes, I'm going to have to pick up on that again *sigh* ... :S

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  3. I ordered for Hitachi "Hada Crie" with Canadian/ US specification. It was a good deal considering the shipping was free. I got it from Japan Trendy Mall for just 16000 yen. It has the complete steps for deep cleansing. It has a rechargeable battery and it is very light. You can take it on your travel pack. This super gadget is also made in Japan.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @spdeilami: Looks like a better alternative to my battery-running Hitachi. If you're located in Canada, did you get taxed by Canadian customs?

    ReplyDelete

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