Our beauty editor put the quirky device to the test
If I received a dollar for every time I came across a beauty product that promised to sculpt my face, I’d be filthy rich. One product with such claims that caught my eye recently was the NuFACE Trinity - it’s an ergonomic hand-held skin toning device. This microcurrent treatment encourages the development of collagen and elastin in skin, which directly correlates to altering the structure of facial muscles. It's a facial stimulation device, if you will. Could this device be too good to be true? I road-tested it for two months - here are my thoughts:
1 / The device is multifunctional
With the facial toning device being quite an investment, you really want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your purchase. What I really like about the NuFACE Trinity is that it comes with the Facial Trainer attachment (it looks like two silver rounded bulbs) that can improve the contours of your face, but there are also other attachments you can purchase to address additional skin issues. I’ve also got the Wrinkle Reducer attachment, which features 32 LED lights in red and infrared to target fine lines. I use both attachments almost every night.
NuFACE Trinity
NuFACE Wrinkle Reducer
2 / The process is straightforward
If you’re using the Toning attachment, it’s recommended to apply a thick layer of Gel Primer (which comes with your purchase of the device) before touching the Trinity to your skin. The primer is really important in the grand scheme of things: it’s rich in hyaluronic acid to hydrate the surface, it helps provide enough slip for the device to move freely over your face, and an application of Primer actually improves the flow of microcurrents through your skin and into your muscles, which directly impacts your results. However, you don’t need any Primer if you’re using the Wrinkle Reducer attachment.
3 / The device is really easy to use
When it comes to using an at-home beauty device, I believe that it has to be a cinch to operate and shouldn’t interfere too much with your regular skin care routine. The NuFACE Trinity ticks these boxes with superb results - you just need to press a button to turn the device on or off, and it takes only a few minutes to use every night. Cleaning the skin care device was pretty easy as well - a tissue or soft cloth is all you need to wipe off any excess NuFACE primer from the device. As for charging up the device, you just have to pop the NuFACE Trinity facial toning device back on its charging cradle, which is connected to a power adaptor, and that's it.
4 / Each treatment process is quite short
One of the best things about using the NuFACE Trinity is that it’s quick to use from start to finish. If you’re using the NuFACE Trinity Facial Trainer attachment, the process only takes about five minutes at a time.
As for the Wrinkle Reducer attachment that targets fine lines, the brand recommends that you divide your face up into seven treatment zones (your forehead, your temples, your two cheeks, and under each corner of your mouth), and focus on each area for three minutes. When your three minutes is up, the device beeps so you know to move on to the next area of your face. I felt like I needed to spend a bit more time on larger surface areas of the face such as my cheeks, but only for a couple more minutes.
Because the Wrinkle Reducer attachment only works when there’s direct contact with your skin, I’ve now figured out a way to lie in bed with my laptop and rest the device against my face without holding it with my hands! I’ve even fallen asleep a few times during this process…there’s just something about the warmth of the Trinity Wrinkle Reducer attachment that makes your eyes glaze over after a long day.
The only negative to using the NuFACE Trinity - if this can even be counted as one - is that it takes dedication to see serious results. While you will see a slight improvement in your facial contours after one use, you will see much more dramatic results after long-term use. This is definitely where the saying ‘good things come to those who wait’ comes into play.
The brand recommends usage of the Facial Trainer attachment for up to five minutes per day, used five times a week for the first 60 days. After 60 days, you only need to use the device two to three times a week to maintain results. To keep up with this recommendation, my suggestion is to diary date yourself and actually commit to the treatment plan. My other top tip: Leave the device by your coffee table to use when you’re watching TV so you won’t fall out of the routine.
5 / The results are noticeable
With so many skin care products carrying big claims about what they can do, I’m always skeptical. Will the product actually work? And most importantly… is it worth the investment? Well, I think this photo sums up my answer:
On the left side of the image is my face au naturel. On the right side, I used the Facial Trainer attachment for just a few minutes. The right side looks so much plumper, my skin looks glowier, and my cheekbones look more shapely and contoured, don’t you think? It's like I've had a facial lift, and that’s just from a single treatment! I didn't notice a dramatic improvement in the appearance of fine lines, but it wasn't a big concern I had in the first place.
Overall, I’m beyond happy with my results and will definitely continue to use the device and both of the interchangeable treatment attachments. I’m also going to look into another attachment called the ELE, which features a two-pronged design that aims to improve the delicate areas around the eyes and lips. Now that I've seen positive results from the NuFACE Trinity, I'm also looking forward to trying the NuFACE NuBody, which is the first FDA-cleared at-home microcurrent body toning device that works to target uneven texture and smooth dimples in the skin.
Does this NuFACE device replace the need to book in for professional treatments like facials? I don’t think so, as they’re completely different experiences. But one thing’s for sure - this device is really convenient, super easy to slot into your skin care routine each night, and one that you should definitely add to your wish list.
Have you tried the NuFACE Trinity before? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.
Main image credit: Sevak Babakhani
Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.
