Her GadgetMatch

Foreo Luna fofo review: How does a smart cleansing brush add to your skincare routine?

Yes, I actually tried it for a week

Published

May 15, 2019

Isa Rodriguez

Call me a caveman but a cleansing brush has never been part of my skincare routine. Granted, I’m relatively new to the skincare game. (Only around a year in, a habit brought about by the sudden onslaught of adult acne.)

I’ve always been curious about these devices but my sensitive skin kept me from trying one. I was scared that it might bring about a bad reaction like other supposedly mild cleansers that didn’t mesh well with my skin type have.

But, dear reader, life as a tech reviewer entails risks so in the interest of public knowledge, I decided to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, when I go in, I go all in — not only am I trying out a cleansing brush, I’m trying out a smart one. For science!

Introductions

This cute thing is the Foreo Luna fofo. It might seem like your typical toy but a plaything it is not.

On one side are silicone bristles, this is the side that touches your face when you cleanse. The tiny puck also vibrates as you use it — T-sonic pulsations that help cleanse and massage your face.

The cute backside isn’t just for show. Those two “eyes” are gold-plated sensors, the things that will scan and actually analyze your skin.

It’s honestly so simple, it’s dumbfounding. You connect the Luna fofo to the Foreo app, follow the instructions which will ask you to place the sensors on four areas of your face (right cheek, left cheek, forehead, nose) for a few seconds, and the app will tell you your skin score.

More importantly, based on this info, the Luna fofo will automatically sync a cleansing program tailored for your skin type.

Actual use

Pressing the power button on the Luna fofo starts up a cleansing session. You basically cover the four different areas you scanned with the fofo in light circular motions. The device will pause vibration to signify it’s time to move on to the next area.

Even without the phone or the app, the Luna fofo will work. It’s powered by actual batteries inside so you won’t really have to charge or do anything at least until after 400 uses (according to Foreo). This is honestly pretty convenient and it makes the Luna an ideal trip companion.

Of course, this isn’t an actual photo of me cleansing because posing with all that on my face would’ve been a bad idea for my skin, tbh

To use it, you need to wet your face and lather in that facial wash and you can proceed to actual use. For my skin type, I was advised to wash twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Each session takes a few minutes, not much longer than, say, just washing your face with your hands.

This is great because I can be lazy and it helps to know this extra step isn’t costing me more time. Rinse and repeat until you scan your face again and the Luna fofo recalibrates based on the newer info.

Me in my most vulnerable state: With only a raw face

It took me two washes to realize I was being a bit harsh on my face and that you need not brush the fofo on with a heavy hand. That lesson cost me a slightly raw face for a few days but nothing more. Light circular strokes after that worked out for me well.

There were also no pimple breakouts despite introducing a new thing into my routine which I thank heavens for. The Luna fofo also helped with exfoliating which is a definite weak point for me. I’m pretty sure I should work on this step more but this is a start.

Final thoughts

I loved what the Luna fofo is doing to my skin. After a week or so, I felt that my face was more nourished, fresher, and brighter. The tiny things I notice about my skin, most people rarely see. Granted, they don’t stare at my face as much as I do. (I really, really do because this skincare obsession is eating me alive.)

This time around, though, a friend actually commented on my skin and how good it looked; and mind you, it was a long-time guy friend (take note, he was a dude who knew nothing about beauty) who’s seen me in my worst skin moments so I felt it was a skincare victory that validated the Luna fofo.

Longtime friend and clueless about skincare bro CJ who said my skin looked 👌🏽

My ultimate skin goal is to be able to prance around sans foundation (which I have been doing anyway) and have flawless skin. The Foreo Luna fofo is not some miracle device that will give you that but it is definitely moving me towards the same direction — that and my arduous skincare routine, that is.

Off to an event with a fresh face: Just sunscreen, my brows, and lipstick

One of the best features of the Luna fofo is one you barely notice: The sensors and its smart capabilities. Imagine what damage I could’ve done but didn’t precisely because of this feature. Just the pressure of holding the device to my face alone, I miscalculated — imagine what I could’ve done had I needed to choose pulsation strength instead or brushing duration. Point is, the fofo knew better and here I am reaping the results.

Accessories

Dyson Airstrait: Hair straightening with air, not heat

Less heat, less damage

Published

March 27, 2024

Her

People may now straighten hair without worrying about heat damage. Dyson has launched the new Dyson Airstrait hair straightener, ushering a new era in hair straightening. As the product name suggests, this innovative tool introduces a new way to straighten hair using just air.

The Airstrait has a simple wet-to-dry straightening process. Airflow is accelerated through the two arms’ 1.5mm openings, creating a high-velocity downward blade of air at a specific angle. This creates a controlled downward force to straighten hair simultaneously as it dries.

With the tool, stylers can achieve a naturally straight and shiny finish that maintains the hair’s strength and healthy look. The Airstrait also speeds the process up by about 25%. What’s best is there is no heat damage, unlike traditional straighteners.

Designed for multiple hair types

The Airstrait runs on a specifically-engineered Hyperdymium motor, a 13-blade impeller that spins up to 106,000rpm and generates 3.5kPa of pressure. Like Dyson’s hair care range, the Airstrait features intelligent heat control that measures the airflow’s temperature to ensure there is no damage.

Users may switch between two styling modes: Wet and Dry. The Wet and Dry modes are pre-set with specific heat and airflow combinations for the best results. A Cool mode is also available to set the style. Moreover, the airflow control has two speed settings, low and high. Drying, meanwhile, can be set to cold shot or root drying.

The science

Dyson has constantly invested a lot financially in research and technology development to craft innovative products in its specific industry. In creating the Airstrait, Dyson engineers studied every detail, from airflow dynamics to hair structure. They also considered thermal, mechanical, and chemical damage and their effects to hair health.

In the end, the Airstrait works based on one key principle. In styling hair to a new shape, hydrogen bonds from each hair strand are broken down. Traditionally, this is done through heat or moisture. But Dyson came up with a tool that just lets water weaken the hydrogen bonds, and then style hair with the optimum level of heat and controlled airflow.

Price, availability

The Dyson Airstrait is available starting April 16 in two colorways: Bright Nickel/Rich Copper and Prussian Blue/Rich Copper. It is priced at PhP 33,900.

Those interested in preordering may already do using this link: Dyson Airstrait

Her GadgetMatch

Filipina who created Window Garden joins Google Play program

More indie games to come?

Published

March 24, 2024

Her

Filipina-owned CLOVER-FI Games is taking the next step to build more accessible mobile games through Google Play. One-woman developer and publisher Camilla Santiago is representing the country at Google Play’s Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program this year.

Her CLOVER-FI Games studio is behind hit local game Window Garden. The idle game lets players plant and decorate their own virtual indoor garden while relaxing in chill vibes, lo-fi music, and a cottagecore aesthetic. It was released in October 2021, back when Santiago learned app development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Windows Garden has since amassed a million downloads. In almost three years, it has been received well by gamers with a 4.7 rating based on more than 8,200 reviews.

Google Play IGA

The Google Play IGA is a 10-week course designed for high-potential indie game studios. The program allows these startups to access the best of Google’s programs, products, people, and technology to be able to build and improve a successful organization.

The last Philippine representative in the program was Ranida Games, which had created one-on-one fighting game Vita Fighters. Through IGA, the title received benefits, allowing the developers to improve it.

Like Ranida Games, Santiago’s CLOVER-FI Games is just getting started. Her studio’s goal is to ultimately create more cozy-themed games that are accessible to everyone through mobile platforms.

With the help of the IGA, Santiago will be equipped with the necessary skills and experience needed to create another potentially successful title just like Window Garden. We can only wait as she empowers Filipinas through her craft.

Her GadgetMatch

Dyson unveils ‘most intelligent hair dryer’ yet

The Supersonic Nural

Published

March 18, 2024

Her

During its global launch event in Seoul, South Korea, Dyson has unveiled its “most intelligent hair dryer” yet: The Dyson Supersonic Nural.

The styling tool harnesses Dyson’s new automatic Nural sensor technology to protect scalp health and enhance hair’s natural shine.

One of the Dyson Supersonic Nural’s key features is a Scalp protect mode which is activated by the Nural sensors.

This automatically reduces the dryer’s heat as it nears a person’s head, protecting the scalp from damage. The process is done by having the sensors recognize when the dryer is already nearing the person’s head.

In addition, the Supersonic Nural’s LED light automatically changes under Scalp mode, depending on the distance from the head. Users will see yellow for low heat, orange for medium heat, and red for high heat, for convenient usage.

Moreover, the tool intelligently remembers your last used heat and airflow settings and will apply them the next time it is in use.

Price, availability

The Dyson Supersonic Nural comes in two color palettes: Ceramic Patina and Topaz or Vinca Blue and Topaz.

The entire package will come with five attachments, including two new ones: