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Full disclosure: I am typically a complete lunatic about my skin right now. Even when nothing special is going on, I’m crazy vigilant about taking care of my skin because I’m plagued by both breakouts and fine lines, both of which tend to crop up if I slack on my routine for even a second (oh, the joys of being in my 30s).
On top of my own natural-born insanity, I’ve also written about the beauty world since the early ’00s—first at ELLE, and then later for this fine publication—so I’ve had access to all of the industry’s thought leaders, skin whisperers, and best skincare brands in the world. The result of all that work is I tend to be really, really, really picky about what I recommend and what I stand behind, and positively evangelistic when I find something new that I think is actually worth investing in.
Speaking of which, I recently became obsessed with something, and I think you should be obsessed with it too. The object of my affection? Nurse Jamie’s Instant Uplift Facial Firming Beauty Tool ($69), a facial beauty roller designed to improve skin tone and give you that coveted, youthful glow.
Keep scrolling to read my review!
Instant Uplift Facial Firming Beauty Tool
Best for: All skin types
Uses: Improves skin tone, decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Star Rating: 5/5
Potential allergens: None
Price: $69
About the brand: Nurse Jamie is a celebrity skincare professional and registered nurse who turned her passion for beauty into a thriving spa in Santa Monica, California. Her eponymous skincare line uses science and state-of-the-art ingredients to create solutions for all skin types.
The Design: Bedazzled, but in a good way
The Nurse Jamie Instant Uplift Tool looks a bit like a short, bedazzled, medieval wand that wouldn’t be out of place on the set of Labyrinth, thanks to its purple hue and the 24 tourmaline stones embedded in the facial massaging end. (This description is a compliment, BTW). The stones and the way the wand moves apparently mimics Nurse Jamie’s signature facial massage techniques, and this makes sense. Facial massage is unquestionably a great thing; it can do wonders for your skin, as it stimulates blood circulation, helps de-puffs your face through lymphatic drainage, and the end result of all of this is a glowy complexion.
The Feel: Lightweight and comfy
If you ever used a facial roller in the past, this one doesn't feel all that different to be honest. It glides smoothly across the skin and doesn't tug or pull. It's lightweight and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, which makes it easy to roll for the duration of your session. The massaging stones feel really good on the areas where I keep tension (aka my jawline).
How to Use: Easy as 1-2-3
Using the tool is super simple: You just roll it—primarily in uplifting, single-direction strokes—along your cheeks, jawline, forehead, and even your neck for 10 minutes a day.
Now that might sound like a lot of time to dedicate to rolling your face, but it honestly flies by if you’re watching TV or reading. And that’s the beauty of it; it doesn’t require any additional products or electrical outlets, you simply have to dedicate a few minutes to it. You can even use it over a sheet mask or with your favorite facial oil or serum.
To clean, simply wipe with rubbing alcohol. Avoid vigorously rubbing or using harsh soaps, as some users have noted this has caused the stones to fall out.
The Results: Perky skin ahead
The best thing about the Uplift though, is not how easy it is to use or how much of a visible difference it makes in your skin’s tautness and radiance (it does both), it’s the fact that it can be used for so many things. Right now, I’m using it primarily on my neck and jawline because I clench my teeth, and all that clenching has led me to build up my neck muscles in a way that’s more befitting of a ’70s-era Schwarzenegger rather than sleek and soigné. It’s helping to relax and smooth those neck muscles and carve out the defined jawline that I desire so deeply.
But it’s equally great at perking up sagging cheeks or jowls, lifting eyebrows and the forehead area, and just generally bringing life back into jet-lagged, allergy-prone, or simply not-so-perky skin. And are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yep, it’s really good at making your hungover face look fresh. Though I am rarely over-served, I did happen to have an overly dirty martini recently, which resulted in me waking up with puffy eyes and drab skin. I grabbed my Uplift and rolled out the area under my eyes, as well as my cheeks and the rest of my face, while reading the newspaper and making coffee. By the time I headed to the shower, I was delighted to see that my booze face was gone—or at least remarkably improved—unlike my headache. Glorious.
Uplift is not only reserved for facial maintenance but also damage control. It can make tired-looking skin look fresh again, especially after a sleepless night or one where you may have imbibed too much.
All I know is this: One of my best friends popped by the other night unexpectedly, just after I’d finished my Uplift routine. Said friend—the one and only Joey Maalouf—happens to work in the industry, and knows a thing or two about skin. In the middle of our conversation, he suddenly stopped talking, looked at me, and said: “I don’t know what you’re doing, but your skin is insane right now. It’s literally never looked better.” Yes, he’s my friend, but trust me when I say he is not blowing smoke on this matter. As friends who also work together on a regular basis, he’s seen my skin up close and personal for the last six years, and he really knows what it is capable of (both the joys and the horrors).
The Value: Affordable and 100 percent worth it
Facial tools tend to be incredibly expensive, and while professional treatments are always the way to go, they also tend to be pricey AF. The Uplift is priced at $69, which is pretty affordable as far as skincare tools go. And because it's a multi-use product, I'm getting way more bang for my buck than your average one-trick skincare tool. Even better, the product doesn't require any batteries or fussy extras, doesn't need to be charged, and is small enough to take with you if you're traveling or staying overnight at a friend's place.
Similar Products: You have options
Beauty Bio Contouring + Depuffing Rose Quartz Roller: Made from 100 percent Brazilian rose quartz (and priced similarly to the Uplift at $60), this facial roller decreases puffiness and increases lymphatic drainage. For an extra special treat, you can place in your freezer for 10 minutes and then roll.
Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar: If you're looking for a bit of luxury in your life, this massaging bar fits the bill. Made from 24 karat gold, it's $195 and uses the power of sonic vibrations to relax facial muscles and release tension.
Our Verdict
So very short story long, this is my point: If you want brighter, perkier, and fresher-looking skin, I highly recommend getting an Uplift. You can roll your jawline, jowls, neck, chin, cheeks and cheekbones, forehead, brows, and do even a little under-eye work, any and all of which will improve your skin. It’s legit genius, and I’m obsessed with it. Period.
Oh, and PS, Khloé Kardashian loves it, too—she says it’s “literally my magic wand of beauty” for making her “jaw and neck look sharper and firmer instantly”—and she knows stuff about things. So if you don’t want to take my word for it, take hers. Either way, you’ll be #skingoals ASAP.