I am a hair and skincare devotee, so getting to try out the latest grooming gadgets is one of my favourite things about my job. I loved the Shark CryoGlow LED Mask when I reviewed it last December: would Shark’s newest beauty gadget – the FacialPro Glow be as effective? In simple terms the Shark FacialPro Glow is an at-home facial system that promises to extract, hydrate & de-puff, all in ten minutes. At $400/£300 isn’t cheap, but neither are in-salon facials. I was keen to see if it would clear my skin and give me that coveted glow you get after a salon visit…
Unboxing the Shark FacialPro Glow, I was initially a bit overwhelmed by how complicated it looked, with the device in three pieces, different attachments and two skincare products. I shouldn’t have worried though, as it’s a cinch to use – all the parts snap together with ease – and the instructions were the clearest I’ve encountered in a long time.
Using the Shark FacialPro Glow
Excited to see if it was the new hero in my skincare routine or destined to be another bathroom dust-gatherer, I got to work. After charging, following the instructions, I first used the DePuffi attachment with InstaHeat for four minutes, which on a cold day, was lovely and relaxing. This works to loosen any surface impurities before you get started.
The next step is applying the Derma Detox product on your face, waiting three minutes (hello, doom scrolling) and then you’re ready to exfoliate and extract. You simply fill the smallest chamber on the device with cold water, apply your chosen tip (there are wide and t-zone tops in both normal and sensitive) and then turn the FacialPro Glow on.
Next, you set an intensity level from the three available and glide over your face (there’s a handy diagram with the best directions for newbies) for three minutes, when it will automatically turn off. The sensation is that of something small sucking your skin as it goes, but it’s not uncomfortable and I have always used in on the highest intensity level. I was impressed that when you pause to switch tips the device remembers how long you’ve been going so you don’t overdo it. It feels precise and hassle-free to use.
Hydrating and refreshing skin is next. You fill the same small tank with the Hydro Infuse product, set your intensity level and use as before. The more you use it, the more intuitive it feels. You can feel your skin becoming more hydrated, which feels good.
To finish, Shark recommends adding the DePuffi attachment again, but this time using the InstaChill setting for four minutes, after applying your moisturiser. I found this effective for calming my skin and found it took away a lot of the initial redness I had after the home facial.
Does it really work?
After finishing my first weekly Glow Pro routine, I’d gone from slightly sceptical due to its intimidating complicated looks on unboxing, to a convert. It was easy and even relaxing to use (not as relaxing as lying down while a therapist does a facial though) and my skin felt great – super clean, tighter and generally refreshed. Any puffiness was gone and I was left with that same slightly red look you get after a salon facial.
Once you complete the weekly routine, you need to run a simple self-rinse cycle, but before you can do this you need to empty the larger of the two tanks and that’s when you can see it’s worked. The wastewater contains whatever was essential contaminating your skin – excess oil, dead surface skin cells, sebum, makeup and SPF. It’s not pretty to look at it, it might even make you feel a little queasy, but it does reinforce that it’s done its job.
My Shark FacialPro Glow verdict – 6 weeks on
Although I felt I was converted after first use, as it’s recommended to use the device weekly, I felt I should use for a decent amount of time before deciding if salon facials are a thing of the past for me. And? I’d still get one if I was on a spa break but other than that it’s just me and my Pro Glow routine. As wasn’t regular in getting facials before, using this every week has elevated my skincare routine significantly and my skin definitely feels clear and less congested in general. I look forward to using it and often use the DePuffi attachment in between, too.
I was pleased to see that replenishing the detox and infuse products needed won’t break the bank – you can buy both for £40. At $400 / £300, the Shark FacialPro Glow feels like an investment, but when you consider the average price for a facial is, in my experience, around £70, it’s a significantly cheaper way to clear, glowing skin. I’m recommending it to all my beauty-loving mates.
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