“New Year, New Me” Has Failed So Many Times, It’s Become a Meme.
And trust me, I can’t say I’ve been above the joke. Each year I make a resolution to find and follow a new skincare regimen, and each year I’m convinced that I’ll be able to keep up with some Youtuber’s complicated, 15-step routine.
Spoiler alert: I never do. So when I started seeing this tiny skincare wand from Solawave all over my TikTok and Instagram feeds, I was interested…and after seeing it championed by Jennifer Coolidge, I was definitely interested (no shame).
Apparently, this thing the size of a razor combines four distinct technologies into one compact, affordable tool. They have some shocking before and after photos on their website—but the whole thing seemed a liiiiittle too good to be true. I’ve been tricked by viral products enough times to be skeptical. I mean, it’s literally supposed to be a “magic wand.”
Nonetheless, I got my shot to test this baby out when I got it as a White Elephant gift from a friend. (Guess I wasn’t the only one scouring Skincare-Tok). I was still skeptical, but there it was, so I dove right in.
Professional Skincare, Stored in the Cabinet
Before I put this thing on my face, I wanted to learn more about it. So I did some digging and found out that Solawave basically combined an LED mask, jade roller, gua sha tool, and microcurrent therapy into a high-tech wand. The pencil-sized device combines the healing and rejuvenating benefits of four tools at once.
- Red light therapy boosts cell growth and stimulates collagen production by acting on the mitochondria in your body’s cells. The technology was initially developed by NASA for plant growth in space (which is objectively awesome).
- Microcurrent uses electrical current to stimulate the muscles and deeper layers of the skin, making it smooth, healthy, and tight. It’s like a pep-talk for your skin cells.
- Facial massages don’t just feel nice, they help eliminate fluid buildup and reduce puffiness and heaviness. Solawave does this with a gentle vibration.
- Therapeutic warmth promotes circulation in the face, which both feels good and primes the skin to better absorb hydrating products like serums.
I had actually heard a lot about red light therapy before Solawave. It’s a popular (and science-backed) treatment for reducing redness, acne, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. But the catch is that it’s expensive, and you have to do it regularly to actually benefit. The idea of consistent red light therapy from a one-time $149 wand was intriguing to say the least.
The Wand Checks Out—Time to Use It
When I held it in my hand, it felt sturdy but lightweight. The wand-head swiveled smoothly, and it automatically turned on and lit up when I pressed it to my face (which really did feel like magic).
I have to admit, it felt fantastic. It was nice and warm, and the vibration was soothing. As I stroked it across my face I could actually feel the muscles relax and watched the bags under my eyes lighten up for the first time since I had to start paying my own taxes.
Skincare is a process, so I never expect to notice changes right away. But with this wand I was seeing and feeling a difference in real time. After the recommended 5 minutes, my face had that post-facial firmness and glow that I love so much without having to spend money and time at the spa. It already felt like a game changer.
The Little Wand That Could
I love how compact and streamlined the Solawave process is. The wand genuinely holds its own with professional skin treatments. On top of that, I was able to avoid another 15-step routine, so now there’s now more space in my morning schedule and more space in my medicine cabinet.
Solawave suggests using the wand with an activating serum to double-down on the hydration and morning glow. You can use any serum you want, but their blue tansy and aloe formula feels so good that I’m planning to re-order it once I run out. It’s a really nice way to wake up—it de-puffs those early morning bags and gives me a jump-start to my day.
I even gave it its own cute little toothbrush holder in the cabinet. It lasted two weeks like that without having to charge it, and when it finally ran out of juice, it was as simple as plugging the USB cord into my phone’s charging block.
Playing the Long Game
After using the wand for a month, my skin looks brighter, smoother, and tighter—and my ever-present rosacea is noticeably less inflamed. It seemed like some fine lines on my forehead were fading too, so I checked the before-photo I took to see if I was imagining things. And wow, I definitely wasn’t.
I was pretty much sold from the get-go because of how relaxing the process is, but now I’m locked in. I’ve seen all I need to see to know that this wand talks the talk AND walks the walk, and I even ordered one for my friend to return the favor.
The results I saw in just one month were fantastic, but one of the best parts of the wand is that it plays the long game, too. Not only does it improve the appearance of your skin over time, but it also strengthens your skin against damage and signs of aging. I can’t wait to see what my skin looks like after a full year.
I Guess It’s a New Year, New Me After All…
The Solawave wand really is all it was cracked up to be. This year, I won’t have to be such a cynic come December 31st, because this simple tool is one routine I’ll be sticking to all year.
Mine was a gift (aka free), but compared to other high-tech tools, the price point can’t be beat at $149 for the wand or $181 with the serum. If you’re a skeptic on all things skincare like me, this is the perfect tool to try out. There’s a 30 day return-policy and free shipping, so there is literally zero commitment if you’re not seeing the results you want.
For real, I can’t recommend Solawave enough. If you want to improve your skin while streamlining your routine in the new year, this is one resolution that you’re definitely going to keep.