Microcurrent was buzzing on my radar (pun intended) since I got my first ever microcurrent facial at the Perricone MD store on Fourth street in Berkeley. There was a metallic ting in my mouth and then I emerged a mere 30 minutes later with my whole face lifted, flushed with health and glowing. I became an addict, begging packages as presents for any and all occasions. What was this magic voodoo that would instantly give me cheekbones, de-puff my eyes and light me up from within.

I soon learned that the first at home device had been approved, and endorsed by none other than her majesty Bobbi Brown, I set out to make the Nuface my own. I started with the baby one, the mini, which definitely worked but began to whimper into the silent night which is when I splurged on the trinity - the holy grail (pun intended again ba dum cha) of the Nuface ouevre which has a more powerful engine, a more complicated charger, a longer batter life and detachable heads. Including my favorite, the ELE which is specifically for my most problematic of facial woes, under eyes and marionette lines. 

But then a hot new chick came on the scene. The Ziip. She was sleek. She had programs I could access from my smart phone including ONE THAT TREATED ACNE, and a secret off the menu feature that plumps lips like crazy for about 8 hours. It used nanocurrents, which is something entirely different from microcurrents in ways I would later learn to understand. So for the last month I have diligently been using both, making detailed notes on the differences, to come to you with this, the definitive guide to which device to invest in,  because it is in fact an investment. 
But first, a little bit of science explaining how it works form my gurus at Into the Gloss:
Two wands, negative and positive, and electrical current running between—exponentially less than could even power a light bulb. Put both wands on your face, and electrical current flows through the skin and facial muscle, causing not so much a contraction as a tightening.

I think of it as nothing so much as pilates for the face - tightening the underlying muscles through repetitive exercise to tone and tighten. Microcurrent also helps the absorption of skincare ingredients, as a bonus, and can increase blood flow which is what leaves behind that glow. Over time and with consistent use you build up perky muscles (think lunges and those other cheeks) while also stimulating collagen production, flushing out toxins through improved circulation. An important thing to note, microcurrent master Joanna Vargas told ITG, "“The point of microcurrent isn't to erase lines in the same way fillers and Botox do. Microcurrent is awesome for lifting the muscle and de-puffing the face,”she explains, along with fluid-draining and contour-enhancing side effects.


Speaking from my own results though, I would liken them to something spectacular. I notice my cheeks more chiseled and defined and plumper when I use the Nuface. Since I added the ElE attachment into the mix the lines around my mouth are much less defined than even when I tried out fillers. The bags under my eyes are slowly receding to an acceptable human level. 

Nuface with ELE attachment
And when I use the Ziip my skin radiates plump, sexy healthy. My lips become two delicious lusty pillows. I glow with an internal radiance that no amount of highlighter could ever mimic. 
So behold, an indepth comparison of the two products.

Ziip


So for me, spoiled as  I am, I will probably keep using both. But how do you know which one is right for you? Fear not I have created a chart. 


Nuface vs. Ziip







 But we all know the proof is in the pudding, and all that, so I've also included  pictures of my face after using both of them. Not too bad if I do say so myself.