NuFace Reviews: Why Vogue Editors Love This Device to Lift, Firm, and Contour the Face and Neck

By Kiana Murden

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Few beauty tools are as revered as the NuFace. Anyone who spends time reading the slew of NuFace reviews that have been published since the coveted microcurrent treatment device burst onto the scene in 2005 will see a clear pattern: People rely on it to achieve enviable sculpting, toning, and contouring around the face and neck—or, nowadays, even the eye and lip.

In short, yes—the NuFace does really work. It's been described by many as a dessert-island must-have by industry insiders and editors alike. Vogue alum Steff Yotka previously said that despite her clean, minimalist approach to skin care, the one thing she can't give up is her NuFace. "It's a microcurrent tool that comes with a soothing gel to lift, firm, and tone. I find that a thrice-a-week regimen keeps my skin looking taut and glowy."

What's more, the device can be found everywhere—in the beauty bags of your favorite cosmetics enthusiasts, backstage at fashion shows, or from renowned estheticians prepping stars’ skin for the red carpet. Or, celebrities like Cynthia Erivo and Madelaine Petsch love it too—unveiling the tool in their beauty secrets installments. When Petsch walks us through her preferred treatment, we see the actor glide the tool seven times across her cheek and chin (at level medium), demonstrating the resulting sculpting effect along her cheekbone. The entire treatment is completed in minutes to produce visible benefits instantly. But how exactly does it work?

"Microcurrent uses low level electrical current to tone, tighten, and lift the muscles," explains Los Angeles-based esthetician to the stars Shani Darden. Tera Peterson, co-founder of NuFace, describes the technology as the "external battery that jumpstarts our cellular energy." As we age, the body's cellular frequency starts to slow down, so microcurrent helps our cells work at a healthy level. When you do use the device, it increases the tone of the muscle, the circulation and nutrients to the cells, creating a sort of domino effect. "It's lifting, toning, and contouring, and at the same time, the microcurrent is known to increase collagen and elastin as well," she says.

"It's essentially exercise for your facial muscles," says Darden. "It will retrain your facial muscles to stay in a more lifted position," She often pairs the technology with the likes of vibration therapy (thanks to her Facial Sculpting Wand), LED light therapy, and cryotherapy, to name a few. While we know the device to work well on its own, Peterson notes that it is the perfect supplement to in-office sculpting treatments, too.

Either way, you can expect instant lifting and toning for the desired face snatch beloved on TikTok. Specifically, according to Peterson, "it literally tightens everything up, contours the face, jawline, and cheekbone, as well as lifts the eyebrows." So, it's great to incorporate when you want to quickly quell morning puffiness, or look your best like before a date or big event. "These results are also cumulative," she continues. "The more you do NuFace, the better results you’re going to get." Over time with a recommended regimen of five minutes five times per week, skin should reveal diminished fine lines, reduced puffiness, smooth skin, defined jawlines, and lifted brows—just as the NuFace reviews depict. However, like most at-home or in-office treatments, these results are not permanent.

The tool works by simply sweeping the device several times upward and outward along the desired treatment areas (again, the cheek, jawline, forehead, and neck.) This year, the brand debuted upgraded models of its devices—introducing the Mini+ and Trinity+. While both devices feature the acclaimed portable microcurrent technology, the new versions provide enhanced treatment and toning capabilities. There's now even a NuFace app that can guide you through an assortment of treatments to achieve your desired results. Most importantly, the new models provide your choice of three different microcurrent frequencies, while the original models only offer one. There's Skin-Tightening Mode to blur fine lines and wrinkles, Instant-Lift Mode to lift and contour, and Pro-Toning Mode for a deep muscle treatment.

When considering which model to buy, look to the Mini variant for face shaping on-the-go—the new Mini+ is now available in a soft matte, waterproof finish. Then, rely on the Trinity device as your daily go-to, with the new Trinity+ offering a Boost button for additional microcurrent to targeted areas as well as interchangeable magnetic wrinkle-reducing and light therapy attachments (which will become available later this year). Just be sure to apply the included microcurrent conductor before using the NuFace device.

"Microcurrent is an amazing, non-invasive treatment that doesn't require any aftercare or downtime!" says Darden, though she cautions against it if you’ve recently had botox or filler. Always check with your trusted skin-care provider first! Otherwise, she details this ideal skin-care regimen incorporating the NuFace: cleanser, treatment, antioxidant serum in the day and retinol or exfoliant at night, hyaluronic acid, and eye cream. Be sure to use sunscreen every single day, and end with moisturizer at night. And there you have it: what looks like an at-home facelift and a youthful-looking complexion.