If you’re in the market for a ZIIP Halo, you’ll be joining some sparkling company. Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki and Jennifer Aniston are all said to be fans, and if their smooth and glowing complexions are anything to go by, you are about to make a sound investment.
The ZIIP Halo is fast becoming one of the best skincare devices of the market. The tool the brainchild of Melanie Simon, a Hollywood Aesthetician whose clients include Jennifer Aniston and Eva Mendes. This powerful beauty device has up to 26 waveforms and intensities to target different concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to acne, dull skin and puffiness. It effectively bridges the gap between expensive salon treatments and at-home skincare.
What sets the ZIIP Halo apart is the powerful combination of microcurrents, which cause the muscles to contract and relax, providing an immediate lift - and nanocurrent, tiny waveforms that stimulate collagen production and regenerate skin on a cellular level to deliver lasting anti-ageing results. As Melanie explains, "I always say micro gives me results right this second, nano gives me results later 1-2 days later. The results will cumulatively build and last." In trials, 100% of testers experienced an improvement in skin elasticity after six weeks.
All of this sounds ideal for me and my increasingly lax skin. I’m already partial to the best red light therapy devices, but as I age, I’m looking for something to really tighten and tone my skin. I’ve been using this nifty number three or four times a week for the last month to boost my facial fitness. So, is this skinvestment worth it?
Our Beauty Editor's Full ZIIP Halo review
ZIIP Halo specifications
- RRP: £379
- Charging input: USB
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimensions: 29mm x 50mm x 99mm
- Weight: 67.5g
- Default programme time: 4 minutes
My first impressions of the ZIIP Halo
When my ZIIP Halo arrived, I experienced the same rush of excitement you get unboxing a new phone. It had that same Apple slickness - neat, perfectly-packaged, with the obligatory USB charging cable, instruction manual and in this case, a bottle of conductive gel. The device itself is amazingly light in hand - it weighs a lot less than my phone and is half its length. The design is refreshingly simple. No LCD display, no NASA-level interface - just two silver nodules protruding from a gently curved body, which fits perfectly in the palm of my hand.
The device came ready charged so I immediately switched it on via the central power button, and was greeted by a few flashing lights, a buzz and a beep. Once you place both globes on your skin (pre-treated with conductive gel, of course), the device automatically kicks into gear to begin the pre-programmed 4-minute ‘the lift’ treatment.
How does the ZIIP Halo perform?
The ZIIP Halo will only work with a conductive serum or gel. Of course, ZIIP advocates pairing with its own Electric Complex Conductive Gel. They’d be silly not to. The instructions say to apply between 4 and 8 pumps to the face. I started with 8 and it was way too much for me. I looked like a melting wax figure. 4 pumps suited me better - it gives me more than enough slip and slide to glide the device across my skin, and means I won’t have to splash out for a new bottle quite so soon.
The first time I used the ZIIP Halo did feel a little peculiar. Moving it around my mouth made my teeth feel like they were vibrating and across my forehead caused my hair to twitch. My husband found my subsequent squeals so amusing he decided to film it. I won’t be sharing that content. That being said, it’s never felt remotely painful or uncomfortable, just strange in the same way that knocking your funny bone feels a bit weird. By session two, I was a pro. It’s as if my face muscles had already acclimated to the sub-surface contractions.
After turning on the device, you glide it up and out; a gentle buzz dictates when you move up to the next section and after two minutes, a beep signals to switch to the other side of the face. It turns off automatically when you’re done and you can go about your day, firmer and glowier.
After a few treatments using the standard pre-programmed lifting treatment, I decided to explore the ZIIP app for targeted treatments I could tag on as a finale. There are so many to choose from - jowl-definition, brow-lifting, eye-brightening, cheek-contouring - each designed with a unique waveform combination. Every facial comes with a demo video so that you can follow along. The latest treatment is for lips, designed to boost circulation and enhance fullness, which I have now used a few times. I’m not sure I can profess to having an Angelina pout but it’s a very pleasant add-on indeed.
P.S. A note on the battery life. I’ve been using the ZIIP Halo three or four times a week for the past month and it's still going. Top marks from this lazy charger.
How does the ZIIP Halo compare to other microcurrents?
There are a myriad of microcurrent devices on the market. I used the Nuface Mini many moons ago - a facial-toning microcurrent device that retails at about half the price of the ZIIP Halo. Honestly, I don’t remember much about it, and it didn’t make much of an impression on the look and feel of my skin. The curve of the ZIIP Halo offers much more control over the recommended ‘up and out’ movements than the Nuface Mini. And unlike other microcurrent devices on the market, the ZIIP Halo boasts nanocurrent technology, which provides a one-two punch on lax, lacklustre skin - microcurrents stimulating the muscles for an instant lifting and toning effect; nanocurrent waveforms rejuvenating skin on a cellular level for cumulative, long-term results.
When it comes to seeing visible results, whether that comes from a beauty supplement, topical cream or high-tech device, the key is consistency. With this in mind, I suppose the biggest indicator in how the ZIIP Halo compares to other devices on the market is the fact I’ve kept up with it consistently for the last 3 or 4 weeks. It’s easy to slot into my routine, and I look forward to using it. I’m excited to see how the long-term nanocurrent effects start to improve my lines and wrinkles.
There are a few things to note when using the ZIIP Halo. If you use a light therapy device, do this first, then follow up with your ZIIP. Active ingredients like retinoids and the best vitamin C serums are absolutely fine to use in tandem with the device but Melanie recommends applying them after you've completed your ZIIP Halo session and rinsed the gel off.
Should you buy the Ziip Halo?
If you want a treatment that’s going to slot easily into your regime to gently improve your skin, then yes, you should buy this tool. I’m approaching 40, and starting to see things heading southwards - Zoom calls do not shine a favourable light on my laughter lines! Melanie says it’s a tool for “anyone and everyone - any skin concern and any goal can be achieved.” One of her clients who has been using her own Ziip for years is in her mid-90s. I definitely think it’s a tool that’s going to benefit those in their 40s and upwards most.
I’ve been using it for almost a month now and have noticed a subtle but visible difference in the tightness of my own skin, and just knowing my face is enjoying the added rejuvenative benefits of nanocurrent is a big bonus, and one that I will hopefully start to reap the rewards of visibly in the coming weeks and months.
