Ok, ok, so I wouldn't exactly call the Clarisonic Skin Brush "news-y." After all, this is the same gadget that sold out across the country for months after being featured as one of the The Big O's Favorite Things last year. But since I'm always looking for the next miracle for my skin, I recently took this beauty gadget for a test drive.

Clarisonic is billed as the first sonic skin-cleansing brush, using technology similar to the Sonicare® toothbrush - no coincidence as it was developed by the same inventor. The company claims that using the brush is twice as effective as cleansing by hand, increases product absorption and leaves skin feeling and looking smoother.

So, how does the Clarisonic feel, and more importantly, work? Well, simply wet your skin and the brush head and then put a dab of gentle cleanser (the brush comes with an accompanying one, but I wasn't a fan. You can use any as long as there are no exfoliating bits) on the brush. Hit the button and the Clarisonic goes through a one-minute cleaning cycle, complete with beeps that alert you when to switch from your forehead to chin to cheeks.

While the gentle oscillating bristle head did leave my sensitive skin a tiny bit red, it was also quite soft (next time, I'll try the sensitive head). And my skin did feel cleaner with my pores looking a bit smaller after several days of use. I'm not certain if the Clarisonic really increases product absorption, however, I will say that it seems possible and I'm looking forward to continued use.

Get your own for $195 at Bliss - they even have a cute edition in their own signature blue!