Dove SkinVitalizer

Face on. Face off.

Is it that simple? Even if it is, there are always excuses to make things easier. Like for example, skincare brushes designed to cleanse and exfoliate your face.

I thought about getting the Clarisonic skincare brush but opted to buy shoes instead. In my mind, cotton pads, cleansing milk and a bit of committment and technique work just as well.

But for $14.99 (compared to the $200 for the Clarisonic brush), the Dove SkinVitalizer is worth a try. I've been testing it for a week and so far so good. The cleansing pillows easily attach with the help of some velcro action - the textured side for gentle exfoliation and the other for a lathered face wash. After a rinse, it leaves your skin feeling surprisingly soft.

Since the SkinVitalizer is waterproof, you can take it with you in the shower. A click of a button turns on a massaging sensation. The combination of a gentle vibration, along with a tool that facilitates motion and a cleansing formula that removes makeup and grit - just screams easy.

Let's face it. Not all of us follow the perfect cleansing regimen. Exfoliating 2 to 3 times a week always turns into exfoliating when you remember. But day to day upkeep would help us less-than-perfect folk maintain good skin - not to say that you should use a cleansing brush exclusively, but daily gentle exfoliation goes a long way in invigorating your skin.

So for $14.99 you get the SkinVitalizer and 6 cleansing pillows. For $4.49, you can get a refill of 14.

I have to say, it was a blessing on Saturday after a night in Hollywood - you know, the part of the night when it's all about "face off."

As featured in this March issue of Allure magazine: