Here it is… my final Marvel Mini Review and Photos!
My final decree on the Marvel Mini Red (link to their site below, just click on the image link)…
is that if you have some minor firming and minimal fine lines, and don’t expect to see “surgical changes” in your skin… then you will be very happy with this at-home beauty tool. I sure am. It’s been worth every penny.
The minimization I’ve experienced in the redness on and around my nose has been significant and this is what I’ve seen the biggest improvement with. I’ve also seen a good increase in firmness, it seems like my skin is more supple, and there is a marked increase in all-over “glow” to my skin. I think there has been some reduction in pore size. Pores aren’t really a big issue for me. I have pores, we all have them. When you flash a camera on them, you can see mine.
I think that my pictures at weeks 1, 2 and 4.5 show a definite improvement, and I really feel much more confident showing my bare face… especially this last week! I also got my hair cut last week, returning to my signature bobbed haircut which I’ve worn most of my life. This is the most flattering haircut for my face shape and strong features, and I think that having the right haircut easily takes 5 years off!
I did a total of 18 Marvel Mini Red treatments over the course of 4.5 weeks. The treatment regimen was 4 treatments a week, but I fell asleep during a few of the treatments (I do the treatments after I tuck myself in at night and I then watch an episode of the Daily Show or the Colbert Report!). So, I added two treatments on to make a final total of 18.
I will continue to use the Marvel Mini Red at least 2-3 times a week and incorporate it as part of my beauty routine. According to the company, for best results, you should use it 4 times a week for the FIRST month. I’ve completed this protocol and am thrilled with the results, so I will continue using the Marvel Mini and hopefully continue seeing improvements to my skin!
I do have some advice for your use of the unit. Make sure you have a lot of slack in the cord when you use it. Pulling on the cord at all can dislodge it slightly when you are using it and have it beep loudly and entire reset your session. This is a definite annoyance because your session is based on a series of beeps that occur every 2.5 minutes, telling you to switch to a different part of your face. Also, purchase some little pre-wrapped alcohol pads to clean your unit with when you are done with it. You use the unit after you put your facial lotions and serums on, so it gets somewhat greasy. It needs to be cleaned off with alcohol to stay sanitary. Having little wipes (I keep these in my nightstand) handy makes this easy to do and prevents excuses (and alcohol spills).
Now, my photos. I still am using the same camera, so please bear with lens perspective issues. I have to set the camera on “macro” in order to take photos myself. These photos are on fill flash, like the ones 2 weeks ago- I’m trying to keep things consistent.
The Marvel Mini Red does not diminish melasma (so I am still trying to lighten my yaz/yasmin induced spots with a lightening product). The Marvel Mini Green is for lightening skin discolorations.
And oh yeah- I’ll be 38 in September. So I’m working hard to monopolize the youth I’m hanging on to!
Here are the links to my other Marvel Mini Red posts:
My Marvel-Mini Red Light Therapy just arrived…
Marvel-Mini Red Light Therapy- My First Treatment and BEFORE photos!
Marvel Mini Red: 1 week down, 3 to go…
Marvel Mini Week 2 Update & Photos (with and without makeup)
My 4 week Marvel Mini Red review… coming soon!
NOW, for Makeup!!!
(All from Aromaleigh Mineral Cosmetics, please do visit!)
And then, I ran off to put on my makeup. Today I chose to celebrate the colors of our Valentine’s Sweetheart Kit and some of the upcoming shades of the Gothic Lolita Eye collection…
On my eyes, I used Wonderland, Little Craving and Burnt Roses. I have Gothic Lolita Nourishing Color Creme in Melancholia on my lips (you all got me hooked, and you’re all right!!!). On my cheeks, a tiny bit of Gothic Lolita Rouge in Dolly. Glissade 1YL foundation, medium-beige cream concealer.
These photos were taken in the same place as my “before” photos except for when I decided to go outside and totally blind myself. But I like the contrast of the eye makeup with my skin, so I included those anyway.
Outside:
Thanks for reading! Have a great Saturday…
xoxo
Miss K
Kristen, I definitely see a difference in your skin. Thanks so much for the review and all the pix.
Totally love the makeup pix too! You look amazing. Like you’re in your twenties. Those colors are just gorgeous on you! Like the haircut too. Hope the henna is still working out for you.
I agree with Loida, those colors look great on you, and your hair looks very nice too! I can’t wait to see the whole line of Lolita colors.
Clarisonic + Marvel Mini= LOVE!
You girls are too sweet. I may have to post a few pictures so that you can see what I actually looked like in my actual twenties.
I love the henna so much Loida, I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to Surya and the shampoos/conditioners are just to die for. My hair is really growing back. I have tons of 1″ hair all over the place!!!!
I can’t wait to see all the lolita colors either… LOL I have to mix the rest of them now!
Have a great night ladies!
K
Wow definitely can see a difference! You look great with and without the makeup. I need one now lol
*Sigh*… I’m so disappointed — I was really rooting for you on the melasma front, since I have a bit of the same and am feeling cursed with from here on! I’d like to know more about the cream you’re trying… is it hydroquinone-free? (Or do you not fear this?) I *cannot* see this, btw — I’m only responding to your commentary on the melasma, not the photos.
BUT… I can totally see the other differences that you mention — especially with the redness — there is a definite clarity that appears to make this a very worthwhile endeavor… congratulations on that! Your no-makeup photos are really awesome, and — of course — the ones with are very nice, too.
Kristen,
Your skin looks great, definitely smoother and less redness!
I love your makeup photos too, you may have just sold me on Melancholia!
You have THE most gorgeous eyes. Thanks for posting such detailed reviews of this product that was sorely lacking reviews! It looks like you got some good improvement.
Your skin looks fab! and your lashes are AMAZING. Can you make fake lashes to look just like yours????
This product looks like it really works (it’s nice to get a really detailed review, thank you for your effort)!
I really like the way you applied the colours on your eyes and I shall take some inspiration from you if you don’t mind! *goes off to dreamland now…*
Amy, I knew the marvel mini red wouldn’t help with the melasma… a lot has gone away on it’s own since switching BCP, but there are these stubborn spots under my eyes where it just won’t budge. Makeup covers it up, so it’s no biggie. I used Lumedia successfully to fade a bunch of sunspots on the left side of my face (got these after moving down south!), so I’ve been using that each day. I may try something with hydroquinone next!
Thanks for the compliments!!!
Miss K, if you have time can you explain where you put each color on your eyes?
I was going to do demi lashes today but got in a time crunch! Some days they curl better than others. I just use a regular lash curler, does wonders! Curl before and after I use my mascara. I did use a brand new tube of mascara today, it kept my lashes very separated. Thank you!!!
I think that would probably be the “Demure” falsies… they are my favorite…
OMG… you mean to tell me that you weren’t wearing any false lashes in these?!?!? I totally thought that you were — I am so jealous…
Yes, I can see the spots you’re talking about now — I have heard so many complaints about Yaz/Yasmin by this point… this just tops it. My best friend was using it, and I convinced her to get off of it, too.
I didn’t realize there were different colors of the mini, and now that I do, I am intrigued by the blue (supposed to help acne). All I can think, though, is that at over $200 for this nifty little device, sure seems like they could have made it do all three colors!!!
Thanks for the info on Lumedia — I looked, and it does contain hydroquinone, as do most skin-lightening products (I believe it’s actually illegal in England, and it does scare me a little), so I’ll probably just keep being grateful that my melasma is just on the right side of my forehead and stays hidden most of the time by my hair! I think it’s lightened ever so slightly in the two years that I’ve been using the Clarisonic now… I’ll just keep scrubbing away and waiting for that miracle to happen.
Wow! Thank you for sharing your review over the weeks. Without makeup your skin is definately less red, firmed up and healthy. With the foundation on, you look like you have flawless skin.
1) I have been using the Marvel Mini Green for 2 weeks now. I bought it because of your reviews on the Marvel Mini Red. I have been very consistent, using it at least 5 to 6 times a week. As of yet I see very little, if any, change but I will know more in another week or two.
2) For those of you who are not blessed with Miss K.’s beautiful eyelashes there is a product that DOES work in a very short period of time. It is very expensive but I am hooked, and so are all my girlfriends. It is called RevitaLash.
Anyway I have enjoyed the blog and wanted to thank Miss K. for the great feed-back.
Caroline.
Amy, I think if they made the marvel mini with all 3 light colors the tool would be much larger. THe red lights are all close together within the head of the tool, and they turn red when you turn it on. I assume that it’s different mechanics that create the different light colors and would have to have different light “nodules” for each color of light inside the head of the wand then.
The Lumedia description on sephora says: Lumedia Facial Brightener
What it is:
A 100 percent hydroquinone-free blend of pigment lightening agents specifically developed for overall facial brightening.
What it is formulated to do:
This light emulsion is specifically formulated to reduce visible discoloration, spots, blotching, and uneven skin tone resulting from photoaging and environmental factors, while a unique full-spectrum luminizer helps restore the translucent clarity of a fresh, “baby-like” complexion.
So not sure, maybe it’s a typo. I do have the black bottle and this is a tube. I also have a tube of Murad Lighten and Brighten I just got… this has hydroquinone in it and frankly, it stinks! Makes me smell like a bottle of Kodak D76 film developer (some photographic chemicals contain hydroquinone), a fragrance I’m plenty familiar with after 3 years of photo school…
Hmmm…. maybe all of my lazy years of not wearing gloves in the darkroom are why my hands have no sunspots on them? Hydroquinone, Selenium toner… starting to make sense now. Hopefully I’m as archivally preserved as my b&w prints from back then!
Thanks the detailed review, Miss K! Right now I am fortunate enough to not many fine lines or firmness issues (yet
), but my nose/cheeks/chin have always had a permanent pink flush to them (or at least since high school, when I first started paying attention to such things!). I might consider investing in the Mini Marvel when I have some extra cash 
Ha! Yes, I’m very familiar with photo chemistry, too — one more reason I don’t feel too inclined to put it on my face!!!
Hm, that’s odd… I thought I was looking at the Lumedia ingredients on Amazon — it could be that they make both types, I suppose…
And you have a point on the size of the Marvel Mini… it’s true that including LEDs of two other colors would have to triple the size. I’ve been looking into phototherapy products in general to get an idea of what else is out there for the money, and I’ve come to the conclusion that… it’s just unavoidably EXPENSIVE! Not so easy to find anything worthwhile in the under $200 price range… in fact, I’ve seen much in the mid-hundreds and even in the thousands (presumably, equipment designed for dermatologists/professionals offering therapeutic sessions)! I guess this is one of the selling points on the Mini… it’s “mini” and won’t totally break the bank.
Anyway, thank you very much for the thorough review and feedback… as always, your willingness to be a beauty guinea pig is well appreciated!!!
thank you so much for posting this review. I blindly bought the mini-marvel green yesterday, hoping it will counteract the same melasma you suffer from, you have to love the gynos that neglect that to inform their patient of that possible side-effect. I will keep checking in to see how your skin lightening process is going, did you purchase the Green as well?
Well after 2 months of diligently working the mini-marvel green I can say I see absolutely NO difference at all! What a bummer. Glad the red one worked for you.
what will this product do for a 69 yr old lady who still looks pretty good for her age except for some lines under eyes and jawline. Nothing on cheeks, etc. just sent some $$ for product ocean active Squalane; are you familiar with this? Before I spend $$ on red light want to know more. thank.
Hi!
Thank you for doing this! I have heard that LED treatments diminish the effect of botox due to heat. Anyone heard this,,,and moreso…anyone heard this about the “mini” which I’m now strongly considering getting,after reading you blog,,,,thank you!
I am going to purchase a marvel-mini after seeing your photos. You look fantastic! I, too, was a melasma sufferer until I found out about MSM sulphur. It has totally gotten rid of it and my skin is in remarkable condition. The product almost gives you a new skin….I had two babies and afterwards had melasma…anyway, I am now 45 and could easily pass for ten years younger…Thank you so much for your review!!!
Hey – oh Hi!
just read this blog first time and read your mini red and saw your pics.. I would like to see the very first pics to see the diff but I can’t find out where they are?! I’m really curious – I think your skin looks fab sans make-up and beuati-li-cious with m/u –I’m 40 so my interest is realllllly piqued!
Just looked at your before and after photos.
The “”AFTER”" photos would have been more believable if you had
no make up on.
The before pictures are without make up –no lipstick
no mascara whereas the “‘after”‘ photos have tons of eye shadow, and make up lipstick and mascara.
Are you a distributor for MARVEL MINI by any chance?
Uh, “Hoor asmalata”- I’m not a distributor for Marvel Mini- I AM the owner of Aromaleigh Mineral Cosmetics, and I DO like to review beauty products and gadgets in my blog. If I’m going to use them on my 35+ skin, I might as well review them.
If you scroll up and look at the whole post, I CLEARLY have no makeup on in my photos. Those four photos are my FINAL marvel mini photos (and they say so at the bottom!)- my final photos of my marvel mini results. I then went and put my makeup on- Aromaleigh makeup. Sorry you find that so garish.
If you want to see my start photos, all you have to do is also scroll back through that same post and actually read it and click on the link that says
“Marvel-Mini Red Light Therapy- My First Treatment and BEFORE photos!”
That link includes my first photos, taken several weeks before hand.
You should read more thoroughly before you accuse people of things.
My reviewing this product is clearly of my own doing and if anyone else wants to accuse me of being a shill for Marvel Mini, well- I’ll make a scan of the receipt from when I bought the darn thing!!!
The audacity of some people.
from actresseve:
Don’t worry for ” hoor asmalata”, you give a lot of details and you are very clear in your review.I THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I did get a “cool touch laser” treatment in 2004 here in N.Y. and the radiologist told me that I was going to see plump up my skin, but I would not see effects in wrinkles and maybe a bit in melasma. I paid $1000 for one 40 minutes session.He recommended 3 sessions, one every month to see results that would last 5 years. Surprise! Surprise!…I saw amazing results 2 weeks after my 1st. session: my skin was remarkably firmer and one huge wrinkle that was crossin my forehead disappeared. The melasma thing got ligther but only for short time. I loved it and with the weeks going by it got better, so I never got the 2nd or 3rd session. Now 4 years later I see my skin saggy again, but right now I don’t have that kind of money for that, so I saw last sunday this device at Nordstrom and I came eager to the internet to see if there were reviews. Thank you I’m buying one. But I would suggest to be cautious with abusing it because all this light things are new , and I still didn’t read what it could happen with too much of it. My light tratment experience was great, but it was also supervised so…Let’s be cautious ladies (and I am saying this to myself also). By the way…did somebody tried the green or the blue? I saw Caroline (I believe) review that didn’t work on her…But someone else…? Thank you everybody, this “sharing” is so fantastic…!
Miss K, great review! I currently use the Blue light for acne, but haven’t been using it consistently until now. I think you have inspired me to do my own photo reviews to help other people decide on if it’s worth th money or not (I think it is!).
I definitely notice a huge improvement in your skin tone/texture/and reduction of brown spots (I also take Yasmin and have them too, hope the blue light will take care of it…)!
All in all a great review with good results! Now to do my own skin experiment!