beauty

‘I tried the viral Swiss LED mask for a month. I now know why it’s going viral.’

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Em Vernem tries the FAQ 202 Swiss LED Face Mask from Foreo.

When this futuristic LED mask landed on my desk, I immediately ripped it open (in a gentle, demure way, of course). As someone who's been recently introduced to LED, my TikTok FYP had heard my calls, as I've been seeing this specific mask everywhere.

For context, I'm that person who loves a fancy new beauty gadget. From jade rollers to gua sha tools to those suction pore vacuums (these have become my addiction, much to my facialist's dismay).

Watch: You Beauty foundation whisking. Post continues below.


Video via Mamamia.

What is the FAQ Swiss LED Face Mask?

Let's address the elephant in the room— this bad boy costs $1,319. Yes, you read that correctly. That's approximately 659 oat lattes or 263 sheet masks, but who's counting? (Me, I'm counting.)

What sets this mask apart from its cheaper counterparts is that it's actually smart (much smarter than me). It connects to an app on your phone, has eight different LED wavelengths, and is made from this genius silicone material that moulds to your face like a second skin.

For the skincare nerds amongst us, those eight different wavelengths target everything from fine lines to acne, hyperpigmentation to inflammation. It's like having a Swiss Army knife for your face (pun absolutely intended considering it's Swiss-made).

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The best part? It's completely wireless, which means you can actually move around while wearing it (though I wouldn't recommend doing your grocery shopping in it unless you want to scare your entire neighbourhood.)

Setting it up was surprisingly simple. Download the app, connect your mask via Bluetooth, answer some questions about your skin concerns, and voilà — you're ready to look like a background character from a sci-fi movie.

How did you go?

Because I was so excited to try this, I immediately put it on… in the office. And, I can honestly say that it won't be the last time I use it publicly. Because it's wireless, you can move around easily with it. It's also the lightest LED mask I've come across — besides the strap on the back, you can barely feel it on your face. I just pop it on while I'm answering emails or writing articles.

Me wearing the FAQ Swiss LED Face Mask in the office.My colleagues were not very impressed.

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The open slit for your eyes makes working so easy as none of the LED light seeps through like some other masks I've tried.

The coolest thing about this mask is that you can pre-program different treatments depending on your skin concerns.

My go-to program is a 10-minute combo of red (for collagen) and near-infrared light (for deeper penetration). When those pesky hormonal zits appear, around my period, I switch to blue light.

The verdict.

After a month of consistent use (mostly during work hours), my skin is genuinely glowing. The stubborn redness around my nose has calmed down, my forehead lines are less pronounced, and I've had significantly fewer breakouts.

The customisable treatments mean you're not just blindly throwing light at your face, and the convenience factor means I'm actually using it regularly. Unlike the 67 other skincare devices gathering dust in my bathroom drawer.

Would I recommend it?

When it comes to LED, consistency is key. These masks only work if you're dedicated to the cause (and this applies to every LED mask brand).

If you're serious about your skincare and are already spending a fortune on facials (guilty), and have the budget to invest in something you'll actually use, absolutely. It's like having a high-tech facialist living in your bathroom (or office drawer).

However if you're just dipping your toes into LED therapy, as with anything you use on your face, make sure you do your research first.

If you want more from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature image: Supplied.

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