As a child of the ‘90s, whose North Star of beauty inspo in the early aughts included the likes of Devon Aoki and Kate Moss, I have long dreamt of having high cheekbones. But what I didn’t get through genetics (I am blessed with long, thick healthy hair and look so much like my mom when she was my age, so definitely not too mad at my genetic makeup for this), I realized I could achieve with a facial sculpting tool.
Vogue’s Favorite Facial Sculpting Tools:
- Best for Improving Skin Elasticity: Medicube Booster Pro X2,$299
- Best Microcurrent Device: NuFace Trinity+ Facial Toning Device Set, $395
- Best Cryotherapy: Shark Depuffi, $200
- Best Massager: Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar, $195
- Best Gua Sha: Mount Lai Gua Sha, $30
- Best Depuffing: Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand, $120
- Best for Scalp: Get Face Fit Head in Clouds Scalp Gua Sha, $54
- Best Lifting: Ziip Halo, $400
Aptly named, a face sculpting tool is designed to help give your face an added lift. Some are manual tools, such as a gua sha, while others are made of smart tech to contour and accentuate the cheekbones. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, says face sculpting tools come with many benefits, including temporary reduction in facial puffiness and more defined appearance, improved circulation, relaxation of tight facial muscles, and enhanced absorption of skincare products when massaged in. For microcurrent devices, Dr. King says that you may notice subtle lifting and toning.
“[They are] a good option for someone who is looking for a daily pick-me-up,” Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, agrees. “These tools are good for those looking to complement a good skincare routine or maintain results between professional treatments, rather than those expecting permanent lifting or dramatic contouring.” That said, Dr. King advises to set realistic expectations. Ahead, a look at the best face sculpting tools that are actually worth the investment.
Best for Boosting Elasticity: Medicube Booster Pro X2
Booster Pro X2
- Why We Love It: Medicube’s Booster Pro X2 really is an upgraded version of the beloved original. It is twice as powerful as before, giving you two times the output power, electrode count, and LED coverage to really boost your skincare and give you more noticeable results. It’s also a bigger device, making it easier to treat more areas on the face. Dr. Garshick calls it a “versatile device” as it combines multiple technologies (electroporation, microcurrent, EMS, and LED therapy) to help lift, sculpt, brighten, and smooth out skin texture. You also get three additional treatment modes to better enhance your routine. “It’s a great option for someone looking for an all-in-one device with customizable treatment modes for different skincare concerns,” she says. Read Vogue Shopping beauty editor Kiana Murden’s full review here.
- Editor’s Experience: People assume I went in for a fancy laser or new facial treatment when they comment on how great my skin looks, but the truth is I just use this device regularly. As a huge fan of the original, I was so surprised (in a good way!) that Medicube found a way to improve its already impressive device. It does all the things I love from the original, such as enhancing product absorption and giving my cheekbones more definition. This one covers more surface area on my face, and even comes with exciting new modes like the masking mode to elevate my skincare. It is my favorite device of the year. —Audrey Noble, contributor
Best Microcurrent Device: NuFace Trinity+ Smart Advanced Facial Toning Device Set
- Why We Love It: Beloved by editors, derms, and beauty experts everywhere, the NuFace microcurrent device uses low-level microcurrent to tone and contour your facial muscles. Dr. Garshick says it’s well-studied for its proven results and thanks to a companion app you can download on your phone, you have a guide to help you through treatments and make it easier to stay consistent. “Consistency matters more than intensity,” agrees Dr. King. “Most studies showing benefit involve treatments about five days per week initially, followed by maintenance several times weekly.”
- Editor’s Experience: Tried and true, I know I can depend on it to give me a more lifted and sculpted look. The microcurrent is subtle and painless for the most part, which makes it the perfect introductory tool into the world of microcurrent devices. The best part? it only adds an extra 5 to 10 minutes to my entire routine. For a more sculpted jawline and cheekbones, it is totally worth making my routine a tad bit longer. — A.N.
Best Cryotherapy: Shark Depuffi
- Why We Love It: While technically a hot and cold contrast therapy device, we especially love the cooling technology to give us a more sculpted look because it works. Dr. Garshick says this device is particularly helpful for reducing morning puffiness and soothing the areas around the eyes, and it can constrict superficial blood vessels to make you look more refreshed and less swollen. And it has a gua sha-inspired shape to help encourage lymphatic drainage and give you a facial massage for a more contoured look.
- Editor’s Review: I really love the cooling temp of this device; it feels so refreshing on the skin. It helps on days when I feel extra puffy, and the rounded edges are perfectly shaped to help contour, or define my cheekbones and jawline. It’s like a high-tech gua sha, and that’s just so (forgive the pun) cool.” — A.N.
Best Massager: Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar
- Why We Love It: Being able to mimic the hands of our trusted facialists is no easy feat, but this classic facial massager does a damn good job doing so. Its vibration, which goes 6,000 rotations per minute, really does feel like you’re getting a deep facial massage to boost blood flow, sculpt, and depuff the face. It’s like a high-powered gua sha and we’re kind of obsessed.
Best Gua Sha: Mount Lai Gua Sha
Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool
- Why We Love It: This stone makes it so easy for you to practice gua sha regularly. With regular use, the traditional Chinese medicine tool may come with loads of health benefits (lymphatic drainage, blood circulation, self-care, etc.) and may also temporarily give your face more definition. “It won’t permanently lift or sculpt the face, but it can reduce morning puffiness, improve circulation, and help facial muscles relax,” says Dr. King.
- Plus, it comes in four different stone options—rose quartz, jade, amethyst, and black obsidian—so you can choose the stone that calls to you and encourages the good vibes you want to call in.
- Editor’s Review: I love this gua sha stone because of its simplicity. It’s small enough so I can take it with me on all my travels, and the design is streamlined. Its classic curves that fit to contour my jawline and cheekbones is all I need to give myself definition and lymphatic drainage. When I’m consistent with it, I notice a huge difference. — A.N
Best for Depuffing: Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
- Why We Love It: Getting the benefits of cold and heat therapy in one device is unmatched. Of the TheraFace Depuffing Wand, Dr. Garshick explains that the combination of cooling and gentle warming technologies may help temporarily reduce puffiness while giving you a rejuvenated look. “It’s especially useful around the eyes and can be incorporated into a morning skin-care routine for a more radiant appearance,” she says. As an added bonus, the device is FDA-cleared and safe for all skin types.
Best for Scalp: Get Face Fit Head in Clouds Scalp Gua Sha
- Why We Love It: “The concept behind scalp gua sha is that the scalp and face are connected through a continuous network of muscles, fascia, and connective tissue,” says Dr. Garshick. “Massaging the scalp may help release tension in these tissues, improve local circulation, and encourage lymphatic drainage.” Dr. King agrees: “[It] may temporarily give the face a more lifted appearance, but it’s unlikely to actually reposition facial tissues or create a lasting lift.” But even so, this tool just feels so relaxing as you massage it in, and even if some of some of the benefits are just temporary, they’re just too good to pass up.
- Editor’s Experience: I think the idea of scalp gua sha is so interesting. As someone who recently got scalp injections to stimulate collagen and restore support to my upper face for a more lifted look, doing something to help stimulate blood flow and release tension in that area helps a lot. Plus, a nice scalp massage is never a bad thing, and I always end up feeling so relaxed after my session. — A.N.
Best Lifting: Ziip Halo
- Why We Love It: Yes, it is quite the investment at almost $400. But stay with us. As Dr. Garshick explains, this device combines microcurrent and nanocurrent technologies to temporarily tone facial muscles and support your overall skin health. It has an impressive 26 unique waveform and intensity combos (available via the app) for a customizable treatment and quick, noticeable results.
- Editor’s Experience: “The first time I used Ziip Halo I immediately saw two results that made me understand why this device is used by most celebrities before the red carpets: it immediately raised my eyebrow and delivered an immediate lifting effect to my cheek.” — Veronica Cristino, Contributor
