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Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give them a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)
The assignment…
I’ve seen The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess ice roller ($69) all over TikTok, so I wanted to see if it lives up to the hype. And if it actually reduces puffiness and redness while boosting circulation.
Straight A’s in…
Results. I was surprised how quickly it worked on my skin. It depuffs my face and reduces redness instantly. I come back from the gym, use the ice roller, and hop on a work call without looking like a tomato. And when I wake up feeling groggy, a few rolls over my skin wakes me up and boosts my circulation.
Ease of use. The best part about the ice roller is that as soon as you unpackage it and throw it in the freezer for 15ish minutes, it’s ready to use. There’s no assembly required, no bluetooth connection to figure out, and no instruction manual to follow. You simply roll it over your skin and enjoy the cooling effect — immediately. Plus, toward the top of the handle there’s an indented thumb print. This makes it easier for me to grip the roller and maintain control while using it on my skin.
Versatility. I find myself using the ice roller to help me relax. If I’m stressed about a work deadline? I head to the freezer to calm my anxiety. If I’m sweaty after walking my dogs around the block on a hot day? I cool off with a few rolls over my skin. I showed it to my anti-beauty-products mom while she was visiting and she used it multiple times a day because she loved the way it felt. I also caught her trying to take it home — obsessed much?
Room for growth…
Size. While the size is great for covering big areas of my face in just a few rolls, there were smaller sections that were harder to get to because of its size, like the sides of my nose, or the more rounded part of my cheekbones. Pro tip: While it’s great for at-home use, I wouldn’t recommend it for travel (unless you’re checking a bag with plenty of space).
Color. While I personally love the Barbie-inspired pink shade, it would be nice to see a bigger array of options for those who don’t.
Works best for…
Anyone who experiences puffiness and redness; wants to boost their circulation; wants to experience a calming cooling effect; is curious about cryotherapy and wants a preview of what that would feel like.
Gets extra credit for…
How long it stays cold. Other ice rollers I’ve tried are made of plastic and lose their chill factor quickly. But the Hot Mess roller is made of aluminum, which means it stays colder muuch longer. Once I left it on my kitchen counter after using it and 15 minutes later it was still cold enough to use.
Packaging. It’s very aesthetically pleasing (again, all hot pink) and got me excited to start using the product.
How I did my homework…
I tested the Hot Mess ice roller daily for six weeks. I used it at various times during the day, after workouts, when I was hungover, and when I felt stressed.
Footnotes…
Hot Mess ice roller ($69)
Free shipping over $50
Hot Mess ice roller is available on theskinnyconfidential.com, Amazon, and Nordstrom
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