Review: The Foreo Luna Play Smart 2 is one of the brand’s smartest and most affordable devices yet
I still remember Clarisonic’s heyday. While it was reported that many celebs swore by it, I couldn’t exactly afford a pricey skincare device at the time. But perhaps it was for the best. I don’t think I would’ve gotten my money’s worth, seeing as I have dry skin and the brush might’ve over-exfoliated this finicky mug.
By the time I had saved up enough to make the purchase, the era of Foreo had already begun. The more hygienic and softer silicone material is gentler on the skin than the defunct sonic brush brand’s nylon bristles. And what’s more, the brush head doesn’t require regular replacement. It turns out that the delay was a blessing. As of today, I am already a proud owner of two Foreo cleansing devices! I have just tested their latest entry-level release, the Foreo Luna Play Smart 2 (P5,280 via Sephora.ph, Lazada, and Foreo), so let’s see how it compares.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Luna Play Plus, Luna Play Smart 2, and Luna Mini 3
The Play Smart 2 is on a league of its own. It takes some of the most interesting features of several models and mashes them up into this travel-friendly form factor, like:
Fofo’s skin moisture sensors
Mini 3’s Glow Boost Mode
Play Plus' palm-sized portability
App connectivity for adjusting settings (time and intensity per quadrant of the face) and creating a custom routine
Built-in 10-60 second timer that pauses to indicate cleansing the next part of the face
Sonic intensity ranging from 1 to 10.
After the initial Bluetooth app sync to register and set up the device, you can already go ahead and use the Play Smart 2 offline. One press of the power button immediately starts your saved program. Following this with a double click will trigger the Glow Boost mode, which is a high-intensity continuous cleanse that lasts 30 seconds. It's best for a speedy deep cleanse or exfoliation session.
Wash and Learn
In addition to their devices, Foreo also sells skincare products that are compatible with their sonic skin tools. For the Luna line, it’s the Micro-Foam Cleanser (P580 / 20ml and P2,650 / 100ml at Lazada). Okay, it’s on the pricier side and seems like an obvious marketing strategy to offer a matching facial wash. But the compatibility doesn’t stop with the formula not wearing out the silicone brush material.
When using a sonic device, I tend to dispense twice the amount of facial wash to allow for sufficient glide all over my face. The con is how foaming facial washes tend to dry out my skin when I do that. But even when I squeeze out two pea-sized amounts of this Foreo facial wash, I only get a fine lather without the tightness or flakiness afterwards.
Diving In
If I had never used a Foreo before in my life and started with this, it would be a cool first experience. I’d recommend using the moisture sensor monthly to figure out if you need to tweak your current skincare routine. The adjustable time and intensity is not something you’d usually tinker around with once you already find your preferred settings. But at least you have the option to go lower for twice-a-day use or higher for once-a-day use.
I’ve already adjusted to the size of this cleansing aid. It’s bigger than the average cotton pad, so even larger hands won’t find it too tricky to grip. Though the bigger models are still more comfortable to clutch IMHO.
The silicone material is easy to clean and maintain with soap and water, though Foreo also offers a Silicone Cleaning Spray (P760 / 60ml). I would recommend storing the Play Smart 2 in a dry, well-ventilated area in order for the silicone to air out sufficiently in between uses.
There’s a “But…”
Probably the only caveat of the Play Smart 2 is in its battery. My Luna Play Plus, which was a step above their most entry-level model at the time, has easily accessible screws at the bottom for battery replacement. And for as long as the screws are properly installed and not rusty, then the device remains waterproof and battery-replaceable. The Play Smart 2, on the other hand, also has screws on the bottom that are sealed in with a sticker. This particular model is said to be capable of 1,000 washes before the battery runs out. Once that happens, the instruction is to peel back the sticker, unscrew the bottom compartment, dispose of the batteries separately, and then dispose of the device. Yep, it’s disposable. This model is meant to help you decide which next-level Luna you’ll want to move on to.
Well, technically the batteries can be replaced the same way as the Play Plus. But doing so means you’re taking the risk that the waterproofing might be affected once you remove the sticker. It also means your warranty with Foreo will probably be rendered void.
So that’s my deep dive into this exciting new addition to the Luna family! Though on the pricier side for an entry-level cleansing brush, the Play Smart 2 gets pretty comprehensive with its features. The options are definitely enough to help you figure out what you prioritize in your daily cleanse.
