NuFACE MINI+

Five minutes, three intensities, and a tool that asks for more consistency than most—here is how the petite microcurrent device fits into a real morning.

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What Is the NuFACE MINI+ Starter Kit?

Microcurrent uses a very gentle electrical current to stimulate the face and neck. With a layer of conductive gel on the skin, you glide the NuFACE's two metal spheres over the areas you want to lift and define. There is no heat and no needles; when I use enough gel, I barely feel it at all. The results are temporary, so this is one of those tools where consistency matters much more than an occasional enthusiastic five minutes. It is FDA-cleared for over-the-counter cosmetic stimulation—not, tragically, as a permanent facelift.

The NuFACE MINI+ Starter Kit is the brand's $250 handheld version. It has three intensities and uses the two spheres to perform slow glides and holds over the cheeks, jawline, and forehead. The basic treatment takes five minutes, although the real commitment is repeating those five minutes often enough to see and maintain results.

My experience began with the classic Mini more than five years ago; the MINI+ is its current, app-connected successor. Both offer a simpler, portable alternative to NuFACE's larger system.

My Thoughts on the NuFACE MINI+

Whenever someone asks for my holy-grail, bring-one-thing-to-a-deserted-island product, this is it. I have been NuFACE's unofficial brand ambassador for over five years, entirely unpaid and apparently unable to shut up about it.

I started using the NuFACE at 31, when I was noticing early jowling and a general downward migration happening on my face. The results were immediate: cheeks lifted, jawline recalibrated, eyebrows snatched. It really delivers, but only if you are willing to commit to it. Five minutes sounds insignificant until it becomes five extra minutes every morning.

Pre-COVID, when I worked full-time in an office, I really did wake up and do this before work. NuFACE does not insist on morning or evening, but the immediate lift feels wasted on a pillow. I now skip it on shorter trips, when my routine becomes intentionally lower-maintenance. 😎

I learned everything I know about microcurrent from The Organic Esthetician. I apply The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%, then a generous layer of NuFACE Aqua Gel Activator. Afterward, I massage everything in and continue my routine—no rinsing required. The gel is expensive, but its hydrating, premium feel helps justify the price. At The Organic Esthetician's suggestion, I tried the cheaper Results RNA ACS 200 Silver-Glutathione Gel. It conducted well but dried sticky and crusty, creating an extra rinse-off step I grew to resent. If I could afford the NuFACE gel, why was I making my life harder than it had to be?

How to Use the NuFACE MINI+

• Begin with clean, dry skin. Keep oils for after the treatment because they can interfere with conductivity.
• If desired, apply a water-based serum, followed by a mask-like layer of conductive activator. Work in sections so the gel does not dry out.
• Turn on the device, choose an intensity, and keep both spheres in contact with your skin while performing slow upward glides and holds across the jawline, cheeks, and forehead. I always go full tilt, but new users should begin lower and increase only when it feels comfortable.
• Treat for at least five minutes, then massage in the remaining Aqua Gel and finish with moisturizer and SPF.

NuFACE recommends five sessions per week for the first 60 days, followed by two or three weekly maintenance sessions. I use it daily unless I'm in a rush or traveling.

Without enough conductive gel, the device can feel a little zappy; I notice it most around my hairline. With my eyes closed, I sometimes see brief flashes while treating my brow, and using it around my mouth can leave a temporary penny-like taste. Neither has been painful for me, but persistent flashes, pain, or discomfort would be a reason to stop and check with the brand or a healthcare professional. You can also use the device on your neck while avoiding the front center, over the thyroid area, although I did not see as much of a difference there. Bringing my skincare down to my neck is enough for me to feel like I am doing my neck justice.

The Classic Mini vs. the MINI+

For what it is worth, I bought my first Mini new on eBay in spring 2018 and did not replace it until the MINI+ arrived in 2022. The original still works today; in fact, I handed it down to my stepmother. I upgraded after hearing that the MINI+ was more powerful and because it offered a connected app. The app was of no use to me, and I do not even remember when I deleted it from my phone. I can see it helping a new user because it offers guided treatments.

The technical part is interesting: the FDA comparison shows similar maximum output—348 µA for the classic Mini versus 335 µA for the MINI+. The meaningful upgrade is variable frequency and app connectivity; it is not simply “more powerful.” I also preferred the curved shape of the original. If I found one new-in-box or in good used condition, I would choose it unless the smart app was genuinely appealing.

What the Internet Thinks about the NuFACE MINI+

Sephora highlights ease, effectiveness, and results across more than 200 reviews. Community feedback is less tidy. Some Reddit users see an immediate lift and notice when they stop; others see little beyond temporary depuffing. Complaints focus on the gel expense, added routine step, and devices that stop charging—worth considering before buying without a solid warranty.

NuFACE also appears in the routines of Bella Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter, and Miranda Kerr. Hadid has demonstrated the device in her own beauty routine, Carpenter's facialist, Renée Rouleau, says she uses NuFACE to lift and sculpt Carpenter's cheekbones, and Kerr has talked about alternating NuFACE with professional Softwave treatments. Celebrity use is not proof that a device works, obviously, but I do enjoy knowing I am in glamorous company while standing in my bathroom at seven in the morning.

Would I Recommend the NuFACE MINI+?

Wholeheartedly, with one condition: you must be consistent. This is not a tool to remember before weddings and abandon in a drawer. I have seen enough immediate lifting and longer-term maintenance to prioritize it, and the smaller Mini has always been sufficient for me.

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Alternatives to the NuFACE MINI+

NuFACE TRINITY+ has a $595 list price and adds targeted lip-and-eye microcurrent, red-light therapy, and a boost function. I have never justified the difference because the Mini already gives me the results I want—and I do not need more attachments demanding more time.

ZIIP HALO costs $399.99 and combines microcurrent with nanocurrent plus app-guided programs for concerns beyond lifting. It offers more customization, but the MINI+ is the simpler choice if your priority is a fast, repeatable five-minute sculpt.

FaceGym PureLift Pro Edition is a category-adjacent alternative rather than another microcurrent device. It uses EMS at much higher frequencies to create visible muscle contractions, so the sensation is stronger and the recommended treatment is ten minutes. It makes similar lifting, sculpting, and toning claims, but at $799 it is substantially more expensive—and it is currently sold out on FaceGym's U.S. site. The underlying PureLift EMS line is still sold directly in the U.S. starting at $499, but I would consider EMS a different, more intense commitment rather than a NuFACE dupe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need NuFACE's Activator?

You need a compatible water-based conductive medium, not necessarily this exact gel. I keep buying the Aqua Gel because it stays workable, massages in cleanly, and does not add any more time to my already long routine.

Can You Use NuFACE During Pregnancy?

No. NuFACE lists pregnancy as a contraindication because the safety of electrical stimulation during pregnancy has not been established. The brand also advises against use for people with seizures, active cancers or tumors, suspected heart problems, or implanted electronic devices; consult your healthcare provider if you are unsure.

What about NuFACE for the Body?

The NuFACE NUBODY Starter Kit treats larger areas. I bought one secondhand and used it with ultrasound gel when I had apparently unlimited free time. It has lived in a closet for years. Facial skin is where the effort-to-impact ratio makes the most sense for me.