This Ear Seed Kit Gives Acupuncture Results at Home — Minus the Needles

Ever since I was a kid, I've had a fear of needles. Over time, I've learned to look away when it's time to get numbed up at the dentist — but throughout my life, I've unknowingly sworn off all beauty treatments that have anything to do with needles. Thanks to the internet's obsession with botox, facials and acupuncture — there's tons that I'm missing out on.

Although acupuncture's promise of pain relief and stress management has always interested me, I've never been able to reap the benefits thanks to my fear of needles. Aside from being squeamish, I also tend to prefer an at-home beauty treatment over visiting an in-person wellness center. So, when I heard that byAVA’s V-Line Ear Seed Kit claims to be a "a modern, needle-free take on ancient acupuncture," I was curious to know more.

What To Know About ByAVA’s V-Line Ear Seed Kit

Best for: Self care days, detoxifying

Price: $90 USD on the brand's website

Rating: 7/10

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Why The Hype?

Some swear by acupuncture, while others are rightfully skeptical — but there's tons of reasons why someone might rely on treatments like ear seeds. For the ByAVA kit in particular, it claims to rebalance your body in a few different ways. Firstly, its healing energy balls are infused with detoxifying herbs and minerals — which are said to visibly shape and define your face by promoting lymphatic drainage and removing harmful toxins. As for the body, it claims to harmonize your energy system while also increasing blood flow for an all-around cleansing effect.

How To Use

For me, the most intimidating part of the seed kit was the application. I never really considered myself to have abnormally small ears, but I quickly discovered that I lacked a substantial amount of ear space necessary to apply the seeds as directed. The instructions called for six strips in total — four on the front of the left ear, and two on the back of the ear. Since there was no chance of even four strips fitting on my ear, I instead applied one double strip at the top of my ear and another one in a similar position on the back.

Aside from my unavoidable genetic flaw, I also found that it was close to impossible to apply the strip on to the back of your ear without any assistance. Additionally, if you have long hair, I highly recommend pulling as much of it back as you can, so you don't have any issues with strands getting stuck in the adhesive like I did. After the seeds are placed on your ears, the instructions say to gently massage the beads to activate them. Once applied, the ear seeds can be worn for one to 48 hours, and even remain intact in the shower.

An Honest Review

Similar to more traditional acupuncture treatments, the results of ear seeds aren't always immediately noticeable. Since the seeds stimulate acupressure points, I found that my ears turned red fairly quickly — although I'm not sure if that's just because I was a first-time user or because I have fairly sensitive skin. But right away, I did feel a subtle warm feeling where the strips were applied, which slowly subsided throughout the day. While the kit requires consistent use in order to see obvious changes in the skin, I did notice that I felt slightly more relaxed. Not to mention, I found it a little easier to sit up straight in my chair as a chronic sloucher.

The Final Verdict

If you expect the ByAVA V-Line Ear Seed Kit to be a miracle product that delivers dramatic results after one use, you'll be sorely disappointed. However, if you're looking for an at-home beauty treatment that'll activate your pressure points and give your body a much-needed detox — it'll be a great addition to your usual self care routine. As someone that's never dabbled with acupuncture, I definitely enjoyed the new experience, and I can see myself using the kit every once in a while. If you're willing to splurge in the hopes of achieving a more sculpted face over time, I'd say it's worth a try.

While you're here, check out our coverage of Laneige's collaboration with Baskin-Robbins.

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