Real Before-and-After Photos - E Experiments: SkinMedica's HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

It's no secret around the office that I am totally obsessed with SkinMedica's blend of five different forms of HA. Why The obsession, you ask? 1. While other hyaluronic acid serums will deliver a superficial plumping effect by binding water in the skin, they are short lived. Typical HA's only have a lifespan of 2 to 4 hours. SkinMedica's R+D geniuses took care to stabilize these HA's, which means all-day and long-term hydration for you.

2. Key Words: "Rejuvenating Hydrator": yes, applying this magical photoshop-in-a-bottle will create a visible, instant gratification perfection-increase. But aside from the right-now smoothing/plumping effect, this powerhouse serum features a brand new antioxidant, peptides, and polysaccharides which will actually stimulate your skin to produce its own HA after continued use.

3. These photos: the below photos are the result of simply tapping HA5 on top of existing makeup, in the office.

Elapsed time: 40 minutes for one set, 4 hours for the other (whoops, we had a pretty crazy clinic day). Anyway, I'll think you'll agree that these results are remarkable!

*no retouching was performed and no filters were used in any way.

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Here's what happens almost instantly when we restore the hydration with HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator: 

Here's the background on HA: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is our skin's natural moisture. We started out making tons of it, but as damage accumulates with age and our cellular turnover process slows down, we make less and less of it. In fact, it's said that between the ages of 40-50, your skin has lost 50% of the HA it had at age 20!

Known as a "Fountain Of Youth" molecule, HA is super important in the skin to bind water, holding moisture in. HA is also naturally present in our joints for lubrication, and found in many injectable fillers, too. Thanks to the awesome new antioxidants and 5 different kinds of HA in HA5, short-lived temporary gratification from basic/other Hydrating serums is becoming obsolete. ...WELCOME TO THIS!

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If you add my fave HA5 to your regimen, you'll get awesome instant gratification with the added benefit of long-term improvement... and I think you'll be obsessed with it, too!

Click here for more on the long-and-short of the results from HA5 and the technology that sets this product-hero apart from other HA serums.

And until next time, stay fabulous my friends!

If you need to look REALLY good for something, you need to put THIS on 15 minutes before...

Ok, I'll admit it: I have a smidge of an obsession going on with my favorite product for hydrating: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator. This photoshop-in-a-bottle might just be your new best friend, too.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA): The Fountain Of Youth Molecule

HA is a naturally-occurring, water-loving, water-binding element. The presence of HA, and the ability to create our skin's own HA, is depleted over time with age and skin damage. When we have more HA, fine lines are smoothed, dryness is relieved, and loss of moisture is prevented. The right HA is not only essential to your skin looking fabulous, it's also essential to long-term skin health.

Imagine there's a sponge underneath the top layer of your skin. Imagine that it shrinks as we get older, reducing our ability to hold water in the skin. No matter what moisturizer you use, the amount of water your skin can hold on to is not what it was. We need to restore and replenish that sponge, it's been getting dry and crispy over time.

HA5: What will it do for me?

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When you add a concentrated, stabilized HA Serum to your routine, it will amplify skin’s water content and prevent loss of hydration, reducing the look of crow’s feet, folds, laugh lines, marionette lines, and other 'textures of life'. The result? You have smoother, firmer skin, and you look Ah-mazing. Check out some before and after pictures on real people here.

...But when that HA Serum is SkinMedica's HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, the improvement is not just temporary. Remember that above-referenced 'sponge' (above)? After several weeks of use, you will notice a change in your skin each day: your 'sponge' is healthier, holding onto more water than before, and making its own HA! Because, while instant gratification is awesome, who doesn't want to look really good every day??

This amazing product boasts five different forms of HA, all with different tasks:

Time Release HA: A SkinMedica® proprietary, sustained release of HA (HA all day!)

Sodium Hyaluronate: For immediate hydration (instant gratification)

Uncross-linked HA: For smoothness and hydration

Nano HA: Soothes skin (great for those with sensitive skin)

Cross-Linked HA: Provides long-lasting hydration for up to 8 hours (most HA serums zonk out at 2-4 hours)

^Translation:

Soothing, calming, smoothing, an instant smoothing effect AND long-lasting hydration.

Instant Gratification

Really: if you put this on at least 15-20 minutes before you have to look really fabulous, you will notice a visible improvement in fine lines and textures. When we demonstrate it in the office, I'll apply it to one side of a patient's face. By the time they leave the office, there is a very noticeable difference between the two sides. 

HA All Day (and beyond!) 

Here's the best part: HA5 features VITISCENCE™ antioxidant technology, (this is exclusive to SkinMedica). These new and potent antioxidants will actually support long-term skin health and your skin’s ability to replenish its own HA.‬

Who Is It Good For?

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All skin types: including normal, dry, mature, oily, acne-prone, sensitive and fragile.

How Do I Use It?

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Apply 2 pumps of SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator as the last step of your skin care regimen before a moisturizer both AM and PM.

• If you use a moisturizer/sunscreen combo: it would go on just under that.
• If you are a serum-user, apply your serum first, then your HA5, followed by your moisturizer and/or sunscreen.

Real Patient Comments from our office:

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“You feel like you’re doing your skin a favor… and as time goes on, the more favors you can do for it, the better!”

“It’s a treat for myself every day”
..."it feels ‘soft’, ‘smooth’ and feels so light, while still ‘feeling moisturized".

After using it for a while, many patients remark that they don’t have that tight-feeling after cleansing, and don't feel that immediate need to throw something on fast to alleviate tightness.

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Looking to join the #nofilter-selfie-HA5-fanclub (<get one for yourself)?

Authentic HA5 is only available through authorized physician's offices:  you can find a physician near you by clicking here.

And if you're around the Chicagoland area, give us a call at our office! Skincare consultations and Shipping on products are both complimentary... we would love to help you get started on HA5:

DMG Aesthetics - Dr. Daniel G. Danahey GLEN ELLYN, IL 630-545-7840

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Learn more about HA5 on SkinMedica's site by clicking here. 

...And in the meantime: stay fabulous (and hydrated!) my friends!

The Rumor Mill: Fun New SkinMedica Products!

Exciting things are on the horizon for all of us Skinmedica TNS and HA5 maniacs out there!

Hot off the press, here's what I heard recently from our fabulous SkinMedica informant:

TNS packaging

• Have you ever wondered how much product is still in your Essential Serum bottle? You're not alone. The next generation of packaging will be including a window so you can check your levels and never be caught without your fave product. Yahoo!

• Also rumored is both a bigger (woah 👀❤👀) AND a smaller, travel-sized version. Which is great, because I'd rather cancel the trip than have a TSA agent threaten to throw my Essential Serum away. Seriously.

TNS targeted for the NECK!

• As I am newly obsessed with all-things-neck, I was THRILLED to hear about an upcoming TNS product specifically targeted for the neck. CANNOT. WAIT.

HA5: Packing hydration into your pout

• We already LOVE HA5 for its instant smoothing and long lasting hydration for the face... and word has it, there's going to be an HA5 lip product launching soon! I AM so all over this. All. Over. It. I can tell you I will have multiples of these for my vanity, make up bag, and gym bag. 5 forms of hyaluronic acid (the same stuff fillers *and dreams* are made of) to pull moisture into the lips?! We love you, you SkinMedica R&D geniuses, you! 💗💗💗Woo hoo!

I'll be sure to post when I have these new babies in-hand! And until next time, stay fabulous, my friends! 

Happy 2017! Lots of Love

A big THANK YOU to all my fantastic and beautiful clients, patients, family, friends, and employer for another FABuLiz year! ... without you I would have no reason to run on Diet Coke and Dry Shampoo! :) Happy New Year, and here's to a FABULOUS 2017! 

Drug Store Shout Out: A BB Cushion by a luxury brand ...without the luxury price

Well, I've been pretty busy (who isn't?!) and it's been a tad since I've posted - but I have some fabulosity to share that may make up for my blogging inconsistency lately: Laniege BB cushion (Target) is my fave new drug store find. I had an opportunity to try this Budget-friendly-find a couple months back, and have been searching for it in-store since! Not all Target locations carry this line, but it is available online if you can't find it at a store near you. Laniege is a brand made and distributed by Amore Pacific,  one of the more expensive skin care lines out of Nieman Marcus, one of the factors that piqued my interest right off the bat.  This super-light, sheer BB cream provides a barely-there coverage that evens the complexion just enough. Much lighter than my all time much-more-emollient fave, Intellishade, it's a great alternative to add to your BB-cream/SPF wardrobe for when you want something with a bit less creaminess. 

It also cools the skin, perfect after a workout or when you're in a warm climate, thanks to its ionized mineral water ingredients. The best part is it's SPF 50 feature (but keep in mind that you must apply it evenly and with enough coverage to realize this benefit, as with all SPF makeup products). Easy to apply, it comes with an antimicrobial puff (and also goes on beautifully with a texture brush, as I have found). It goes on evenly and dries enough to quickly follow with powder if more coverage is desired. 

This cooling, light and quick-to-apply product lasts all day, doesn't get muddy in oily areas, and gives the skin a soft airbrush-like glow. It's fantastic quality for a drug store find, and at $34 (which includes a refill and extra puff!) it's worth a try if you're looking for a new BB cream.

Enjoy, and until next time, stay fabulous my friends! 

My Before and After: My First Kybella Treatment

I'm so excited to share my photo from my first round of Kybella. This revolutionary treatment destroys fat under the chin via small injections of the Kybella product. It actually destroys the fat over the course of several weeks, leaving you with a streamlined jaw and neckline for a pretty profile. Best part is, it's permanent!

HOW KYBELLA® WORKS

The active ingredient in KYBELLA® is synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, KYBELLA® destroys fat cells, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin. Once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat, so further treatment is not expected once you reach your desired aesthetic goal.

Really, I wanted to do it for prevention of the dreaded turkey neck down the road, but I absolutely love what it did for my jawline now!

Most of our patients end up doing 2-4 treatments, but it depends on your goals and how much fat you have. You'll need to space them out 4 or more weeks apart.

Dr. Daniel Danahey, board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon here in the Chicago area, did mine. You can check out the Kybella website here to find a doctor near you who offers it.

Prepare yourself for a good amount of swelling for a few days afterward which can happen, along with the possibility of a few little bruises (I had no bruising), but otherwise, it tends to be a really easy treatment!

Until next time: stay fabulous, my friends!

My friends are going to Vegas... Here is the product they NEED to be using

In honor of my friends' upcoming trip to Vegas, I thought I would share my recommendation for anti-aging during the summer in a hot climate... And what product I loaded them up with to make their trip as skin-safe as possible.

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It turns out that infrared radiation will absolutely zap your collagen and put your skin into a free-radical frenzy, creating damage. Read about that in another post I wrote, here.

A new, important factor in everyday skin protection, IR-protection is *of course* especially important when you're planning a vacay. Infrared manifests itself as heat on the skin, so you could imagine the havoc that hanging out poolside in Vegas could create.

Here's what I loaded them up with for their suitcases (also in mine when I was there in May for the Vegas Cosmetic Surgery meetings!):

SkinMedica’s Total Defense + Repair SPF 34 Tinted (also available without tint)

...is my absolute summer go-to superscreen.  It features:

• A cosmetically-elegant, easy-to use and wear consistency: creamy, but not greasy
• A semi-matte finish offers light, complexion-flattering coverage
• Tons of specially-formulated antioxidants for both UV and IR protection

Remember, it's important to protect from UV and IR on a daily basis, not just when you're sitting poolside. 

So give it a try this summer, don't forget to reapply, and until next time: stay fabulous, my friends!

Anti-Aging: We've been missing something

As a skin care professional, I'll admit that the first (and sometimes only) anti-aging recommendations I default to are the usual suspects: Retinoids, sunscreen, growth factors, antioxidants, and a smorgasbord of treatments to prevent and treat wrinkles. But with so much focus (from me, from like, everyone) on anti-aging of the skin, what about the hair?? Perhaps it's that hair anti-aging hasn't been a focus from a technology standpoint until recently. But technology IS catching up in this category, as I recently learned in a lecture featuring speaker Brian Hendricks, VP of Global Education for DS Laboratories. By the way, "DS" stands for Divine Skin. This organization is certainly speaking my language.

“The future expectation of hair care will not be to simply clean, condition, and style the hair.  Rather, products will be designed to protect, stimulate, and manipulate actual hair growth to achieve the best hair of your life.  DS Laboratories has already set this standard with stunning results.” says Hendricks.

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Here's what I learned:

As we age, the hair follicles shrink, harden, and weaken -Oh GREAT. We have the best hair of our lives at our follicular peak around the age of 19. Stop and think about it: have you seen a elderly woman with flowing, long locks lately? Well, I haven't. And while weekly roller sets might also be a convenience when you're 90, it's true that the potential for mermaid hair at that age is little to none.

So, is there potential for keeping the hair at its peak, restoring, or even maintaining where it is presently? There is, with recent developments in technology. And, with the help of stimulants, anti-inflammatories, and nutrient delivery, says Hendricks. The unique line of products from DS Laboratories, including Revita Shampoo and Revita COR Conditioner give the follicles a fighting chance.

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Here are some of the benefits: •Stimulants: No, we're not talking Rogaine here. Multiple stimulants including caffeine in DS Laboratories' Revita line can stimulate the follicles into action for length and volume!

•Anti-inflammatories: Anti-inflammatories rescue the follicles from arguably the Number 1 cause of aging: Inflammation.

•Antioxidants: Antioxidants like Spin Traps, one of the most potent (and expensive!) antioxidant molecules available on the market neutralize free radical damage, a serious offender in the aging process for hair AND skin. •Nutrient Delivery: One word: Biospheres. Just like skincare, once we've identified beneficial ingredients, the challenge lies in how to get them where they need to go. Biospheres magnetically attach the active ingredients to the skin on the scalp so they keep working. Rest assured these powerful products are not just rinsing down the drain - they're even working while swimming or working out!

•Beauty AND Brains: Aside from all the great science, these products make your hair look and feel glorious starting from the first time you use them. I speak from experience.

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Says Jessica Taylor, Regional Brand Manager for DS Laboratories, "We are all on the pursuit of perfection, and a fusion of hair and skin care is what will get us there. (With products) filled with antioxidants, amino acids & anti-aging components, science can be sexy too."

And who doesn't love that??

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

Practice safe sun and look hot doing it: The Best Self Tanners Of The Year

I spent the entire summer trying numerous self tanners, here are my top picks for 2015:

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The BEST Professional Brands

Playboy Celebrity Glitz (yes, playboy brand)

This medium-consistency cream requires care when applying because of its ultra-dark color and potential for staining hands, but is so worth it! Wear gloves and/or apply with a slightly dampened sponge-mit for best results.

Pros:

• darkest and best tan

• not-orange

• no scent

• bronzing

Cons: 

• Will stain hands, cuticles, everything - even if you're quick to wash after. Wear gloves or a mitt!

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Norvell Dancing with the Stars Mousse

I have a new-found love for foams this year. Cleaner than sprays or airbrush, and quicker to dry than creams or lotions, I found myself defaulting to foams and mousses often. This one is my fave!

Pros:

• quick drying

• slightly bronzing

• clean finish, not dewey or heavy

• beautiful tan result!

Cons:

• must use gloves or a mitt

• doesn't smell awesome after it starts working. I like this one for overnight use only,

Tip:

• I hear the Norvell brand foam without the "dancing" endorsement is just as good and a little cheaper, but have not tried it yet. You'll save anywhere from $3-10 for trying the standard, not-endorsed formula.

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The BEST Store-Bought Brands:

Victoria secret BRONZE:

This creamy, bronze lotion leaves a pretty and subtle gleam without being sparkly. Whenever I wear it, everyone always asks me what it is and where to get it!

Pros:

• bronzing

• medium consistency

• smells good

Cons:

• too many applications in a row can start to look orange

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If you are in a hurry and want something fast from the store, I usually go with

Loreal Sublime Tinted Self Tanning Lotion

Pros:

• bronzing

• light sheen/shimmer

• budget-friendly

• this line also features a towlette, which I sometimes use when I'm in a hurry

• satisfyingly dark level of tan-result

Cons: 

•takes quite a while to dry

• the smell (it's not terrible, but you can certainly detect that good ole' self-tanner smell after the fragrance wears down)

• a misleadingly sheer consistency and great slip when applying leads me to think I've spread it on evenly each time. Don't fall for it and take your time!

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By far, the best store brand is the new Jergens Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse

Pros:

• bronzing

• Dries FAST!

• budget-friendly

Cons: 

•This is a gradual tanner, so you'll need to build it up slowly over the course of several days.

• the smell (it's not terrible, but you can certainly detect that good ole' self-tanner smell after the fragrance wears down)

• This product is QUICK to stain hands - even if you immediately wash after. I underestimated this. Be sure to wear gloves or a mitt!

This is a great tool for maintaining a professional spray tan, also!

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The BEST New Concept:

St. Tropez Gradual Tan In-Shower Lotion

This innovative new product is a lotion you apply IN the shower (once you're finished up, with the water off). Wait 3 minutes and rinse: Wah-Lah! It's formulted with sweet almond oil so it leaves your skin smelling sweetly and feeling conditioned by not greasy. Love it!

Pros:

• No need to wait for it to dry

• No icky self-tanner smell

• No streaks!

Cons: 

•This is a gradual tanner, so you'll need to build it up slowly over the course of several days.

• I am a wimp, and get cold in the shower even when it's on. Despite only needing to wait 3 minutes, I get cold and find myself skipping it some days.

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I hope you found a new product to experiment with from this review!

Until Next Time, Practice Safe sun and Stay Fabulous My Friends!

Yay! A New Clarisonic

  Ok- I'm so excited! This Mia 3 'Sonic Romance' (available at Nordstrom) is super cute! My mom gave it to me! It's totally trumping my old and boring white Clarisonic Pro - I can't wait to use this bad boy! 

A Clarisonic is a great tool to increase the efficacy of your topicals by prepping the skin effectively. It cleanses 6 x better than manual cleansing. This means your expensive and amazing products can penetrate much more effectively. 

Clarisonics are fun and unique because you can customize/choose the 'strength' of the brush for more or less exfoliation. Most models also feature timers so you don't overdo it. My mom and I both love how clean we feel after using these awesome tools - we've both been Clarisonic-users since about 2008... And neither one of us is willing to go without them anymore!

If you do try a cleansing device, I would recommend this one. It's patented sonic technology is much more effective and gentle than a spinning brush, which can (in theory) stress out the capillaries, maybe upset elastin fibers and irritate the skin.

If you try one, enjoy! And until next time, Stay Fabulous my Friends! 

3 Fast Facts: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

I started 3 fast facts because I could go on forever about some of these products... which can make writing about them a little daunting.  Instead of overthinking (and therefore procrastinating), I'll just use this category to finally touch on some of my favorite products & three reasons you might love them too! 

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Three Fast Facts About: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

➢ Fact 1

This fantastic product is a topical antioxidant used to protect the skin from future damage, promote cell renewal, and increase the build of collagen. Distinguished Duke professor, faculty-member, chemist, and Dermatologist, Dr Sheldon Pinnell published more than 200 articles and studies on topical antioxidants.

Known (by me, at least!) as the grandfather of topical antioxidants, Dr Pinnell developed this product based on much of his research. This serum has gone on to become and remain the cornerstone of Skinceuticals collection. Dr Pinnell had formulated the perfect C Serum: the right PH, the right percentage of C, and the perfect C-stabilizers: Vitamin E and Ferulic acid.

This emollient-like serum can be perfect for normal-to-dry skin types. Side note: Most reviews on the product describe it as 'featherweight', but I find that most oily- types find it too heavy, likely because of the Vitamin E.

➢ Fact 2

I love this formulation in particular because of its reservoir effect: once it is in the skin, it stays there for about 3 days- which makes it great for sweating runners and outdoor-lovers. This also says to me: "It really gets in there!"

(Keep things consistent and apply every day though).

➢ Fact 3

It also reduces inflammation in UV-irradiated cells. Slather this on afterwards if you happen to get a sunburn on vacay in Barbados. (But I know you won't get a sunburn, right?!)

Here's a link to learn more about it (the science!)

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous, My Friends!

My 2015 Look Good Feel Better Badge

Been meaning to post my 4-Year Badge, proud to be a workshop leader for this wonderful program! Hope is Beautiful! Check it out here: http://helpbetterbegin.org/

@Lgfb #lookgoodfeelbetterfoundation #acs #lgfb2015 #lgfbvolunteer #helpbetterbegin

Until Next Time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

Before and After: my Halo Laser Treatment Results!

While it's a little embarrassing to reveal what my complexion looked like before, the results are TOO GOOD to not to share. Here are the before-and-after Visia Imager photos from my Halo Resurfacing. (no foundation/concealer, moisturizer, or anything on the skin in either pic). I've been meaning to share these for a while, I am SO happy with my results! What is Halo? Halo laser is the first of it's kind: a hybrid (ablative and non-ablative) fractionated laser. Translation: 2 different wavelengths of laser fire off at the exact same time. Down-time is a fraction of any other fractionated laser out there-  (you can wear makeup out the door) - and the results are exponentially better from my perspective. It's almost like having double the treatment with amazingly little social downtime, if any.

If you are on the fence about this procedure, I would urge you to go for it.

My Results: a reduction of pore size, almost no breakouts anymore, reduction in discoloration and hyperpigmentation, a tightening of the skin, improvement in texture and a noticeable glow or luminosity... probably why they called it Halo.

My Plan: Moving forward, I plan to get a Halo once a year to maintain- now that my skin is so improved, I'm spoiled!

Check out Halo at Erickson Dermatology here

and click here to see more Halo Before and After's

Until Next time, stay fabulous, my friends!

Game Changing Kybella is FDA approved

Look for this double chin treatment at a cosmetic physician near you, coming soon! From MedEstheticsmag.com:

KYBELLA injection (deoxycholic acid, KYTHERA Biopharmaceutcials), also known as ATX-101, has been FDA approved for contouring moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults. KYBELLA is a nonhuman and non-animal formulation of deoxycholic acid that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into subcutaneous fat, the drug destroys fat cells. The approval was based on the results of over 20 clinical studies involving more than 2,600 male and female patients.

read the full article here: http://medestheticsmag.com/kybella-injectable-approved-double-chin

And until next time, stay fabulous my friends!

Ob-sessed: Olaplex

I'm obsessed with my hair color this week. Ob-sessed. Why? My colorist, Tracy, used Olaplex in addition to her professionally concocted, genius hair color formula, then gave me a professional Olaplex treatment at the salon to top it off. As someone with (mostly self-colored) self-proclaimed "fire hazard hair", I've been waiting for the release of Olaplex ever since rumors of its existence were leaked.

Olaplex is a game-changer for anyone who lifts their hair color, but especially blondes and those who highlight/balayge. It's not a conditioner or a protein treatment- it's a "bond multiplier". Tracy explained it to me with a helpful analogy: it's like taking an old, dried up, crumbly rubber band and restoring it to a new, springy, strong (hydrated?) rubber band.

Why? Because when you color your hair, formula must break down the bonds that hold your natural color, usually resulting in some type of damage. Olaplex claims to permanently restore some of those bonds, and I'm drinking the kool-aid so far... I've not had this much lift and this much shine in as long as I can remember, and my hair feels great. This is a game changer, people. Call your stylist asap, you'll thank me later!

Until next time, stay fabulous my friends!

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Check it out here: http://www.olaplex.com/pages/consumer

If you're in the Chicago (ish) area and want to give my colorist a try, find Tracy here: http://www.lineasalon.com

 And while you're surfing the web, be sure check out this well-known stylist who is using it to create some crazy-artistic, amazing color.

Click for Guy Tang on Instagram Here

E Experiments: BOTOX in the Bands, aka The Nefertiti Lift

It's about time I share my experience with 'Botox in the bands', aka the Nefertiti lift. My boss, Board certified dermatologist Dr. Quenby Erickson performed the procedure for me, which I love, love, love.

Side note: this use of Botox Cosmetic Is considered off-label, like many of the ways offices use it these days. But not every office offers this treatment. From my perspective, it's more of an advanced technique, (so do your homework on your provider before trying)

Here's the scoop:

What is it? The Nefertiti lift is a non-surgical technique used to make the Neck, chin and "Gobbler" area look smoother and younger by injecting Botox into the platysmal bands. As it turns out, these bands are partly responsible for the downward pull on the lower face (Either side of the chin) and the development of the dreaded 'turkey neck'.

The Treatment: this simple procedure was done in less than maybe five minutes. It didn't hurt, and after it was done I went on with my day, not giving it another thought. Dr. Erickson used 30 units of Botox to treat me, but everyone will be different. As the Botox kicked in during the next week /10 days, I started to notice that the treatment made a surprising difference to me.

My Results: I originally tried this for experience/learning and preventative purposes, But as the effect set in, I noticed a really nice change that I'm really excited about! To me, it looks like there is less tendency for any 'pulling down' by the corners of my mouth and chin, in addition to improvement in my neck, "gobbler" area ((technical term?? Ha)). My jawline is more defined in an elegant, pretty way. I'm liking that!

My Favorite Part: I love the jawline definition I have now, (even though I would not have necessarily listed that as an area for improvement on myself before). Keep in mind, everyone is different, so depending on how many units (I had 30, but I regularly see 50 plus in the office) and how much lift you need, results will always vary. BUT if you have an open mind and would be satisfied with a nice, subtle improvement, this is worth a go!!

Until next time, Stay fabulous, my friends!

More Fun New Tech Toys: Beauty and Brains

Ok, say what you want about the $280 price tag on this gorilla glass-covered, French-designed, narcissist-fave hard drive but I think it's fab! The Lacie 1TB Seagate scratch-proof hard drive puts the fun in ...um, backing up your computer. No... it puts the fab in ... techy desktop accessories. No... Hmmm.

Well, I'd like to know what's wrong with double-checking your lip gloss placement at your desk with a single glance before greeting a client? Or (more importantly) quickly verifying there is no spinach in your smile after a veg-friendly lunch? I think this is a fun and fabulous find.

Watch a quick vid of this pretty piece here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U06KicKXg4Until

If that price tag causes you to frown, it's time to touch up your BOTOX. ...And/OR, you can experiment with a budget-friendly and creative mirror alternative: The Glam Screen. I gave this one a try after doing the above ^ double-checks on my actual phone for a while.

It's tiring:

Unlock phone> Camera> Change the camera view to face yourself> Notice how weird and alien-like you look on the self-facing screen-side camera> check for spinach.

This is just too many steps for a girl on the go. Grab a glam screen and call it a day! 

Check out my other new and fun tech suggestion here: The Pearl Mirror Compact

And Until Next time: stay fabulous, my friends!

How To: Vinegar Soaks for Post-Procedure Skin

I thought it might be helpful to post a 'How-To' guide for a Vinegar Soak, a gentle way to care for delicate Post-Laser skin. White Vinegar's not-too-acidic acidity can gently cleanse the skin without causing irritation, and the cool, gentle solution is great for calming and cooling the skin when you just feel, well, Post-Procedure. Step 1: 

Measure out 1/3 cup of WHITE vinegar.

Step 2: Meanwhile, boil 4 cups water (to assure it's clean)

Step 3: Combine and refrigerate until chilled.

Tip: I love to use my pyrex measuring cups, especially for the last step. Once the solution is cooled, I will store it covered, pouring out small amounts for use when I need it. That way I never contaminate the batch.

Step 4: With clean hands, dip lint-free cotton pads or soft gauze into the solution and gently dab the skin. This feels great as a cool compress, too.

Once I cleanse the skin gently by dabbing, I'll use new/fresh pads soaked in the solution to drape over the skin while I kick back for a while. It feels great to cool off and relax while you imagine how beautiful your skin is going to look. Ahhhhhh. 

Step 5: Apply your post-treatment skin care products as directed

Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor's office! And until next time, stay fabulous, my friends!

3 fast facts: Teoxane

Teoxane Cosmeceuticals is a Swiss skincare line licensed and distributed by Alphaeon. When a good friend of mine began working for Alphaeon, I had my first opportunity to try the RHA Serum. Here are a 3 reasons you might just love Teoxane RHA Serum:

1) The Ingredients: The combo of the patented RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid) with 8 amino acids, 3 antioxidants, 2 minerals, and a vitamin make this a nice concentrate of actives that hydrate and protect. Antioxidants are vital to the defense and preservation of your skin in the barrage of free radical damage we experience by like, leaving the house every day.

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Ummmm, Time Out: What the heck is Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA), you ask?

Teoxane Cosmeceuticals' skincare line has the same crossed-linked hyaluronic acid used in their dermal-filler injections (Not yet available in the US). The main difference is the patented cross-linking process. A good comparison with a US cross-linked HA filler? It would be like if Juvederm was available for topical use. 

HA is already a popular skin care and dermal filler ingredient for it's water-loving properties, but Teoxane's RHA is said to form a mesh on the application zone that allows the active ingredients to gradually be released. Pretty cool concept.

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2) The History: TEOXANE Laboratories was established in Geneva in 2003 and has been busy with the design and production of HA based dermal fillers, with products in more than 80 countries. If they know HA that well, I'm going to guess that the quality of the HA ingredient in the topical line is top notch, Oh, and this has got to say something: The RHA technology has been patented now for 10 years!

3) The Feel of it: This paraben free, satin-like serum feels like a gloriously light makeup primer. I was told to use it as one of the last steps in my skincare routine to fully take advantage of the primer-like benefit, but I love how my other products glide on after it's application.

Check it out here, http://www.teoxane.com/en/rhatm-serum

And until next time, stay fabulous, my friends!