The PPP? (Perfect Pink Pout!)

Oh how I want you, the perfect pink lipstick! Does it exist? I see so many lovely varieties of that pale pink lip. The perfect mixture of pink shades and neutral hues. I was on a hunt this weekend for it…

My first stop Sephora! I do love that shop, but I don’t love it on a Saturday. My first mistake. My second mistake, going in hoping to have someone wait on me. They are either right next to me during my entire visit or no where to be found. Can you guess which one it was? Ha ha.. they were all very nice just very busy!

My second stop, MAC. I did get 2 things here. I love them both but they are a little too pink. Does that make sense?

I ended up getting:

1. MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Dreaminess –this is a new lipstick formula. It does feel extra creamy. I like the color a lot! But it is just too pink! Thoughts!

2. MAC Lipglass in Angel-I LOVE this gloss. You can wear it alone for sheer pink or layer it on pretty much any color! LOVE!

Do you have the perfect combination for that perfect pale pink? Will you please share!? 

Should I get Plastic surgery?

When meeting a new friend there are a couple of staple questions that most people start off with:

1.        Where are you from?

2.       What do you do?

3.       Are you married?

Although these are all perfectly acceptable, they tend to lead into other more probing questions. I am not even going to touch #3. As a serial single lady in south Florida, I could probably encourage a riot on why #3 is NEVER appropriate and ALWAYS leads to perfectly unacceptable, inappropriate prodding questions. Bitter much? Back to topic, when I answer question #2, I often have some interesting follow up questions along with the inevitable stares at my face and well, ahem, chest. I work for a plastic surgeon and I have been in this field since college. I work for an OculoPlastic surgeon, which is subspecialist within Plastic Surgery that only focuses on the eyelids, brows, and midface. That is why the inevitable stares at my chest make me giggle and roll my eyes. The next question is what have you had done, which I really welcome! I have had cosmetic treatments on my face and I am an open book. I have not had surgery on my face but I have had dramatic results from some great procedures such as Botox, Juvederm, chemical peels, and photo-facials. I also love me some good skincare products. Like I mentioned, I never mind this question and I love talking and sharing my experiences! The question that makes me cringe and want to not so politely act like my phone is ringing or my mom is calling me home (those were the days) is…”What should I have done?” I feel like a boyfriend backed into a corner after being asked the no win question, “how do I look?” I literally feel like I am in a minefield full of inappropriate answers. So after many uncomfortable situations, foot shifting silences, and stuttering fragments of a sentence, I think I have found the perfect way to answer this gem of a question. Some “go-to” answers include:

1.       Do you have interest in one specific area?

2.       Have you ever researched or read about said procedure/treatments?

3.       Would you like me to share with you my cosmetic goals and what I had done to achieve them?

The reason that I am so careful to answer this question is because plastic surgery and treatments are personal! They should be done when YOU are ready and comfortable. They should be done where you want some aesthetic improvements or changes. You should research your physicians, read credentials, and most importantly feel very comfortable with both the physician and the staff.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions that you think are silly about Botox or eyelid procedure, etc. A fantastic physician will welcome these questions and take the time to explain. When it comes to beauty products, rituals, regimens, and even cosmetic services, YOU should want it, You should research it, and You should feel comfortable with it! 

My experience with IPL (Photo Rejuvenation) Laser!

So, I wanted to experience an IPL treatment and I work for a wonderful plastic surgeon, Gregory D. Lewen, M.D., who does this procedure...so I said why not?  The reason that I wanted to do  IPL (Photo Rejuvenation) Laser is because I have a ton of freckles. I decided to do both my face and my arms!  Do not get me wrong I love my freckles, but at a certain age they are no longer too cute. They just look like sun spots. FAIL! I had the procedure done in the past and wanted to share with you my experience, complete with pictures! Yes I changed my hair color! Which color do you like best?   : ) 

The Day of my procedure:

I applied numbing cream to my entire face and arms. The firs zap felt like a rubber band! After a couple "zaps", I was use to the feeling and was fine. 

My most sensitive areas were nose, upper lip, and hair line. The arms were not painful at all! 

Overall it was very tolerable. After the treatment my face felt totally normal! 

Day 1 after my procedure:

My Face is not red at all! I did notice that some of my freckles are darker. Dr. Lewen explained that this is exactly what should happen! What happens is the light from the laser makes the spots darker so they can flake off. GOODBYE brown spots! They great thing about it this procedure is NO downtime!  I am able to ear make-up and I am thrilled to see these brown spots flake off! 

Day 7 after my procedure:

WOW! I can tell a huge difference with my skin. My freckles are much lighter and I have a beautiful glow! People are asking what I have done to make my skin look so healthy. I love the results! It took about 5 days for all my brown spots on my face to come off. It took longer, about 10 days, for my arms because I had to many freckles! Any questions about the procedure? Feel free to email me at sassysouthernstyler@gmail.com!

All you wanted to know about Sunscreen! : )

South Floridians are no strangers to the sun; in fact we see the sun every single day. Even during rainy season, that big ball of fire will find a way to poke out and create a steamy, sticky hotness that can only be described as south Florida’s weather. The sun represents fun, happiness, beach days, and carefree living….it also causes premature aging, sunspots, wrinkles, and skin cancers. Now that I have taken all the joy away from the sun, let me tell you that all that nastiness can be prevented with the use of sunscreen! I use sunscreen every single day, not just beach days or days in the sun.  Oh how I so wish my days consisted of beach chair lounging and 5 mile runs on the boardwalk! Don’t get me wrong, I do hit the beach on the weekends and my skin is not the shade of Wednesday Addams. I am just well educated on just exactly what kind of damage that beautiful sun can and will do to my skin.

I am often asked what sunscreen is best for me. Many of my friends have been scared into submission and now join me in lathering themselves in sunscreen. One of my dearest and most beautifully tanned friends, defends her always bronzed skin by telling me that she hates to smell like the beach and/or coconuts (aren’t they one in the same?) I promptly told her that she is stuck in 1995, sunscreens have come a long way since then and most are completely scent free. I have a personal favorite, EltaMD Daily, but I am not a peddler or pusher of one brand. I believe what works best for you is what you should go with.  If you want an old school Coppertone to shield your epidermis, go for it!

We live in a world that offers 6,542 options for toilet paper; I am pretty sure facial sunscreens double that number and all serve to protect different skin types and exposures to the sun.  I have tried a number of fabulous products from drug store brands to Neiman’s pricey potions and more than I care to admit in between the two. Here are reviews of my favorite sunscreens that run the gamut on price:

Disclaimer: I have used all of these products personally. These reviews reflect my opinions only and are not a point of medical fact.  I decided to list them in order of cost, not in order of preference

1.       Aveno Active Naturals SPF 30 Face Continuous Protection SPF 30, $10.99

Review: I really like this sunscreen; it is light and non greasy. It smells good, not overly fragrant and it does not leave a white residue on my face.  If I had to rate this with the other products it would be my #2 favorite.

2.       EltaMD UV DAILY BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 40, $24.00

Review: I LOVE this sunscreen! I love everything about it, the coverage, the texture, no scent at all. It goes under my makeup perfectly. It is #1!

3.       SkinMedica DAILY PHYSICAL DEFENSE SPF 30, $45.00

Review: This sunscreen is very thick. I do not like it for everyday use. This is my “go-to” for beach days, when I need a thicker application. It always creates a white residue unless I blend it for what seems like 5 minutes, minimum. This rate as #4

4.       Chanel UV ESSENTIAL MULTI-PROTECTION DAILY UV CARE SPF 50, $52.00

Review: A great sunscreen, nice texture, but very hard to part with $52 every 6 weeks. When I say “hard” try impossibly painful! I cannot justify needing “Chanel” sunscreen. Chanel sunglasses, but of course! Chanel Sunscreen, No way! I would rate this #3 but I will only part with my $52 on a rare occasion.

Sunscreen should be a part of your everyday routine and can be easily incorporated into your makeup regimen. . Embrace it as part of your morning skincare every single day!

Must-haves for Anti-Aging Products!

Are you unhappy with those fine lines that have crept onto your face? Dark circles or smile lines around your eyes? What about the texture of your skin, dull and blah. Has it lost its youthful, dewy glow? In the second part of my Skincare Regimen blog, I want to provide you with some fun and easy options to help that pesky aging process! You need a good foundation of cleanser, toner (if needed), moisturizer, and of course sunscreen, BUT to combat the signs of aging you must have a couple of additional anti-aging products in your skincare regimens!

Antioxidants:

1.      An underutilized, yet important component of a good regimen.  Proper usage of antioxidants can increase your sun protection up to 8x that of using sunscreen alone.

2.      Can come in serum, gel, or cream forms.

3.      Thinner products are better for oilier skin types.

4.      Once applied, serums absorb deeper into the skin, and the beneficial effects cannot be washed off.

Some great antioxidants that I love:

1.      Elizabeth Arden Prevage Face Advanced Anti-aging Serum, $ 159.00.

2.      SkinCeutials Phloretin CF, $ 152.0.

3.      Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Anti-wrinkle Serum, $18.99.

Retinoids (Retin-A): 

1.      I know that many people will say they have used this before, or know someone who has, and did not have a good reaction.  If this is the case, chances are that it was NOT being used correctly!  Retin-A is a prescription medication and should only be dispensed and prescribed by a licensed physician.  It has great anti-aging benefits for the skin and this is an important step in many good skin care regimens.  Consult a physician if you have specific questions regarding the use of Retin-A for your skin.

Exfoliation:

1.      There is more than one way to get exfoliation, but my absolute favorite way is with the Clarisonic Brush! Like I mentioned in the first part of this blog, one of my first skincare product obsession was St. Ives Apricot scrub. It was way too harsh for me and still is! That is just my experience and there a lot of really great less abrasive scrubs out there. However, my favorite is the Clarisonic. It is great for all skin types, it has tons of options including sensitive brushes and acne brushes too! It helps skin tone, reduces the appearance of pore size and helps skin care products work their best. Can you ask for more? Oh wait, did I mention it comes in colors? That’s right is comes in countless different colors, including ‘graphite gray’ for the most masculine of guys!

Options for Clarisonic:

1.      Classic Clarisonic, $195. The original 2-speed Clarisonic offers tons of addition ad-ons like a body brush, I need an entire blog to share my love for this brush!

2.      Clarisonic Mia, $ 149.00. The newest addition to the Clarisonic family, the Mia 2 has two speeds, a one-minute pulsing timer which tells you when to switch to another area of the face.

3.      Clarisonic Mia 2, $119.00.  A one-button, single-speed, smaller size brush that is great for travel. Great option for teens and men!

No matter if you want a simple skin care regimen or one that has 7 different steps, start out with what makes YOU comfortable and add as you deem appropriate!

My Beauty Must-Haves! : )

Every girl has a “go to” dress, pair of shoes, lipstick, and even a song that adds some pep to her step. I am no exception to this rule, and I routinely make sure that I have a stockpile of these “must-have” items for days when the blahs overcome my mood.  Of course, nothing makes me feel better then a fantastic beauty product/treatment.  A fantastic beauty product or treatment should have your girlfriends asking why you have a glow, and your boyfriend(s) asking to spend more time with you! My must-haves for beauty products/treatments have some friends intrigued while others are puzzled. Puzzled you ask? Let me explain more:

1.       My “go to” for moisturizing lotion is JOHNSON'S® Vanilla Oatmeal Baby Lotion! Before you go and get all weird about the baby smell, it does not smell like the traditional lotion. It has a very faint, light vanilla scent.  There is nothing smoother, more moisturizing, and gentler for your skin than a lotion designed for a baby’s skin. I understand the ladies who want to have a nice scented Bath and Body Works lotion, but personally, I want my perfume to shine through, so this works for me perfectly. I use lotion EVERY.SINGLE. TIME. that I take a shower or bath. No I am not crazy, I just HATE dry skin!  Not sold yet? Did I mention that this amazing lotion retails for $ 3.99! Enough said….

2.      Laser Hair Removal! Yes, it is a costly splurge BUT what woman does not want to have silky smooth legs, underarms, upper lip, etc… I was that girl who never wanted to shave my legs in the winter, who would go an extra day skipping my underarms (why else do you wear long sleeves?) Not anymore! Not happy with my outfit in the morning but scared to wear a dress because I forgot (on purpose) to shave my legs? A thing of the past for me! ($200-$1000 depending on area and number of treatments)

3.      Castor Oil…say what? Yes! A home remedy for pimples is castor oil! Since I was little my great grandmother would tell me that if I felt a pimple coming on to immediately dab some castor oil on the area and it would be gone by the following day. It has ALWAYS worked for me! No expensive spot corrector needed for me!  I have used this trick for the past couple of decades and have shared it with countless friends who all have had great results! ($6/bottle)

4.      IPL Treatment (Photo Rejuvenation or Photo Facial) . IPL is amazing and does 3 amazing things! It addresses underlying redness and dryness in the skin; it really treats to a deeper layer of the skin as opposed to microdermabrasion or a basic chemical peel. Goodbye dry skin and dull appearance!  Second it targets those pesky brown, sun spots. Did I mention it also stimulates collagen, this gives your face a tighter feel and a beautiful glow?! ($400 per treatment)

All about Chemical Peels!

Who can forget the episode of Sex and the City where Samantha gets a chemical peel? When I first saw that episode I thought I would NEVER do that to my face! Can you believe that episode aired in 2000!? In my twelve years of adult living, I have aged a bit and I am not ashamed to admit, that not only have I gotten a chemical peel, I have actually done a series of them and looked nothing like Samantha.  Not even remotely close and no beehive-type hat to hide in embarrassment!

Can you get a chemical peel and have a similar response as Samantha did? Yes! If you remember at the end of the episode she did love her result. However, you can achieve similar results with a lot less down time! What is important to remember is there are many different levels of chemical peels based on your age, cosmetic goals, skin types, and skin damage.

Glycolic Acid Peels:

For a chemical peel newbie who hopes to improve skin the best peel is a light superficial skin only chemical peel. Such as glycolic acid peel which is sometimes called a lunch time peel. A physician applies a solution dissolves dead skin cells. The treatment helps to achieve brighter, softer skin. If done in a series, the patient may also see his/her brown sun spots fading. I personally recommend this type to all patients as their first experience with a chemical peel! One really wonderful brand is SkinMedica’s Vitalize Peel.  You will have very minimal down time and should have light peeling for a couple of days. These types of peels typically run from $100-$300 per peel. Often times you can get discounts when you do a series!

TCA Peels:

For the patient who takes great care of their skin, loves their skin care regimen and hopes to achieve a more dramatic result, a TCA peel is recommended.  TCA stands for trichloroacetic acid and is a more aggressive peel that should only be administered by a trained physician. A TCA peel affects deeper skin layers and also provides you with a radiant glow, smoother skin, and reduction in pore sizes! Many patients also feel that their skin is tighter after a peel too! Double plus!  One great TCA peel is the OBAGI Blue Peel. These peels do have a couple more days of down time and have longer healing time; however patients often obtain more substantial results with less treatments. These types of peels range from $250-$1500 per peel depending on the strength of peel and the area(s) treated.  

Interested in more aggressive peels? How about laser peels? Check back next week for more information on the wonderful options with laser peels/treatments!

It is very important to remember that these are all just suggestions and based on my experience with chemical peels. Everyone’s skin is different and will have a different reaction and response. Please consult with a physician before deciding on any chemical peels no matter the strength! 

My experience with Botox and Lip Filler!

 I am the Practice Manager & Patient Coordinator for Dr. Gregory D. Lewen.  I am also a skin care enthusiast!  I will provide some insight from the perspective of a Patient Coordinator in a Plastic Surgery practice, as well as a girly patient who will be honest and less technical then Dr. Gregory D. Lewen!  Dr. Lewen will also post on this blog, for more technical and/or clinical answer(s) to those questions involving procedures and surgeries.  I too, will answer any questions from existing patients, potential patients, and just curious minds.  Let me also include my friends that I have convinced to read my blog and ask a question.

Dr. Lewen once described me as being the “most challenging patient to date.”  I accept that title with a smile and honor, especially since Dr. Lewen spent two years during his dual fellowship in OculoPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, one of the largest and the busiest trauma centers in the country.

Why am I such a difficult patient you ask?  Well it is not the pain really…I have to admit that the anticipation is what is the most painful.  I get Botox and Filler (JUVEDERM Ultra Plus) in my lips. Does it hurt?  No.  I cannot with a clear conscience describe either treatment as painful; I would honestly say it is more uncomfortable.  Actually, Botox is not even uncomfortable.  When it comes to placing filler in my lips, Dr. Lewen uses a dental block, which makes my lips completely numb.  After the dental block is completed I cannot feel anything at all.  The dental block is not so much painful as it feels like a stick and some pressure.  It’s really just the same thing as if I were getting a cavity filled at the dentist.  Dr. Lewen also uses products that have Lidocaine (that’s a numbing medicine) mixed in with the product, or sometimes he will mix it in himself.  Once he starts the injections the mixed in numbing medicine takes any edge of that I can still feel at all.  A recent patient just asked me during her procedure why it was so mentally challenging versus physically challenging.  If she were not in the middle of a procedure, I would have hugged her neck at that very moment. (I did before she left!)  As a patient that completely understands this exact feeling, I answered from my perspective by saying that to me, it is more the mental anticipation then the physical pain that causes me anxiety.  After this patient’s procedure and my embrace, she admitted with a smile the exact same thing that I do every single time I have a treatment. “It was not nearly as bad as I thought!”

I have, without a doubt, cried, gasped, and pulled away from the needle all because of my anticipation of the “pain.”  Mere minutes after the procedure is complete, it is all I can do not to wreck my car while driving because I am so excited with my new, fuller lips that I am starting at them incessantly in my review mirror.  Many people ask me about the pain associated with treatments and I always tell them honestly by saying that with any procedure, each person is different, as is our individual pain thresholds.  But, without a doubt, 95% of patients forget about any pain almost immediately after the procedure and smile on their way out, complete with an “ice pack on their face to reduce the swelling!” (Dr. Gregory D. Lewen found his way into my blog somehow—can you tell?)

Thanks for reading…if you have any questions about Botox, Fillers, and what to expect please free to email me at sassysouthernsytle@gmail.com

Clarisonic...must-have or not needed?

Do you have a Clarisonic? If so, should I get one? If not, do you want one? Why or why not! Help!

Need help with your skincare regimen? : )

When I was 13 years old I absolutely loved St. Ives Apricot scrub. I thought it was the best thing and I was “oh, so sophisticated” adding a scrub into my skincare routine.  Sure, it broke me out more and irritated my skin.  Sure, I never fully rinsed it off and had a grit residue on my face for at least 2 hours after using it.  Yet, for some reason, it still made me feel fantastic!  Fast forward to 15 years later and I still get the same thrill when adding a new product to my now “seemingly sophisticated” skincare regimen…I mean, I have a whole different routine for morning and night now.  If that does not exude sophistication, I just don’t know what does!

 

Enough about my skincare regimen, do you have one?  Do you do the unthinkable and use hand soap?  Have you heard about how important antioxidants are for your skin?  What about daily sun protection?  There are several factors that go into building a skincare regimen.  For the largest organ of the body, the skin, everyone should have a skincare regimen, even the most masculine of males!  A proper skincare regimen not only cleanses and protects your skin, keeping it healthy, but also helps you fight the aging process!  Yes, I said it…aging!

First and foremost, what type of skin do you have?  Are you oily or dry?   Or do you have some oil in certain places and some dryness in others?   Are you acne prone?  Is your skin super sensitive?  Do you get real red easily?  A good basic way to determine your particular skin type is to pay attention to your face in the time after you wash. Thank you Dr. Dr. Mehmet Oz from the Dr. Oz show for the super easy way to determine your skin type:

1.     Generally, oily skin looks shiny very shortly (a few hours) after washing it.

2.     Dry skin features pores that are difficult to see in the hours after washing.

3.     Sensitive skin is often tight or itchy and prone to allergic reactions.

4.     Combination skin might be made up of two or more of these types.

5.     Acne-prone skin typically responds with breakouts to changes in the environment.

6.     “Normal” skin typically has a good balance between moisture, durability, and oil.

Now that we have a better idea about your skin type, let’s build that regimen!  Here are a couple of stepwise suggestions for building your regimen.  Please note, I am not a doctor or aesthetician, and my suggestions do not constitute medical advice.  That being said, I have built hundreds of regimens for friends, family members, and clients of mine.  I have also tried at least 1 million skincare products, and yes, I do believe that is an underestimation!

Cleanser:

1.     Oily skin typically needs a cleanser that specifically removes oil.  Gel cleansers are alcohol-based, and having a drying effect, thus typically better for this skin type.

2.     Dry skin typically needs a gentle or moisturizing cleanser that does not strip too much oil from the skin.  Cream-based cleansers are typically better for this skin type.

3.     Sensitive skin needs a very delicate cleanser that will not irritate the skin.  Non-soap cleansers are typically best for this skin type.

Toner:

1.       The main function is to reset the skin’s pH before applying other products.

2.       Not always necessary, depending on the type of cleanser and other products to be used.

3.       Some specific toners can serve to control acne or exfoliate dead skin cells.

Moisturizer:

1.       Oily skin types may not need this at all.  If needed, use a light, non-greasy formula moisturizer.

2.       Dry and sensitive skin types may need thicker products depending on the degree of dryness of the skin.

3.       Although I’m sure they smell lovely, products that are made with a fragrance are not recommended for sensitive skin types.

Sun Protection:

1.       Yes, there is a reason I bolded this section!

2.       Important to use sunscreen EVERY single day!  Yes, even if its raining!  Yes, even if you don’t go outside at all.

3.       No, the SPF in your foundation is not enough.  You need to use a dedicated sunscreen.

4.       There are many types of sunscreens out there that do not all smell like the beach, and are not thick to the point of leaving a white residue all over your face!

If you have interest in learning about adding additional skincare products like antioxidants (anti-aging), eye creams (goodbye dark circles), peptides, (hello new skin cells!) etc., check out my blog next week! 

Manicure Madness!

There is no denying south Florida is full of style, from Bohemian to button downs, and everything in between! There are all types of fashion trends and a person can experience everything from Sawgrass Outlets to Bal Harbor’s designer duds. One thing that remains constant amongst all fashionistas is a fabulous manicure! Manicures today can feature diamonds on your accent nail, and teal colored nails are now accepted in the board room. When I first started getting manicures, I was determined to have long, fake acrylic nails, normally French tips. I loved that classic look! Now, I would rather have plain nails (GASP!) then have acrylic on my nails. It takes months to get your nails back to normal after a set of acrylic tips! However, I am undeniably still searching for the longest wear, no chip manicure.  Manicures and chip-less polishes have come so far in the last couple of decades…and I am pretty sure I have tried every polish, style, and gimmick to have a fresh polished look 24/7. Here are 2 of my favorite options for a great manicure:

1.  Gel Polish, also called Shellac, also called chip-less Manicure. The name all depends on the place you get your nails done, but the concept and often the polish are the same.  This is a busy girl’s answer to having that 24/7 freshly painted manicure for more than the average 3-4 days of no chip polish with a “regular” manicure.  It is a combination of steps; some of the steps are similar to when you are getting acrylic tips, while others are similar to when you are getting a normal manicure. The difference is a special polish that seals to your nails. It lasts up to 2 weeks with little to no chipping. It is true, the polish does not chip, but the down side here is twofold. First, it can hurt your nails! When removing the polish properly, you need to place soaked pads of finger nail polisher remover on your nails and then wrap them in tin foil for 15 minutes… SERIOUSLY! It makes your nails thin and brittle very similar to acrylics. Second, is the price! This manicure might last longer but it is also ranges in price from $25-$45! Worth the price? Sometimes…but it really ruins nails almost as bad as having acrylic tips! Also, sometimes I am tired of the color after only a couple of days. Like I said earlier, if you are a super busy girl who does not have the time or the desire to change her polish to match her outfit (oh the problems of a girly girl) then this is the perfect manicure for you!

2. My favorite long lasting polish does not even promote the gimmick of “no-chip”. It is just that good! No one ever believes me when I tell them what brand and the cost. I assure you this is hands down my FAVORITE polish of all time and I can go an entire week with little to no chipping! Drum roll please…Wet-n-Wild, Mega Last. Boy does it last! Now, here is the true beauty of it, It only costs $1.99!!! No, I am not crazy; this is seriously the BEST polish on the market (in my honest opinion) Now let’s not forget I am no stranger to spending a pretty penny on a beauty product that I love. Yes, I have tried the infamous OPI and Essie…I assure you Wet-n-Wild is better! Honestly, how can you be afraid to try it? You are out less than $2! You can change your nails as much or as little as you want, and not have to worry about the price. The only downside is that you will want to purchase every color of polish that they offer, and beg for more color options!