Category Archives: Style

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AGEISM AND PLASTIC SURGERY

I’ve always been a big believer in the “you’re as old as you feel” mentality, but the truth is there’s a lot of ageism going on. It’s in the fashion world, the beauty world, and most problematic, the workforce where it’s particularly scary because it greatly impacts one’s ability to provide for themselves and continue to stay and feel vital.

It’s been trending for a while now. Older Americans have been getting non-surgical aesthetic procedures and cosmetic surgery to stay competitive in the job market, whether they’re seeking employment or trying to hold onto their present jobs.Though qualifications and experience for a specific job should be the deciding factor, unfortunately that’s not always the case. Right or wrong, consciously or subconsciously, if a present or potential employee looks old that could be a strike against them, especially if they’re up against someone with similar qualifications and experience who looks bright eyed and alert.

It’s a fact of life. As you age, your skin loses its elasticity and can look less taut. You might experience wrinkles, drooping lids, hollow cheeks and even appear tired, worried and older than your actual chronological years. If you think plastic surgery might give you the competitive edge you’re looking for or at least even out the playing field, a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon can help you decide what might be the right choice for you. Even if you’re not ready, willing or able to undergo a full, upper or lower face lift, short of plastic surgery there’s still a lot you can do to address different concerns you might have.

  • If you have crow’s feet, forehead lines, the 11s or turkey neck, Botox can help. It will temporarily paralyze the small muscles, prevent new lines from forming and diminish the look of those you already have.
  • If age spots have got you down, a series of microdermabrasion and/or chemical peel treatments could greatly diminish them or you can use a laser to zap them into oblivion.
  • If you have under-eye bags, dark rings or circles consider hyaluronic acid filler which can trigger new collagen production and give your under-eye area a more youthful appearance.
  • If you have marionette lines around the mouth hyaluronic filler could be the answer as well. It can be injected near the cheekbones and temples to fill out facial contours, giving you a more lifted and youthful look.

If anything about your appearance does give you cause for concern, it’s nice to know you’ve got options. Most importantly, make sure you’re in the hands of an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. To find one in your area, click here.

 

(image via pinterest)

THE LOOK: CONTROLLED CHAOS

I’m kind of crazy about this polished, interesting undo created by Amit Abraham, Master Stylist for Dop Dop Salon for the Bibhu Mohapatra Fall 2016 Collection. It celebrates the prowess and poise of the mysterious female mind and was inspired by China’s Dragon Lady, Empress Cixi.

Abraham combined symmetical buns, one circular and the either in a wave-like shape. You can easily create your own interpretation or replicate it as is.

To do:
•Blow dry hair super straight and smooth
•Part hair down the middle and tightly pull hair back into two symmetrical ponytails at the occipital bone
•Twist ponytail hair into a flat bun on left side, being aware of the placement of bun so as not to peer out in front
•Take right ponytail and wrap in fine hairnet then secure at the base and wave flat toward front right ear pinning inside of nest to create wave movement
•Polish hair with strong hold gel to remove flyaways
•Finish with hairspray and add hair accessory

 

 

(Photography, Luzena Adams)

 

HOLIDAY HAIR TREND: LADYLIKE

Save your beachy waves and messy updos for another time. This season, a more “done” approach to hair is trending. Embrace polished ponytails and updos and accessorize with a beautiful barrette or hairpin. Right now, I’m loving the Stellar Hair Set ($48) with 3 gold and glimmery options.

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anthropologie.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(featured image via harpersbazaar.com)

How far are you willing to go for a slimmer waist?

Many years ago I read a wonderful book, Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, that opened my eyes to the ancient practice of foot binding. This practice had very young girls repeatedly having their feet broken and tightly wrapped so that they wouldn’t grow larger than 4 inches or so. This began as early as the 10th or 11th Century and didn’t fall out of fashion until the early 20th Century. It seems that women have long been suffering for the sake of beauty.

The things we’ll do: Noses are broken and reset straighter. Ears are pinned back so they don’t stick out. Teeth are filed down and covered with crowns. Breasts are enlarged or lifted or minimized. Fat is sucked out of thighs and abdomens. Skin has acid applied and toxins injected to smooth it. Women still suffer and we do so willingly.

A not-so-secret beauty secret that’s trending right now and practiced by more than a few celebrities is wearing a waist cincher — Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Amber Rose have all posted selfies of themselves with it. This little device is said to dramatically whittle your midsection leaving you with a flatter tummy, a more hourglass figure and better posture. Many users have reported a reduction of 1″ or more when worn up to 10 hours a day for at least 30 days. I tried it for a day or two and for me it was too tight and too uncomfortable. Apparently I’m not willing to suffer that much. It might not be in your best interest to either. When your lungs and ribs are compressed this way it makes it much harder to breathe.  Women have been know to pass out when it’s been worn too tight or kept on for too long. There’s also the fact the many doctors believe it’s not all that effective and real harm can be done.

For now, I’ll stick with a mostly healthy diet and regular exercise regimen, but if you’re looking to slim and contour your waist and diet and exercise aren’t getting you where you want to be, it might be time to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can help you get real results. There are numerous options including the following:

  • A Tummy Tuck or Abdominosplasty is a surgical procedure performed to remove excess fat and skin and, in many cases, weakened or separated muscles are restored as well.
  • Liposuction, Lipoplasty or Liposculpture is a procedure that actually breaks up and removes fat from the body via suction.
  •  CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure that uses controlled cooling for fat reduction.

A board-certified plastic surgeon will know what’s the best choice or combination of procedures for you, depending on your particular anatomy and frame. Click here to find one in your area.

Note: For more of my stories on aesthetic procedures, check out my blog posts on Smart Beauty Guide.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

 

A NOSE JOB WITHOUT SURGERY? YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT!

Non-surgical aesthetic procedures are hotter than hot, so it was only a matter of time before liquid nose jobs started gaining in popularity. If you’re not happy with your nose but you’re hesitant to go under the scalpel you don’t have to suffer in silence, or suffer at all for that matter. Non surgical rhinoplasty might be just what you’re looking for. The procedure can make a world of a difference in how your nose looks. It can make it appear straighter, give it more symmetry and balance, fix an indented contour, add definition to the tip and even be used to fix post-operative rhinoplasty indentations, all with very natural results.

Chester, New Jersey – based plastic surgeon, Dr. Larry Weinstein, MD, F.A.C.S. has been using fillers to touch up noses for over twenty years, so clearly it’s not exactly a new thing in the field of aesthetics. The difference though is the number of options available to get the job done. Dr. Weinstein has used Radiesse, Collagen and hyalaronic fillers, his latest preference being Juvederm PLUS. He also likes the possibility of Voluma, which he says “may have application for dorsum saddle nose deformities.” If you are a candidate for a non-surgical nose job, your doctor will be able to choose the right filler or fillers for your particular concerns.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The actual procedure can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.
  • It can be pain-free when a topical anesthetic is applied 20-30 minutes before the procedure.
  • The results are immediate. You’ll walk out of the office with your new and improved nose.
  • If you’re not happy with the results, the procedure can be reversed quickly and easily with an injection of hyaluronidase to break down the hyaluronic acid fillers used for this procedure.
  • Depending on your doctor, the filler and the amount of work being done, the cost is approximately $650 to $900.
  • It’s not permanent. You can expect the results to last anywhere from 3 months to 2 years, depending on which fillers are chosen and how quickly your body metabolizes the product.
  • To maintain the results you’d need to re-inject the nose.

It’s important to note that though this procedure can make you love looking in the mirror, everyone is not a candidate for non-surgical rhinoplasty. Your doctor can advise whether it is an option for you. With a liquid nose job, the upside is that you can have instant and often dramatic results with virtually no downtime and without the pain, recovery period and higher cost that surgery requires. The downside to this procedure is that the results are not permanent so you’ll have to repeatedly get re-injected which can certainly add up financially, plus the procedure is not without risks of its own.

Think it might be worth trying? Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to determine if this procedure is right for you.

Note: For more of my stories on aesthetic procedures, check out my blog posts on Smart Beauty Guide.

(featured image courtesy of pinterest)

easy workout hair = gorgeous post-workout hair

How to look like a cool chick while you work out and soooooo gorgeous afterwards? Do the double bun!

To do:

  • Divide hair into two sections.
  • Apply just a wee bit of a smoothing cream or a light gel.
  • Twist each section and secure into buns at the nape of the neck.
  • Post-workout, take down, untwist and finger comb for gorgeous waves.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

A PARIS FASHION WEEK SPRING/SUMMER 2016 LOOK TO WEAR NOW

I love this look created by Shiseido Artistic Director, Dick Page, for Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2016 Paris show. I find it fresh, season-less, timeless and I’m definitely not waiting until Spring to try it on for size!

While the face, brows and eyes are kept fresh, understated and beautiful, the bright red lip is the “key to the look,” applied slightly exaggerated with a lip brush.

Want to recreate it? Here’s what Page used:

Shiseido Perfect Rouge in Dragon ($25) has a creamy texture and rich, highly pigmented formula so one coat is all you need for vibrant, gorgeous color. Hyaluronic acid helps keep lips moist, smooth, healthy all day long. Page used a lip brush for a precise application.

Shiseido IBUKI Refining Moisturizer Enriched ($45) was used as a light base under the foundation. It goes to work correcting visible pores, uneven skin tone and texture. Apply after cleansing to renew complexion and leave it looking healthy and hydrated.

 

For more red lip tips, click here to see my write-up on Beauty in the Bag.

xoxoNancy

 

CHECK OUT VILLOID: STYLE ICON ALEXA CHUNG’S NEW FASHION APP YOU’RE SURE TO LOVE

If anyone can revolutionize the way people get dressed it’s Alexa Chung! “I suppose that scene in Clueless where the computer puts an outfit together from Cher’s wardrobe really stayed with me,” says Chung. “Clothes are fun, making mistakes is fun, being inspired is fun.”

VILLOID — her new social style app — actually helps you celebrate the process of getting dressed. The app was designed to “make shopping easier,” a wish shared by almost all who care about their appearance. VILLOID blends Pinterest and Instagram but specifically targets fashion and it even has a BUY button. You can simply browse street style looks and mood boards. Then, share your style by uploading products and photographs, follow friends and fellow style mavericks, love boards and individual items. And if there’s something you absolutely must have , simply click on the buy button to purchase it. See…easy peasy!

The app is now available in App stores globally and the Android version is set to launch late 2015/early 2016.

 

 

WANT FULL, SHINY, SEXY HAIR?

If you’re looking for fuller, stronger, shinier hair, look no further than your pantry. Wendy Rose Gould beauty expert for the hair tutorial and advice site www.Latest-Hairstyles.com says you can make your conditioner much more effective with a few add-ins. Simply mix 1/4 cup of your usual conditioner with 1/4 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup black seed oil. After styling, you’ll look like you’ve just stepped out of the salon!

 

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(featured image via pinterest)

HOW TO LOOK LIKE MIRANDA KERR. WELL…ALMOST.

I will never look like Miranda Kerr…and I’m okay with that. But it doesn’t mean I might not want to emulate her style every now and then. I love the look she had going on for the recent ‘China: Through The Looking Glass’ Costume Institute Benefit Gala early this May.

La Prairie worked with celebrity makeup artist Lisa Storey, who found inspiration in this Louis Vuitton short dress and Miranda’s simple middle part hair. She paired fresh, natural makeup to balance this chic modern dress.”

HOW TO CREATE THE LOOK:

Miranda’s skin was prepped with La Prairie Cellular Softening and Balancing Lotion, followed by Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil.

Her eye shape was defined with the Luxe Eyeliner Automatic in Noir, with an upwards kick to the edges to lift the eye. Cellular Treatment Eye Colour Ensemble in Les Bruns followed and then Storey gently contoured her eye socket extending the dark shadow out to the edge of the eye, and gently smoking it out for a soft look. She then smudged the lighter shade under the eye to continue the frame and blending it so it faded out with no hard line.

For her perfect-looking, luminous complexion Storey used two shades of Skin Caviar Concealer, Foundation SPF 15 in Soleil Peche and then Mocha for the contour followed by the Light Fantastic Cellular Concealing Brightening Eye Treatment pen under the eye and on the balls of the cheeks to highlight and help make her eyes stand out.

On Kerrs cheeks Storey mixed the Rose Glow and Peach Glow Cellular Radiance Cream Blush for natural radiance followed by a gentle dusting of Cellular Treatment Bronzing Powder before softly powdering for staying power and also so Kerr was still left with a dewy look.

The finishing touches were the Cellular Treatment Mascara Instant Build in Noir on lashes, the Luxe Brow Liner Automatic in Brun to play up her brows and the Cellular Luxe Lip Enhancer followed by the Cellular Luxe Lip Colour in Almost Pink.

For more information or to purchase La Prairie products, click here.

 

Photo: Larry Busacca/Met Gala 2015/Getty Images