Not quite 28 anymore...but think I should be!
Blogging about attempts to look better as time goes on and probably some bits and pieces on life as a fairly new arrival in Toronto. Expect Botox, beauty products, food, fitness, reviews and ramblings!
Content is purely opinion but it might be informative.
The photos I took earlier were with Clinique High Impact curling mascara-a tubing mascara. I thought it would be a good idea to go post about how I remove it. I hated it the first time I used it because I couldn't get it off and had the same experience previously with L'Oreal Double Extend mascara. I tried my usual eye makeup remover and scrubbed and scrubbed to try to get it off. I was freaked out when I saw black clumps on the cotton pad thinking I was dragging out lashes but then realised it was the mascara itself! I did drag out a few lashes the first few times too though.
A bit of research showed that these mascara types should dissolve in water and wash off easily. They do come off with a bit of soaking (like putting a damp cloth over your eyes for a few seconds) and then trying to slide the mascara off. My new favourite way is actually to remove in the shower. I stick my face under the water and gently rub my lashes between my fingers. The pressure of the water and gently easing the mascara off works a treat with no panda eyes :-)
I'm really glad I've eventually figured this out because I like the effect of the curling mascara and tubing types in general. They really help to curl and lengthen-the Clinique one is the one I've used mostly and stays put all day long without losing its curl. I must give the L'Oreal one another try now that I've found the secret.
So it's about 2 months since I first started using Latisse. It's not a huge hassle to use-just a couple of minutes every night after washing my face and it has become part of my nightly routine. I'm definitely seeing results. I'm certainly not at the stage where I would say I don't need mascara, but I'm much prouder of my lashes when I have my make-up on and I'm also finding that I don't need as many coats-a touch does a lot more now.
My left eye looks good-lashes are uniform and have grown longer. My right eye is going through what I can only describe as an awkward teenager phase. Some lashes are long, some are short, some are pointing out, some are really curly. I think there's always been a disparity between the two eyes-the right sometimes seemed to have a gap-but the Latisse has emphasised this. It wasn't unexpected really. The information booklet warns that lashes may grow at different rates or in different directions. Hopefully this will even out as more lashes are caught at the right phase of growth-there are a few stumpy ones on that side.
Side effects? At the moment none. My eyes did feel a bit dry initially but that was probably emphasised by the change in weather and drop in humidity. My eyes weren't used to the dry Canadian air and the forced air heating! Haven't noticed any pigmentation on my lids or my irises.
I'm managing to squeeze more than a month out of the bottle too which makes it better value! I'm getting to the end though now so will be trotting back to Dr Torgerson's office soon for another fix (and maybe some filler)
Updated photos...
I've used the same mascara again (Clinique High Impact curling) for continuity. Camera is different though-eventually found a battery charger for my real one. My right/unruly eye is to the left as you look at it.
Here were my "pre" pictures:
According to this article, more and more people are turning to injectables instead of full cosmetic surgery. It's seen as a reaction to the recession-people spending less by touching up with fillers and botox instead of getting a facelift. It's funny that the demand for injectables etc has not only remained during a recession but actually rocketed. It seems to be a form of the "lipstick effect" where women were known to buy lipstick during economic downturns as a way of cheering themselves up and a small luxury. Botox and Restylane etc hardly count as the same price range of a tube of lipstick but it seems we have come to think of them as a normal expenditure; much like going to the hairdresser.
I can kind of see how it would be easy to get to really like having the procedures done. So far I've only had Botox in one area but it's amazing (and quite scary) how it's gotten me looking at myself with a more critical eye. The surgeon suggested filler in my tear troughs and I can see why. I'm bothered more by the fine lines around my lips now and would like to plump up my lips a little-especially the top lip which is thinner than the bottom one. That's not to even start on the liposuction I want!
Will I actually get those things? Probably not. It's certainly not economically viable at the moment. I'm also bothered by how quickly I've become (even more) dissatisfied with my appearance. Perhaps it's time to stop peering so closely....
I just saw an advert today for Jenny Craig's new Metabolic Max programme.
They see it as innovative and using a "powerful new tool" to strengthen monitoring of eating and activity. Is it true? Well, it's not exactly new. It's basically Jenny Craig (which isn't a bad idea really) with a BodyMedia activity monitor. This has had a few different names including BodyBugg and GoWear Fit, all made by BodyMedia. It's currently just called the BodyMedia activity monitor but it's the same thing. (In the UK it's sold as Ki Fit).
It's been around for a few years-every noticed the bands on the arms of all the Biggest Loser contestants? BodyBugg!
I've been using a GoWear Fit for a few weeks now and really like it. Basically you sign up to the Bodymedia website and key in your details (weight, gender etc) and then wear the band on your upper arm all day. It calculates activity, how intense it is, how many steps you walk, how many calories you burn and how well you sleep. They say this is due to the combination of an accelerometer, galvanometer and measurements of heat flux and skin temperature. The other big part of it is the calorie logging. Each day you're meant to log food eaten and it calculates calories and macronutrients. I eat too much sugar!
I've really enjoyed having it and it has encouraged me to move more. Interesting things were the realisation that I could burn as many calories on days when I walked a lot or went out dancing with friends as when I went to the gym. It's nice to know that general activity counts-doesn't always have to be gym. It also highlights the importance of cutting calorie intake-you can see how hard it is to burn extra versus just eating a little less.
This is mine from yesterday. Numbers on the left are targets and the ones on the right are what I achieved. Because it was a weekend my activity was good. I never seem to hit my sleep target though! I haven't logged my calorie intake for the past couple of weeks-holidays! I went to the gym in the morning so you can see the spike in the activity. Later in the afternoon I went for a walk and did some shopping so there's more activity and lots of steps.
Worth it?
It costs about $200 US for the armband and more again to subscribe to the website which is essential to use it. I got mine cheaper on ebay though and it came with 3 months free. After a while you can kind of estimate your burn anyway so you could possibly have it for a while and sell it on. I love mine though and find it does make me move more. I find the sleep function really handy.
Problems:
It is kind of obvious around your arm. Nobody has mentioned it, but it's tempting to just wear baggy sleeves all the time! Cost is also another issue. There's an initial outlay and website subscription. It comes with one armband but it's nice to have extra. They charge a ridiculous amount for shipping.
I love the sleep monitor. It's helped explain why I wake up feeling tired lots of the time. I don't actually spend as long asleep as I should or think I am!
Nice things:
The newer models have bluetooth and there are now apps for iPhone and Android (not that I have either) so that you can monitor activity during the day. Alternatively just get the display watch (extra)
Alternatives:
-Fitbit. It's cheaper but more of a pedometer. It does monitor sleep efficiency though. Advantage is that it's cheaper. Disadvantages mentioned by people on various blogs are possible inaccuracy and poor build quality. Some people love it though.
-Pedometer. A good one will accurately gauge steps taken during the day and encourage activity.
-Heart rate monitor. Only good for workouts but encourages you to work harder
-Calculate basal metabolic rate and then calorie needs using these calculators and use a free online site to calculate intake
I like my GoWear Fit though. It's a little reminder to keep going. I also like graphs and numbers so it's appealing! The Jenny Craig plan sounds like it would work by keeping activity up while providing clients with a reduced calorie diet (no pesky decisions to make about what to eat) and motivational counselling (huge!). It's bound to be expensive though-certainly way out of my budget-so I'll be sticking with my GoWear Fit and trying to make my own food...with less chocolate! My support systems will be through forums on Leigh Peele's site (love it!) and the Red Carpet Ready forum. Wish me luck!
I've written about my decision making process in choosing someone to inject me with Botox, the big day with Dr Torgerson and my decision to get a top-up. It's 6 weeks from the initial injection now and 2 weeks after the top-up so time for a summary!
Why did I get it?
I noticed glabellar/frown lines on my forehead about a year ago. It was as if they appeared overnight! I tried home microdermabrasion, facials, every type of cream but to no avail. They actually got worse. I felt like I was frowning in my sleep and would wake up in the morning with deep lines. They were giving me a grumpy look. They are one of the best areas to treat with Botox.
Where did I go and why?
I went to Dr Cory Torgerson in Yorkville, Toronto. I wanted a professional to administer it and in a proper medical setting. I was terrified of complications and while people in salons may do a nice job, I wanted to know I hadn't taken any chances. I spotted Dr Torgerson at the women's show and thought he looked nice. He was qualified and did all his own injections-he wasn't just a figurehead.
What was it like? Did it hurt?
I got a really warm welcome when I went into the office and was made to feel at home. My nerves almost completely vanished when I saw the place and met the office staff. I filled out a pretty lengthy medical questionnaire and had some coffee while I waited. Dr Torgerson was utterly charming and very sweet. He explained everything, including risks, and I signed a consent form. He did suggest one other thing-filler in my tear troughs...but that will have to wait until I win the lottery!
The injection was really really fine. He gave me a squeezy thing just in case but I didn't need it. He uses a 32G needle which is super tiny. Obviously, you will feel something when somebody puts a needle through your skin but it was just a scratch. He did 5 injections-one in the middle just above my nose and then two each side. The ones at the inner edge of the eyebrow feel strange but not painful. Just kind of crunchy! The actual injections only took a couple of minutes and I was ready to go straight after.
Any side effects?
My forehead felt a bit heavy the evening of the injection. Kind of like the beginnings of a headache but not painful. This could have been partly because of being more aware of it! One fun effect is looking at my forehead in the gym and seeing absence of sweating in the injected area-just proves that it works for hyperhydrosis!
How long to see results?
It was really 5 days before I saw definite reduction in movement. Before that it was a little less but 5 days was when I really thought there was a difference. There was gradual improvement up until around 2 weeks though.
Why the top-up?
I could still frown a bit. Not much but I was afraid the lines wouldn't soften enough. The areas he had injected directly weren't really moving much but more lateral (outer) corrugators were pushing me into a frown. Dr Torgerson couldn't have been nicer. He thought the result was good but gave me a little more anyway just to make sure. I only had 10 units that time and felt perfect afterwards.
How is it now?
Good! I still look I can frown. Kind of. It's not like my forehead is immobile, but it doesn't come together in the same way. The lines are much softer-one is barely visible-and I don't look as grumpy. I actually do think I'm happier now that I frown less!
Would I do it again?
Absolutely. It's pricey but I definitely want to keep it up if I can.
Any regrets?
Not doing it sooner! The lotions and potions were a complete waste of time and money. Could have saved myself a year of staring at my 11s!
PHOTOS:
Pre:
(frowning)
(frowning and lines)
5 days:
Post!
(lines barely visible)
(frowning-lateral muscles trying to move)
(frowning again-blurry but much less movement)
VIDEO:
And this was my attempt at a video to demonstrate how my forehead moves. Apologies for bad quality-it was on my phone camera....
Quick post updating on my Latisse experience. It's been 6 weeks now and I'm definitely noticing changes. I'm still bothered by the possibility of iris colour change. It doesn't seem like it's something overly likely with Latisse but I do still think it's a possibility. That said, I imagine it might be a difficult product to give up. I've always had short, sparse lashes (thanks, Mum) but they're growing now for the first time ever! Not all are the same length-there are some long, some around the normal length. My right lashes aren't as long as my left and some of the ones at the outer edge of my right eye are strangely curly.
I keep thinking I must be imagining it and it's really only properly obvious when I'm wearing mascara. My sister confirmed that they looked longer though and I've actually had the annoying "tipping my glasses" experience!
Updated photos:
I'm keeping a careful eye on my eye colour...especially things like that brown patch on my left eye (right of the picture) which has always been there. Mascara is Clinique high impact curling again.
Before:
It's slow! They say results tend to take off at 8 weeks so I'll update again.
