May 7, 2021
The pandemic's effects on plastic surgery, summer-ready makeup palettes, a super-sustainable body wash and a hack for no-makeup makeup.
The pandemic and plastic surgery
Right around this time last year—when I accepted that quarantine was going to last longer than we expected—I wished I had undergone a serious skin resurfacing procedure before lockdown since I had all the time in the world to recover. As it turns out, I’m not the only one, and the American Society for Plastic Surgery’s (ASPS) latest stats prove it.
Of women surveyed during the pandemic, 11% were more interested in plastic surgery and non-invasive treatments than they were before, and this number rose to 24% in those who had undergone pre-COVID aesthetic procedures. Even more, 35% of those who had plastic surgery Before Times planned to spend more on elective surgery in 2021—with liposuction and tummy tucks being at the top of their wish lists. (I’m right there with you, sistas.)
Although ASPS reports a 15% drop in procedures in 2020 and member surgeons stopped performing elective surgery for an average of 8 weeks last year, it’s no surprise that the top three most-performed procedures were for the face. (Thanks, Zoom!) Here are the rankings…
Nose jobs
Eyelid surgery
Facelifts
Liposuction
Breast augmentation
Although I’m all set on the surgery for a while (thanks, breast cancer), Botox is still on my list—I simply just haven’t had a chance. But I will tell you that my “11s’” days are numbered…
Summer is sneaking up on us...
I’m still not sure what month it is, and it literally takes me a moment to remember when I’m put on the spot. These days I tend to say August when I mean to say April (it’s happened numerous times) and I blame the whole COVID/quarantine situation rather than early-onset senility. Regardless of which season my brain may think we’re in, May is upon us and that means summer is officially right around the corner.
Summer is usually synonymous with travel, but this year I’ll be jet-setting vicariously through Anastasia Beverly Hills’ new face palettes. With names like “Italian Summer,” “Off to Costa Rica” and “Tropical Getaway,” you get a bronzer, highlighter and blush so you can get a sun-kissed glow even if you’re a mere armchair traveler.
Designed to deliver lightweight, blendable, buildable color in a dermatologist-tested, cruelty-, paraben-, fragrance- and oil-free formula, these palettes make it easy to get a healthy-looking glow while freeing up some space in your makeup bag. But there’s one hitch… Mark your calendar for their launch on May 3rd, because I’m willing to bet they’ll sell out fast!
Taking a sustainable shower has never been this easy
Today might be the best day ever. My drains were removed yesterday when I saw my plastic surgeon, which means I had the green light to finally take my first proper shower in TWO WEEKS this morning. As far as my lifetime of showering goes, this may have been the best one yet (besides the one I took when I got home from backpacking across Europe for two months after graduating from college).
I obviously kept myself clean in the meantime thanks to a copious amount of body-cleansing wipes, which I had stocked up on before surgery but stole from the hospital anyways. (I have zero guilt about this considering the hospital charged my insurance $104,000 for my mastectomy, breast reconstruction and 24-hour stay—yes, you read that correctly. And this does not include the separate five-digit claims from both my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon.)
Just when I thought I was on the eco-conscious straight-and-narrow by switching to clean products, the buzz around sustainable packaging continues to get louder and louder. I’m all for minimizing waste by nixing outer cartons and replacing plastic with Earth-friendly glass or one of the many other biodegradable materials—but the ultra-innovative company Plus has figured out a way to eliminate packaging for their Body Wash altogether.
You would assume the individually-wrapped single “servings” were the epitome of waste—but in actuality the opposite is true. Once you open the sachet and remove the body wash sheet (which morphs into major suds with the addition of water), simply toss the packet on the floor and watch it melt and make its way down the drain.
Available in fragrance-free, citrusy “Summer” and beachy-smelling “Waves,” the Body Wash is Plus’ only product at the moment, but I have a feeling we’ll see more amazing offerings that will help all of us maximize the sustainability of our personal-care routines!
The secret(s) for making the most of no-makeup days
Makeup was perhaps the furthest thing from my mind while I was recovering from surgery over the past two weeks—but that doesn’t mean I wanted to look as miserable as I felt (at first). By post-op day three I was physically able to resume some semblance of a skincare routine, and pulling multi-tasking products that would help me put my best face forward not only for my family and visitors (and myself) was crossed off my pre-surgery checklist.
Since I’m never one to take the easy way out, I knew I needed one product for my eyes and one for my entire face (at the very least). Fortunately I had Natura Bisse’s Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye on hand, and I give this tinted eye cream full credit for me not looking like sh*t even if I felt like it. Not only did it plump up the fine lines that five hours of general anesthesia made oh-so-much-more apparent, it also covered up my dark circles just as well as any concealer I have in my makeup drawer.
With my eyes covered, I needed something to restore life to my complexion as a whole—and SkinCeuticals’ Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 fit the bill perfectly. I re-purchased this long-standing favorite of mine about a month ago because the universal tint (courtesy of iron oxide) may help offset the potential damage caused by sitting in front of my computer for hours on end, as well as the UV rays I encounter when I actually venture out. The fast-absorbing fluid leaves a more even-toned, radiant finish without any greasiness (which made me feel less guilty about not doing my usual evening triple-cleanse).
Now that I’m back up and at ‘em (woohoo!) this super-streamlined skincare regimen is still perfect for Zoom-free WFH days—and I’m even good-to-go for errands with a few light swipes of mascara since most of my face is covered with a mask anyway. Even if I don’t necessarily need the extra time, it’s nice to know I can save it for later in the day when I’m sure to need it.