October 8, 2021
Scars have met their match, the art I want on my walls and an ode to clear lip gloss.
I'm super-psyched about the latest from SkinCeuticals
Well, my friends, it’s officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month—so get ready for some great content along with must-know info from one of the country’s top breast specialists. As I’ve been working on my October coverage, I realized it’s been a while since I gave you an update/over-shared, so here’s the latest and greatest.
When I saw my plastic surgeon two appointments (one month) ago, it was three weeks after my expander/implant exchange surgery. This meant I still needed some sort of compression on my abdomen except when I was sleeping—and believe me, I was so over wearing the waist binder or Spanx. (This started to become challenging wardrobe-wise as well.) But I figured I had made it that far, and it was worth three more weeks to get the best results from the liposuction part of my fat transfer. On the bright side, I was allowed to downgrade from a compression sports bra to a more comfortable “supportive bra” (albeit 24 hours a day). At this point I was also told to start massaging my implants and using silicone tape or gel on my scars. (More on that below.)
Although I’ve been feeling GREAT, I definitely over-did the dancing last weekend at my bestie’s daughter’s bat mitzvah. It was TOTALLY worth it, but I literally couldn’t move for two days before my six-week post-op appointment earlier this week. In the best news ever, I got the green light to resume (or rather, “ease back into”) all my usual activities—and I can’t wait for tennis Monday morning!
Back to the scar care… I’ve been massaging my incisions and using silicone tape on my scars as directed, but this week’s big development was getting SkinCeuticals brand-new Advanced Scar Control. (Full disclosure: They are a client of mine and I asked them to send me one.)
I knew I had to have it when I saw the results of a 12-week clinical study:
Improves appearance of scars by up to 29%
Reduces visible redness by up to 89%
Flattens raised scars by 33%
Softens and smooths scars by 23%
Reduces the intensity of discoloration by 33%
This cutting-edge formula features the silicone my plastic surgeon recommended, soothing allantoin, hydrating fatty acids and silica so it glides on smoothly. The texture is almost aerated, and not the slightest bit sticky. I massage it in every day after I shower and wait a few minutes before getting dressed. If you’re wondering how it works, the occlusive gel locks moisture in to create an ideal healing environment—and protects healing from external factors that can affect the color and texture of scars.
I’m not sure how long I’ll need to perform this extra daily step, but of course I will as long as it’s beneficial. I’ve already noticed major improvement in redness and puffiness, but I also understand the healing process takes time. But, so far so good and no complaints here!
The pupsters take Manhattan
OK, this is far from beauty-related, but I consider it buzz-worthy when two of my favorite (completely unrelated) things come together. The first would be dogs (specifically my Havanese, Nugget, who goes by “Mama” around these parts), and the second is New York City, and more specifically the incredible five years I spent living there in my 20s.
I’ve long been a Gray Malin fan, and I dream about owning a print from the “Far Far Away” series that features llamas and balloons (photographed on a salt flat in Bolivia). But the announcement of his latest series, “Dogs of New York” was the highlight of my day today—and this collection just might be at the top of my Gray Malin list now. I mean, what could be better than canines captured at Gotham’s most iconic spots? Bergdorfs, the Plaza, Central Park…
In case you didn’t already know, Chanukah is early this year, which means I get to celebrate my birthday during the Festival of Lights—and I’d be willing to let my husband get away with one gift—as long as it was one of these. (Someone tell him, please!)
Because EVERYONE needs a clear lip gloss
I’ve been feeling some major makeup nostalgia lately… From my new Surratt Beauty mascara (the closest thing to Helena Rubenstein’s original metal wand) to Clinique’s Black Honey, I just can’t escape it. Then Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Posh Gloss in “Ice” arrived on my doorstep and I really had to think about what year it was.
Clear gloss is one of the first items of makeup I remember, probably because my mom would always give me a swipe, starting from about the time I was five. The one I remember most was by Aziza (and the fact that I was able to recall the name of this now-defunct brand is pretty astonishing). The next milestone on my clear-gloss timeline was M.A.C.’s Lipglass (natch)—and no matter how many times my hair got stuck in it, I just loved it—followed by Juicy Tubes in the early ‘00s. In the years since I’ve generally opted for clear, plumping formulas but in addition to the myriad colored glosses you’ll find in my bag at any moment, there’s always a gloss that’s purely about shine in there, too.
Just as my Kosas Wet Lip Oil in “Jellyfish” was coming to an end, Victoria Beckham’s decidedly fancier version integrated into my routine seamlessly. Even more, I got a Facetime from a friend just a few minutes after trying it for the first time—and she said I looked all dolled-up. (She didn’t believe me that all had on my face was tinted sunscreen, mascara and Posh Gloss.) The next time I got up from my desk my lips were still shiny (and not the slightest bit sticky) and I’m happy to report my hair hasn’t gotten caught in it once.
Makeup artists may have opinions about shimmery eyeshadow and powder vs. cream formulas as women age, but clear gloss is a fun yet perfect finishing touch whether you’re in your teens, 20s, 30s or beyond. The best part about getting older: Treating yourself to a luxurious formula that delivers, smooth, plump, healthy-looking lips (with beautiful, sustainable packaging). I’ll admit I feel rather posh when I wear it, and not in the Spice Girl way.