Latisse from Allergan for anyone who isn’t familiar with this fairly new product was launched only a few months ago and has made quite a splash in the beauty world. Allergan who develops products for the eyes, as well as Botox, and Juvederm, discovered that the key ingredient, Lumigan in their Glaucoma medicine was making patients lashes grow long and thick. So thick that some of these patients were even trimming their newly thick and long lashes. Imagine that!

Seeing that this was something that they could possibly sell as a product to grow lashes thus began the birth of Latisse. Since it’s big launch the reviews have been nothing short of fantastic. I have pretty good lashes but still wanted to see what would happen if I started using it and after just a few weeks I began to notice that my lashes were not only longer but new lashes were coming in as well. I also decided to put any extra from each application on a bare spot on my eyebrow and to my excitement I have actually started growing brow hair there too!

For anyone who is thinking of trying Latisse you can visit their site and get all of the information you need. Although each bottle comes with enough applicators, I suggest using a very thin eyeliner brush instead to apply to your lashes. The applicators included are course and have the potential to scratch the eye when using. These are my lashes below without any touch-ups and photographed by my son less than 2 hours ago.

Latisse has been FDA approved, and is the first and only prescription treatment to help with sparse lashes to make them longer and fuller. To look at this photo you can really see how well it works.

xx

image credits:Latisse, Paolo Marchica

Post from: Aging Fabulous

According to Dr. Celia Brown whose known here in Los Angeles for her perfection and accuracy when it comes to injecting Juvederm, it is one of the best fillers you can use for your face.  “It’s affordable, very pliable, light in color and looks very natural.  It’s also easily removed if injected incorrectly.”

Juvederm is a temporary filler and generally lasts between 8 t0 14 months.  That sounded good to me and I knew I was in good hands, so I made an appointment with Dr. Brown to fill in the creases around my mouth that I absolutely hate!  Prior to my appointment I was told to take Arnica Montana several days before my injection of Juvederm, to stop taking vitamins and all types of aspirin (Aleve, Motrin, etc.) at least one week prior, and that by doing so it would decrease the chances of any bleeding and bruising.

On the day of my procedure, I was nervous and very, very excited.  I was instructed to take 3 extra strength Tylenol two hours before the procedure, and when I got there I had the option of numbing the area.  I opted to go for the numbing since I don’t have a high tolerance for pain. Dr Brown thoroughly went over the area of injection with me, and then marked my face with a white grease pencil to make sure her injections were accurately placed.

Once I was numb she slowly injected the areas and kept asking me if I was okay and if it hurt. She took her time and kept gently kneading the Juvederm like dough into the area until she was satisfied it looked perfect.  There was a little swelling after she was finished but very little bleeding.

This is a photo of me right after, no before pictures but trust me even the best spackle couldn’t fill those creases. I look like I am in pain but actually none at all. I felt very confident having Dr. Brown inject my face because she was so soothing, explained everything, and wouldn’t let me leave her office until she was satisfied with her work.  A very rare quality in Doctors today, and because of that I am a fan for life.

As the days passed I didn’t bruise at all and no one could tell I had anything done. Especially my boyfriend. Thank God! Friends just commented on how great I looked, but of course now that I’ve been hit with the Juvederm bug I want more:-)

xo,

b

image credit:  Theresa Rouhier

Post from: Aging Fabulous

“Botox is a purified protein of a bacterium and is extremely safe and not a form of botulism,” says Dr. Brown. It freezes the targeted muscles which cause frown lines, furrowing your brow, and those wonderful crows feet.   Botox injections last any where between 3 to 6 months and diminish all those lines that you grow to hate.  The result is smooth flawless skin.

The results are temporary but I have yet to find a cream that can do what Botox does.  The choice is yours.  Stop smiling and look unpleasant all day or call for some Botox.

The proof is in the pudding!

xo,

b

image credit:  glow of youth

Post from: Aging Fabulous

So here we are after a season of many award ceremonies paying homage to some of Hollywood’s best in film, and on Sunday evening the grand finale Oscars 2009. Celebrating some of this years best films viewed by millions all over the world.

The Oscars are as you know a big to do here in Hollywood. Streets have been shut down, blocked off and traffic has been nothing short of a nightmare. With that being said it is also a very exciting time especially for us beauty and fashion bloggers who are lucky enough get the inside scoop on how many celebrities attending this years Oscars will be getting ready for the big night.

Weeks in advance publicists and their assistants are on the phone making sure that each celebrity they are responsible for is booked when it comes to any treatments they will need to get them red carpet ready. One of the most popular treatments that celebrities make sure they take care of days before are their Botox injections. Many do it for the frown lines between the eyes, and just as many for an instant brow lift with no surgical downtime.

Celebrity Dermatologist Dr Celia Brown, and a true artist when it comes to injecting the face, is an expert on anything you desire to know about Botox, and other procedures for looking great Most celebrities who aren’t afraid to admit they’ve had it will tell you, Botox can easily become your BFF for life, and with all of the snapping going on this Sunday as each celebrity makes their way down the glorious Red Carpet, a wrinkled forehead or sagging brows will just not do.

A fabulous facial to improve the look of your skin, and give your complexion a gorgeous glow is next on the list of “To Do’s” to prepare for this Sunday’s Oscar night. We have a very close beauty source who tells us that Jennifer Aniston is mad about her facials and  keeping her skin looking beautiful. By the looks of her radiant skin in this picture it seems that this is so.

Our favorite Skin Care Guru and owner of Wildflower, Pamela Ford-Stevens is an expert when it comes to beautiful, healthy skin, and has been creating quite the facial buzz here in Hollywood. Her facials are done in a peaceful oasis for any woman who needs and deserves a little pampering.

My sister and I both got to experience her unbelievable facials first hand and are now her newest fans.  “All facials are customized for each person and their unique skin type and needs using the highest quality ingredients.  There are no add-on’s or extra charges. You get exactly what you need each and every visit.” This is Pamela’s Mantra and If you love your skin the way so many of us do, then you’ll definitely want to make an appointment and see Pamela ASAP.  Don’t blame us if you fall in love with her facials:-) She is a gem!

Mani’s and Pedi’s are an absolute must have for this Sunday’s event. There is nothing worse then finger nails spotted on the red carpet that haven’t been groomed. Even worse, those with dirt underneath them. A big no no! Why bother with the gown if the nails haven’t been done. Think of all of the stylists and publicists who will be sending all calls straight to voice mail.

Nettie Davis a celebrity manicurist here in Los Angeles, and creator of NettieScrub will be working around the clock to make sure Hollywood’s Glamour Gals have star-stopping beautiful nails.

Nettiescrub contains the best elements of natural ingredients including vitamins, minerals, and oils with delicious fruit extracts, and all made by Nettie herself.  Her fabulous collection of products include exfoliants, body balms, soaps, and soy candles. The body balms leave your hands looking and feeling beautiful.

Another popular treatment that many men and women will be indulging in is the latest treatment to lock in shine and color. CJ Cassaday of the Gavert-Atelier Salon in Beverly Hills says the best way to achieve this is by doing Ionic Hair Treatments. He says this will ensure that your color and style look best under the camera lights and for all photo opps. Applied with a flat iron it takes about 30 minutes after your color is done. This treatment consists of releasing moisture, protein & silicone to the hair, and bonding it to the hair shaft with the right temperature of the flat iron.”

According to CJ this treatment will increase the thickness of your hair without losing body, and make your color & hair look and feel its very best. Sounds like a treatment for me:-)

Of course we can’t forget all of the men that will be making their way down the Red Carpet too! George Clooney will probably be one of them. Our girl on the scene, sister from another mister and Celebrity Men’s Groomer Diana Schmidtke says “guys please put down the gel” and she is not kidding. “There is nothing worse than a head full of sticky, stiff hair” says Diana, and she should know since the majority of her celebrity clients are men.

The list is endless and includes Mr Clooney who looks very dashing in this photo, as do all of the men when Diana gets finished with them. They may look like they just rolled out of bed, but believe me they’ve been pampered too. Diana is also the spokesperson for Axe Hair Products for men, the best products for getting “Girl Approved Hair”.

And what Oscar night would be complete without an array of ladies who look beautiful and who are showing off their sexy eyes. Never a shortage of smoky eyes and cat eyes making their way down the Red Carpet. Eva Mendes & Penelope Cruz just love their cat eyes and we never get tired of seeing the most striking, and cringe at the ones that fall a little short.

Oops…many of the celebrities presenting and nominated will make sure that their eyes look great but when all makeup artist have gone home, Red Carpet Ready and Lights, Camera, Action will be joining them for quick touch ups throughout the evening to keep all eyes looking gorgeous.

So there you have it. Our 2009 beauty countdown to how Hollywood’s glamourista’s will be getting ready for this Sunday’s Oscars.

I hope to see you there!

xx,

image credits: Newscom.com, Diana Schmidke, beth bender

Post from: Aging Fabulous

As a celebrity make-up artist I was known as the “Queen of False Eye Lashes.” I was working with Bobbi Brown and would get requested to put on the eye lashes for the models all of the time.  Unfortunately, the glue used to put them on eventually leaves your lashes looking sparse.

Several companies released eye lash growers, Jan Marini, Revitalash, Lilash, just to name a few.  Tried them all and saw a little growth.  Then news came out that Allergan was in the process of clinical trials…which meant they were in the works of releasing the ultimate eye lash grower yet.  The key ingredient that “Latisse” contains is lumigan which was originally used to help glaucoma patients.  These patients were finding that their eyelashes were growing at such length they had to cut them.  WOW!

I’ve been using it for almost 2 weeks.  Latisse is only available with a prescription.  This is to ensure proper application and growth.  If you are interested in getting a prescription call Dr. Celia Brown at: 818-222-8232

One week after Latisse is applied:

16 weeks after Latisse is applied:

I’m so excited to get my lashes to this length!

xo,

b

image credit:  Latisse

Post from: Aging Fabulous

Botox...should I or shouldn’t I?  Well, girls I’ll tell you…YOU SHOULD!!!

Last night I attended a very informative event at Dr. Celia Brown’s office in Woodland Hills, Ca.  She talked about all of the myths associated with Botox.  My best friend who has always been against Botox injections started crossing over to the Happy side of anti-aging last night.  FINALLY…

It is a purified protein of a bacterium. It is home grown in Irvine, California at the main headquarters of Allergan. It arrives to Dr. Brown’s office in powder form where she then mixes it with water before injecting.  It is extremely safe, it’s not a form of botulism, and it can be your BFF for life when injected by the right Doctor.

The chemical goes straight to the muscle where injected and then temporarily paralyzes it.  Results are seen as quick as 2 – 3 days, most likely in 7 days, and maximum effect in 14 days.  The temporary Botox effect can last between 2 – 8 months depending on your metabolism and the Doctors skill.

Common areas of injection are the forehead, frown lines between your eyebrows, and crows feet.

For more info visit:  www.allergan.com

For info of the fabulous Dr. Celia Brown visit:  www.skin-renaissance.com or call:  818-222-8232

Dr. Celia Brown

XX,

B

Post from: Aging Fabulous