The hairstyle that looks good on everyone? (Virtually try it out yourself!)

It is extremely interesting to me (and perhaps me alone?) that despite our focus on skin care-- it is the blog posts about hair (namely how to grow hair faster, and glitter extensions) that seem to be the most popular.  Although people are definitely interested in celebrity skin and anti-aging tips and secrets, it seems that skin interest doesn't hold a candle to the over-whelming display of celebrity hair interest. 

While it is hard to rationalize why this might be (perhaps "tinsel hair" is just having a moment...) but far be it from me to not give the people what they want. 

InStyle Magazine, the utmost experts at informing people about what they want before they even know they want it, has an awesome tool on their website that allows you to upload a picture of yourself in order to test-drive the hairstyle of your favorite celebrities. 
Want to see what you would look like with Katie Holme's Suri-esque bob, or Ashley Olsen's bleach-blonde fringe? Or, perhaps you want to see what Jennifer Aniston's perfectly-perfect hair would look like on you? With the click of a button, your curiosity can be sated.

Recently declared THE haircut that flatters everyone, Jessica Alba's collar length bob is supposed to cover all of the major hair concerns. Long enough to pull back, but short enough to get rid of any damaged ends, this length elongates the neck while slimming the face. The creator of this haircut, hair sensei Fredeic Fekkai, explains another major selling factor to this hair-style: the ease with which it can be styled! He claims it takes about 5 minutes, however for those with thick, curly hair, this would be a very time consuming (possibly impossible) look to replicate. 

Curious about what you might look like with this haircut? Just go here and upload a picture of yourself. If Jessica Alba's particular haircut doesn't do it for you-- there are ample other choices to try out. When you find the one you love, print it out and bring it with you to your next hairdresser appointment. Having a concrete image of what you are looking for will make both your stylist's job easier, and improve the chances of you ending up in love with your final result. 

After playing around on the site, which haircut do you think looks best on you? (Glitter extensions, perhaps?)

Viviscal Part III: Verdict is in about the hair growing phenom

A pill that makes your hair grow faster, reduces the amount of hairs you naturally shed, makes nails grow quicker, AND increases eyelash growth?! 

The benefits of taking Viviscal sounded too good to be true, so before we decided to literally buy into the hype and stock it on our shelves, we had five very different, very willing participants test-drive it for a couple of months.

The feedback we received substantiated the large order that just arrived, however if you're interested in the specifics; read on...

Our cynical beauty guinea-pig #1 had super thick hair to begin with. However, although she is not 100% sure that she sees a difference in her hair length (although everyone else does), she reports that her nails are now growing so quickly that they have to be filed twice a week. 

Beauty guinea-pig #2 recently had a baby, and was experiencing the massive hair loss associated with that major hormonal change. A devotion to gel-tip manicures had left her nails a disaster, and she was basically praying for a cure to help with the weak, painful nails, and thinning hair. A few months into her Viviscal program, she happily shares that she loves her hair now-- feels and looks thicker, healthier, and shinier, and her nails have regrown so that she is able to enjoy regular manicures again. (Her manicurist is in constant shock upon seeing her fingers. "They grew this much in 1 week?!")

Beauty guinea-pig #3 has been a slave to her extensions for the past four years. Depressed by the damage she has seen the extensions do to her natural hair, she has been looking for a way to painlessly transition herself from extensions back to her natural hair... but didn't see a good way to do it. After taking Viviscal for two months, she happily confided that thanks to the abundance of new hair she sees growing, she is feeling much more confident about weaning herself off the extensions.

Beauty guinea-pig #4 has naturally thin hair, nails, and lashes. After only a couple of weeks of taking Viviscal, she excitedly noticed that there was much less hair in the drain after her shower, and much less hair in her combs and brushes after styling. Now, after completing a few months worth of Viviscal, her nails, eye-lashes, and hair are are noticeably longer, thicker, and healthier looking. 

Handsome guinea-pig #5 is a young-man in his mid-20's who has been increasingly self-conscious about his beginnings of a receding hairline. Extremely skeptical that a dietary supplement would be able to do anything, he kindly acquiesced to participating in our practice-run in the slim hope that Viviscal might do what it promised. And, sure enough-- a few months later, he was ecstatic that the hair loss seemed to have stopped, and instead, a crop of new hair was visibly growing. The biggest skeptic of the group turned out to be Viviscal's biggest cheerleader.

The ingredients appear simple enough; Viviscal only consists of fish cartilage, cherry extract, and horsetail extract, and yet-- somewhere amidst the production process there must be a little magic sprinkled in, otherwise there is simply no explanation for why Viviscal works as well as it does. 

Fortunately for Philadelphia, this magic hair-growing potion can now be found on the shelves at Cosmopolitan Skin Care Solutions.

Long hair over 40?

There used to be all sorts of silly fashion/appearance rules that were once strictly upheld, and have now fallen by the way-side. As long as some taste is involved, navy can be worn with black, white can be worn in the winter, and yes-- women over the age of 40 can have long hair.

Once determined too girlish, many women of a certain age are now embracing the long-haired styles that used to be deemed inappropriate for them. Bo Derek (age 54), Diane Lane (age 46), Iman (age 55), Jane Seymour (age 59), and a slew of other recognizable celebs over the age of 40, look younger, and better than ever by sporting a hair-style that is synonymous with youth, vitality, and health. 

Hair experts agree that as long as your hair looks healthy and is worn in a style flattering to your face, your age has no impact on the length your hair should be. Things to keep in mind (regardless of age) to guarantee healthy looking long hair: 

Long hair is old hair-- anything past your clavicle is at least two years old, and has already been exposed to it's fair share of heat damage, environmental damage, and natural wear & tear. To protect this fragile hair, serious TLC is needed, starting with the way you brush. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, it is imperative to brush your hair starting from the bottom up. It reduces hair breakage to untangle any knots at the bottom of your hair, as opposed to starting at the top of your head and pulling the hair through knots, breaking and ripping your hairs in the process. 

Also, to prevent the ends of these older hairs from splitting and breaking, trims are recommended every other month. (According to an old French tradition, it is believed to strengthen the hair when its cut on the day of a full moon.) 

Deep conditioning treatments should also be used regularly to help protect the more fragile hair-ends. Hair experts recommend applying a deep conditioner at least once a week. Allow it to really sink in by either sleeping with the conditioner in the hair, or by blow-drying the hair to let the heat open the hair follicle and really absorb the conditioner. The more moisture added to the hair, the shinier, healthier, and stronger each strand looks. 

Stress, diet, and even hormonal changes can all impact the way your hair grows. The average person experiences a half inch of hair growth per month, however  Viviscal diet supplements contain a unique blend of fish cartilage, vitamins, and cherry extract that promise to grow your hair longer, faster. (As a bonus, Viviscal also reduces the amount of hairs that are lost on a daily basis, and strengthens your nails and eye-lashes.) 

Women from all walks of life, throughout history, have embraced the idea of long hair, and this is a hair-style that will never go out of fashion as it is a timeless symbol of femininity and beauty. When it comes to long hair, your age isn't the issue-- the health of your hair is. Nurture and nourish your hair, and you can have shiny, luscious locks cascading down your back forever. 

Secrets to looking younger with makeup

It's a double edged sword in every aspect of your appearance-- any change can improve your appearance, but there is also the risk that the change might end up detracting from your looks. 

While makeup can be your biggest ally when it comes to changing or improving your appearance, there are some common mistakes you should avoid so as to prevent yourself from inadvertently making yourself look older.

Consider the model pictured to the left. Obviously she is a beautiful girl-- and yet her makeup application significantly ages her. 

To avoid some common aging makeup pitfalls, follow the tips below to enhance, and preserve your natural beauty.

Makeup techniques to avoid:

Harsh, dark eye makeup: As witnessed on Sharon Stone at the 2011 Oscars, there comes a time in every woman's life where thick, black eyeliner ages you, and makes eyes seem tiny-- the exact opposite effect desired. (In fact, looking at this picture more closely, Sharon Stone might be a poster child woman for all of the antigaging makeup "Don'ts".)

Thick foundation: When the foundation is visibly caked into your pores, it gives an overall impression of unhealthiness. It's ok to utilize makeup in an attempt to make the skin look uniform, but a lighter touch, and lighter formula of makeup, will make skin look more natural and healthy. (Extra bad if you can see the makeup sitting on top of fine facial hairs.) 

Thick lipliner: Similar to the heavily applied dark eyeliner, defining your lips is supposed to make them look larger, even though the opposite is what occurs. In addition, this is an outdated look, and any fine wrinkles around the mouth, or thinning of the lips, will be more apparent.

Blue eyeshadow: Unless you are very careful, blue eyeshadow can quickly send a message of "bad makeup." Neutral colors, such as copper, champagne, and peach, are much more flattering for maturing skin. 

Glitter: Makeups with subtle shimmer are fine for daily use, however try to avoid makeups (usually eyeshadows) that have a more distinct glitter component. The heavier glitter particles are prone to settling into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more obvious. 

Anti-aging Makeup tips to try: 

Let Mascara define your eyes: Properly defined eye-lashes are a more natural looking way of making your eyes pop. (Eyeliner is fine, as long as the color and usage are appropriate.)  Makeup artist Cindy Joseph offers the following application advice; "With mascara, you don't want to apply in a rush. Do one good coat, keeping the lashes perfectly combed so they are separated. A second coat will make them look longer and thicker." 

Go for dewy skin, as opposed to matte: Multitasking makeup that lends color and moisture can help make the skin look younger. Fresh, dewy looking skin is much more natural looking than matte, cakey looking foundation. 

Shimmery makeup can be used for multiple purposes: Shimmery creams and powders can be used for eye-shadows, liners, lip color, and high-lighters. A soft champagne color can be applied right underneath the brow-bone, in the inner corners of your eyes, and along your clavicle. The light will reflect off all of these areas, for a subtly eye-catching effect.

Viviscal Part II: Huge decrease in hair loss

Approximately two weeks into my Viviscal experience, my vanity is at all time high. 

Despite my frequent checks, my hair is not yet miraculously 2 feet longer, or super thick, however-- while the realistic part of my brain understands that changes like that absolutely cannot happen overnight, the little-girl inside of me is still hoping/waiting for some Disney-magic hair experience. 

Even though I am barely into my trial period (Viviscal recommends 6 months before optimal results are seen), some benefits have already manifested, mostly in that my hair shedding seems to have been drastically reduced.

Whereas my dog used to love eating my hair out of the shower-drain, she is now disappointed to find a much less substantial snack waiting for her in the usual spot. My comb-- which used to also enjoy eating my hair after a shower-- is now receiving a lot less sustenance too, and I love it! (Cleaning up wads of my hair, after any of the above situations, was never a fun thing.) 

Stay tuned... after only a measly two weeks, I can't wait to see what future Viviscal use brings. :)

To look your best, embrace the things that make you-- you.

Look at it this way, I am saving you from one super-long, monster blog post...

Everyday since attending the "Just you, only better" workshop this past Friday, I have attempted to sum up the experience in one post.

However, it is proving impossible to adequately cover the key-points that every speaker made, without creating a ridiculously long post. So instead, I'm admitting defeat, and over the upcoming days I will post the highlights from each of the separate segments.

In hindsight,  it was interesting to note that after everything was said and done, the net take-away from all of the speakers (including the hair-stylist, makeup artist, fashionista, nutritionist, yogi, chef, fitness guru, etc.) was the same across the board, and totally on-topic with the name of the workshop.

You are who you are. Your hair is the texture it is, the size and shape of your bones is predetermined, and your body type is genetic. You can fight against everything you naturally are in order to meet a perceived notion of "perfect", but in the end-- it will make your life so much happier and easier to just embrace the unique qualities that make you, You!

Each speaker emphasized the ways that self-acceptance would improve their specific area of expertise. For instance, the Bobbi Brown make-up artist shared that the key of makeup is not to fix your face, but to enhance it. (She also pointed out that the most important thing to ensuring good makeup application is healthy, clear skin *ahem* but more on that later.)

While the Philly Fashionista reviewed some upcoming clothing trends to look for, she advised that each new fashion craze may not be appropriate for everyone. However, with some discretion, most styles can be tweaked to work for any wardrobe. (For example, if huge floral prints are not flattering, choose a smaller print, or perhaps get your floral fix with a printed hand-bag or scarf.)

Bottom line: do not change yourself to fit a desired mold, figure out a way for everything else to fit into your life.

By accepting, and appreciating, yourself, you poise yourself for a more satisfying life. Embracing your curls, hips, personality, and current life situation, allows you to clearly see ways to happily improve yourself, so that you're still just you... only better.  

A permanently permanent mascara?

First came permanent makeup. 

Knowing that there was a large female demographic that would never go for a "Mother" or dragon tat', tattoo artists cleverly adapted themselves to fit a more conservative lifestyle. Marketed as "permanent makeup," hordes of otherwise straight-laced women signed up to have their favorite style of eyeliner, lip-liner, lip-color, and even eyebrows, tattooed onto their faces. 

At the time, it was a novel and appealing concept; with permanent makeup, women could swim, sweat, shower, wake-up in the morning, do whatever, and already look the way they wanted to. 

Then, there came the extremely pervasive eyelash craze. 

Between eyelash growth enhancers like Latisse, lash extensions, and eyelash conditioners, the market is currently a flurry with eyelash products. 

It appears that the eyelash craze of now has merged with the permanent makeup craze of yore, as a semi-permanent mascara treatment has entered the scene. For those that felt applying mascara was always a huge time-suck, enter LashDip. Lasting up to six weeks, each eyelash is coated in a way so that it looks defined, curled, lifted, and separated. 

Pros: It's waterproof and smudge-proof, and your lashes will look defined the moment you wake up, or step out of the swimming pool.

Cons: It's $200-300 for your initial treatment, and touch-ups are recommended every 3-weeks.

The before and after pictures certainly look pretty, and it certainly is a wholly new concept in the world of eyelash loving. 

However, whether or not applying mascara is really a $250/month inconvenience is yet to be determined...

Philadelphia's "Just you, only better" workshop

This upcoming Friday, about one-hundred Philadelphians* will gather at 17 & Market, to spend their entire day in a workshop dedicated to teaching them how to look like the best possible version of themselves. 

As a company that is dedicated to being your trusted source for all the best up-and-coming skin/image/self-confidence boosting news/tips/tricks, a Cosmo Skin Care representative will be in attendance to report back the most meaningful nuggets of information that were shared throughout the course of the day. 

A quick look at the day's agenda reads like the cover of a glossy fashion magazine, with sessions titled  "How to Find the Right Hair Style for YOU", "Celeb’s Secrets to Looking 10 Years Younger", "Fashion Tips to Help Reveal the Stylish & Sophisticated You", and others of that ilk. However, as a faithful fashion magazine subscriber since the age of 12, this sounds like a day filled with 8 hours of heaven... 

With an interesting mix of spiritual, exercise, and shopping advice, I am preparing to show up well-caffeinated, with a blank notebook in my purse, and plenty of business cards in my wallet. The Just You, Only Better Workshop wants to help you not just beautify your physical appearance, but also will teach you ways to improve your health and enhance your true inner beauty. The goal is to make the attendees feel empowered, by teaching them how to become a more balanced, happier person, basically…you, only better!

Final perk: word on the street is that there is an absolutely amazing goody bag for all attendees. :) 

After seeing how the events unfold this year, perhaps this is something that Cosmopolitan Skin Care's experts should be speaking at in the future-- lord knows the condition of a person's skin has an incredible effect on the way a person looks, and feels about themselves.  

7:30 - 8:30	Registration & Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00	The Impact of the Media on the Confidence of Women and Young Girls - Molly Napolitano, Founder & President, Just You Only Better
9:00 - 9:45	Women’s Health:  Staying Healthy, Vibrant & Sexy as You Age - Vicki Lukert, PT, Women’s Health Expert
9:45 - 10:30	Meditation & More:  Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress & Transform Your Life  - Alice Dommert, Co-Founder, Deliver Me Yoga
10:30 - 10:45	BREAK
10:45 - 11:15	Fattitude:  Lose the “F” in Attitude - Michele M. Paiva, Author, Publisher
11:15 - 11:45	Train Your Head…Body Will Follow - Sandy Weston, M.Ed, Owner, Weston Fitness & Founder of H30 Workout System
11:45 - 1:15	Lunch & Presentation:  Fashion Tips to Help Reveal the Stylish & Sophisticated You - Biana, THE Philly Fashionista
1:15 - 2:00	Never Diet Again:  Easy Ways to Achieve & Maintain Your Perfect Weight - Melinda Engel, Owner, A Simple Approach to Nutrition - Molly Napolitano, Founder & President, Just You Only Better
2:00 - 2:30	The Celeb’s Secrets to Looking 10 Years Younger - Janet Indorf, Regional Make-up Artist, Bobbi Brown
2:30 - 3:00	How to Find the Right Hair Style for YOU   - Jeffrey Moffet, THE Makeover Guru, Pileggi on the Square
3:00 - 3:15	Break
3:15 - 4:00	Healthy Cooking:  Fast, Easy & Delicious - Brian Duffy, Celebrity Chef & Corporate Executive Chef, Kildare’s Irish Pubs & Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar
4:00 - 4:30	Final Thoughts - - - Meet New Friends
4:30 - 5:00	Free Zumba Class at Weston Fitness (Sandy Weston) OPTIONAL

*I would assume the attendees would be all women, but really... suppose they could be any gender.

Tips for making the most of your Latisse

Once you know how to apply LATISSE^®, it's important to understand a few simple tips to help you make your treatment as effective as possible.

Follow these guidelines for best results:

 

1. Make it part of your routine Try to incorporate LATISSE^® into your nightly routine — for example, after you've washed your face and brushed your teeth.
 

2. Keep it handy Store the LATISSE^® bottle near your other skin care products or toothbrush, so you won't forget to apply it each night.

3. Be patient LATISSE^® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% takes time to work. Only use it once a night, and don't overuse it, as this may increase the chance of experiencing eye redness or itchiness.
 

4. Start on a clean surface If your eye makeup remover leaves an oily residue on your eyelids, wash off any excess oils with soap and water to ensure a clean surface before you apply LATISSE^®.

5. Don't play catch up If you miss a dose one night, don't apply more just to catch up. Simply apply LATISSE^® the next evening and stay on schedule.
 

6. Beware of germs

 Try to not let the tip of the bottle or applicator crush contact your fingers or any other unintended surface, in order to avoid contamination by common bacteria known to cause infections.

7. Keep track of your progress

When you start using LATISSE^® solution, be sure to mark your calendar and take pictures throughout weeks (0, 4, 8, 12, 16), so you can have your own "Before & After Gallery."

8. Stay the course As we mentioned earlier, you do need to exercise patience with LATISSE^®. If you're happy with your results by week 8, stick with the treatment. You'll see the full effect of LATISSE^® come into view at week 16. After that, you should talk to your doctor about ongoing use.

Bet you can't guess the 1st step to this fashion-forward look!

It's interesting that such a high-fashion makeup look can begin with a simple, everyday product:

No surprise: Philly's top 3 skin treatments are America's top too!

With the absolutely amazing transformations that we see on a daily basis, further convincing was not necessary, but... it's always nice to know that (MANY!) others agree with you. 

According to the American Health & Beauty Reader's Choice Awards, Fraxel, Thermage, and Botox were all picked as the BEST treatments in their respective genres.

 Best Skin Tightening Devices: Thermage 

While skin tightening inquiries were high, the most popular skin tightening device was Thermage. With almost immediate improvements, no down time, and no risk, it is easy to understand why Thermage would be America's most popular choice for tightening the skin on their faces, neck, belly, thighs, buttocks, arms, etc... 

Used to treat sagging skin, wrinkles and discoloration, Thermage stimulates growth of new collagen, therefore tightening and improving skin's texture and contours. 

Best of Fillers/Injectables: Botox 

An oldy but goody: BOTOX is still number 1 when it comes to facial fillers/injectables! (Having been around since 1994, this is the oldest procedure on the list!) 

Despite the negative media hype regarding the use of Botox, people love it, and keep coming back to it again and again for it's wrinkle erasing abilities.  Despite several competitors entering the market this year, Botox remained the #1 preferred injectable.

Best Resurfacing/Rejuvenation Device: Fraxel 

Setting the gold standard for skin resurfacing, Fraxel (by the same company as Thermage, Solta Medical) was by far the most popular in its category. 

By promoting new collagen growth, Fraxel is able to rid the skin of acne scars, sun damage, uneven pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, scarring, stretch marks, and much more. 

2011 is looking good...

New Year, new products, new treatments... so many new things to talk about!

We just received our first shipment yesterday from EOS (stands for Evolution of Smooth) and after reading rave reviews about these adorably packaged, organic, good-for-your-skin products, I am so excited to be offering them to our patients. (Plus, I love how the cheerful packaging makes me smile every time I pass the display.)

More about EOS later though, because I'm also so excited about the new SkinCeutical chemical peels that are joining our inventory of magical skin care treatments!

Whether your skin concern is acne, aging, or unevenness... there is a customizable SkinCeuticals Chemical Peel for you. 

Each of the peels (aging: MicroPeel, acne: MicroPeel Plus, uneven skin: Pigment Balancing Masque) can be made as strong or as mild as needed for your specific skin type, and the MicroPeel is literally the coolest peel ever due to the cryogenic therapy involved. Yup, the last step of this peel includes a man-made snow-ball on a stick, which is used to administer the final step of exfoliation. (It is the coolest thing ever, it feels amazing, and leaves your skin feeling so soft!) 

More on this later, too...

The other thing that has me especially stoked right now, is kind of frustrating considering that it took this long to think of... For months and months we have been trying to teach our patients the best way to use Latisse (use a lipstick brush to apply it to the lashes). However, patients used to always call to say that despite ardent looking, a lidded lipstick brush seemed impossible to find... but no more. We finally found the perfect brush, and are currently stocking it so that all of our Latisse lovers can get the most lash for their buck. 

(The thicker plastic brush on the left is the applicator brush that is included in the Latisse kit, and the thinner brush to the right is the kind that we recommend.)

Next on my to-get list: the perfect eye-lash curler. After Latisse does it's magic and grows your lashes long, longer, longest, the best way to get the most dramatic effect is by curling the lashes and really allowing their length to show. 

I've been doing my homework, but am not fully sold on any one curler yet. Do you have any recommendations on the BEST eye-lash curler out there? 

Also, with resolutions at their year time high, I am told that this is the best time of year for self-tanning. My St. Tropez inventory is stocked and ready to go... will be interesting to see what happens.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday, can't wait to share the rest of 2011 with you. :)

How to get the most out of your Latisse

Considering this is advice I share on an almost daily basis, it was a head-smacking moment when I realized I had yet to post a blog article about the ways to get the most of your teeny, tiny little Latisse bottle. 

It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Latisse, as are all of my patients. (The rumors about Latisse changing the color of your eyes or darkening your eye-lids, is sensationalized for the media's sake, as it has no bearing on reality. My light blue eyes haven't changed color one bit, nor have the light eyes of Latisse's new spokesmodel, Claire Danes.) 

Everyone who has tried it, gets results. Granted, the results range from just super long and thick, to almost mutant status (in the best way possible), where the lashes get so long that they look fake-- even without mascara. But like any addiction, Latisse users really like the results they get, and want to keep using-- which leads to Latisse's biggest downfall: it's price-point. 

At $126 per kit, Latisse is definitely a significant eye-lash investment. Allergan (the company that makes it) recommends using a kit per month, which roughly adds up to over $1,000 a year on eye-lashes! That is a lot of money, especially considering today's shaky economical environment. 

After years of use, I have developed a fool-proof way to fully maximize the contents of that tiny Latisse bottle, so that instead of a month, one bottle can last me over 4+ months. It all depends on the application method...

Your Latisse kit comes in a substantially sized box, but once you open it up, it is often shocking to see how little the Latisse bottle actually is.

The majority of the kit is made up of plastic applicator brushes, which Allergan recommends using two of for each application. (One brush per eye, and then in the trash they go.) The brushes are chunky and clumsy, and the cheap plastic bristles don't absorb the liquid, so you go through way more drops than necessary just trying to get it on your eye-- and this is why it is the recommended application. By following Allergan's directions, you go through Latisse extremely quickly, and would definitely another kit after 30 days. 

 

The application technique is the key to my entire Latisse trick. In order to get the most from your bottle, you have to use it as sparingly as possible, which means using a brush that actually holds the liquid, and absorbs only as much as you need. 

Instead of the wasteful brushes Allergan supplies, my best success has come from a lipstick brush. Retractable, with a lid, and nice, soft bristles, these brushes can usually be found inexpensively at any drugstore, and absolutely anywhere online. 

By using a brush like this, you can control more precisely the liquid you are using. 

Make sure your lipstick brush has a lid-- this way your brush never fully dries out, and never has to be fully re-saturated. The bristles on a brush like this are absorbent, and hold just enough liquid to adequately apply across your lash-line. (In addition, these brushes can be periodically washed if needed.)

These days, when I need a new kit I just take the little bottle out and put it in my make-up case. Instead of just throwing them out, I take the included applicator brushes and store them with my arts & crafts supplies. You never know when disposable paint brushes might come in handy... and that's about the only thing they're good for. 

This application method will definitely allow you more mileage from the 3mL bottle.  

Do you have any Latisse tricks and/or tips?

Dream Latisse user: Asians

One of our most favorite patients is a beautiful and fiesty Asian lady who owns a local Chinese restaurant. Genetically blessed with absolutely gorgeous skin, at age 50 she naturally has absolutely smooth, creamy, to-die for skin. (And I know it's genetic because I recently had the pleasure of meeting her mother, who had equally envy-inducing skin.) 

The other day I passed her in the hallway of our office, and she grabbed my hand to pull me close, and started batting her eye-lashes at me. 

"Look at these lashes!" she exclaimed, "My eye-lashes used to be short and terrible, but I've been using Latisse for a couple months, and now look at them!" 

Indeed, her fluttering eye-lashes looked long, thick, and perfect. 

She pulled me even closer, and confided, from one business owner to another, that I have been severely remiss by not marketing Latisse to the local Asian community. (Philadelphia's "China Town" is about 2 blocks away from our office.) 

As a business owner herself, she knows the power of word of mouth, but as she put it, "I tell everyone, but I'm only one person!" 

This discussion happened a couple of weeks ago, and since then I find my mind often drifting back to the topic, but I am momentarily confounded about how to appeal to a crowd that speaks a completely different language than myself. 

While I continue to work on that problem in my head, this article caught my eye. "In defense of Latisse" featured at Thehairpin.com is a funny, honest, beautifully written article by a girl that is half Asian named Jasmine Moy, whom details her experience with the eye-lash enhancing serum. 

I loved reading her account (below), and I was proud to see that she too had forsaken the stupid application brush that is included in the kit, and was instead doing the same thing we recommend to get the most out of every last drop of Latisse. (Don't use the applicator brushes they include, they waste too much product. Instead, an eye-liner brush works well, or our favorite is a retractable lipstick brush. The lipstick brush never fully dries out, so less liquid is needed to re-saturate it.) 

Her article is below, and I'll leave you to enjoy it while I continue to periodically mull over how to best advertise Latisse to my so-close, yet so far-away, Asian eye-lash market...

In defense of Latisse 
For years I'd said that if I could get any part of my body replaced that it would be my eyelashes, to which some people would respond, "You can get eyelash transplants?" (I used to make fun of those people but, OMG, you can actually get transplants! Gross.) I'm half-Chinese and I have (rather, I had) what I not-so-affectionately called, "stubby Asian lashes," these short things that could barely be curled and required at least three coats of mascara to be seen at all. In short, if I'd known before now that eyelash transplants existed and if they weren't totally creepy I'd have bought in. Though I'd never consider Botox, I'm not above spending money on aesthetic improvement. I bought myself braces when I got out of grad school and I also sprung for Lasik a few years back.
When eyelash extensions were all the rage, I tried them. I sat through an hour of some woman gluing longer lashes to my own. The fumes from the glue painfully burning my eyeballs while also, as it turns out, making your lashes so stiff that so much as lightly rubbing your eye will make you feel like needles are being poked into your eyelids. Also, they fall out extremely unevenly (they stay on your lash until the lash itself falls or the glue comes undone, either of which will happen in a couple weeks) so you're left with crazy face after you lose half and are waiting for the rest to shed. When only a few remained on each eye, I pulled them off myself which is pretty much the worst thing someone who longs for longer lashes could do. The crazy face was THAT BAD.
So when Latisse came out, I wanted it. Nay, needed it. Not an early adapter, I wanted to wait until I'd met someone else who had tried it and approved first. I was in search of a guinea pig, but everyone I mentioned it to said the same thing, "It changes the color of your eyes! And turns your eyelids red!" or "How can you be SURE you won't grow some kind of horrible deformed eyelash baby or other biological/physiological monstrosity that the scientists just haven't figured out yet because it's all so new???"* There was also that pesky detail of Latisse being prescription only which I assumed meant some kind of doctor visit and, inevitably, a sturdy fee.
Some light research yielded several revelations. First, about a thousand cosmetic surgery offices offer Latisse with just $100 and a signed fax saying that you're aware of the side effects and that you don't have any random medicine allergies. Second, those side effects? Not likely. As a lawyer, I'm familiar with the black box warning. In "Torts 101" you learn that because of lawyers/lawsuits most prospective side effects, no matter how small or uncommon, must be stated on labels and mentioned in speed-read postscripts to commercials. Lumigan, the medicine from which Latisse was derived, was an eye drop used for glaucoma. Side effects of Lumigan included a darkening of the iris. In Latisse trials this didn't actually occur, but because some people are morons and will actually put this stuff in their eye instead of applying it like eyeliner, you've got to put the warning on the box.
I sent my fax and had my Latisse in hand in a week. Within a month people started noticing. "This is going to sound crazy, but I think I can already see it working," my co-worker said. After two months my lashes were so long that they were nearly unmanageable. I had to comb them or they'd tangle, but they looked pretty, not crazy like this. I'd use a little clear mascara on the base just to keep them from getting unruly. At least once a week someone comments on how beautiful my eyelashes are. I thought the girl who cuts my hair was leaning in to see if my bangs were even. Instead she said, "You're using Latisse, aren't you? That stuff is amazing." Occasionally one grows so long that I have to pull the rogue lash (trimming would leave a funny-looking blunt edge).
My hazel eyes are the same as always, but as for that other side-effect, the one with the darkening skin, I confess it has happened to me. The edge of my upper eyelid has a mauve-ish tint that goes away when I stop using the Latisse for a couple weeks (I don't bring it when I travel and sometimes I just forget). Currently, I only use it a few times a week and the discoloration is something I can live with for a few reasons: I barely have an eyelid to speak of (and no real eye-crease) because of that Asian thing, when I use eyeshadow I use a darker shade that covers it up anyhow, and I have an olive tone to my skin and it's not nearly as noticeable on me as it would be on someone with fairer skin. In short, it is a small price to pay.
As a good Virgo would, I've found a better and more effective way to use the Latisse than comes via the instructions.** They send these huge clumsy plastic cheap brushes that you're supposed to use once and toss. It may be sterile, but they suck. I bought a small eyeliner brush and just make sure to wash it regularly. I use half the amount of medicine than recommended (and with great results). Instead of one drop per disposable applicator, I use one drop total that I put in the bottle's lid, then dab at for both eyes. For those tough at math, that means that my bottle lasts twice as long. I got something like 6 months worth out of my first bottle.
But this is a commitment. If I ever stop using it, my Asian stubs will grow right back in as the long, luxurious ones fall out. There are those who might disapprove, something about how women should love the bodies they were born with blah blah blah, but my new lashes? I love them. They make me happy. And for that Latisse is worth every single penny. I rarely wear mascara anymore and have no need for eye makeup remover which are things I tell myself when I start doing the math to figure out how much it will cost to continue using it over the course of the rest of my life. Money: they say it can't buy you love or happiness but I'm living proof that it can, at least, buy you longer lashes.

*Actual question from your editor, Edith Zimmerman.
**Um, legal disclaimer! I'm not responsible if something bad happens to you by following my example, etc.

Top 10 beauty posts of 2010

Being a nerd can be so fun sometimes. :)

In addition to being practically invincible at Scrabble and a main-stay of prominent Quizzo teams, there are also all sorts of fun ways to geek out online. For example, with this blog, Cosmo Skin Care's official website, my Examiner articles, and even my Facebook posts-- I can track which topics garner the most interest, and react accordingly. 

It's always interesting to note that the things I deem the most important in the skin care world are not necessarily the same topics that my audience finds the most interesting. With 2011 right around the corner, it seemed timely to review the top 10 most popular blog posts featured here. 

You might be surprised to see the most popular topics, but then again-- since you are my audience, maybe not? (I know I was.)

Top 10 Cosmopolitan Skin Care Posts of 2010

1. When your face is your fortune... Celebrity skin care emergency fixes

2. Best and worst skin tightening procedures

3. Claire Danes "Before and After" pics disprove Latisse rumors

4. New glitter hair trend?

5. SkinCeuticals get even MORE celebrity love...

6. BBL Before and After Pictures: Sun-damaged Decolletage

7. Supermodels secrets to eternal youth

8. "Fraxel is like pressing the 'restart' button on your age"

9. Connect the dots: the REAL attribute that makes you look old...

10. Mineral makeup is like Prozac for unhappy skin...  As the stats clearly show, the skin care audience is heavily influenced by images portrayed by the media. They want to know the beauty secrets of celebrities, and what to do to maintain the youthful appearance that is exalted and desired in our society. (So in a nut-shell, the hot topics are anti-aging, celebrity skin care, "before & after" pictures. Got it!) I hear you, skin care devotees. Thank you for a fabulous 2010, and now that I have been able to track a year's worth of trends to divine your real interests, I plan to make 2011 even better for you.  Here's to a beautiful New Year...