I went down memory lane thanks to Facebook memories from years ago and stumbled upon some photos of myself in my early twenties. There was never anything wrong with what I’ve looked like, but I wanted to share a comprehensive breakdown of what I’ve done from beauty products to plastic surgery to achieve the look I wanted, mainly focused on a more youthful look with a few tweaks along the way.
Cosmetic Surgery
I’ve had two cosmetic surgeries, both on my face, including a rhinoplasty in 2019 and lip lift in early 2024. My nose job removed a small bump on the bridge of my nose and lifted the tip of my nose. It’s been 5+ years and I still have some issues with my nose cosmetically and functionally, so I’m planning on a consultation for a revision rhinoplasty in 2025.
I had a lip lift by Dr. Mascaro in Florida and it was completely worth the journey and price tag. A lip lift reduced the length between the base of your nose and lip and this tends to elongate as you age and it’s why this procedure is generally part of a face lift. I naturally have a longer philtrum column and with the nose job and an upturned nose, the length is even more pronounced and so this procedure helped achieve some facial harmony. Because I love this doctor so much, I’m returning to Florida for the revision rhinoplasty appointment as I would trust him to make the fixes I need.
Injectables
I haven’t been as stringent and routine with Botox, just getting it here and there around my crows feet and above my brows for a little lip lift, but I did get the works in my forehead recently which I’m loving. I believe it was 42 units total. And it really helps the brow lift! If I didn’t know myself, I might’ve guessed I had an upper bleph, but it’s just Botox!
I also have a half syringe of Restalyne in my lips. I’ve skipped lip filler for a few years since it never looked right previously to the lip lift. I’ll do this annually to keep up this look.
I’ve now tried under eye PRP and undereye filler (Restalyne Eyelight) which has helped with the under eye hollowness I have. I think I want to try the PRP again since it’s a natural method using your own blood. This involves extracting a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and injecting it.
Skincare
I use a medical grade skincare line ZO Skin Health along with some additional products for moisture. I have not been using my retinol for over a year and need to get back to that since I saw such a difference in my skin, but I stay on top of washing my skin thoroughly every night, exfoliating twice a week and staying on nighttime and morning routine!
Beauty
I’ve made a few changes over the years to my beauty routine and I think the biggest ones can be seen above. First, I do something with my brows! In my 20s, I don’t think I did anything and darkening them has helped frame my face (even though I dyed them this time at home before my next wax and tint appointment and they’re a little too bold.)
Second, I choose more neutral colors for my lips and prioritize hydrating them. My lips before were always dry (thanks to Accutane) and I would smear on either a bright red or dark purple and it just didn’t suit me. Less contrast works better for me!
Above is a profile photo from 2019 before my rhinoplasty and below is from early 2024.
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