Blepharoplasty

This topic is one of my most requested and I apologize it has taken me so long to address it. But before I get started, let me tell you right now that plastic surgery is a sensitive topic for some. And if you are here to criticize, not to support, the community that has requested to read about my experience with blepharoplasty, then I suggest you leave immediately. I am sharing my experience because I know I can be a valuable resource to those who are interested in the procedure.

Furthermore, I want to make it clear that I’ve only had blepharoplasty done. I’ve been blessed with my grandfather’s large, high-bridged nose [and his heavy monolid eyes], which he gets from his mother. I will post a photo of my grandparents as “proof” later tonight, which I know some self-absorbed, entitled folks will inevitably demand. Generally, I would not [and will not] fulfill such requests but my grandparents are beautiful and highly intelligent people so I will take up this opportunity to show them. [Unfortunately, my grandmother requests that I do not post the picture. Maybe one day!]

Plastic surgery can change lives for the better, as long as you use caution! It’s all about MODERATION. I wish I had a larger cup size, more chiseled cheeks, a plump top lip… Who the heck doesn't? But the only cosmetic procedure I have ever considered is blepharoplasty. And no, I don’t have pictures of my eyes pre-op or post-op. I never thought to take pictures of the healing process at the time.

Now, be prepared. This is a long entry!

I wanted to have the surgery after my high school graduation, which is when most girls tend to have the surgery done. My grandmother, however, threw a fit and said that I had my grandfather’s eyes [and his nose] and refused to allow me to have the surgery done. So for one year, I saved up the funds to have the surgery done, $2200. But in that one year, the surgery went up to $2700. I, however, had received a quote earlier that year for $2200, so my doctor decided to charge me $2400 instead. Many may find that to be quite high number for blepharoplasty but believe me, you do not want any issues with your eyes post-op. My aunt, who went to a reputable Korean surgeon in LA, had to re-operate on one of her eyes.
Moral of the story: you get what you pay for. Don’t take risks with your eyes! Furthermore, I do not believe it is worth the funds to visit Korea or Japan to have your eyes done. I’ve seen more shoddy results than not from those overseas trips. Save the plane ticket money and visit a talented, reputable surgeon here in CA.

Check out my doctor, Peter Newen, here: His website!

Back to the story, though. Let’s see… It was the end of my freshman year in college. I spoke to my grandmother about it one more time and instead of disagreeing, she offered to help me with the few hundred I was short. We went to see my surgeon together and I scheduled my appointment for two weeks later. I was jumping up and down with joy. My grandmother, bless her dear soul, cried.

On that hot June summer day, I stepped into the waiting room and was escorted by a very friendly, gentle nurse. I went to the bathroom, took off all my clothes and donned a white gown as well as those funny-looking shoe-cover booties, which are like hairnets for your shoes. This was when I started to get a bit nervous. Why? Because I am deathly afraid of needles. I never even get flu shots because I’m so paranoid. But the nurse was incredibly skilled and I barely felt the needle puncture my skin. Then I waited patiently for 15 minutes, sitting next to my IV, before I was escorted into the Operating Room. The next thing I knew, I was looking up at the bright lights and I could hear my doctor’s voice in the background saying, “Rae, I am injecting Happy Juice into your IV. You won’t be asleep but you’ll feel very relaxed and happy.” Hence, Happy Juice! To this day, I’m not quite sure what Happy Juice is but that liquid is AMAZING, a GOD-SEND. I numbly recall feeling the local anesthesia, one shot per eye, as well as the first suture and the thread pull through, but it was not painful at all. And the rest of the surgery? I did not feel a single thing. I could hear a bit of chatter between my surgeon and his nurses but I didn’t even bother trying to listen to their conversation because I was in such a blissful state of mind. My doctor asked me repeatedly if I was awake to keep me from falling asleep. Periodically, he requested that I look up, to the right, and to the left to ensure that the sutures were aligned. I remember smiling the entire length of the operation LOL The procedure lasted approximately 40 minutes. That’s a long time to be smiling, don’t you think? My poor chipmunk cheeks were crying out in pain, but my brain refused to acknowledge it.

After I was wheeled out of the OR, I was helped into a wheelchair and driven home. Yes, I was still smiling. Once I had enough energy to get my numb body off the couch, I went to the bathroom and took a good look at myself. I surveyed my eyes first. They were massively swollen and blood was beginning to coagulate around the sutures. It sounds awful but it really wasn’t bad. I was expected a bloody mess, which was my aunt’s experience. The blood was very, very minimal – just at the sutures. My doctor told me the bleeding would stop after a couple days, which it did. He told me the swelling would take about a month but I healed extraordinarily quickly, in just two weeks! I can’t guarantee everyone will have the same experience with the swelling that I did, though. You know what they say, “Hope for sunshine, prepare for rain!” It really just depends on your skin sensitivity and other natural factors that we can’t control.

And if any of you are curious, my eyes are naturally uneven, as is 99% of the world's. My left eye is bigger than my right, and when I asked my doctor to correct this curse, he refused. Why? Because the muscles behind your eyes should not be altered during surgery. It could cause complications later on and more importantly, your surgery may not turn out well. In short, it’s not worth the risk. Another component I think should address is that I requested medium-sized lids. Avoid too-subtle, tiny lids. They will just get swallowed up as you age. Oh, the joys of gravity!

My doctor, one of the most reputable surgeons here in Southern California, recommends that patients be at least 18 at the time of the procedure. Why? Because your face is still growing and changing. I’ve seen girls who had the procedure done when they were too young and now, their sutured lids stop before their eyes naturally end. Any doctor who says otherwise is trying to take your money and not considering your well-being. So when is the best time to get the surgery? The summer before you head off to college. You can always have it done later, too.

Now, why did I want the surgery? I consider that one of those silly questions because the answer is so simple. I wanted larger eyes. Even if I did tell you that I had a legitimate medical reason, detractors would rip it apart so I'd rather leave the matter up to speculation and allow them to make whatever judgments they like. For those of you asking how I dealt with the negative feedback I received in real life.. my mother told me, "They're just jealous because you could afford it and they can't." And I hate to be in the position where I have to be frank about it, but she was right. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but many of the girls who did say petty things about my procedure were the ones who wanted it [secretly or otherwise] but could not afford it. So if you're scared people will judge you, just ignore them and live your own life, doing what you want to do! I know is easier said than done, but it's an experience that will toughen you up for the real world.

I’ll conclude with this: I wish I were 5’9 and model thin instead of being 5’1 and “pleasantly plump.” I wish I could dance like Beyonce and sing like Feist. I also wish I could lay naked in a bed of Tahitian pearls, tanning all day long with an Appletini in my hand and of course, not have to work. [That’s a show of my sarcastic ability, if any of you didn’t pick that up ;)]
The point is, everyone, we all want what we can’t have. Work with what you’ve got, whether that be your resources or your natural face, and do what makes you happy. And if you still have a problem with my surgery, maybe it's because you haven't encountered the real world yet because being narrowly-minded and immature about plastic surgery is a thing of the past. Let's just all do what makes us happy. And to keep things in perspective, some women spend more on transforming themselves into blondes every few months than people like me spend on one surgery that usually lasts a lifetime. Who's to say that one is not more 'true' to themselves than another? It is easy to judge and criticize when you're behind the glass wall but no one has the right to determine what being 'true' to yourself is. Be confident in your decisions and I repeat, do what makes you happy. If you don't know what that entails, you will find the answer one day.


Wishing you all the best,
Rae

NARS Foundation Pumps

Hello, all!

Here is the link to NARS' NEW Foundation Pumps:
http://www.narscosmetics.com/Sheer-Glow-Foundation-C620_makeup_7.aspx

There is no individual page for the pumps yet. You need to select a foundation [I linked you to my NARS favorite - Sheer Glow] and scroll down the page until you see the Liquid Foundation Pump icon. It is $6 [USD] =)

Have fun!

CHANEL ROUGE COCO GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Hello, everyone!

I am sorry this took me so long to post. I was, by no means, pulling any tricks. I just wanted to give everyone a fair chance, which meant that it took me a while to read all the entries. What I did not expect, is exactly how long that would take. [My crazy schedule did have something to do with it, though! =(]

But finally, here it is.
The winner ... THE BIRTHDAY MESSAGE

Here is her entry:
Mademoiselle is beautifully made
in the Rouge Coco collection of shades
Mademoiselle, je parle le francais
tres chic, je veut le porter
Elegant and luxurious
Like chameleon that is mysterious
A unique look on everyone
Id like to get my own one
To match my classy, simple style
It would stick with me for a while
With the soft-press click
the cold metal lipstick
Is a definite classic
Mademoiselle looks fantastic

She wrote one of the only poems and it was indeed tres chic. Very simple, which I always prefer!

There were many wonderful entries but this happens to be the one I liked the best. I'm sorry if you don't agree with my decision but there are PLENTY of giveaways to come!

Much love and many thanks for your support and participation,


Rae

DIOR HydrAction Tinted Moisturizer vs. the NEW Hydra Life Skin Tint

Initial Thoughts: The Hydra Life packaging is sleek but I'm not a fan of the uniform slate blue/grey tone. I didn't mind the color scheme [baby blue tube and white lid] of the HydrAction tinted moisturizer. Dior only made slight changes to the color and condensed text on the back. I purchased the Hydra Life Skin Tint in Shade #1 and it was a bit dark for me. I am NC 20 - 25 in MAC and as obvious from the photos, I use shade #2 in HydrAction's Tinted Moisturizer ;) Hence, the color #1 in Hydra Life's Skin Tint will be too dark for anyone fairer than NC 20. That is unfortunate because the HydrAction range had a Shade #1 that accommodated very fair skin. [You can see swatches below - HydrAction is to the left and Hyra Life is to the right.

The HL Skin Tint covered the redness of my cheeks well but it accentuated the presence of a pimple on my forehead =( That's because the finish of the Skin Tint is a bit reminiscent of vinyl - shiny, in a bad way. If you have enlarged pores or hyperpigmentation, the Skin TInt will work for you. If you, however, have acne or other skin texture issues, avoid the Skin Tint! The HA Tinted Moisturizer, on the other hand, leaves my skin looking silky, semi-matte, and healthy, not shiny. It never accentuated any pimples and covered my red cheeks equally well. It also did not make my face look like an oil slick at the end of the day =) I have to touch-up with powder and blotting sheets constantly when I use the Skin Tint but I only have to powder once mid-day when I am wearing the HydrAction TM.

The active ingredients are almost identical and the SPF has remained at 20. The Hydra Life feels slightly more water-based than the HydrAction TM, which almost reminds me of Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation. HydrAction is very creamy for a TM but both Hydra Life and HydrAction blend seamlessly, without any tugging or pulling of the skin. Hydra Life was named for it's new implementation of plant extracts so it's possible they could have added aloe vera to the Skin Tint. Who knows for sure, though? It could be just an increase in the water ratio! ^^ Regardless, the Hydra Life has a thinner, more runny texture than does the HydrAction TM.

I much prefer the finish of HydrAction. It is only semi-matte for a few hours but it I think only dry-skinned gals could afford the high gloss finish of the Hyda Life. Believe me, I have dry cheeks and an oily T-Zone but I STILL look greasy immediately after application. Oily-skinned girls, BEWARE, of the Hydra Life Skin Tint! Also, the color may appear improved because there is less of a red tone than with the HydrAction TM but once applied to the face, it looks relatively similar in color to the TM.


Verdict: The HydrAction Tinted Moisturizer is still the winner. The Skin Tints have moved up one number in shade so the PPPs have been left in the cold - sorry! =( And I'll have to buy at least one back-up of the HydrAction TM before it's completely gone! Hydra Life really does moisturize my skin well but it leaves a sheer glossy film on my skin, and unfortunately, that makes my dry-combination skin look extremely oily on contact.

So...if you have very dry skin and you would like to give your skin that summer glow, try the Skin Tint!
But if you are like me and your T-Zone, or any part of your face, gets progressively oily throughout the day, you need to stick with Dior HydrAction [or Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer's if you cannot find the HydrAction at your local counters any longer]

If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

P.S. Please note: The trash can with the lid is the EXPIRATION DATE. The number inside is 12, which means 12 months, and off the product goes into the bin! *The symbol to the right is telling you to read the product manual.