late night minutes

My Good and Bad Experiences With Lip Injections

Today I wanted to share my experience with two Toronto clinics I've been to for lip injections. Yes, I had it done and most people close to me didn't notice unless I told them, because *newsflash* you can get lip injections and they can still look natural! I think a lot of people think Kylie Jenner lips when they hear the words "lip filler" but let's be clear: 1 syringe doesn't do that to you. She's definitely had like 3 full ass syringes in there lol (and if that's your thing, no hate. Just trying to clarify that it's not all puffiness and duck lips, and it's definitely achievable if you just want a bit of extra oomph!) I won't write a ton of pre and post procedures simply because this is easily google-able so I don't wanna be repetitive. This is more of a review on two specific clinics I went to.

Pre-procedure

At the time of making the appointment, the clinic will usually recommend you a few things such as avoiding fish oil and other supplements that may heighten your chances of bruising.
On the day of the procedure, there is a quick consultation with the doctor just before they begin, and you'll be filling in some forms and answering questions before getting the OK from the doctor/plastic surgeon. Because this procedure is so common and fairly non-invasive, the nurse is the one who will perform it, not the plastic surgeon.
On average, 1 syringe of Juvaderm will run you about $600 + tax. I researched alot of clinics before choosing one and this seemed to be the standard price I kept seeing. You can also commit to just half a syringe which will be half the price.

Post-Procedure

There could be minor bleeding/spotting and potential bruising. It's not that serious or painful though, so there is no real downtime after lip injections, and you can put makeup back on right away. It just feels a bit tender to touch and awkward to talk because the lips are larger, still numb and a bit painful. A few recommendations that a clinic may make for the next 24 hours are a) don't touch or rub your lips and b) don't exercise.
Expect pure swelling and tenderness, but this all goes away after Day 1-2. I actually think they look nicest on Day 1 because the swelling makes your lips look twice as plump but it doesn't last lol Alot of clinics on instagram take before and after pics, and the "after" pics are immediately post-treatment which is when the lips are swollen. This is literally SO deceiving because they are only that big purely from swelling! The end-result will actually be less noticeable and more natural. So if you are aiming for a really noticeable difference, you will most likely need more than 1 syringe. My first filler, I got 1 full syringe of Juvaderm (hyaluronic acid) but my lips still looked 'normal' to most people. My second filler, I got half a syringe of Stylage. Your body metabolizes this over time and the fillers will last anywhere between 6-12 months.
You may feel lumps in your lips immediately post-procedure where the filler was put but most of the time, these can be gently massaged out and will go away within 2-3 days. They're fairly common so most of the time, its nothing to worry about. I had a minor lump that thankfully wasn't noticeable but just felt really weird every time I pressed my lips together because I could feel it but it went away after following the above steps!

Dr Jugenburg's Skinjectables clinic in Fairmont Royal York Hotel

My first lip injection was done in 2015 and was the worst and I hope no one ever has to deal with this kind of shit ass 'customer service'. First time lip injections can be scary enough, so its important to find a clinic that makes you feel comfortable and is professional from start to finish. Long story short, all the staff here had such a stuck-up attitude. To start, the nurse forgot I had an appointment and left for the evening already. Front desk staff called her back in, resulting in me waiting 20 minutes. Dr Jugenburg happened to be in the reception area when I first walked in, and seemed confused by me being there, but he didn't really acknowledge me or ask what he could help me with (that's always a nice way to make a customer feel when they're dropping $600 right? lol) The nurse, Marina came back, never apologized and wanted to argue that the emails we exchanged were unclear with my appointment scheduling (but my email from HER, that I STILL HAVE TO THIS DAY, said "we'll see you at 5pm") Mistakes happen but having a shitty attitude is not something I can excuse and overlook.

The Procedure -

The injections are obviously painful. It doesn't matter what clinic you go to, but if the nurse's technique is good, it'll hurt less. Marina didn't offer numbing cream prior to the injection and because it was my first time, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I thought this was just normal so I went along with it, assuming it was like tattoos and piercings where you never get numbing cream. Looking back, I'm pretty pissed she didn't let me know that was an option. The injections themselves have a numbing effect in it but that's kind of too late, seeing as the needle has to go in first and you've already felt all kinds of pain soooo...lol the results were okay but I specifically wanted a minor gap between my lips to be filled/corrected and Marina wasn't able to fill it so that was disappointing! I don't know if its because she didn't care to really do a good job or she just genuinely sucked at what she doing. I've read their reviews and people seemed to love the surgeon and his clinic staff but I don't know...all I can say is, name and reputation really is not everything.

Wellness Centre 4 You
I had my second lip injection done just last week at this clinic with a nurse named Mila, and had a really positive experience overall! Appointment started on time and everything ran smoothly. I was in and out of there in 45 minutes. Staff were all friendly and helpful.

The Procedure -
They applied numbing cream all over the lip and surrounding area as you can see below. They tell you not to close your mouth and do your best to keep your tongue away from your lips to avoid the numbing cream getting inside your mouth (but if it does, nothing too bad will happen, just that you'll be numb and uncomfortable for a bit). After 10 minutes, they go ahead with the procedure. This time around was alot smoother and less painful obviously due to the cream. The nurse also helped correct the minor gap between my lip perfectly, even with only half a syringe to work with. She also helped plump up my cupid's bow which is what I asked for (you can see this from the side angle in the second picture with my upper lip curving upwards more. My actual top lip without filler is just kind of flat and straight which you can probably see in any of my pictures between 2017-2018 lol) Overall SOOO happy with this work and can see myself coming back here because I trust them to do a good job!!

Took all the selfies in the world on Day 1 LOL

If anyone has any questions on lip filler experience that I didn't run through in this post, shoot me a message :) Hopefully this helps some of you if you've ever been curious or wanting to do it for yourself :) I love my lips and am so happy with the results!

No comments

, by latenightminutes

beauty

pixi beauty skincare: reviews

Every month I get usually at least one PR package from Pixi Beauty but this one was the most exciting one for me in a long time because it was all SKINCARE products!! I don't wear alot of makeup so usually I post less about eyeshadow palettes and highlighters but this package was perfect for me since these products target hydrating and exfoliating.

First off, Pixi Beauty is the best with packaging! Look at how cute this box is with the spinning arrow in the middle!

1) Glow Mud Mask

2) T-Zone Peel Off Mask

3) Peel & Polish

4) DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches

5) Glow Glycolic Boost Brightening Infusion Sheet Mask

T-Zone Peel Mask - aka the silver-coloured mask on my...t-zone (duh!). This is a peel off mask that contains aloe vera, avocado and green tea, to name a few ingredients. My skin felt firmer after peeling off and lighter too (goodbye heavy oil feeling!). It doesn't promise long term results but it does promise immediate, short term results (and it delivers on that!) if you're looking for a quick pick me up. Recommended use: 1-2x a week

Glow Mud Mask - aka the clay mask around my lip area which is where I usually get acne. Ingredients include kaolin clay, ginseng and sea salt. This mask aims to clarify and purify the skin while helping maintain its glow. I didn't notice a big improvement with complexion but my skin did feel alot cleaner after using. Some of my smaller acne spots seemed less red too. But don't expect it to improve any major hormonal acne because no products ever get rid of hormonal acne lol that is completely an internal thing that has little to nothing to do with your cleanliness. It does feel really nice though if you're just feeling a little congested and yucky and need to hit the reset button. Recommended use: 2-3x a week or spot treatment when needed

DetoxifEYE Hydrogel Under-Eye Patches - these eye patches contain hyaluronic acid and caffeine, and claim to hydrate and reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. I didn't notice improvement with dark cirles but it does improve morning puffiness. I like to put it in the fridge overnight and bring it out in the morning for an extra kick. It helps me cool off too especially since its been alot warmer these days. As much as I love the convenience and fun of using these eye patches, I did notice carrageenan was the third highest product on the ingredients list. I'm no scientist but just having read a few articles online has scared me into not wanting to use or consume anything with this ingredient, especially when its so high on the list, meaning its got a major presence.

Glycolic Acid Sheet Mask - this sheet mask contains witch hazel, glycolic acid and ginseng to moisturize and maintain healthy glowing skin. I was actually surprised how well this mask fit my face shape. You get some really crazy ones from brands some time that are soooo off like did they even actually look at ANY woman's face shape before making the proportions?? LOL anyways, this sheet mask fits super well, is super soaked with serum and was really hydrating. My skin did look somewhat brighter after using this a few times. I also like that the mask is biodegradable! I just wish there was some more extra serum in the packet to apply on the neck area. There wasn't alot, compared to some other sheet mask brands I've tried.

Lastly is the Peel and Polish Peel that helps polish away dead skin and resurface new brighter skin. It contains lactic acid, papaya fruit extract and sugar cane extract for exfoliation. I quite liked the harshness of this peel, it has a good amount of grit, not too harsh not too light. I applied this and gentle massaged in a circular motion for 2 minutes and then washed off. Recommended use is 2-3x a week (AM or PM).

What are your Pixi favourites? I'm hoping to try the In Steam Shower Facial, Collagen Plumping Mask and Glow Peel Pads next!

No comments

, by latenightminutes

beauty

beauty review: inkey list

UK brand, The Inkey List has landed in Canadian stores! Currently selling at Shoppers Drug Mart with so much hype surrounding its affordable yet effective products, I was super excited to have the chance to test a few out. I love that they are accessible by many (nothing over $15!) and also love the simple sleek packaging - if I ever want to do a shelfie, these guys will definitely make an appearance ;)

My daily skincare routine with these worked in the following order:

AM -

1) Salicylic Acid Cleanser (or just water sometimes)

2) Hyaluronic Acid

3) Squalane

PM -

1) Salicylic Acid Cleanser

2) Gycolic Acid Toner

3) Beta Hydroxy Acid

4) Squalane

Weekly - Kaolin Clay Mask

Every 3 days - Vitamin C Serum (evening)

Step one! the salicylic acid cleanser contains 2% salicylic acid that helps to unclog pores and exfoliate. It is ideal for normal to oily skin types. It also contains zinc which helps to reduce excess oil. As someone who has tested many, many products with salicylic acid for acne prone skin and hormonal acne, I honestly find most of them don't make a big difference with prevention and treatment. I think if you have very mild acne spots and only occasionally, this will work but I can't say that it changed much for me long term.

the hyaluronic acid serum contains 2% pure HA, and is ideal for all skin types. It is used to hydrate the skin, reduce fine lines and reduce wrinkles. Another ingredient in this serum is Matrixyl 3000 which supposedly helps to boost collagen production and can be found in alot of anti-aging products. Apply a pea sized amount post-cleansing and follow with your regular moisturizer. I love the light weight feeling of this serum and that added layer of hydration to really soften my skin. It felt plump and bouncy and I found this to be one of the more effective products with noticeable results. this also made makeup application smoother.

I was also a big fan of the squalane - a hydrating, non-comedogenic oil that is 100% plant-based. It does feel a bit greasy and doesn't get absorbed fully (there was definitely a bit of pillow transfer) so I don't recommend wearing it daytime since you'll look like a greaseball but its fine for overnight. It claims to regulate oil production which I think it did actually help with a bit. I noticed in the daytime, my skin did not get as oily as it normally would. I can see this working well for people with both dry and/or oily skin!

the two that I found little to no noticeable results with was the glycolic acid toner and the beta hydroxy acid. the toner itself I found improved my skin texture slightly but did not notice much with the latter product. I was disappointed especially after reading so many good reviews on these, so I'm tempted to be a bit more patient with these two and work with them longer. maybe my review will change! let me come back to this in a month or two.

I have a few vitamin c serums from alot of different brands in my washroom currently, and theyre in all different forms too randomly lol - powder, serum, cream, oil, sheet mask, toner, wipes and exfoliator. I do find they help with lightening pigmentation and scaring but it takes a while for noticeable results so currently, I can't say I've noticed anything.

same goes for the kaolin clay. kaolin is a soft white clay used for removing excess oil and drawing out impurities. when it comes to mud/clay masks, I like something with more grit (I dont know why but when its harsher or has more grit, I feel like its doing more work? maybe that's just me? lol). I applied this for 20 minutes all-over but I don't feel like it did anything. Temporarily helped with excess oil but meh. I can see this working well for someone who has really sensitive skin though since this is so gentle. Also wanted to point out it has a slightly odd smell to it LOL hmmm..

What do you guys think of this brand? Any favourites that are not listed above? x

No comments

, by latenightminutes

beauty

self care sundays

self care has never had a bigger spotlight than in 2019. every topic, article and girl boss is talking about self care. what defines self care varies from me to you but generally we think of something relaxing and/or good for the body, soul and mind right? whatever your vibe, here's some things that can elevate your #selfcaresunday!

1) soak in a bath tub or treat yourself to a loooong shower (the ones where you shave everything and exfoliate everything and feel like a magical unicorn after!) these adorable handmade soaps, lotions and bath bombs from gifts a bliss are so up my alley! they make for great gifts or just to treat yourself. my favourites were the bath bombs, body butter and grapefruit scrub. It didn't strip my skin of its moisture but also wasn't greasy feeling, just the right balance (no those are not microbeads - those are grapefruit seeds! infused with shea butter, vitamin e and beeswax). I also love a good exfoliating body wash to wash away the day and feel more "new" and this one contains real lava bits from france!

2) take care of a plant. according to a study published in the journal of physiological anthropology, active interaction with indoor plants (like touching and smelling) can reduce physiological and psychological stress (forbes.com). I dont know what it is, but looking at my plants and caring for them is so soothing and fulfilling! It helps clear my headspace and forces me to stay present in the moment. we all know mental health is a major component of self care (or the biggest component imo), so I think turning off the phone and being present is really important. not only that, it makes your space feel more cozy and put together and it can be a fun project to take on! let the creative juices flow :)

3) drink good. mushroom lattes have been become a big thing this year and I really love these mixes from four sigmatic (chai latte mix, matcha latte mix, turmeric "golden" latte mix). the matcha mix combines superfood moringa, coconut milk, a bit of stevia, and maitake mushrooms which may help support blood sugar balance and digestion. it does contain caffeine so I opt for this 1-2x a week in lieu of my grande blonde at starbucks. the chai latte mix is caffeine free, dairy free with turkey tail mushroom. Turkey tail is one of the best mushrooms for the gut, and, when paired with soothing reishi and carminative spices like cinnamon and ginger, creates a calming blend to support occasional stress and full body well-being. if you are a chai lover like me, you'll love this! the golden latte mix is caffeine free and dariy free and combines shiitake and mushrooms, turmeric and ginger to support beauty from inside out. shiitake is said to help support skin health and appearance so if you're looking to skip the makeup aisle more often, try this out!

4) eat good. we're told to eat clean 80% of the time and have cheat meals 20% of the time but when life gets in the way, its hard to stay committed especially when junk food just tastes so much better! lol when things start to derail, don't beat yourself up over it. have a crappy week of eating, feel through your shitty feelings then pick yourself up and try again the following week. every so often, I like to splurge on expensive dinners and experiences because I want to and I don't need to feel bad about enjoying it! I was at this omakase a few weeks ago and noticed a girl came to eat alone. nothing wrong with it, but this is usually a very social setting that couples and friends come to, so I was surprised to see someone come solo. but I realized hey, why not treat yourself? if it makes you happy, why wait? :)

hope you enjoyed this article :) x

No comments

, by latenightminutes

Pages

Yang's Chicken - Review

My Good and Bad Experiences With Lip Injections

pixi beauty skincare: reviews

beauty review: inkey list

self care sundays

About me

Follow Us

recent posts

Blog Archive

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook

Pages

Yang's Chicken - Review

My Good and Bad Experiences With Lip Injections

pixi beauty skincare: reviews

beauty review: inkey list

self care sundays

About me

Follow Us

recent posts

Blog Archive

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook

Subscribe