Do I need Botox?
Whether you are in the acting and modeling industry or not, Botox and fillers have become more and more common amongst women, especially within the Gen Z & Millennial generations, and as fine lines and wrinkles started to emerge in my late 20s, I started to consider it. I was surprised by how many women I knew had had it done before, so I began to research it.
Since I am a pharmacist, I went to my favorite drug reference (Lexicomp) which has some of the most comprehensive drug monographs and patient education.
According to this reference, “Botox works by blocking nerve signals to muscles. Then the muscle becomes weaker and cannot move as well. The targeted area will then show less lines and wrinkles.” When I read this, it personally made me hesitate, especially as an actress— I don’t want to immobilize any muscles in my face! Results for botox take 1-2 weeks and last 3-6 months. Although generally considered safe, some common side effects include redness, bruising, and pain at the injection site. If the botox moves toward your eyelids or brows, they may look droopy, especially if you have hooded eyes or monolids. Then there is the rare risk of serious adverse reactions which can include severe allergic reactions, vision impairment, infection, muscle weakness, or paralysis (which you would need to call the doctor/911 immediately for).
Not exactly ideal when you are just trying to minimize some wrinkles. So then I started researching Juvederm which seemed to be a more natural alternative. It is a filler that uses hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in the body, to plump the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Results show almost immediately and last 6-18 months. The caveat: It tends to be more expensive than Botox and can still pose some of the rare serious side effects.
So then I started to ask myself (and my friends), why are you considering this? And let me preface: There is no shame whatsoever if you decide to do either or both of these types of injections. It’s so important to be comfortable and confident in your skin. I simply wanted to explore the “why” (and not philosophically or spiritually- that’s a different discussion altogether that I do not intend to touch on here), and what I found is that for many women- including myself- a lot of it came down to how their makeup looked. Aha!! Interesting. The makeup would crease and start to accentuate the wrinkles.
So then I began to ask myself, can I fix these issues with makeup and skincare? And personally, I found the answer to this question to be a resounding YES!
Although I have aged several years since I started to explore these questions, I have never been happier with how my skin has looked with and without makeup, and although my fine lines have not disappeared completely, they have significantly reduced in appearance. I spent a little more on makeup and skincare, but not nearly as much as I would have with injections, and many times the fix to my makeup issues had more to do with technique than the product itself. So I compiled all my tips & tricks here for you!
It all starts with skincare…
Every time you apply makeup, the skin should be cleaned, prepped, and moisturized to not only prevent bacteria buildup on your makeup products (thereby causing acne) but also to ensure that your makeup wears the way it’s supposed to. If your skin is dry, your makeup will highlight that by being flaky, which is no bueno. There are lots of different products to choose from, and it’s important to know what works best for your skin type. Your skincare needs will likely change as you age (mine certainly have!), but I will link some of my faves down below. For reference, I used to have pretty oily, acne-prone skin in my mid-twenties. Now my skin tends to be a combination but leans more on the dry side, being that I’m in my early thirties. Many of the products listed below have anti-aging and hydrating benefits while also preventing acne.
But first things first: Are you applying your skincare products in the right order?
Using the correct order will make sure your skin is able to fully soak up all those lovely ingredients. So, what is the correct order you ask? Let’s get into it!
1. Cleanser
To clean the skin and prevent any oil or bacteria buildup. Make sure to use a clean towel!
2. Toner
To further clean out the pores from any remaining impurities while also preventing acne.
3. Serums
To effectively treat any of your main skincare concerns (fine lines/wrinkles, reducing pore size, hydration, etc.)
4. Eye Cream
To hydrate the eyelids and under eyes and prevent wrinkles
5. Spot Treatments
To treat acne, dark spots or skin discolorations
6. Moisturizer
To thoroughly hydrate the skin, prevent fine lines, and prep the skin for makeup if that is your next step!
7. Face Oil
To hydrate the skin further if needed and treat various skin issues (redness, uneven skintone/texture, and heal dark spots)
Now let’s get to the Nitty Gritty… MAKEUP!
Once the skin is happy and prepped, makeup should lay all the more smoothly! There is a lot I could cover with makeup, but the main two products I have found that make all the difference when it comes to having flawless-looking skin without the creasing or any other nonsense are…
Pore-Minimizing Primer
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Setting Powder
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Pore-Minimizing Primer 〰️ Setting Powder 〰️
If you are like me, I used to think primer was this weird, unnecessary step in the makeup process. It’s usually clear, you don’t see it, so what’s the point? But in actuality, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE! Its purpose is to make the makeup lay smoothly on the skin and to increase the longevity of your makeup look. Plus, if you have a pore-minimizing primer (as opposed to a hydrating primer), it will keep the makeup from seeping into the pores and creases of your face. Here are the two BEST pore-minimizing primers I have found:
To further keep your makeup from creasing, make sure to not go heavy with the liquid makeup in those problem areas. You don’t need to avoid those areas by any means, just be mindful of it during application. After applying all your liquid products (skin tint, foundation, concealer, etc.), you set it by applying setting powder. Setting powder mattifies the overall look of your makeup and keeps the liquid products in place so they don’t crease.
Now the real trick is in the application: First apply the setting powder to a makeup puff and then evenly distribute the powder on the puff by rubbing it gently on the inside of your wrist. Using a damp makeup sponge, blot out any crease/wrinkle on your face immediately before pressing the powdered puff to the area. I often use this method starting with the undereyes, then eyelids, nose, under the cheekbone and neck, and finish with the forehead. Make all the silly faces you need to to ensure you are not adding powder to an area that has already creased. Here are those products if you need recommendations:
And that’s it! With the right kinds of makeup and skincare as well as the correct techniques of using them, you may find that that’s exactly what you wanted all along! I hope this helps and that you truly celebrate the beauty that you are!
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