Out with the old, in with the new.

Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul!!!
And I can’t think of a better way to start the new month with a beauty post!

If you follow my stories on Instagram, you probably know by now that I am a complete Botox junkie. Unlike Queen Bey , my a$$ did NOT wake up like this! (all though I have been super conservative with botox injections only getting 18-20 units)

And while poking my face with injectables is something I have done for about two years now, I have to admit that I had been overlooking another integral component of beauty and anti-aging…my complexion—specifically my face’s texture! It has really been bothering me the last few months!

The silliest aspect of my whole skin-neglect situation is that so many of my friends are actually Licensed Medical Aestheticians! I worked in the beauty/spa industry and I know better! I blame it all on 2020! LOL! But really!

Let me further explain because to say I have not focused on my skin is a lie! I’m pretty fanatical when it comes to taking care of my skin but that being said, I also have felt like my old regimes were regimes for girls still in their late 20’s. I am now 40 and I should have switched up my skin care regimen in my 30’s! That neglect has shown up as dryness, dark circles, and those first whispers of fine lines. The lines are worse where I carry stress in my upper forehead and am definitely seeing those crow’s feet around my eyes! And let’s not even talk about the “orange peel” chin. UGH! Getting older is not for babies y’all. Plus my makeup has just been looking terrible. I knew I needed to get into Fig and let them guide me with a plan of action for treatments and products to use at home. If your skin is maturing and needs more TLC Fig is the perfect place to lead the way!

Fig’s expertise is in the science of anti-aging and face and body rejuvenation. They base every detail around creating the ultimate patient experience. Their goal is to offer the most innovative treatments in modern aesthetics to help their patients look and feel their best.

And Melissa is incredible!!! If you are in Tulsa and are in need of an aesthetician, I highly recommend seeing her!

Melissa Herron-
Aesthetician

Melissa has been in the beauty industry for 20 years. In 1999, Melissa graduated from the Make-Up Designory (MUD) in Los Angeles, California as a make-up artist. In 2016, Melissa made the decision to combine her love of make-up with skin care. She became a licensed aesthetician and immediately began working in a medical spa. Melissa maintains a cutting-edge approach by researching and trying the latest skin care lines and procedures. Her primary goal is to help people of all ages look and feel their best.

Melissa and I have a fun little Q + A IGTV video reviewing exactly what to expect from 2 popular services! She is answering all of your wonderful questions about Dermaplaning and The Diamond Glow Facial ! Apologies for the blurriness too! Not sure why it did this when uploading to IGTV…but you can still certainly listen! It’s packed with so much GREAT info!

Listen here!

So! Without further adieu, here’s the 3 things I did and am doing to change my skin this year!

Dermaplaning

For those of you who have never heard of Dermaplaning, it is a highly effective means of skin exfoliation. Using a surgical blade, the specialist applies a light stroking motion to the top layer of the skin-sloughing away dull skin and peach fuzz to reveal a fresh, glowing layer of the dermis. While this does sound a bit intimidating, the procedure itself was actually quite relaxing (see for yourself in my treatment highlights on gram) and it’s an instant gratification purchase!! (those are my fave) Minutes into my session, it became apparent that my skin was not in the best of shape. Essentially, I had not been exfoliating like I needed to. Lots of nastiness was removed from my face in one single session of Dermaplaning… ( I should have snapped a pic)

Well, all it took was one session, and I am now totally hooked on the resulting baby butt-soft skin and glowy complexion it gave me. My makeup went on sooooo perfectly and I cannot believe I waited so long to try this! My skincare products soak into my skin so much more effectively too! I can tell and see a major difference! Now almost 3 weeks into my first session, my skin is still as smooth as a baby’s bottom but I am noticing my peach fuzz has grown back so without a doubt, I will be doing this once a month from now on!!!!!!!

I know they make many Dermaplaning devices for you to use at home but I had one of those once and I cut my face very badly! Thank goodness it did not scar but I will be leaving this up to the professionals! Melissa talks a lot about why you do not want to shave your face at home too in our IGTV video so please give it a listen!

And if you are looking for painless yet effective ways to get youthful, glowing skin, I think you should definitely give Dermaplaning a try. I am truly thrilled with my results.

DiamondGlow

I love Melissa because she gives it to me straight: My skin was dull and overall, my face had a rough texture. Her recommendation for helping to combat my skin issues was a series of DiamondGlowTM treatments.

What is DiamondGlow?

DiamondGlow is a three-in-one treatment that simultaneously performs exfoliation, extractions, and serum infusion, and does so via the device’s skin-resurfacing wand, which boasts an exfoliating diamond tip (hence the name). It can address clogged pores, rough texture, and dull complexion but DiamondGlow also has a recommended post-treatment regimen to help improve the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles. “It's completely customizable,” because your esthetician hand-selects the best professional-grade serums from SkinMedica® for your complexion’s needs!

In addition to being customizable, the DiamondGlow treatment is highly efficient: “While your skin is being exfoliated, the SkinMedica serums are getting infused into your skin and its high-powered suction is cleaning the skin’s surface and pores at the same time,” Melissa notes. This all happens within a 30-minute window! Finally, all of the gunk that’s sucked out of your skin during your appointment goes into a “waste jar,” which your esthetician will show you post-procedure. I was surprised mine was not worse!!

There are four available to choose from: the SkinMedica Pore Clarifying serum (to address skin imperfections and promote clarity), the SkinMedica Brightening serum (which improves the appearance of uneven pigmentation), the SkinMedica Hydrating serum (to help moisturize), and the SkinMedica Vitamin C serum (to provide free radical defense). Your esthetician can customize your treatment to feature just one or a combination of two, depending on your needs.

After hearing about all the different serums and their benefits, I asked what the treatment was going to feel like. Was this going to hurt? After all, it was a diamond-encrusted tip darting straight for my face! Melissa assured me it would be painless and feel like a deep exfoliation, then she went for it: She ran the DiamondGlow wand’s tip over my chin and cheek area, moving in a slow, upward motion. As she worked, I heard and felt the high-powered suction deep cleaning the surface of my skin. She continued on to my forehead, nose, and lip area! I could feel the diamond tip evenly abrading my skin at a very controlled level of pressure. It honestly felt good !

I am so hooked!! I left with a glowing, smooth, healthy-looking complexion. I couldn’t believe how instantly I saw results! And with no downtime! The overall texture of my skin is better than I ever could have imagined. And I know this service is also responsible for how well my makeup goes on too! I have another service booked in 2 weeks and am so excited to see what this treatment does when doing it consistently! I would love to improve my skin’s texture so much that I do not even feel the slightest self conscience without makeup!

Next-level Exfoliation-AT HOME

Sensing a pattern here?

All of my skincare secrets really have to do with removing dead skin and getting those new skin cells to turn on over! I’ve always known you should exfoliate, but it wasn’t until this past month that I really developed my system of multi-step exfoliation.

Here’s what it entails:

Double face washing. This is exactly what it sounds like. Before you go to bed, wash off your makeup with makeup remover or cleanser, then use a gentle cleanser to wash your face – again. It’s amazing how a double wash really does wonders in clearing up any lingering residue or pollution on the skin’s surface. I currently use iS Clinical Cleansing Complex. This clear, lightweight cleansing gel is powerful, yet gentle enough for hypersensitive skin. Cleansing Complex incorporates a balance of bio-nutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients that thoroughly cleanse the surface and pores of the skin without stripping essential natural oils, leaving skin soft and smooth. Cleansing Complex is very effective for removing makeup. It’s excellent for all skin types and all ages, this product even helps with acne-prone skin. All though once I run out of this I am going to switch to the Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash! I have been hearing so many great things about it from Mara Hoffman and Garance Dore!

Chemical exfoliation. In the bath, I apply an AHA mask 3x per week (I love Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial) and let it sit on my skin for 5 minutes while I shave my legs and let the treatment work its magic.

Physical exfoliation. This means using something with granules to scrub away dead skin 3x per week. My pores tend to hold onto dirt and pollution, so keeping them clear is key to preventing breakouts. I love SKINCEUTICALS MICRO-EXFOLIATING SCRUB! This scrub gives intense exfoliation in a gentle formula. The mild gel uses soft polishing beads and soothing aloe to buff away dull skin without causing damage. You can have the best of both worlds.

Retinol. I have always been so scared of the word because I was misinformed but I am so glad I started! Melissa has me using the D·E·J face cream®

advanced all-in-one age-defying Night TREATMENT WITH RETINOL

Clinically-proven, comprehensive moisturizer inspired by the Dermal-Epidermal Junction (DEJ) helps renew the appearance of aging skin. Formulated with pioneering Pathway Technology, plus NEW! Prebiotic Innovation to promote a healthy Microbiome, this product helps to improve the overall appearance of the face by addressing the visible signs of aging with results seen as early as 4 weeks.*

Supports the skin’s Microbiome with prebiotic technology
Provides intense moisturization for smoother skin texture
Helps enhance the skin’s natural moisture barrier with Lipid Technology
Adds volume and plumps the appearance of thinning skin

You can purchase this from FIG!

And not that this applies to my exfoliation tips but she also has me using the Skin Ceuticals B5 Gel! It infuses your skin with plumping and strengthening moisture. It restores the skin's natural hydration balance while repairing damaged skin tissue. It leaves skin firm, smooth and supple and enhances the effects of your moisturizer. I also use Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir and will forever! And for my eye area I love Filorga’s time-filler eyes! And don’t forget your lips! I use Sezane’s lip balm made of 97 per cent organic oils! This lip balm has bestowed plushy and pucker-worthy lips upon me (which I have absolutely no qualms about.) It's a handbag staple for sure.

These three thing packs a punch!!!! Let me know what skincare tricks you swear by in the comments!

And if you are in Tulsa, please check out Fig Medical Spa! You will not be dissapointed!!!! Please tell them I sent you!!! They gifted me these services and the two products for my honest review and I really appreciate y’all supporting my partners!!!!!!! They are being super careful in these strange times too. You can read more about the precautions they are taking here.

https://figtulsa.com/