According to recent statistics, the viral app Tik Tok has reached over 1 billion monthly users. (Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/
Board-Certified Washington, D.C Facial Plastic Dr. Michael Somenek breaks down the most popular Tik Tok beauty hacks that you should steer clear of.
Face-lifting patches
What is it?
‘Face-lifting patches’ are plastic adhesives used to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles overnight. The purpose is to use tape to constrict the muscles in your face and limit their motion to minimize wrinkles. This is an overnight ritual that requires you to sleep with the tape on, keeping you from frowning or making any expressions during your sleep. Wearing it all night is also said to prevent creases caused by sleeping on your front or side.
Why you should steer clear:
Tape considered strong enough to stay in place throughout the night isn’t made to be safe on the skin and can cause redness, irritation, and acne breakouts. The adhesive has to be incredibly tight and therefore, uncomfortable to use for an extended time to hold the muscles still. There is even a risk of ripping off a layer of the skin as you pull off the piece of tape. This can cause a tear in the skin barrier, and the trauma could result in underlying pigmentation or leave you at risk for a bacterial infection that could potentially scar. In theory, these facial patches should work as they keep muscles in place while you sleep, not allowing them to wrinkle as you move throughout the night. However, they can have the complete opposite effect when it comes to reducing fine lines and wrinkles. When you tape your face to hold muscles still, you’re preventing them from working, while adding resistance. In doing so, you’re training your facial muscles to work harder and, in turn, become more powerful. As they get stronger, it accelerates the formation of those fine lines and wrinkles you were hoping to avoid.
Pore Vacuuming
What is it?
This is an at-home device that is put out by various different companies. It gained traction during the pandemic when many people could not visit doctors for elective treatments. The goal of these tools is to extract dirt, debris, and sebum from the skin in order to reduce blackheads and pore congestion.
Why you should steer clear:
If you have seen videos, it is evident that users saw instant redness. If you don’t know how to set the device appropriately for your skin, putting the volume up to higher settings won’t necessarily remove more blackheads, but it could leave your skin looking as if you just got a hickey. Those with skin issues such as rosacea especially need to proceed with caution. The vacuum can exacerbate these conditions and cause untoward side effects like broken capillaries and bruising. This can even occur with those who simply have sensitive skin. Even if the device is effective, the pores will eventually re-fill again, and preventing this from occurring via this tool is too much wear and tear on the skin.
Sunscreen Contouring
What is it?
The original viral video has a resurgence this past summer. Model Eli Withrow posted a TikTok video where she has sunscreen applied on different parts of her face. She states: “Haters will say it doesn’t work. I’m convinced that if you put a base sunscreen of SPF 30 on, and an SPF 90 on all the spots that you would put highlighter on, the sun will contour your face where you’d put bronzer, and you’ll be natural snatched all summer.”
Why you should steer clear:
There is no way to predict how the sun tans various parts of your face. All areas of the face don’t get the same amount of sunlight. Attempting to control your sun ray exposure through mixing SPF levels is illogical. Radiation bounces off sand, water, and cement hitting the face at different angles. Not only might you not get the “J-LO glow, but you could also get patchy sunburns. While the idea is meant to use tan lines to contour the face, you are risking your skin from a cosmetic standpoint and health-wise in the form of skin cancer. This is not worth the quest for a temporary (at best) contour.
DIY Lip Filler
What is it?
Once again, another pandemic-fueled aesthetic trend. One way people attempt to do this at home is through at-home kits to inject their own lip filler through tools called Hyaluron pens. These use pressurized air to force filler into lips instead of needles which are used in a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist’s office.
What you should steer clear:
The lips are filled with nerve endings and they swell and bruise very easily. More worrisome than that is improper injection can result in blocked blood flow. Non- physicians don’t have the skills to treat these complications before they lead to serious damage. In addition, since this is not regulated by the FDA, you have no way of knowing what products you are putting into your lips. Even without a substance going into your lips, other methods that use suctioning tools to create a temporary bigger pout can be dangerous as well.
About Our Client
Michael T. Somenek, MD
Board Certified Washington, DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Somenek received an undergraduate degree in microbiology at the University of Miami and a medical degree at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He stayed on at this prestigious institution for 5 more years of postgraduate training in otolaryngology or the study of the head and neck. He then completed an intensive fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery under the tutelage of world-renowned facial plastic surgeons Dr. J. Regan Thomas (past president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) and Dr. Dean Toriumi at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Somenek is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. As an author of multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, textbook chapters, and presentations at national meetings, he has contributed extensively in his field.
Dr. Somenek also performs a variety of minimally invasive procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. Surgical options include facial liposuction, the endoscopic brow lift, and the S Lift. These techniques require only very small incisions but can have a dramatic effect on a person’s appearance in the hands of a qualified surgeon with a trained aesthetic eye such as Dr. Somenek. Dr. Somenek’s intensive training in the complex structures of the face, head, and neck make him stand out among plastic surgeons in Washington, D.C. He is a trainer and teacher to other physicians across the country on all injectables and frequently sees patients that need an expert opinion. Even for less invasive procedures such as BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, he can use his broad knowledge to administer precise treatments that exceed each patient’s expectations.
With the cold months right around the corner, it’s time to gather up the lip balms. Cold weather really affects my lips in the cold weather so I have them in my car, nightstand, kitchen and most of my jacket and coat pockets. It’s not fun having chapped lips so I am always prepared. I just added some CBD lip balms to my lip balm collection. My daughter convinced me last year that once I start using lip balm with CBD iIwill never want anything else.
November 15 -21 is National Self Care Week, and surely “staying hydrated” will top many lists focusing on self-care practices. However, we would like to shine a spotlight on a different type of hydration and share a simple, 20 second rule for increased eye comfort.
This November, prioritize (or should we say, “priorit-eyes” !) self-care with simple actions that make a difference, you can feel in the blink of an eye.
Earth Kiss has a been a reputable skincare line in the U.K. for years has finally made its debut in the U.S.!! This brand offers an amazing range of vegan, certified organic face masks designed to maximize the health and vitality of your skin, body and soul. Their Super Natural Range, which is supported by an array of superfoods and nutrients, are Kombucha-based masks that will help re-energize and enliven your skin’s overall tone, texture and appearance. In particular, the Super Natural Kombucha + Spirulina Hydrating Face Mask contains exceptional skin-plumping benefits as Spirulina – which is quickly becoming of the the beauty industry’s hottest skin-care ingredient – has an extraordinary level of highly concentrated vital nutrients. Sold on AMAZON!!!!!!!!!!!
British beauty brand, 7th Heaven, which is known for it’s all natural, vegan and cruelty-free single sachet masks, invites you to jazz up your weekly scrub routine by using a peel-off mask instead of a harsh scrub.Their Charcoal Peel-Off Mask contains activated charcoal to draw out impurities and a special combo of witch hazel and birch leaf to calm and soothe. Whether your skin is oily, dirty, dry, sensitive or anything in between, this is the perfect face mask to deeply cleanse and smooth your skin. You’ll be amazed at how many dead skin cells show up on the mask after your first use!
Who says smelly feet are required to enjoy ARM & HAMMER Cleansing and Refreshing Foot Wipes? What about achy feet? dry feet? itchy feet? Maybe you just got caught in the rain and you have damp feet? Whether it’s dancer’s feet, walking feet or plain old tired feet, ARM & HAMMER Cleansing and Refreshing Foot Wipes has the answer.
“The new Arm & Hammer™ Cleansing & Refreshing Foot Wipes remove dirt, sweat and other unwanted impurities from feet with a quick swipe.’ With the Fresh Guard® Technology and Arm & Hammer™ Baking soda, these texture wipes help eliminate and neutralize foot odor. I Keep a package in the car when changing from sneakers to heels. Your feet will go from unfresh to refreshed with one wipe. These wipes are great for use after the gym, between showers, before bed, on stinky feet or after a long hard day!
ARM & HAMMER™ Cleansing and Refreshing Foot Wipes are formulated with skin nourishing essential oils; Tea Tree Oil, Chamomile and cooling menthol and free from parabens and sulfates.
They are Quick dry, non greasy and formulated to leaves feet feeling refreshed
At an affordable price of $4.99 at Target, Walmart and Amazon you won’t want to miss out.
“I wanted it to feel like a warm embrace. Like what it feels like to feel your blood rushing through you. It’s a scent that I’ve been chasing for years and years and years. It’s my favorite smell in the world.” – Billie Eilish
Billie has been obsessed with scent her entire life, from a fascination with perfume bottles as a child to collecting hundreds of fragrances as she toured the world. To bring her first signature fragrance to life, she was intimately involved in every step of the process and had full creative control – from the creative vision, to the bottle design, the packaging, the
Eilish is a captivating Amber Gourmand that attracts you with a warm, cozy scent that feels like home no matter where you are. The fragrance opens with sugared petals, accented by juicy mandarin and red berries. The heart of the fragrance unfolds with soft spices, rich cocoa, and creamy vanilla. The scent is anchored by base notes of warm musks, tonka bean, and sleek woods. The bottle is inspired by Billie’s favorite parts of the body: the chest, neck, and collarbone, and is gilded in beautiful amber-bronze.
“Billie Eilish is a singular talent and the voice of a generation. She has a vision in everything she does that is unique, disruptive, and authentically hers. Partnering with Billie was natural for Parlux because we can bring a vision to life like no one else, and we were equally excited to be on this journey together.”
– Lori Singer, President, Parlux Ltd
Eilish, $68, will be available to consumers exclusively at BillieEilishFragrances.com in November 2021
Eilish is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with clean ingredients.
BillieEilishFragrances.com | @BillieEilishFragrances | #BillieEilishFragrances
About BILLIE EILISH:
With the release of her sophomore album Happier Than Ever’ debuting at #1 in the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and in 19 countries across the globe, the 19-year-old Los Angeles native remains one of the biggest stars to emerge in the 21st century. Since the release of her debut single “ocean eyes” in 2015, Eilish continues to shatter the ceiling of music with her genre-defying sound. Fast forward from her humble breakout, her album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S as well as 17 additional countries around the world upon release in 2019, and was the most streamed album of that year. Both album’s were critically acclaimed worldwide and were written, produced and recorded entirely by BillieEilish and brother FINNEAS. Billie Eilish has made history as the youngest artist to receive nominations and win in all the major categories at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards, receiving an award for Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album, and is also the youngest artist to write and record an officialJames Bond theme song, ‘No Time To Die.’ Most recently, Billie Eilish took home both Record of the Year for ‘everything i wanted,’ and Best Song Written For Visual Media for ‘No Time To Die.’ Billie Eilish will embark on her sold-out arena world tour in early 2022.
About PARLUX LTD:
Parlux, a leading global beauty company, designs, manufactures, markets and distributes prestige fragrances and related products. It is ranked among the top cosmetic and fragrance companies globally with a brand portfolio that has strong global awareness and marketing penetration. Parlux has been partnering with pop culture icons, fashion designers and lifestyle brands since 1987, bringing their vision to life through fragrance.
CARAT is a luxury footwear brand for women, founded and launched in 2019 by Kuwaiti designer Fatmah Hussain. After discovering her passion for fashion design and acquiring prestigious training in Milan, she infused that knowledge with personal style, bringing CARAT to life.
As with every business, CARAT faced many challenges and setbacks during the pandemic. However, with Hussain’s leadership, the brand not only survived, but grew. The brand manufactured four new collections featuring stylish, seasonless designs that stand out on the runway, the office, the club, or the store. The unique design launches boosted sales to new levels despite the pandemic and several designs sold out entirely.
CARAT raises the bar in the designer footwear industry and transforms high heels into pieces of wearable art. Each shoe is skillfully designed, made with high quality Italian leather, handcrafted in Italy, and engraved with synthetic gems, setting CARAT apart from the crowd.
Hussain uses secrets of Italian footwear, cultural influences, and her person style to design unique and innovative footwear. Each piece is crafted to make a statement and capture a unique sense of couture fashion. CARAT never compromises on comfort or materials, despite the unique architecture of each shoe.
“CARAT shoes are designed for fearless ladies who are meticulous and know what they want in a shoe, ladies who appreciate quality, authenticity, and comfort. Make no mistake when spotting CARAT’s designs in the market, with the brand’s statement architectural heel and use of authentic leathers,” Hussain says.
For more information, visit caratbrandofficial.com and follow the brand on Instagram.
Our timeless heels are carefully designed with the aim of providing cutting-edge, selective pieces for any occasion. Dreamed and sketched by an artist, crafted in Italy under the best manufacturer and finished off with a signature Ruby engraving on each pair, CARAT heels were made to last and impress.
About Fatmah Hussain
With over a decade of experience working in the oil industry, Fatmah Hussain viewed fashion as a daily inspiration. After realizing her passion and talent for finding the finest fashion designs, in 2018, Hussain followed her heart and packed her passion to Milan and received customized, private training sessions in one of most prestigious private footwear schools in Milan, “Arsutoria School”, where she was trained by professional mentor in not only in footwear manufacturing and designs, but also in footwear start-up business.
Mayvenn is launching their first collection of 100% virgin hair Headband Wigs. Beginner friendly, this quick, protective hairstyle option is stylish and low maintenance, making it easy to switch up your look in a snap. With four main styles to choose from, Mayvenn’s Headband Wigs are available in the brand’s classic virgin Natural Black hair color and come crafted with 150% density.
Each wig is secured with combs inside the unit and has an adjustable headband attached. No glue or adhesive is needed to wear it! Each style option also comes with five complimentary headbands for quick style switch-ups. Priced $149.99 – $349.99, Mayvenn has a variety of options to choose from depending on the desired hair length, texture, and product type. Each wig is then available in eight different lengths ranging from 16 – 30 inches.
Mayvenn’s four main Headband Wig options include:
1. Mayvenn Malaysian Body Wave Headband Wig – This hair is not as thick as Brazilian and not as fine as Peruvian – https://shop.mayvenn.com/
2. Mayvenn Brazilian Loose Wave Headband Wig – https://shop.mayvenn.com/products/238-brazilian-loose- wave-headband-wig?SKU=BDWHBW30 3. Mayvenn Brazilian Deep Wave Headband Wig – https://shop.mayvenn.com/products/239-brazilian-deep- wave-headband-wig?SKU=MBWHBW30 4. Mayvenn Brazilian Natural Straight Headband Wig – https://shop.mayvenn.com/products/236-brazilian- natural-straight-headband-wig? SKU=BNSHBW30
