Latest news with #beautyeditor
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
My Neck Was Aging Faster Than My Face. Here's What I Did to Slow the Process Down
Who doesn't want to hear the words, 'You have beautiful skin'? I'd certainly longed to think that way about myself since my pre-teens when my hormones went haywire and my face paid the price. I can remember the first confidence-busting blemish. Sometime between when I headed to middle school one morning and departed that afternoon, a microscopic zit had groundswelled into a bump the size of a pencil eraser. With a dance just hours away, I did what any other teen might do; descended into my friends' basement bathroom and gouged at the eyesore. That moment would begin my obsession with my skin, with no pimple surviving my close inspection under a magnifying mirror. As I evolved from college student to beauty reporter/writer/editor, I even had one on my office desk (and believe me, I extracted a few things while sitting at it after hours writing about celebrity skincare routines) until the pandemic forced me to work from my couch. Then, like many people, I actually found comfort in a consistent routine. But let's be real, I also grew older, and I presume I won the battle with my hormones. However, age has brought forth new unflattering issues. Yes, from my forehead to my neck, my skin is pristine: even and smooth, and glows like no other, I'm told. But, when I began to notice lines along my neck, that teenage panic set in again. Like any beauty editor would, I assessed my regimen, and raided my medicine cabinet. I'd already been in the habit of drawing my skincare down to my neck, but now I reached for neck-specific products, hoping something would soften the look of these newfound lines. Nothing worked. Next: I called my dermatologist, Dr. Anna Karp, who I like to think of as part doctor, part therapist. (She reminds me that even babies have other smile lines among other helpful things.) In spring 2025, I sat in her chair to discuss my new area of concern, and it turns out my timing was impeccable. In October 2024, Allergan Aesthetics scored a major FDA approval milestone when the company's Botox Cosmetic injectable became the first and only one approved for the use in the jaw and neck to temporarily improve the look of platysma muscle (otherwise known as the vertical lines that run from the jaw to the neck) in adults. When Dr. Karp explained the development to me, I felt so seen. I am not alone. Dr. Karp says there's an uptick in curiosity, noting that more patients 'are interested in this 'Nefertiti lift,' which uses Botox Cosmetic along the lower jaw and platysma muscle to soften the vertical bands.' She posits this is likely the result of factors such as tech neck. That struck a chord with me. Though I have covered beauty, and as a result slathered lotions and potions all over my face, ahem, more than 15 years, the end result of testing was writing endless reviews while hunched over a laptop much like I am now. Another factor was something I have labeled 'Zoom scrutiny,' ie: the effect of watching, nay, analyzing your own face on screen during meetings. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Dr. Karp made me make an 'eek' face. It reminded me of when a general practitioner makes you say, 'ahh.' This way, she said, she could get a closer look at how my neck contracts. She then explained I'd be a good candidate for Botox Cosmetic in the platysma because I showed early signs of skin laxity and some dynamic movement of the platysma muscle contributing to lower face heaviness. While my bands had not entered moderate territory (those with moderate to severe bands are ideal candidates, she says), Dr. Karp added I'd still be a good candidate to try the cosmetic treatment because in addition to helping soften neck bands, treating the platysma with Botox Cosmetic can also help improve the contour of the jawline, and create a more lifted, youthful appearance in the lower face. 'The goal is a smoother, more elegant neck and enhanced definition along the jaw,' she affirmed. Like any fabulous doctor would (visit to find a trained provider; prices vary by provider), Dr. Karp also explained what the treatment would not do. For instance, I also have horizontal lines, which this would not improve. Additionally, it would not tighten skin. I live my life by a tight schedule, so I asked about a timeline. She said it was possible I could see results in as little as a couple of days, with full results visible at about the two week mark. Results from the temporary treatment could last for up to four months. Dr. Karp then presented the bottle of Botox Cosmetic for my treatment. Like all new bottles, it contained 100 units (a standardized measurement) of the neurotoxin. She injected 16 units in my jawline and 20 units in my neck, a typical amount for treating platysma bands, she explained. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! I promise, it didn't hurt. It felt more like a quick pinch than anything else. And it was over in what felt like a minute. Now I had to wait — and see. A few days passed. And a few more. And at first I wasn't sure if I could notice a difference, and then I kind of forgot I'd done anything at all. It was different than when you get a facial and have that instantly gratifying sculpted silhouette (which only lasts a few hours, I might add). At times, I'd spot myself talking and think my neck appeared smoother, but, was it really? Then, exactly three weeks to the day that I had the treatment, I sat with two very discerning friends at dinner and one said, 'Your skin always looks this great, but what did you do to your…' As her finger drew a virtual circle around my neck, I exclaimed, 'I got Botox!' and told them both about the experience. Then, I asked what specifically they noticed, to which one replied, 'the area just looks more…snatched.' And with that I called Dr. Karp's office and booked my next appointment. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The secret beauty ingredient I've used for over a decade that's made my skin look like this at 50
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic smells a little funky, the bottle isn't much to look at and the brown liquid is sensorially unsatisfying: think overflow from a rusty tap. Yet I have used this vitamin C serum daily for more than a decade. Yes me, a beauty editor who is constantly inundated with new products. Why such loyalty? Well, it's because it is recommended by practically every independent dermatologist and skin expert I've spoken to. And it seems to have a place in every other beauty editor's skincare arsenal. Plus it crops up as a favourite in interviews I've done with luminous-skinned A-listers. The science behind it is also credible. C E Ferulic is first and foremost a vitamin C serum and it has the wonder ingredient at a potent level and in a powerful form: 15 per cent l-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is clinically proven to diminish dark spots, ease fine lines and brighten the skin. But there are lots of vitamin C serums, so what makes this one special? Well, it also contains one per cent alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) to help retain moisture and promote radiance. Plus 0.5 per cent ferulic acid, which works to reduce inflammation (great for rosacea and acne-prone skin), even skin tone and stabilise the vitamin C. Basically, it's a triple threat to ageing. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic £165 Shop Now, 20 years after its launch, the patent on its formula (which includes ferulic acid and vitamin E) has expired, meaning beauty companies everywhere are free to create products with the same highly efficacious ingredient combination. Hot off the blocks are new copycat offerings from DoSe and Elf as well as Boots' new ingredient-led Modern Chemistry range, which lands in stores on Monday (but is already available to buy online) and features 10% Vitamin C/Ferulic Acid Serum for £13. Race you there... Boots Modern Chemistry Glow 10% Vitamin C Serum With Ferulic Acid £13 Shop DoSe By VH Triple Vitamin C 23% Serum + Ferulic Acid £20 Shop Elf Skin Bright Icon Vitamin C + E.+ Ferulic Serum £16 Shop
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
I test beauty products for a living — and my favorites are already on sale for 4th of July
I'm a longtime professional shopper, so hear me when I say (can you see?!): this year's best 4th of July sales include some truly stellar finds. As a beauty editor, my daily focus is to seek out and test quality makeup, skin care and hair products, and I'm already noticing a bunch of my all-time favorites on serious sale for the holiday. I'm no gatekeeper and, in fact, I consider it my patriotic duty to share deep discounts on the best-in-class picks I use myself, especially the smattering of anti-aging lotions and potions that actually work. Let me be clear: I don't expect any beauty product — discounted for July 4 or not — to turn back the clock on my face or hair. That's a (bankrupt) fool's errand. But I do try hundreds of items each year and, over time, I've identified the worth-it hair tools, ultra-hydrating creams, wrinkle-minimizing serums and de-puffing eye masks that soothe my parched summer skin. Most of the gems below are clinically proven or, at the very least, wildly well-reviewed. Here's to hoping my favorites soon become yours. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. .
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Medik8's new vitamin C serum gave me a post-facial glow after one use
As a skincare-obsessed beauty editor, I've tested more than my fair share of serums. Although each formula claims to be exceptional in its own right, not all of them have managed to live up to their bold promises, particularly when it comes to vitamin C serums. But the newly launched Medik8 C-Tetra advanced serum has already become a staple in my routine. I've often relied on Medik8 to deliver truly hardworking formulas. In fact, I've sworn by the brand's crystal retinal formula (£69, for the better part of the past three years, and not a single retinoid serum has managed to dethrone it from its spot in my routine. I'm already a fan of the brand's science-backed, effective approach to skincare, particularly its 'CSA' philosophy, which focuses on vitamin C, sunscreen and vitamin A. That said, the brand's best-selling C-Tetra serums – both the original (£42, and the luxe (£59, versions – didn't quite hit the mark, as the oily consistency didn't pair well with my skin. So, when I first got wind that Medik8 was launching a new 'advanced' iteration – which is not only more effective but also features an entirely different gel-like texture – I was fascinated to see if there would be any improvements. According to Dr Bibi Ghalaie, cosmetic physician, founder and medical director at the Doctor Bibi Clinic, what makes this serum stand out is its potency and stability. It has 20 per cent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a form of vitamin C), which is an impressive jump in concentration compared with the 7 per cent in the original C-Tetra, and 14 per cent in the C-Tetra luxe. 'It's rare to see such a powerful brightening treatment that also strengthens and supports skin health from within,' says Dr Ghalaie. With this in mind, I've been on a mission to put the C-Tetra advanced serum to the test, having reviewed the formula for more than a month to give you the lowdown on everything worth knowing about this clever serum. How I tested As directed, I've been using the C-Tetra advanced formula every day as part of my morning skincare routine, applying the serum on a freshly cleansed face, right after using my replenishing toner. I applied two to three pumps before gently massaging the formula in and following up with moisturiser and an SPF – I used the Tatcha dewy skin cream (£67, and the Kate Somerville hydraKate illuminating SPF 50 drops (£39, To ensure a fair verdict, I haven't swapped out any other steps in my routine for four weeks. I continued to use my usual skincare heroes, such as the Medik8 crystal retinal serum, which is my non-negotiable retinoid formula that I usually reach for as part of my night-time routine. I've also kept my supplement routine consistent, so I'd be able to pinpoint any changes or improvements as being due to the Medik8 vitamin C formula. When testing the formula, I paid close attention to a number of factors, including consistency, scent, absorption, irritation and, most importantly, whether it actually ended up delivering the results I was hoping to achieve. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Denise Primbet has been a journalist for more than five years, and has specialised in beauty for the past three years. She knows her niacinamide and tranexamic acid from her vitamin C and can tell which retinoid-infused formula will work by just glancing at the ingredient list. As for Medik8, she's reviewed every single formula the brand's produced, so she's well placed to review its latest serum.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Introducing Botox in a bottle! I was sceptical when I heard about this £10 serum that everyone seems to be obsessed with - until I tried it myself. The results were stunning: BETHAN KING
As a beauty editor, I believe honesty is the best policy when it comes to my tweakments, so – full disclosure – I'm no stranger to Botox. I've dabbled with wrinkle-relaxing jabs to (temporarily) disappear the vertical frown lines between my eyebrows and the horizontal ones along my forehead for a couple of years.
