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My beautiful and talented client - Dr. Angela Sturm O’Brien - a plastic surgeon in Houston (yep, that’s her right there), just wrote a post on timing your facial treatments in preparation for a wedding/big event.  She went through my 3 month social media training program and I have to say, I’m so proud of her content.  Her blog is informative, educational, and entertaining!  Check it out here.  She writes everything you’ve ever wondered (in other words, the truth) about non-surgical treatments (Botox v. Dysport, Fraxel, lip injections, laser hair removal, Thermage), plastic surgery (her own nose job),  great products, etc. You can see the video we made to demonstrate her botox techniques here.

Keep up with her latest posts on twitter, facebook,  Pinterest, and tumblr.

drsturmobrien:

Wedding season is comming!

I frequently get asked “I have “X” weeks/months until the big event.  What can I do?”  Just like planning the event itself, you will want to allot time for any of the rare, but possible things to happen.  Planning ahead pays off in beauty, as well as weddings! Here is a timeline to help you decide what is the best way for you to “freshen up”!

Days to weeks before the event

Soft tissue fillers, like Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse, Belotero, have immediate effects.  You will be able to see softening of lines before you leave the office!  Keep in mind that you will probably swell the next day and even with the most meticulous injection techniques bruising can occur!  You should allow 7-10 days before an event to let any bruising subside, should it happen.

One month

Botox/Dysport take 3-7 days to take effect.  Just like the soft tissue fillers, bruising can occur and can take 7-10 days to resolve.  Because you will want to look your absolute best, you may want to allow 3-4 weeks before the event in case a touch up is needed.  Botox/Dysport lasts about 3 months, so you want to make sure you don’t wait too long after the injection or it can start to “wear out”. 

Three months

Facelift surgery, laser resurfacing or skin-tightening treatments, like Ultherapy, can be considered at this point!  We always tell our patients that the downtime with a facelift is about 2 weeks or 4 weeks for an event.  Personally, I would allow 2-3 months if it is a once in a lifetime event, just to be safe.  This way, most of the swelling and all of the bruising has resolved.  The incisions should be difficult to see already!  Other procedures can be combined with a facelift, like an eyelift, browlift or laser resurfacing!

For people who prefer a noninvasive method, skin tightening treatments, like Ultherapy, are available.  These depend on the creation of new collagen.  Therefore, they improve over a period of months.  Generally, the effect peaks at 3-6 months.  So, you want to plan for at least this amount of time after the procedure before showing off your new look!

Beyond 3 months

With more than 3 months of recovery time, in most cases, you will be in the clear for most facial rejuvenation procedures.  When considering rhinoplasty, you want to wait at least 3 months.  Ninety percent of swelling resolves in 3 months, but the remainder persists for a year.  So, you are not at your final result until a year later, but (with most people) you should be ok to take pictures at about 6 months.

Planning makes for beautiful weddings and faces!  Any of these options can be combined and work best tailored to the needs of each patient! 

Do you know the difference between red lipstick and red lipstick??

ARCHIPELAGO GIVEAWAY!!!

Archipelago is one of those brands that does it right.  Natural ingredients, quality products, a reputable company, and decent price points.  It’s been that way since they started in a garage in 1998!

Today, I get to give away two of my favorites from their line!

Archipelago Oat and Honey Body Butter ($18 on Amazon) and the Soy Milk Lotion ($14 on Drugstore.com) have different purposes in my opinion. The body butter is for a good nighttime lathering, especially after a day in the sun or snow, because it’s intense and thick.  The creme is perfect for everyday use in the spring and summer because it’s moisturizing, smells delightful (that is truly the best adjective for it), goes on lightly, and absorbs quickly. I can’t say the same about the Bliss Lemon-Sage Body Butter, one of my all-time faves, which tries to be both a butter and lotion, but takes forever to rub in (and is almost twice as pricey). Sounds like I’ll be making a switch!

To enter to win one of these magical milks simply tweet:

@MaryRambin says @shopArchipelago milk lotions are magical!

I hope to win one here: http://bit.ly/wdEdWh

If you start to follow @shopArchipelago I’ll enter your name in the hat 5 times.

The winners will be drawn this Friday at 1pm EST and I’ll tweet the winner.

(Full disclosure: I secured the product via their PR.)

I went into Neimans fully intending on treating myself to a few Tom Ford makeup brushes.  Then I heard the prices.  Yikes! I don’t know why I was surprised; everything Tom Ford is expensive.  I passed up a pair of TF heels at Last Call because even after a million markdowns they were still $600.

So, I thanked the lady and quickly made my way to the Bobbi Brown counter where I found a super silky set of brushes for half the price. 

I picked up the two above which I love and use daily.  I apply Stila “Kitten” ($18) with the BB Eye Sweep brush ($30) and Bobbi Brown “Fawn” ($28) or colors from my Eve Pearl “Au Naturale” Palette with the BB  Angle Eye Shadow brush ($28). 

For more of my makeup tips and how to posts, click here.

(Full disclosure: In the past I have received Stila and Eve Pearl products for free via PR.

My paint-by-number instructions on how to create a smokey eye for fall.

Smile Friday (under my hat): SpaWeek Edition!!

SpaWeek is upon us! Oct 10-16 the best spas across the country are offering a variety of treatments for only $50. 

Facials- Laser Hair Removal -Massages-  Microdermabrasion -Waxing - Wraps

Search your city here  for all of the specials.

Let me be clear, that is when you RECEIVE the services, but if you haven’t booked yet, you need to MAKE A RESERVATION now!

My latest recommendations have been  The Hotel Zaza in Houston (get my FAVORITE massage from Emin) and Dallas as well as The Aria Las Vegas. For $50 you get the full package spa, gym, and pool scene.

If you live in LA, I absolutely insist taking the day off (Blogger’s orders!) to spend at The Pelican Hill Resort in Newport.  That place is heaven on the ocean (my review here). 

The Pelican is offering more than just spa specials:

• $30 for lunch at the Coliseum Pool & Grill, overlooking one of the world’s largest circular pools and the Pacific Ocean
• $25 for one-day Coliseum Pool access (a rare opportunity as pool access is usually reserved exclusively for Resort guests)
• $50 for a 50-minute Personal Training Session at The Spa’s Fitness Center (full-price regularly $76)
• $20 for an add-on Bright Eyes Facial upgrade (conducted within any facial treatment) to rehydrate the delicate eye area and soften fine lines and dark circle in the orbital area.

If you refuse to leave LA, go to Simply Porcelein for these $50 treatments:

• 60 Min Deep Cleansing Facial, with Extractions and an Ultra Moisturizing Rubberized Masque
• Microdermabrasion and Oxygen Treatment with a Soothing Lavender Masque
• Signature Pain-Free Full Leg Wax and Perfect Eyebrow Shaping

Simply Porcelain Beverly Hills 310.777.8309

The list goes on for LA and New York.  I know you hustlers  in NYC could use a little pampering!!!

For the last year or so, I’ve been buying straighteners at Marshall’s, telling myself they’re all the same.  We all know that’s not true.

On my recent trip to Mexico, I used Lisa’s Paul Mitchell ProTools (on Amazon for $162 down from $225) and was determined to splurge on a good one.

Then, by the grace of the PR goddesses, this GHD straightener was included in a beauty swag bag I received!  (Love it when that happens.) I’d never heard of the brand, but I was going to give it a shot.

After using it for a week, I can tell you it’s worth every penny I didn’t spend, but absolutely would.  It’s much lighter than the others, gets hot but not scortching, and straightens the relentless curls and waives out of my hair.  Bonus: my hair stays straight for at least a day, even in the humidity.  That, my ladies, is worth $240. I could care less about the “limited edition” clutch it comes in. But from what I read, they did streamline the design and made the plates smoother for the limited edition. (The standard is $225.)  Either way, I’d highly recommend the brand.  Their product works wonders over the Marshall’s ceramic ones I bought and even the Paul Mitchell.

Click here for the Pink Orchid Limited Edition I’m using above.

On the left hand menu you can see the other ones they offer as well.

(Full disclosure:  Product provided by PR as noted.)

Smile Friday: Best Massage IN THE WORLD edition

Meet Emin, my favorite masseuse in the world.  He works at the Hotel ZaZa spa in Houston. Yes, after all of my travels to wonderful hotels all over the world, my absolute favorite massage is in Houston, Texas.

This week I reveiwed the ZaSpa favorably for SpaWeek.com.  Bottom line:  it’s a small and luxurious spot with decent prices and a great pool you can enjoy too!

Both the Houston and Dallas locations are participating in Spa Week Oct 10-16. Their $50 treatments will be:

• 50 Min Big Chill Swedish Massage
• 50 Min Deep Cleansing Facial
• 50 Min On the Rocks Pedicure

ZaSpa at Hotel ZaZa Dallas
2332 Leonard Street
Dallas, TX 75201
214.550.9492

ZaSpa at Hotel ZaZa Houston
5701 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005
713.639.4566

Last night I gave myself a much-needed scrub down after double spin classes.

The heat of summer makes me feel a little grimy so I’ve been on the market for a good scrub. Of course, every time I go to CVS I forget to grab one. This one showed up on my doorstep last week and I’m happy it did.

La Licious Sugar Souffle ($34 for the big tub), a whipped combination of natural sugar, oils, and honey, exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. The fact that it’s whipped actually distinguishes it from most scrubs I’ve tried.  La Licious doesn’t need to be mixed, feels light in my hands, and glides over your skin smoothly.  After an effortless scrub, I dried off and was happy to feel the oil stayed on to hydrate my skin while I slept. I still lotioned up (out of habit) afterwards.  This morning I woke up feeling super soft and DaLicious!

My stepmother, who enjoys a bath at the end of every day, is going to love this stuff.

(Full disclosure: Product was provided by PR and review is honest as always.)

Nails Inc, a polish line from London, just launched in Sephora and is letting me give away polish to 2 readers!

As you can see, I tested two for my DIY mani pedi. I was hesitant to use the bold colors, but it went on so well.  Because the polish is thick and smooth, I only needed one coat.  Obviously that’s a plus because it decreased drying time.   My nails didn’t endure as long as my toes, but that’s pretty standard for me.

Want to win 2 bottles from their fall collection and give it a go? (British phrase, couldn’t help myself)  I believe the colors are taupe and blue, right on trend for fall.

All you have to do is tweet:

I’m excited for the launch of @NailsInc @Sephora so I’m entering to win polish for free from @MaryRambin http://morethanmary.com/?p=1986882587

I’ll draw two winners Thursday morning at 8am EST.  

With acne running amok across my face six months ago, I was desperate to find a remedy.  My mom suggested The Clairsonic Skincare Brush that she loved. 

After only a couple of weeks using it once a day with Peter Thomas Roth Beta Hydroxy Wash, I could see a big difference.  The acne cleared up, and the pores around my nose had gotten smaller.  My skin overall looked smoother too.  The other time I washed my face in a day, I used Peter Thomas Roth Blemish Buffing Beads.

Now I use the Clairsonic brush every other day after I work out with a basic cleanser (like Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser from CVS) and continue to use the PTR products when needed. 

There are several different Clairsonic brushes.  The one you see above is the “Mila” travel model, which is the least expensive.  Click here to browse your options.

I’ve also tried the Oil of Olay version.  Definitely a good budget friendly substitution! The bristles are longer and softer, but surprisingly work well to exfoliate when you turn it on.  Buy online and find prices better than the retail of $33.

(Full Disclosure: PTR products sent via PR.)

Honestly, I would have never know about this mascara if a friend hadn’t said, “trust me on this one.”  Panthera mascara from Ultrafresh demands $26 per tube but packs a punch for every penny.  If you were unsure of its power, you would absolutely pass it by.  That my ladies, would be a big mistake. The wand features a stiff brush and a comb so you can apply and then separate your lashes.  The jet black formula was created by an Italian chemist to strengthen, lengthen, and nourish your lashes.  So before you head out on the prowl, laquer up with Panthera. Buy it at Sephora.

Originally published in The Houston Chronicle (Yeah, I know I get a little cheesy when I write for print.)

(Full disclosure: I first received this product via PR and now gladly pay full price for it.)

I love the shape of my legs, but I beat them up pretty badly :: at the gym or just walking around (haha, but it’s true). The tan didn’t help so additional makeup was needed to conceal my boo boo’s.