Micro Needling- Stimulating Your Skin From The Inside Out.

 

 

While the aging process is largely determined by genetic factors, external habits and personal lifestyle choices such as smoking, extensive UV exposure, and poor nutrition also accelerate this natural progression. Micro needling is a highly effective treatment that helps to improve the overall tone and texture, in a completely non-invasive approach. <Yes, this means absolutely no down-time!>

Micro needling works on the deeper levels of the skin, helping to rejuvenate collagen and stimulate your skin’s elastin matrix by pushing serums into microscopic holes created in the dermis. While using topically-applied products such as Vitamin C and epidermal growth factors help to build new and strong collagen, micro needling treatments help to restructure the new cells and improve the way they lie within the tissues. Rather than lying flat, micro needling realigns the collagen by fluffing the cells, providing a fuller and more voluminous appearance. Micro needling is also an incredible option for scar revision and stretch marks and can show dramatic improvement after only a few treatments.

 

For more information, or to schedule an appointment and/or complimentary consultation with me to see if you are an ideal candidate for a micro needling treatment, please contact me at our office: Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery- 480.214.9955 .

 

XO,

Annabelle

 

 

Let It Burn

 

(Currently Burning & LOVING: Bath & Body Works- Spiced Apple Toddy)

Nothing makes me feel cozy quite like being nuzzled under a blanket with the fireplace lit, and letting my favorite candles fill the space with pleasant aromas. I've put together a few of my personal must-have scents as a means to help share this feeling with you, and the ones you love for the holidays. Bundle up, and let it burn!

 

Jo Malone- Peony & Blush

 

Diptyque: Roses

 

Trish McEvoy: Wild Blueberry Vanilla

 *Dying to try!* Voluspa: Visions of Sugar Plum

// All Candles, excluding Bath & Body Works Hot Apple Toddy can be found at Nordstrom, and Nordstrom.com //

XO,

Annabelle

Polish Your Pout

Exfoliating your skin is an extremely important step to incorporate into your skin care regimen. But are you also remembering to exfoliate your lips? Our constant application of drying lipsticks and glosses can cause a build up of dry skin. It is recommended to exfoliate once a week to let your best pucker shine. A regular routine of exfoliating your lips will not only remove dead skin cells, it will also help your lips to appear larger. Listed below are a few recommendations I have for you to add into your skin schedule. 

 Bliss Fabulips Scrub & Exfoliating Wand

 Fresh: Sugar Polish and Sugar Lip Balm (Holiday Gift Set)

Sara Happ: The Lip Scrub in Peppermint

Jane Iredale: Sugar & Butter Lip Scrub and Lip Drink

My sister recommended this amazing (and cheap!) lip balm to me that will be perfect for you to finish the process. I enjoy using this balm over my lipsticks, on light makeup days, and at night to rehydrate. 

C.O. Bigelow- Rose Salve Lip Balm

 You'll love how much fuller your lips will look, and how much softer they will feel. Your lipstick will also look better with a smoother application. Start scrubbing, and start smiling! Kisses!

XO, 

Annabelle

(All products available at Nordstrom & Sephora)

A Very Chloe (Oliver) Christmas

Last week I was invited to a trunk show at one of my dear girlfriend's homes. I was pleasantly surprised at the adorable pieces Chloe Oliver had to offer! I had always heard great things, but had never tried any of the looks myself. I walked into the show unsure if I would find anything, and I walked out having to put down several pieces! I wanted so many things, but ended up walking with only three ('tis the season to shop for OTHERS after all). 

Pictured below is one of my selections, and the rest are available pieces that can be shopped at Chloe Oliver, and Anthropologie (one of the company's distributors). 

(Pictured Above: The Luciana (worn by me) Available at ChloeOliver.US

 Pictured Above: Berry Hill Dress (Anthropologie.com), Photo Credit: Anthropologie

 

Pictured Above: The Hope Dress (ChloeOliver.us), Photo Credit: Chloe Oliver 

 

Pictured Above: The Keira Romper (ChloeOliver.us), Photo Credit: Chloe Oliver

Pictured Above: The Adrianna Top (ChloeOliver.us), Photo Credit: Chloe Oliver

For more information, and additional looks check out ChloeOliver.us , and Anthropologie.com

Follow Chloe Oliver on Instagram: ChloeOliverUS

Happy Friday!

Annabelle

The Carrie Cheek

When I have an unexpected day off, I'll admit that it can be difficult for me to slow down and actually get that much-needed R&R. But with today's rainy day weather, I'm taking full advantage of the cozy sounds and watching my favorite series- Sex & The City. In this particular episode (Season 6- Splat!) I am not fond of her man choice (The Russian), but I've always lusted over the rosy cheeks Carrie displays during her horse & carriage sleigh ride. Are you craving the look too? I've put together a few of my favorite cream blushes to help you channel the coveted. 

(Pictured Below, a few of my favorites: Make Up For Ever, NYX in Glow, and W3LL People Lip & Cheek Color in Universalist)

A cream blush can be especially wonderful in the winter due to their hydrating properties. Apply concealer, foundation, and bronzer as usual and follow with your application of cream blush. For a smoother application, try using a beauty blender sponge and work the product in a circular motion over the apples of your cheeks. To finish the look, you can apply a loose, translucent powder to lock in color and tone-down any unexpected brightness, leaving you with a more natural look. 

 (Additional Recommendations: MAC Cream Blush: So Sweet, So Easy & Benefit: Benetint)

Keep warm and snuggled today, and have fun being a little cheeky with your new look!

XO,

Annabelle 

Skin Laundry

 “I love doing laundry....”- said no one, ever. With that being said, there’s an exception to every rule, and I have found just that. Although this laundry is not the ordinary, tortuous ritual you’re thinking of- it’s Skin Laundry! 

I paid my very first visit to this exciting new concept located in the Scottsdale Quarter. “What is Skin Laundry?” you ask... let me explain. This super quick (10 minute), non-invasive laser & light treatment vaporizes the dirt being held in your skin’s pores. An RN, who is also a certified laser technician gently glides the device over your face in sections, and the dirt from your pores quite literally comes out before your eyes. The only evidence you will actually have of this happening is the smell of the dirt-filled smoke produced from the laser cleaning your pores (eew!). You will not see the smoke because you are wearing safety goggles during your treatment. My procedure was completely painless, my skin was glowing, and I suffered no down time.

I would highly recommend paying a visit to this exciting new concept, and incorporating it into your routine-especially if you are break-out prone. The staff is highly educated, the facility is gorgeous, there is a medical director on board for your safety, and it works! For more information on the treatment I recieved, as well as frequently asked questions, and information to know prior to your visit, please visit:

FAQ: http://www.skinlaundry.com/about/faqs/#contra-indication

Website: http://www.skinlaundry.com/

Contact: (480) 300-7217

Follow Skin Laundry on Instagram: @skinlaundry 

 

 

XO, Annabelle 

Learning your A,B,C,D, & E's

We can all easily recognize the bronzed skin of a beach beauty that’s just returned from a tropical vacation. But while a tan might look good temporarily, its long term dangers greatly out weight any benefit. And an important question to ask ourselves is "Am I able to identify potential warning signs and hazards after exposure?".  In a brief explanation, I’ll teach you a few tricks and sum up what it is that you need to look for, and be aware of.

As a quick reference, you should first familiarize yourself with the A,B,C,D & E’s of skin cancer. “What’s that?” you ask? As moles change after exposure (and sometimes even no exposure) to UV rays, we can use a quick tool to identify potential hazards in our skin’s natural markings. Here is what to be aware of when checking your moles:

A- Asymmetry: If you were to draw a line through the center of the mole the two halves would not match.

B- Border: Early melanoma usually displays an uneven border. The edges may be scalloped or notched.

C- Color: Having a variety of colors within one mole.

D- Diameter: Melanoma are usually larger than the tip of a pencil eraser. (1/4 in or 6mm). They can, however, be smaller.

E- Evolution: Any change to the color, size, or border can be a sign of melanoma. You should also be aware of any itching, bleeding, or crusting as these may be signs of danger. 

As a precaution, try to wear your sunscreen every single day. Even if you aren’t going to be outdoors or in the sun for prolonged periods of time, this is highly important. We rack in a surprisingly large amount of exposure during the day by walking to our cars, sitting in traffic, and working under fluorescent lights (yes, they also give off UV rays!). The most common areas for melanomas to develop are on the tops of the ears, the nose, tops of the feet, back of the neck, scalp, face, lips, neck, chest, arms and even areas that are not regularly exposed to the sun.

I highly recommend wearing your SPF, getting skin checks every six months, and getting into a dermatologist immediately if you have any of the above warning signs. Melanoma is highly treatable and curable when caught in the early stages, so avoidance is never in your favor. If you’re still not willing to give up your glow, try a sunless tanner, or spray tans. I use these methods exclusively and am always satisfied with my tan, and more importantly, healthy complexion. It may also help to keep in mind that UV exposure and tanning attributes to nearly 80% of skin's aging! Try and use these simple additions and I'm sure you won't regret it.

For more information on melanoma, and skin health visit SkinCancer.org .

XO, Annabelle