This year I tried the famous «Lip Flip» — here’s why I wish I hadn’t

We spent the last year trying out the latest in beauty products from the comfort of our offices. Some were incredible, others we will never do again and some left us split.

It’s December and you’ll find tons more Year In Review articles. There are the serious news roundups, funny memes, and fascinating dives into incredible scientific achievements. Did you know that brain cells were first grown in a laboratory in 2022 and then taught to play videogames?

We don’t want to brag about the office’s past year, but we did make some interesting discoveries. Although it’s not brain science, I will admit that, we did discover some amazing beauty treatments. Our auras are brighter than ever — some of them controversial. For example, one editor has been against brow lamination for some time, but her colleagues are now converting. (Testament to that fact that no treatment is universally effective… the practitioner can make all of the difference. )

It was amazing to know that an aura-cleansing massage can be so relaxing. «I was surrounded by tranquility pools and beautiful views of Costa Rica’s mountain ranges, and had a relaxing massage that focused on realigning my chakras at Hotel AltaGracia. This was the most unusual treatment I have ever experienced. My aura was supposed to be cleansed and my energy distributed evenly by the massage movements (swift strokes along my abdomen). I must say that I was in a state of bliss, unlike any I have ever experienced. My body was covered in Costa Rican blue clay, then decorated with a rainbow bouquet of fresh-picked flowers petals. Finally, a rain shower above washed away everything. It was transformational.»

Brow lamination doesn’t live up to the hype. This is why I let my hair grow, other than tweezing one stray hair. In a flash of spontaneity, I did it! I tried brow lamination. It was something I had edited and found intriguing. The buzzy technique uses chemicals to semi-permanently straighten eyebrow hairs and make them look brushed up. It was a bit like a perm for your eyebrows. I thought it more like styling my brows. I was happy with the results — my brows had a brushed-up-to-perfection finish — when I first looked in the mirror after the treatment. After the 24 hour delay of not getting my brows wet, I was shocked at how fragile they were. My eyebrows became unruly and wet. Over the next few weeks, I paid my eyebrows the greatest attention, applying oil twice daily to restore their natural softness.

Thank you, Xeomin. «I am not new to injectables but I am amazed at the results each time I have them done along my forehead and between the brows. My dermatologist and I decided on a neuromodulator that would best suit my needs. Recently, I was treated with Xeomin. I found it to have a slightly softer effect than other neuromodulators. However, injectables are only as good and reliable as the person who does them. That is why I (always!) use Xeomin. Make sure you visit a board certified dermatologist. You can check a doctor’s credentials at certificationmatters.org.

I don’t like pampering facials. I had way too many facials in the year that felt more like glorified versions my at-home skin care routine than professional treatments. Although I do love massage and masks, facials are expensive and time-consuming. You can opt for a more basic facial, such as microcurrent, LED therapy or lasers. Next year, I will only book facials that provide the best skin-care bang for my buck.

Next time she will stick with lip filler. «The lip flip which uses Botox to subtly shape the lips and make them poutier was completely pointless for me. I wanted my cupids bow to be a little more defined, and my upper lip not to disappear when laughing. When my lip filler had dissolved, I decided that the lip flip was for me. It made me look a little crazy and frozen. It lasted for three months. It was a waste of time. I will stick to filler from now on.»

Although microneedling using radiofrequency is popular, it can also be painful. «In January, a microneedling treatment with radiofrequency was offered to me. It was by far the most painful and uncomfortable experience I have ever had. And I’ve had some painful beauty treatments — extractions (ouch), inflaming lasers, and slightly-uncomfortable Botox injections. Nothing, and I mean everything, prepared me to experience the pain of RF microneedling. This is supposed increase collagen production over time. After applying a numbing cream to my forehead, cheeks and chin, the practitioner moved the device around my head. Every movement felt like a small number of needles were piercing my skin. I also felt the pain and pressure of each one. This was followed by a torrent of tears. It was so painful that I couldn’t get through the first round. I was so irritated that I decided to quit, and took the train home. My skin was bright red and inflamed. The results were astonishing. Imperceptible. To be fair, I did abandon the mission halfway through.

The facial that calmed my rosacea: «One the most important skin-care lessons this year was simplicity. This is why Casa Cipriani’s spa is so charming in New York City. My facial was simple and straightforward. I had a simple, no-nonsense facial that addressed my main skin concerns — redness and sensitiveness. It included a gentle exfoliating facial mask and facial massages using a hyaluronic-infused serum and moisturizer. My skin looked radiant and vibrant after my 30-minute session. It was also free from any rosacea-induced redness.

You should be able move your top lip if you enjoy eating and drinking. The combination of the lip flip and lip filler made my lips look too large. I tried it out one day before. It was more difficult than I thought to move my top lips every day.

It’s a great way to loosen muscles: «A deep-tissue massage at Renew Day Spa in New York City is my go-to remedy for sore back or tight neck. If there is one type of massage that I cannot resist, it is a full-body lymphatic drain massage. This massage involves targeted pressure, pulling, and pushing against the skin to stimulate the lymphatic system and reduce inflammation. Mova Spa, run by Brazilian esthetician Camila Peruez, is the best I have ever tried in New York City. It feels like you are in a relaxing cabana on Rio de Janeiro. The massage is also as soothing as it is therapeutic.

A long COVID treatment… less divine. Cellgym, a.k.a. altitude training simulates the oxygen deprivation mountain climbers feel while climbing the highest mountains in the world. It’s not supposed to be enjoyable, so I would call it my least enjoyable treatment for the year. Each of the three sessions I took part in was a reclining position and an oxygen mask. The oxygen mask provided both low oxygen and high oxygen air for five minutes each. The benefits of altitude training have been proven to boost immune response. I participated in the Long Covid program at Lanserhof wellness centre in Lans, Austria, in an effort to restore my senses of smell. Six months later, my nose problems are almost gone and I believe the retreat and its protocols contributed to my recovery. I can summarize: While the center was very serene, gasping for oxygen that is very low in quality was not.