Pampering yourself at home Head & Shoulders

This post is sponsored by Head & Shoulders; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pampering yourself at home has never been easier thanks to Head & Shoulders’ new Supreme collection of shampoos, conditioners and scalp treatments! They will help turn your beauty routine into a Supreme Sanctuary experience. My hair was in dire need of some TLC so I decided to spoil myself with the new collection! They have products for every type of hair so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.

Each product was more of a surprise than the next. My impression of Head & Shoulders definitely changed after discovering this new collection. I had the impression that Head & Shoulders was only a product line for dandruff, but I discovered that they in fact have products that leave my scalp and hair feeling renewed, confident and revitalized! Their new collection includes 3 pre-wash products, 4 shampoo and conditioner collections, one conditioning mask and 2 leave on treatments.

The Supreme Color Protect with Argan Oil and Manuka Honey is the perfect shampoo and conditioner duo for color and chemically treated hair. Free from phosphates, parabens, phthalates and dyes, it will keep your color looking its best while making your hair feel like you just left the salon! The scent is light, fresh and will leave you counting down the seconds until it’s time to wash it again! You can find this collection online at Target.

The Head & Shoulders Supreme Detox & Hydrate shampoo and conditioner are made with Argan Oil and Coconut water. This scalp renewing formula has the most lovely scent and it’s safe for color and chemically-treated hair!

The Nourish & Smooth shampoo and conditioner is one of my favorites. It’s made with Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil and helps to nourish your scalp and smooth away frizz. It’s perfect for this warm spring weather.

The Supreme Soothe & Strengthen shampoo and conditioner is a scalp calming and hydrating formula that’s made with Argan Oil and Rose Essence. The scent is heavenly and leaves my hair and scalp feeling healthier and more hydrated.

Their new Supreme Line also has a few treatments that can be added to your routine as well! I love pampering myself once the kids are asleep and I have some alone-time! The Supreme Exfoliating Scalp Scrub is an amazing addition to your shower routine. You simply massage it before shampooing and it will remove build up and renew the skin’s surface! The Supreme Soothing Leave on Scalp Cream is another winner for me. You can easily apply it and it doesn’t leave a residue. Finally, the Supreme Hydrating Scalp Serum is perfect to use between washes and helps to keep your scalp hydrated and irritation free. It’s made with Vitamin E and Argan Oil and I can’t even begin to explain how good it smells as well!

It’s not a surprise that the Head & Shoulders new Supreme Collection is endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance and it will definitely help you elevate your regular beauty routine! It’s time to elevate your hair washing experience with Head & Shoulders new Supreme Collection! You can find the Supreme Collection online at Target.com. Click here to learn more!

Botox: Your Questions Answered!

I’m answering your top questions about Botox and hope I can help you make an informed decision about how to find a doctor and whether Botox is right for you! I worked in an anti-aging clinic alongside a doctor for almost 3 years that specialized in Botox, Fillers, Laser for resurfacing & veins, Microneedling, PRP, Radio-Frequency skin tightening and the list goes on. I was witness to hundreds if not thousands of patients receiving treatments and saw results first hand. So this post is not only about my experience with Botox this past time, but I have had it done before, have seen it done many times on other patients and have tried many other treatments!

Where I Went

I went to see Dr. Mandeville at the Lafond-Mandeville Clinic. She was referred to me by a friend, was calm, patient, has an array of treatment options, is experienced and believes in using treatments to enhance your appearance to give you a natural and refreshed look. She specializes in everything aesthetic: Botox, Fillers, Treatments for veins, stretch marks (this is next on my list) and more. She takes a cautious approach and as I mention down below, my Botox used to cost me $600, but because of the technique she used, she was able to use less product and it was under $200! I was really shocked and pleasantly surprised when I got such a beautiful result by only using 1/3 of the amount of Botox. Regardless of the look you’re hoping to achieve, it starts with a good and experienced doctor. You can book an appointment with her by calling 514-693-0009 or visit her website to see everything else she offers.

This goes without saying, but I’ll mention it just in case, everything is confidential at a doctor’s office. I will never know if you visited her and any treatments you do will be kept private! I also do not make a commission off of you seeing her. I am sharing my honest opinion and results. I highly recommend her clinic and will be going back in a few weeks for another treatment that I can’t wait to share! Click here to visit her site.

Before Botox!

13 Days After Botox

Truth Bomb

I hear a lot of my friends say: “I don’t think my husband will let me”. First off, it’s your face, not your husband’s, so unless the reason is financial and you discuss purchases with each other, the decision should be solely up to you. Do you ask your husband to go colour your hair or to get a bikini wax? Second, likely if your husband has an issue with cosmetic procedures, it’s because he’s seen horrible results on other people who have been over injected. This won’t be the case if you choose your doctor carefully.

TRUE STORY: Jason once told me early on in our relationship while I was working at the anti-aging clinic: “I don’t like Botox. I never want you to get it done.”

To which I replied: I already get Botox. Every 3 months.

TRUTH: When cosmetic procedures are done properly, no one should be able to tell that you’ve had something done. Their reaction should be: Omg you look great! So rested!

Botox vs Fillers - What's The Difference?

Botox and fillers are not the same things at all and people often confuse the two. Fillers do what the name suggests, they fill. They fill your lips, they can fill the hollowness under your eyes to conceal dark circles, they can fill your cheeks to restore fat loss, they can fill your chin to give a more defined jaw line and the list goes on (I’ll cover fillers in another post). The result is immediate - the area injected looks filled. Botox, on the other hand, is a neurotoxin that works on your muscles and can take anywhere from 2-10 days (sometimes longer) to take full effect! It works on fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by your muscles contracting. So when you lift your eyebrows and have all those lines on your forehead or if you have frown lines between your eyebrows or crows feet on the side of your eyes, those are treated with Botox! Neutrotoxins can also treat a variety of other cosmetic issues that most people don’t know about! It can be used to fix a “gummy” smile - you know how some people smile and you see their gums? A bit of Botox can fix that! It can also work to fix “orange peel” skin (the look of indents and holes on the skin caused by contracting muscles).

Is Botox the Only Product?

No! Botox is actually a brand of neurotoxin -just like Kleenex is a brand of tissue. It’s main competitors are Dysport and Xeomin. Botox has been around the longest which is why it’s habit to refer to neurotoxins as Botox. I have tried all 3, and my preference is Botox (but it could very well be psychological because studies have shown they are the same). The price point is very similar between the 3 and will likely vary slightly, if at all in the same clinic.

How Long Does It Last?

This varies per person. I, for example, have extremely active forehead muscles (unfortunately) and move them A LOT because I’m expressive when I talk, so my treatments usually last 3 months. I’ve seen people, however, who are able to only come back every 5-6 months!

What Age to Start Getting Treatments?

I don’t think there is a “right age” per se. I think that as soon as the lines on your forehead, around your eyes etc. start bothering you, you should get it done (within reason - I am not recommending that you start at 18 years old)! I believe that getting Botox is no different than colouring your hair to hide greys. Some people love their grey hair, others don’t. I believe it’s a personal choice and I don’t believe that any woman should look in the mirror and have to live with not liking the way they’re aging.

The picture below is how my forehead was relaxed. I was not raising my eyebrows, just smiling. When I put on makeup, it’s all I would see and they became more pronounced when I was tired. The picture next to it is my forehead now when it’s relaxed, wrinkle free!.

What's the Cost

Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of Botox you need will depend on the areas that need treating, how you use your muscles and the result you want. It is sold by the unit and usually is between $8-$12/unit. I have seen people need anywhere from $120-$800 for the result they want. The best way to find out is to book a consultation because the doctor will be able to tell you when they see you! I will say one thing that I learned after getting my most recent treatment with Dr. Mandeville: The doctor you see and the way they inject will have an impact on the amount of product you need. I’ve done Botox many times and have always needed 30-50 units injected to get the result I wanted. When I went to see Dr. Mandeville, her technique was obviously different, because I needed under 20 units to get the result I wanted!

Is There Any Downtime?

With Botox and neurotoxins, no! It’s a procedure you can literally do during your lunch break. The picture below was me immediately after my treatment when I was back in my car and I had no makeup on. You can see, if you look SUPER closely, the tiny red dots where I was injected, but if I needed to go back to work I could have easily covered them up.

Is It Painful?

No, not at all (and I’m such a wimp for pain). I would say that the discomfort is similar to getting your eyebrows waxed. But MUCH less than getting a bikini wax. It feels like a little pinch and normally is done in under a minute.

My Advice

1. Anti-aging procedures are not something you should find a bargain for. You should NEVER go to the “cheapest” place, let a sale determine who you choose or buy on Groupon. This is your face, the first thing you’ll see every day in the mirror and some some treatments can have horrible long term results if not done by a professional and the truth is, not all doctor’s are the same. Anti-aging procedures are not as simple as they seem and they require technique, an aesthetic eye and experience to get a natural result.

2. Don’t rely on Google or a fancy website to find your doctor. A nice website or showing up at the top of Google likely means that the clinic has invested in marketing and doesn’t necessarily mean you are falling on the most experienced or best doctor for you. Go to someone who was referred to you. Even if it means driving a little farther or waiting to get an appointment because the doctor is busy - don’t compromise on a great result. I can’t tell you how many people used to come into the clinic I worked at in tears, begging us to fix the work that “reputable” doctor or plastic surgeon had done. Just because a doctor can do a beautiful nose job doesn’t mean they have the technique to make your lips look subtly plump or to inject Botox for a natural look.

3. Find a doctor who is a minimalist. There is nothing worse than being over injected and being unhappy with your result. I would rather go back 2 times to see a doctor and take it “slow” than get it done in one shot and wish I hadn’t done it at all.

If I missed any questions, let me know down below! I’ll happily add them to my post ASAP! Feel free too reach out to me too with any questions if you prefer!