Cost: $250+ Lasts: 1 to 3 years Who should do it: Someone with thin, sparse brows who fills them in every day; someone who wears eyeliner every day.
Why you should get it: If you fill in your brows or wouldn't be caught dead without eyeliner, then having "makeup" tattooed on will certainly save you some time. And the latest innovations in permanent makeup are not nearly as scary as the tattoos of years past. "Permanent makeup is semi-permanent by design," says Emilia Berry, founder of New York-based PermaLine Cosmetics. But, this is a good thing: "As we age, our features move gradually, so the eyebrows of today will not be proportionate 10 years from now." Plus, she points out that times and trends change, so the semi-permanent nature of the makeup allows you to change with the times (she points to the current eyelash enhancement trend that creates a thick lash base, versus the Cleopatra liner trend that was popular a few years back).
"The cost of the procedure is easily offset by freeing women from having to continuously purchase and use traditional makeup products," Berry says.
She uses micropigmentation and a hair-stroke technique to create natural-looking results -- similar techniques are used in other salons, which is why it's important to choose a technician who isn't going to tattoo your makeup on. (In addition to brows and lips, Berry also uses her technique to camouflage stretch marks and scars.) At Hibba NYC, a similar technique is used to fill in brows and deposits color into the first layer of the skin behind your brows. And, it lasts for a full year.
Know before you go: Like any other tattoo, sun exposure can make the color change, turning a once brown brow a reddish shade. To prevent colors from fading, be sure to wear sunscreen. And, since it's not actually permanent, you'll probably have to go in for touch-ups eventually.
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Eyelash and Eyebrow Tinting
Cost: $15-$28 per session Lasts: 4 to 6 weeks Who should do it: People with blonder-than-blonde lashes and brows; people who have thin brows; people with eye allergies who can't wear mascara; people who hate applying mascara or filling in their brows daily (read: virtually everyone can benefit from this service).
Why you should do it: The benefits of lash and brow tinting are plentiful," says Jodi Shays, owner of Queen Bee Salon and Spa in Los Angeles. People with blonde brow and lash hairs will notice a significant difference in the fullness, because the tint picks up every last hair. And if your lashes and brows are thinning -- but not blonde -- you can also expect to see fuller-looking brows or eyelashes. Plus, lashes sometimes appear lighter near the tips; having them tinted creates a more even, full look with no mascara required.
Know before you go: "If you're in the wrong hands with a tech who is not licensed to do this treatment you could get tint in your eyes, which will burn," says Shays. Make sure the place you are going has staff licensed to do the treatment -- and once you're in the treatment chair, make sure they have you in a sitting position. The places that lie you down don't understand that tint gets in your eyes this way.
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Lived-In Hair Color That Lasts for Six Months
Cost: $350 and up Lasts 6 to 8 months Who should do it: Someone who wants to update their hair color, but doesn't want to trek to the salon every six weeks to touch up her highlights.
Why you should get it: Chances are, you've pinned plenty of hair color inspiration done by master colorist Johnny Ramirez, co-founder and owner Ramirez Tran Salon in Beverly Hills, who coined the term "lived-in color" to describe the soft, subtle way he highlights hair -- inspired by his young daughter's naturally blonde and brown hair color. "It's color that is strategically positioned to have a mix of pieces that are solid and others that are light," he explains.
In other words, you get natural-looking, gorgeous hair that only needs to be touched up twice a year versus every six weeks, because you never get roots. Not only is that superconvenient, you're also not subjecting your hair to harsh chemicals as often.
If you can't make it into Ramirez's salon, he says it's important to educate yourself on your colorist -- certain colorists specialize in a category or type of hair, and that's where you should start your search. And bring in inspiration photos so you can clearly convey what it is you want (may we recommend Ramirez's Instagram?).
Know before you go: Set aside an entire Saturday, because it takes five plus hours to get the colors to look totally natural with no lines of demarcation. But the results? Completely worth it.
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Chemical Peels for Glowy Skin
Cost: $250-4,000 per treatment, depending on the depth of the peel
Who should do it: Anyone who wants glowier, brighter skin. "Chemical peels are an incredible option for patients looking to see improvement in the skins texture and tone, fine lines and over all appearance," says Dr. Stafford Broumand, NYC-based Plastic Surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital. They can also help control acne, reduce dark spots and create a natural, youthful glow.
Why you should do it: Facial peels can solve a variety of skin woes, depending on which type you choose. NYC-based Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank says to look for peels that use glycolic, salicylic or trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
"Superficial depth peels can be suitable for all skin types," says Dr. Stafford Broumand, NYC-based Plastic Surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital. "Glycolic or salicylic acid are common active ingredients." These peels will give patients glowing skin, improve its texture and promote collagen growth, he says. Frank adds that these "lunchtime facials" will send you right back to work or play, and are great for pregnant women dealing with acne. He recommends them at three to six week intervals, which will help unclog pores, control breakouts and, if they're done sequentially, even improve fine lines and the overall texture of your skin.
If your skin is sun-damaged, Frank recommends a peel with TCA (this can be used on your body or your face). "This powerful exfoliant, used at lower concentrations, causes just a few days of subtle redness and peeling," he says. "One to two treatments can really change the quality and coloring of your skin."
For dark spots and fine lines, he says to opt for a medium-depth peel, which combines several exfoliants (including TCA, salicylic acid and acetic acid) that can make a huge difference in your skin in just one treatment. "This peel gives the appearance of a sunburn in which redness and peeling of one week reveals an entire new set of healthy younger skin," he says. (Not to be gross, but kind of like a snake shedding its skin.)
One such peel is the Vi Peel. Santa Monica-based R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH of Batra Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology, says, "this treatment is a better alternative to lasers in patients with olive-toned or more deeply pigmented skin since it does not pose as much of a risk of hyperpigmentation ... Patients can expect a smoothing effect with increased tightness and decreased appearance of fine lines. Acne scars that are discolored and hyperpigmentation will fade with each peel." For darker discoloration or severe texture issues, she recommends a series of peels, done in one month intervals.
"With chemical peels, I can remove sun-damaged skin and stimulate its healthy re-growth in a controlled fashion," Frank adds. "The resulting exfoliation removes dead cell layers, promotes underlying collagen regeneration to reduce fine lines and evens out the texture and pigment of one's skin."
Know before you go: You must be diligent about your sun care and moisturizing routine after a peel. "It's very important to hydrate the skin with a moisturizer and use an SPF of at least 30," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Founder & Director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the George Washington Medical Center. "Chemical peels help the skin glow with health, but also render it slightly more sun sensitive, so be sure to use a good SPF." If you aren't moisturized, it could lead to cracks and possible scarring, says Frank. Broumand also adds that you should avoid anything abrasive, like scrubs, exfoliators or retinols until your skin is healed. Frank cautions that body peels and medium depth peels are usually only suitable for lighter skin.
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Cellfina: The Treatment That Gets Rid of Cellulite
Cost: $2,000 and up Lasts: At least two years (more, according to doctors who have done the surgery) Who should do it: "The best candidate for Cellfina has what I call 'dimpled cellulite,' rather than long ridges, wavy and uneven skin or sagging," says Michael S. Kaminer, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale Medical School and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Brown and Dartmouth Medical Schools. These dimples respond best to the treatment and, as luck would have it, are an extremely prevalent type of cellulite, especially on the thighs and butt.
Why you should do it: Not-so-fun fact: More than 80 percent of women over the age of 20 will develop cellulite at some point (regardless of weight), says Kaminer. Exercise and diet can help with cellulite, but only to a certain point -- and even procedures like lipsuction have no impact on cellulite whatsoever. Enter: The magical Cellfina System. "It's the only FDA-cleared minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to produce long term improvement in the appearance of cellulite," explains Kaminer, who reports that his patients are ecstatic with the results. "Patient satisfaction with Cellfina far surpasses that of any new treatment I have seen come to market in the past decade."
Some numbers to back that up: After three months, 85 percent of patients in the FDA-approved study were satisfied; after one year, that stat increased to 94 percent; after two years, patient satisfaction was up to 96 percent, which Kaminer calls a "staggering" number. In a single treatment, the appearance of cellulite is greatly reduced. And the procedure itself is minimally invasive. The surgeon marks the areas to be treated, then they numb the area. "Finally, we use a specialized hand piece to precisely access tissue where we can release the cellulite-causing bands," Kaminer explains.
"It seems that as patients heal from the initial procedure, their skin seems to get smoother and smoother," he explains. "Recovery is just a couple of days, but the remodeling of skin takes some time to see the final result. The beauty of this is that once the skin is remodeled, it seems to look better and better over time, and this likely leads to the longevity of the results we are seeing."
Know before you go: You'll want to lay low for a couple of days post-procedure (you can still go to work, but wait four to seven days to resume exercising). You may experience some initial soreness and tenderness, but it doesn't last for long. Before the procedure, Kaminer says to avoid anything that may cause bruising, like vitamin E and fish oil supplements, or medications like Advil and Motrin. Oh, and wear loose-fitting clothes to the appointment. After your treatment, they'll squeeze you into a compression garment before you leave. Kaminer tells his patients to buy a couple pairs of Spanx, as well, and wear them all day, every day for a week. Yeah, that sounds kind of annoying, but it helps speed up the healing process and helps you see even smoother results.
In order to have a low-maintenance daily beauty routine, sometimes you have to spend a bit of time being that girl. You know, the one who spends seven hours in the salon or spends two hours with her eyelash extension expert. Because treatments like these (we're talking everything from varicose vein treatments to laser hair removal to eyelash tinting to permanent makeup) can be truly life-changing — they can save you money and precious getting ready time in the long run. Here, 13 beauty treatments that are worth the cost.