"The 11"

What is "The 11" you ask? "The 11" is a term that I heard from my mother recently and in my opinion, is by far the funniest thing I have heard in a while. "The 11" is a lovely little nickname for the lines that form above the bridge of most people's noses. You know what I am talking about right? See below for picture proof....

This is just a random guy I found on the Internet but I think it illustrates the point no? So as funny as my mother's phrase was (she would not take credit- she says she heard it somewhere..) to those of us with "The 11" it is not so funny at all. Or in my case, I have what I am now referring to as "The ="..not as catchy to say out loud but still traumatizing just the same.

So how can we prevent "The 11", "The =" and all the other fun little fine lines that daily invade our face? Well, here are the top three fixes for upper nose and forehead wrinkles...(And I am not including the obvious top three- plenty of sleep, moisturizer and drinking plenty of water.)

Option #1 (aka free and easy) - "If you keep making that face, it will freeze that way!"
A childhood taunt to be sure..but very true. My boyfriend likes to gently tease me about the face I make when putting on mascara. Mouth wide open, eyebrows to the sky....Well recently I looked at myself (and not just my lashes) while I was making this face. And guess what? Most of the fine lines I have? You can see them all when I make the mascara face. Now when applying my morning lash goo, I focus on relaxing my features..same goes for washing the dishes..whatever. I don't think we realize it, but often times we are furrowing our brow or frowning when we do not need to be. Think relaxation in your face, not tension and I promise those fine lines will relax too.

Option #2 (cover it up!) - As all of you loyal readers know I am somewhat obsessed with Benefit Cosmetics. Almost everything I try of theirs I love and the packaging is CUTE! My latest acquisition - Powderflage Concealer (get it - like Camouflage?). Powderflage is this wonderful, light, shimmery pink powder concealer. It comes complete with a fun little brush especially designed for the product. Which....was designed to cover up fine lines just like "The 11"! You simply dip the flat fan brush in the powder, sweep gently upwards over whatever lines you are trying to conceal and TA-DA...fine lines banished! Seriously, it works. I have been applying it over my primer but before my powder (for those of you who use foundation or tinted moisturizer- apply after that) and lo and behold my pesky lines are less noticeable. This is a brand new product for me and is already in heavy rotation. YAY!

Option #3 (only for the major league players) - Botox. Yup, I said it...I have not gone under the needle myself but I will say that for the finely wrinkled forehead it is the treatment du jour. If you do decide to go the chemical route, a few words to the wise...a) Time it right - it is best to start Botox before your lines are deep. Botox prevents you from making the motions that cause wrinkles so if you see something beginning to develop, Botox will nip it in the bud. However, it can help with pre-existing wrinkles so don't think if you already have wrinkles you are beyond help. b) DO NOT GO OVERBOARD. There are about a zillion pictures I could post of formerly normal looking female (and male) celebrities who went Botox crazy. Do not go there! Use sparingly and remain human. c) Choose your doctor wisely. I have heard many times that Botox should only be used on the forehead/upper nose area and not around the mouth. Some doctors will dispute this but I think the people who look the freakiest are the ones who have had the shots where they shouldn't. In order to prevent this from being you, find a GOOD DOCTOR. One whom you trust and will not try to fill your whole face. Find someone who has your best interest in mind.

So ladies and gents...whether you have "The 11", "The =" or both...be brave and go forth knowing you have many options to erase time from your face.

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND