The Kylie Effect
The quarter life crisis- it’s a very real phenomenon and I just went through one. Luckily, I came out relatively unscathed; no major gambling addiction to report, no full body tats, but I did have a strong, sudden urge to enhance myself almost to the point of unrecognition. Here’s what happened; as 30 approached I did an assessment of my life, I looked around and was surprisingly content, but there was something missing.
That’s when I saw it, Life of Kylie was on the TV and I realized that what was fading was that “look.” That look of effortless youth with a subdued sultriness that I felt I used to have and then…hmmmm…not so much. Maybe I should have gone vegan to totally re-shape by body and health, maybe I should have taken up pottery or the arts, but I opted instead for something more instantly gratifying using Kylie as my muse; lip injections.
To preface my recent experience I must admit, this isn’t my first rodeo in the lip enhancement department. Right before my wedding I went to a local med spa for a little oomph, the doctor’s approach to subtle and natural esthetics left me literally looking the exact same way as I went in. What a waste of time and money, I thought. Fast forward to a few months ago when I decided to go under the needle again, this time I said…lay it on me thick and while she refused to even discuss the reportedly 7 syringes required to achieve Kylie lips she did say she would be willing to inject up to two full syringes if need be to achieve that full, pouty look I craved.
They inject from inside out and straight through and it’s a lot harder to gauge the results while they are working as it takes time for the filler to settle in. The initial needle prick injecting the numbing agent was the extent of the pain and then it’s almost totally numb, the Juvéderm injections are not bad at all. What separates a good injector from a great one is technique, luckily this nurse I trust entirely, and I knew she would find the balance between cartoonish excess (that I said I wanted) and realistic, flattering results. After the swelling subsided I ended up with natural, enhanced lips that were indeed more luscious than before but not overly done.
TBH I was initially a bit disappointed as I expected to walk out the office looking like Kylie and instead looked more like Kaitlyn, but with time I appreciated the light hand approach. The rationale for ultimately using only one syringe was that my small facial features could not have handled huge lips without looking completely out of balance. I appreciate that but while I like my results I can’t say it’s a done deal, I’m hooked and plan on going back for more very soon. Next time I re-inject I may try a new technique with the assistance of Botox in the upper lip to create a subtle curl that will not only enhance the size but also the shape of my lips. Stay tuned…I’ll either get those Kylie lips I want or end up on Botched.
