The Informed Choice

Snooki’s has drop the pounds ,but…

Carol — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:09:04 +0000

I may be one of the few people who don’t watch Jersey Shores and still find it hard to understand how it became a cultural phenom and the pint-sized cutie named Snooki became America’s redneck Jersey darling.
We know viewers love a train wreck, so for mindless escape, I can see how it could be amusing white noise, especially going to Italy with her entourage, beer and pizza lovers in search of roots and raunch. Her late night talk shows were entertaining, as she passed herself off as an authorette, self-deprecating, at times endearing, confessing her penchant for excess.
Now she’s looking good, lost a lot of weight, and plans to give her oversized breasts a lift on her tiny frame. Don’t do it, Snooki!
She told E online she wanted a chest like her BFF, J-Wow…I know little about J-Wow, but as a veteran cosmetic surgery consultant, I’ve advised women of every age and curve on how to find the best surgeon for what they want, helped explain realistic expectations and how to bounce back fast, safely and as pain free as possible.
In Snooki’s case, I’d be happy to steer her to several top board certified cosmetic surgeons who specialize in breast augmentations and reductions, and hope she’s thinking of the latter. Standing next to JWow, whose gigantic breasts at least sit on a taller frame, I’m concerned that Snooki may wind up looking like the leaning Tower of Pisa, top heavy, bent over and suffer back pains if she lifts and enlarges. Any top surgeon should explain how breast size can affect her frame and future. I’d advise B cup, perfect for her frame and size, plenty sexy enough and give her an edge to move quickly in any nasty cat fights…
C cup if she must to keep up her image, but urge her to fight the Dolly Parton temptation. I’ve seen too many women regret giant breasts over time…So if anyone knows Snooki, pls give her my website to get in touch – www.theinformedchoice.com, for feedback from an expert who has had almost a dozen cosmetic procedures. I can refer her to three top surgeons she can meet and decide who she likes best…

Will Casey Anthony have cosmetic surgery?

Carol — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:12:27 +0000

If Casey Anthony decided to go incognito for her own safety with drastic cosmetic surgery, what would I recommend? I have had that question asked to me a dozen times since her release from jail. But, for a quick fix, to confuse paparazzi and whackos for now, here’s what she can do:
–get her hair cut short, with stylish bangs and dye it red;
–shape her brows differently, maybe thinner, and dye them red, too, so the carpet will match the drapes;
–get blue or brown colored contacts, AND glasses…
If she decides her face structure needs changes that only surgery can achieve, so she can be invisible in a crowd, she might havae a nose job, cheek implants, jaw implant, shorten her high forehead by bringing down the hairline; alter her round eyes to make them slanted…
She won’t have much choice if she decides to stay in the U.S.; someone will try to spot her…and not just home grown vigilantes; a first photo of the current Casey could fetch as much as a half million dollars, maybe more… a first photo of a surgically changed Casey could be double that…and the only way she could go unnoticed would be to go abroad, maybe France, or Bangkok, and blend in.
Who has an investment in keeping her face off the front page right now besides Casey? If she has already made a deal with a show, one built in condition for a million dollar payday would be no photos, no interviews until the one she made a deal to do airs…That means the show could sell leaked photos of her and recoup perhaps as much as half their rights fee to her, OR more…Or Baez could decide he will sell it to a tabloid to put a dent in the money she owes him for repping her. An authorized tabloid shoot for a half million, say…or more.

Carol’s Beauty Blog: Hunting Hot New Products at New York Show

Carol — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:18:05 +0000

Carol with man in makeup in Las Vegas

Carol Martin, with made-up men at The Blue Man
Show, Las Vegas
……………………………

NEW YORK, N.Y.—LIVE, from New York…iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit’s Makeup Madness, and we’re psyched.

Come Tuesday, June 28, we’ll be chasing what’s new, new, new from our favorite brands at one of the hottest new product conventions in the world, held this time, in The Big Apple, where we’ll be reporting for Carol Martin’s Beauty Blog.

You know our motto: if it’s going to make you prettier or thinner, it’s going to be a winner.

And that’s what well be hunting on the floor of the HBA Global Expo and Conference, reporting on winners in the worlds of beauty and cosmetics, and the industry innovators who set trends and styles for the future.

So look for us, cameraman in tow, sashaying about in high heeled sneakers, or something comfortable enough to walk stylishly past miles of cosmetics counters and the high gloss lipstick smiles on models gloriously painted with the latest colors and creations to check out what the brains of the beauty world, industry product developers, and beauty brand movers and shakers want us to love and buy.

Keep reading and come back for more, and don’t be bashful if we put a microphone in your face and inquire about coming attractions and what top makeup lines and fledgling breakouts have in store at department stores and makeup boutiques. We know readers want to know what’s hot, what’s new and what’s news, and what to be looking for in the way of beauty innovations on the horizon.

More than 100 new products are expected to be showcased by HBA at the Javits Center, with top suppliers of high performance ingredients and raw materials that make up what’s special in your makeup holding forth, along with private label and contract manufacturers, brush makers, and others.

I made the rounds last year and was knocked out by new ideas and technologies, each jockeying to impress and inspire…and can’t wait to see what’s on deck this year. This is where you’ll find buyers and sellers from Lancome, Bobbi Brown, Two Faced, Max, Smashbox, Trish McEvoy, L’Oreal, Aloette and other cosmetic and skin care brands, and brushmakers like Topline, Anisa International, Garrett Hewitt and others showcasing stylish new brushes and looking for new ideas.

Indeed, for three jam-packed days, product developers and big players will be showcasing their latest in cosmetics, fragrances, personal care items, skin care formulas and more, says Annie Scully, the HBA’s tireless PR maven extraordinaire.

“The life blood of the cosmetic industry is new products, new delivery systems and innovative packaging,” she says. So fasten your seatbelts.

Indeed, the HBA Expo, held in major cities around the world, is a crucial crossroads for clients and suppliers to buy, sell, brainstorm, dress to impress and show the Beauty Press how they can help you put on the prettiest face possible. After spending tens of millions of dollars on R and D, testing and retesting, we’re excited to see what the industry gurus are betting will be their latest and greatest.

What do women buy? As we like to say, if it promises to make you prettier or thinner, and delivers, it’s gonna be a winner!

Debbie Feynman, Manager, Product Development, Maybelline, says the HBA event fuels her passion to brainstorm for beauty and come up with new ideas she hopes her customers will love.

In addition to the new products and services on display, HBA attendess can enroll in a sort of Beauty Univeristy, dropping into seminars and lectures on marketing, technical breakthroughs, Green Products and sustainability, international Business, and the latest in Skin Care. More than 200 experts in all facets of beauty, branding, personal care, product development, and retail sales will trot out fresh information and ideas via this unique educational program.

Spokeswoman Scully says other highlights of this year’s HBA Global Expo & Conference will feature a keynote address by Dan Brestle, Chairman of the Board, The Personal Care Products Council, and a special marketing innovations preview by Mike Indursky, President of Bliss World. There will also be a Trends Pavilion featuring make-up demonstrations and trend reports from The Doneger Group, Pantone and others.

We can’t wait to try the interactive showcase where Mintel will be demonstrating and testing down to earth beauty and personal care products from all over the world. If they’re looking for guinea pigs, here I am.

Not only have I beaten my face (put on makeup) for thousands of days and nights as a model, actress and cosmetic surgery consumer. But as founder of The Informed Choice (www.theinformedchoice.com), an Atlanta, Ga. based personal image branding, beauty and cosmetic surgery consulting firm, I’ve advised clients nationally and globally who are considering cosmetic surgery on how to take the safest route, pick the top docs in the field for a procedure and recover quickly and safely.

My book, The Little Book of Lipo, can be found at Amazon.com. You may have seen us on ET, The Insider, CNN, FOX, and quoted in The New York Times.

And if nips and tucks are not in the cards, I can guide clients to non surgical alternatives, from makeovers to health products, from slimmer looking wardrobe changes to new makeup and how to apply it for the desired effect…For my thousands of clients, makeup that does the job is what counts, along with specialty brushes and applicators that bring it all together with coverage and inspire confidence. That’s why we’re here–to be educated so we can educate and inform you to make an informed choice.

For more information on HBA Global, go to www.hbaexpo.com.

For convention photos, go to http://www.flickr.com//photos/55199216@N05/show/

Laser Liposuction – Just Hype?

Carol — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 13:12:04 +0000

The pros and cons of laser-assisted lipoplasty will be discussed by leading experts at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), being held at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center April 23-27, 2010. “Point/Counterpoint – Laser Lipoplasty – Hype or Useful Tool?” will be moderated by Franklin DiSpaltro, MD, and will include Barry DiBernardo, MD and Jeffrey M. Kenkel, MD.

According to the Society’s statistics, lipoplasty is the second most popular surgical procedure in the United States, with 283,735 performed in 2009. Laser-assisted lipoplasty, in which a laser is used to disrupt fat cells prior to suctioning, has been hotly debated by plastic surgeons since the first laser-assisted device received FDA clearance in late 2006. “The past two decades have been highly technology-driven, with the introduction of many advanced liposuction-assisting devices,” said Dr. DiSpaltro, a past president of ASAPS from West Orange, NJ. “Each new technology has spurred great interest and enthusiasm. It is our role to determine if it is hype or a useful tool.”

With laser-assisted lipoplasty, a laser probe is inserted into the target area through a small incision, which the surgeon aims at fatty tissue to rupture the fat cells. The laser is then directed toward the skin layer to initiate a stimulation of these cells to achieve a reported tightening of the skin. Fat and disrupted tissue is then suctioned out. The technique received significant media attention as a popular “fat-melting” treatment with a celebrity following.

However, initial data showed that this procedure was no better than traditional liposuction. Additionally, it could present some risks to the liver and kidneys by releasing fatty acids from the fat cells if the recommended concurrent liposuction step approved by the FDA and included in current teaching is not performed. In the wake of the media storm around the fat-melting “phenomenon”, a task force was assembled and charged with investigating the technology, analyzing any safety issues and efficacy as compared to other devices, developing a teaching protocol, and educating 2,500 surgeons in how to effectively perform the procedure.

“Over the last two-and-a-half years there has been extensive research and development into laser-assisted lipoplasty, including multiple rounds of research and comparative studies published in peer-reviewed journals,” said Dr. DiBernardo, a plastic surgeon in Montclair, NJ. “Ultimately, laser-assisted lipolysis has come to be an important tool in the fat loss armamentarium.”

While laser-assisted lipolysis has since been found to be a safe, effective, and teachable technique for body contouring, the bottom line is that no tool on its own is a replacement for the skill and experience of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

“It is important to note that no device is a magic wand,” added Dr. Kenkel, a plastic surgeon in Dallas, TX. “Despite any hype generated by manufacturers, physicians, patients, or the media, results are ultimately practitioner-driven.”

Who the best plastic/cosmetic surgeon for you?

Carol — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:28:00 +0000

Who is “the best?”
You’ve probably heard of quite a few cosmetic surgeons. Even if you don’t know their names, you certainly have read or heard about some of their famous patients. Think about the nips and tucks that have graced the headlines, like those of Michael Jackson, Lonnie Anderson, Tony Curtis, Phyllis Diller, and Linda Tripp. The list is way too long to include here!
How do some surgeons become famous? Are the famous ones the best? Not necessarily. Some surgeons are known for their famous patients. High-priced doctors can hire high-priced PR people to spread the word about them. In the city in or near which you live, there are locally famous surgeons, as well. They may be known for making the mayor’s wife look 20 years younger, or they may be great philanthropists, or even may be respected for reconstructive work they do for the people who could not otherwise afford surgery. They might even be known for their spectacular golf game!
The point is, like any other profession, individuals may get a reputation – good or bad – based on people talking about them, for whatever reason. The moral of the story? The famous doctor in question may indeed be the best. But don’t go by that alone – just because a doctor has operated on a celebrity or done something else that has started tongues wagging, does not necessarily mean he is the best surgeon to perform your procedure.
You can barely open any magazine these days without seeing the slick ads of cosmetic surgeons, all saying “I’m the best!” They certainly have a lot of confidence. That’s good – you want a surgeon who is sure of himself! But they can’t ALL be “the best.” How do you find out the truth? Do your homework, ask questions, and keep your eyes and ears open!
Some people ask whether they should travel out of their area or out of the country to have cosmetic surgery. If you live in a rural or remote area where there are no practicing or qualified cosmetic surgeons, the answer is, of course, to go to where you find the best surgeon for your needs. But chances are, especially with the boom in this field, there are good surgeons located near you. Many people are under the impression that to have the best surgeon and get the best care, they need to travel to a perceived cosmetic surgery “Mecca” like Los Angeles, New York, or even South America.
Rubbish!
It’s true that in some places – like the movie capital of Los Angeles or the modeling hub of New York – there is high demand for cosmetic surgery and, therefore, doctors in these areas see more patients. That does not mean, however, that they are any more skilled or talented than surgeons practicing in your city. It’s also important to remember the added costs – in both money and time – that traveling will mean.
Similarly, some people believe great results can be guaranteed by paying a higher price. They may gravitate to the “elite,” higher priced doctors.
Baloney!
Sometimes, all that those higher prices mean is that the doctor has higher overhead, like a nice big office, on-site surgical suites, and lots of equipment. Or maybe he just bought a penthouse condo and a Mercedes convertible! I have come across doctors in various parts of the country who finance everything from racecars to yachts to private planes through their practice. This is not to say there’s anything inherently wrong with that – if someone is successful, he should reap the rewards of his labors – but as a patient advocate, it’s my role to tell you that higher price does not necessarily mean better results. Vice-versa, cut rates also don’t mean better value.

Menopause and Dry Skin?

Carol — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:16:17 +0000

For me this was the answer to my dry menopausal skin and I promise you’ll agree that this revolutionary product is a real breakthrough in skin care. Seraphim all-in-one Peel & Bleach Cream for the body will bleach, tone, diminish the appearance of spider veins and remove sunspots. Results are stunning!

Active Ingredients: .1% Tretinoin, 5% Hydroquinone, 1% Hydrocortisone

cut and paste link below

http://theinformedchoice.com/products/seraphim-skin-care-rx-peel-bleach-cream-for-the-face-and-body/

How much money was spent on cosmetic surgery in 2009?

Carol — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:50:34 +0000

10.5 billion!

Cosmetic Surgery Statistics for 2009 are out!

Carol — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:36:18 +0000

Breast augmentations are still in the lead!

Women:

The top five surgical procedures for women were:

breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty and breast reduction.

Men:

The top five surgical procedures for men were: liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, breast reduction to treat enlarged male breasts, and hair transplantation

Daddy Makeovers

Carol — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:44:08 +0000

Most daddies won’t admit that they want a makeover, but like women, their body starts to change in the beginning of their forties. Fat starts to distribute in the trunk of their body, they can’t find the time or energy they used to have for the gym, and they start loosing muscle mass and then here comes Mr. Pot Belly along with his tires, who sometimes needs a bra. The most popular ‘Daddy Makeover’ I see in my office is liposuction of the chest, tummy, and love handles. Also, men are deciding they’d rather have their flat stomach back and opt to have a tummy tuck. So bring it on daddy because nobody has to know, and you can have that thirty-something body back before you know it.

The Little Book of Lipo Release Announced

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:26:23 +0000

Cosmetic Surgery Boost to Self Esteem
The Little Book of Lipo Release Announced

Carol Martin of The Informed Choice Releases First in a Series of Books on Cosmetic Surgery

ATLANTA – To her clients, cosmetic surgery consultant and consumer advocate Carol Martin is an anti-aging miracle.

At 50, she posed in the same style orange lycra Speedo she wore as a model of 21, and now preaches her safe cosmetic surgery gospel on CNN, ET, The Insider, Discovery, and in magazines like Glamour, offering tips on how find the best doctor and sail through surgery and recovery like a pro.

Now, Martin shares her experience and cosmetic surgery secrets in her new book, “The Little Book of Lipo,” (Busystreet Press, 2008, available on Amazon.com), an insider’s guide to the most popular plastic surgery procedure in the country: Liposuction, and how to get through it safely with top results.

Saddened by the plastic surgery-related deaths of Kanye West’s mother, and others Martin says are often preventable with the right knowledge, the consultant had always wanted to write a “Bible” on cosmetic procedures, she says.

“The Little Book of Lipo” is the first in a series of books on different surgeries Martin plans to write about-she’s had them all – gleaned from her own experience, interviews with dozens of surgeons and feedback from more than 1,000 clients she’s advised over the last decade.

Dr. James Wells, past President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, calls Martin’s book, “eminently readable. Any patient considering liposuction is well advised to read it cover to cover.”

“You can trust what you learn from this book. There is no agenda here except to educate the consumer,” says Dr. Vince Zubowicz, a top Atlanta plastic surgeon who wrote the foreword. “You won’t find this kind of unbiased information in the yellow pages or on someone’s website.”

He says patients Martin counsels “do very well because they are calmer and more confident when they walk in the door.”

Martin is indeed a poster child for good surgery who arms readers with knowledge. In “The Little Book of Lipo,” she offers checklists and red flags, how to find the right surgeon, prepare for lipo, and bounce back like a champ.

“I wanted to write a book that gave people everything they need to know but didn’t know to ask,” she says, offering readers what she’s learned from 11 procedures of her own–nose, breasts, face, lipo, tummy tuck and more.

When she tells clients everything she’s had done, they express disbelief. “My ideal is to preserve what you have, not drastically alter it,” she says, “to look like you stopped the clock.” Martin’s secret? Timing and skilled surgeons, she says..

“You can look fantastic at any age if you treat your body as well as you treat your car,” she says. “Why wait to fix your bumper AFTER it’s dragging on the ground.”

Martin lives in Atlanta, Ga., with her husband, two stepsons and a Jack Russell named Zipper.

Media Contact: zuzana@busystreetpress.com; 678.595.4510

Contact Carol Martin, The Informed Choice
carol@theinformedchoice.com, 404.812.7077