May 2, 2011

Musings of the Day: How FAR Are You Willing to Go For Beauty?

Have you met Queenie? That’s her behind the yellow mask there. She’s one of those inspirational people that makes you remember why you love life so much.

What’s the mask for?

Well, she’s having a skin whitening injection which is a popular since early 2010 in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It similar to a Botox injection in someways but rather than lifting skin it offers a way to whiten it temporarily.

Honestly, at prices that go from $900-$1500 I wouldn’t be so inclined to do it for mere temporary results.

Chances are you won’t see whitening injections in the US anytime since the craze for whiter skin isn’t one we embrace in the Western market plus since the local Asian governments don’t actually place restrictions on the treatments and they are done in easy to access place such as a beauty salon, well, I doubt that would go over big here but…

How FAR are you willing to go for beauty?

I had to really think about this for a moment because as curious as I am to try out a whitening injection, I’m not sure I’m willing to take that chance for beauty. Some ingredients are confirmed in the treatment where as the use of steroids in the mix are unknown….it’s kinda a “try it at your own risk” kinda bag.

Which got me thinking about Botox?

Botox at least we head into knowing what we are doing but the idea of having a semi-frozen expression on my face in the name of beauty and youth, well, it doesn’t seem so appealing I fear.

How about you?

How far are you willing to go for beauty?

Would you have plastic surgery?

Botox?

Any other extreme beauty treatments you’re willing to under go?

I guess I’m a wuss and might just have to age gracefully, I’m too scared to try alot of these things!

Visit Queenie at www.youtube.com/user/BEAUTYQQ

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Sara

    You know….I’m willing to go pretty far with the exception of injectables and surgery. I’m sorry, we don’t know enough about botox and the like for my taste. Something about putting poison directing in to my tissue is terribly “icky” and I just can’t chance things going horribly wrong. I like my face. I want it to stay pretty, smooth, and without lines as long as possible, but I’m just not willing to risk jacking it up either.

    I am willing to put topical stuff on as long as it’s not crazy (no steroids, jeez, now it sounds like I won’t go terribly far). I already avoid the sun – recently taken to wearing a scarf over my head/neck when outside…that’s risky in our terribly right-wing, ignorant red state, wear loads of sunscreen and long sleeves even during the sweltering summer, and use yogurt/honey/lemon juice masks to keep my skin as light as possible. You’re right, Americans seem to be more obsessed with unnaturally dark and damaged skin vs. pristine white/light complexions – obviously I don’t fall in to that category. So, does going far count when I’m physically uncomfortable during every outside trip? Sticky sunscreen, scarves, and long sleeves when it’s warm out suck. Sometimes I just want to go “au naturel” and not have my hair stick to my face and arms and sweat like crazy trying to keep the damaged skin at bay.

    Thanks for the post, Muse! I don’t want to think about what could be in those back-alley injectable whitening masks!!

    • the Muse

      sara I’m scared as hell to try anything that has to do with needles or surgery ;-D topical yes, injections no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m obsessed with whitening my skin and keeping it bright but not as bad as you haha…I def wear SPF but not so far as to cover my head with a scarf etc..;-D damn girl that’s dedication ;D!

      • Sara

        I know, it’s ridiculous right? I’ve worn arm covers/sleeves in summer for the past four years (ever since moving to a sunnier state – before now I only got a slight farmer’s tan when out and about in a t-shirt and sunscreen. but now if i wear t-shirts and sunscreen I’ll have one before June!), but the scarf thing is new. It’s terrible, I look so silly with one especially since I’m always fighting to keep the ends from falling in stuff. *lol* Must have some kind of weird, crazy OCD going on with my skin.

        And I’m not even as pale as I used to be! When/if we ever move to a more northerly state where the sun doesn’t feel like it’s trying to burn me alive I’ll be happy to ditch the scarf. Unless some pretty ones pop up and I can somehow make them look bad ass? :p

        • the Muse

          lol sara that’s dedication ;D where is it you live that it’s so hot!?

  • Tammie

    I wouldn’t do it even if we could do it in the US, but then again I’m pale enough as it is. What I’d be more interested in is something that could even your skin tone as I’ve got some dark spots I wish would go away…

    • the Muse

      have you tried Clinique’s Dark Spot Corrector Tammie? ;-D

      • Tammie

        I have tried the cream, but only the sample…I am kind of weary of paying $80 for both items and having to apply daily when I am not sure how well it will work. Have you tried it? If I know it’s worked for somebody I know I’d be much more willing to plonk down the cash for it ^^;;;

        • the Muse

          hey tammie, three weeks in and the small dark spot I have is the same ;-D but it’s recommend six weeks and finish the bottle to get the best results so maybe I’m impatient. Some people have RAVED it crazy and said it was a miracle but so far haven’t seen results as of yet ;-D but will update ya if it does end up working ;-D!

          • Tammie

            Thanks! It’ll help a lot if you let me know <3. If it does help then I'll definitely go out and get it. 🙂

          • the Muse

            *wink* my pleasure ;-D I’ll def keep you posted!

  • Margaret

    OMG, I am going to have bad dreams tonight because of that lady in the scary mask!

    :-O

    LOL

  • Shirin

    I know her from youtube and was stunned that she is looking so young. But then again she did have a lot of treatments and surgery. I actually really love her because she has this warmth about her and is always getting this ” love yourself the way you are and enjoy the little things” – message across. It is kind of paradox .

    • the Muse

      shirin she’s inspiring not only because she’s so very beautiful on the inside..I agree…her messages are so…I dunno warm and beautiful! ;-D What a girl! Agreed for 39 years old she looks amazing even if it was via minor surgery ;D!

      • Shirin

        thats true. God knows what i will be willing to do for a more youthful appearance when i am her age 🙂

  • eight

    There’s lots of things I’d change about my face but I don’t think I’d actually go through with them. There’s too many risks and I’ve seen too many pics of plastic surgery horrors to actually do it. Plus — sooooo expensive!

    • the Muse

      agreed eight particularly about the fact that so many surgeries go so wrong!

  • Brooke

    OMG…I actually saw something on this when Jessica Simpson had that brief little spat on TV where she traveled around the world in search of what other cultures considered beautiful…I can’t think of the name of the show but I think it lasted one season. Anyway, they had a woman on there that tried this and her skin turned out horrrrrible! It was blotchy and crazy looking – I felt so bad for her.
    I’m definitely not willing to go far at all. I just bought a Clarisonic for my face and even that makes me nervous to use…lol!

  • Jane

    Hi Muse, I’m not sure what injections “Queenie” is getting but here in my country whitening treatments are as common as facials. There’s the body peel and glutathione injections. Then your usual hordes of whitening serums, creams and lotions. It’s an ongoing debate too, touching on race and history of colonialism. Personally I think we’re past that; that what we have is really just a case of extreme vanity.

    I used to think that way too – that whitening products won’t fly in countries like the US but after seeing some shows of Tyra, I was shocked. Some African American women use actual bleach or muriatic acid to whiten their skin! So I think this has a market in the US, not as big as the market in Asia but definitely there’s a solid niche market.

    As for glutathione injections, there are no scientific studies to back up the whitening claim but as someone who has taken glutathione orally I say the whitening claim is true. It works too well in fact that I stop every once in a while because I feel that I’m becoming too fair. The injections work faster though. It doesn’t really change your skin color per se, it just lightens your skin to go the lightest shade it can possibly go. And in case you’re wondering why the hell would I – I take glutathione for its antioxidant benefits. It really is a great stress buster minus the mood or appetite swings 🙂 And how light did I go? Hmm the darkest I’ve ever been is Soft Tan for Estee Lauder Double Wear – that’s after spending a day under the scorching sun in an amusement park. These days I’m an NC 20-25ish 🙂

    • the Muse

      hey Jane. I’ve def done my fair share of Asian lotions, potions, creams, serums, and masks 😀 but never injectables. Where are you from? It’s not so common in the western market versus the Asian one which is flooded with ways to whiten ;-D I’m personally obsessed with whitening and keeping my skin as bright as possible ;-D so I’m def willing to go to the extreme to do it but injections sound scary as hell ;-D

      I’m sure you’re right. I run into alot of folks on my site that are as into whitening products as I am but it’s a considerably smaller market than that of an Asia.

      Damn, that’s impressive. I’m not sure if I would or wouldn’t be willing to go the oral route but that’s very impressive results!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Jane

        I’m from Manila, Philippines 🙂 I haven’t tried any injectables either – like you I’m freaked out by injectables for the sake of vanity lol. But yeah we do have a lot of whitening products and methods – and they work quite well which is somewhat amazing. I’ve seen really brown and tanned ladies (and queens lol) become snow whites over time.

        The thing about taking glutathione orally is you get a certain glow that’s almost ethereal – literally you reach a point when just a little bit more you’re about to glow in the dark lol. so i stop when i reach that point. but i take it because it does wonders for my asthma and it really helps me cope with stress well. the skin’s texture improves a lot too no matter how sleep deprived I am. But that’s the caveat, you become fairer over time. So I take a lower dose – 250mgs. Normally they’re sold at 500mgs per capsule so I pass on that

        • the Muse

          im dead scared to try it jane ;-D I’ve tried plenty of whitening agents but the idea of an injection terrifies me ;-D I’m quite curious about taking an oral supplement for brightening…very curious ;-D! they sound pretty brilliant.

    • Sara

      Glutathione, eh? I’m always on the lookout for more supplements to take. I couldn’t take r-lipoic acid because of some adverse reactions (note – I’m *incredibly* sensitive to any mood-altering chemicals, including caffiene), but that hasn’t stopped me from trying to find others. I shall look in to this glutathione….. 😀

      • Jane

        R-lipoic acid and lipoic acid (the RS one) makes my blood pressure crash – and I have normal to sometimes low blood pressure to begin with. I’m not sure how glutathione will affect you, maybe check with a doctor first? 🙂 I had acne and worked the graveyard shift when I started using so I was a bit desperate lol. I was lucky because it worked for me – helped with my topical acne treatments and cope with the stress of working the night shift 🙂

        • Sara

          Oh cool on the acne front! Yeah, I’ll definitely check it out a little more before trying it. R-lipoic didn’t do anything physical, exactly, but did mess with my wee little brain and some anxiety issues. Unfortunately, I’m just really mentally sensitive to things…ugh.. nambly pambly. :p

  • Mango

    Wow. that looked scary. hmmm…i wouldn’t go very far for beauty, probably just splurge on products and try many different brands to find a few hg. i personally would not get surgery for cosmetic purposes (too painful and scary). >.<

  • Christine

    I love QQ, even if she goes to extremes for beauty. The way she sticks on false eyelashes on the inside, on the tight line – it looks so good on her, but I’m too freaked out to do it to myself!

  • Kerri

    I’ve had Botox many times, plus I’ve had my lips done with fillers three times. If I could afford it I would have no hesitation in doing it every few months. I love it & don’t think any cream will ever produce the same effects as injectables. Sadly I can’t afford to do it more than once a yr now.

    • the Muse

      kerri I admire you! I’m scared it won’t come out right and I’d look silly :-/ plus I’m scared of needles ;D!

  • Cj

    Omg I love her! Her videos are amazing ;D, That mask thing she’s wearing tho, is kinda creepy lol. I’m gonna have nightmares now 😛 I’ve never had anything extreme done like injections and stuff like that, but I have had many different facials and peels and that kinda stuff.

    • the Muse

      lol cj ;-D tell me ’bout it…I was laughing as she talked but it was kinda freaking me out ;-D

  • Miss D

    OMGosh, I love this girl! I found out about her two months ago so it’s cool you’re putting up a youtube vid of her…I wouldn’t do what she’s doing here though (even though I, just like yourself, have a small obsession with fair, luminous skin).
    And yes, she does look gorgeous for her age; and her relationship with her best friend is adorable. 🙂

    • the Muse

      she’s the SWEETEST Miss D! Her outlook on life mimics my own! So positive and wonderful :D!