Hello, fabulous Beauty Chat readers! Along with being an editor/contributor to this wonderful site, I am also an editor and writer for iEnhance.com (another website in our network). Many of those who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery often look to personal accounts when researching their procedures, which is why we would love to hear from you. We are constantly looking for inspiring stories from real people just like you who have had an enhancement procedure – cosmetic plastic surgery, skin care treatment, or cosmetic dentistry procedure. Here are a couple of examples of some recent stories: Jana’s Story and Elease’s Story.

If you would like to share your experience with a procedure you underwent, please feel free to contact me!

Most women dream about their wedding day from a very early age… They  plan out every detail of the event, from the dress to the food to the honeymoon location. Not surprisingly,  brides-to-be  head to their local gym before their big day in an  These all sound pretty standard, right? Well, here’s a new trend – plastic surgery to be  for  the “perfect bride.”

From breast augmentation to nose surgery, many of today’s brides are seeking more dramatic enhancements. And now there’s a new show that will be focused on this emerging generation of brides, “Bridalplasty” on E! Starting November 28th, a group of 12 women will be competing to win free cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and other wedding prizes. 

So it goes like this: Before they can start their competition, each bride meets  with Dr. Terry Dubrow – who was also the go-to doctor on “The Swan” – to go over her personalized wish list of procedures.

After their consultation,  they will  have a better idea of what their new body could look like if they win.

In addition to their new look, the lucky bride who wins it all will also get the wedding of her dreams. Here is where the twist comes in – the bride will finally reveal her new look to the groom at the wedding. And don’t worry, the big unveiling will all be caught on camera for our viewing pleasure.

Will you be tuning to watch these brides battle it out for a new appearance and dream wedding?

Photo Credit: She Radiance

On Monday, August 16^th, well-known Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan died in a car accident. It has been rumored that the famous doctor was tweeting while driving when his automobile turned off the highway. Dr. Ryan was most recently in the spotlight when Heidi Montag emerged with a new face and body – the celebrity plastic surgeon performed 10 procedures in one day.

As Hollywood mourns the death of Dr. Ryan, patients who relied on his expertise, such as Heidi, may need to search for another surgeon. There have been claims that she suffers from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is what led to the multiple procedures she had done in November of last year. Should she wish to undergo further cosmetic enhancements, a surgeon with experience in treating patients with BDD would be the best option. As many celebrities have spoken out on Dr. Ryan’s caring bedside manner and compassion to his patients, he will be greatly missed by many.

Photo Credit: NYDailyNews.com

Spring has already arrived, and summer is coming up soon. In Southern California, the sun is usually ablaze 85 percent of the year, and I’ve become much more concerned about how the sun has taken its toll on my face lately. At my young age, there are many wrinkles on my face that are already beginning to set, and I’m not quite sure what to do. These days, there are preventative anti-wrinkle creams at the grocery store and infomercials that boast to completely diminish fine lines and wrinkles. However, I’ve come to find that these creams can cost from just a few bucks to over a couple hundred dollars. With the current state of the economy and a thin wallet, what’s a girl to do?

This weekend, I started to look into what is available to begin my battle with the signs of aging. In the skin care aisle at a local grocery store, there were many name brand creams like Olay® and RoC® that claimed to reduce the signs of aging. Though their prices were attractive, they didn’t seem very effective and I was sure the results would not last very long. Then I thought to go down to Sephora. There, I found a much more refined taste of specialty facial creams, but they were also quite expensive. There were so many to choose from too, and many of the creams came in 1 oz. or 2 oz. jars, small amounts that I’m sure I’d go through quickly.

Given that I like to see results right away, I started looking beyond facial creams and into non-surgical facial treatment. Fortunately, there are many facial treatments that do completely eliminate laugh lines, crow’s feet, and even deep wrinkles for older women. Botox® is by far the most popular choice to treat wrinkles; there are also artificial fillers that are used for wrinkles. From what I’ve read, many professional plastic surgeons assure that no matter what you hear about creams that promise to completely erase fine lines and wrinkles, there are no substitutes quite like Botox and injectables. They cost a few hundred dollars but results last several months. Despite the price, I like that I wouldn’t have to apply a cream every night and the results would be immediate and last five to six months.

To get rid of my dull complexion, I’m considering microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. In a microdermabrasion, the top layer of the skin is removed by a special exfoliate, revealing newer and fresher skin underneath. Microdermabrasion is usually over a hundred dollars and results typically last a few months. Chemical peels are another great way to rejuvenate the skin. For a more youthful look, a special combination solution of skin safe acid is used to remove the outermost, most damaged layer of skin, revealing a more even skin tone. These usually rub between $200 and $300; results for a microdermabrasion, while depending on the type of acid used, chemical peel results can last from a few months to over 20 years.

If I make a few adjustments in my budget now, hopefully sometime before summer I can have at least one facial treatment done. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to follow my favorite budget beauty tips and of course, daily basic skin care. Come summertime, I’ll be sure to wear sunglasses everyday. Not only do sunglasses protect the sensitive area around the eyes, which is often the first place on the face to show signs of aging, but they’re also a great fashion statement.

I am just beginning my battle with the signs of aging. Before I choose a facial treatment, what do you recommend? Have you ever considered any non-surgical facial treatments, or do you know anyone who has?

Photo Credit: Elle Magazine and Modern Mom

In case you haven’t heard, “The Hills” star Heidi Montag underwent 10 cosmetic surgery procedures in one day back in November 2009.

This would be the second round of face and body enhancing surgeries she’s had in the last few years; she previously had a nose surgery performed and breast implants surgery.

In today’s world, it’s not something new to see a celebrity, or reality star, have a few nips here and tucks there. But when does it become an addiction and no longer a little tune-up?

Joan Rivers, Cher, Jocelyn Wildenstein, and Mickey Rourke are just some of the Hollywood stars who are known for their ever-changing looks. Now, the female half of “Speidi” seems to be the newest member of the plastic surgery addicts club.

And what exactly did Montag undergo? Well, here’s the laundry list of surgeries:

•    Botox injections
•    Mini brow lift
•    Nose surgery revision
•    Fat injections to cheeks and lips
•    Chin reduction
•    Liposuction to her neck
•    Ears pinned back
•    Buttocks augmentation
•    Liposuction to waist, thighs
•    Breast augmentation revision

The reality star and wannabe pop singer has been quoted saying that, “For the past three years, I’ve thought about what to have done…I’m beyond obsessed.” At only 23 years of age, Montag has had more procedures than an any of us can even think of! However, to be honest, her “new” look is attractive, but her “old” look was just as appealing and didn’t really need the work done. Had she done these procedures over an extended period of time there may not have been such a dramatic change. Whereas now, Mrs. Pratt is unrecognizable.

What do you all think? Did she succeed in achieving “the best me” with these surgeries?

Photo Credit: People and Examiner.com

Glowing skin is something that every woman wants, no matter what age. But how can we achieve this with out visiting a med spa and having a chemical peel? Hemloq skin care products are made with natural and healthy ingredients to help maintain a beautiful and refreshed facial appearance.

I was recently given the opportunity to try out their Daily Repair Serum, which, according to their Web site, is “designed to repair over-exposed skin and promote firmness and suppleness.” Being made up of pure ingredients, including a marine mineral complex, hyaluronic acid, co-enzyme Q-10, and green tea, their Antidote to Aging ™ can produce wonderful results.

However, I didn’t think that I was quite the right candidate for this particular product since I don’t really have much to repair, yet. Therefore, my mom, who has had a few more years of sun exposure and is always looking for something to help maintain her smooth skin, was perfect.

After using the Daily Repair Serum for a month, here’s what she had to say:

“I used it after cleansing my face and before I applied my normal moisturizer, which kept my face moisturized all day. However, when I only used the serum I felt that my face became more oily than usual and had to constantly wipe. The texture was nice also, but I didn’t notice any other differences or improvements. Maybe with continued use I’ll see better results.”

To see more products from Hemloq, head over to their Web site.

Photo Credit: Hemloq

If you enjoy sharing the knowledge, or learning about “seriously safe and satisfying nail polish,” self-help tips, and how the right shade of lipstick can truly turn your day around; plastic surgery forums are another place where you can blab about beauty.

Sure, the PlasticSurgery.com community may revolve more around plastic surgeries, such as breast implant surgery and nose jobs, as well as youth-defying procedures like Botox injections and the mini facelift, but doesn’t mean that these topics are stand-alone. One of the reasons why Beauty Chat was created, as you pretty much already know, is to bridge the gap between all that makes us “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!”

A plastic surgery forum is just another one of our stops, where you can relax and kick up your feet. And you’ll notice that some of us Beauty Chatters like to chit-chat from topic to topic in the forums as well…See ya there!

Photo credit: Plastic Sergeant

It is commonly assumed that men want to date or marry the “perfect woman” one day. But what exactly does “perfect” mean? When talking about appearance, many think tall, thin, blond, blue eyes, pouty lips, perky breasts, and a toned tush. But then you step into the real world and learn that it’s actually really hard to find this “perfect woman” without her undergoing some kind of plastic surgery.

Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but perfection is pretty tricky and nearly impossible. Everyone has his/her own definition of the word, and it’s rare to find two people with the same one. If you think that a certain man is just perfect and then tell your friend, chances are that she won’t agree. The same thing happens to guys, too.

Nowadays, it’s not unusual to come across someone who has undergone some type of cosmetic procedure, whether it is a major surgery like breast augmentation or a less invasive treatment such as facial fillers. It’s no longer considered something to hide, and those that do proceed with an enhancement are talking about it more openly. But does that mean that everyone is comfortable listening to those that talk about it? Not really. In fact, many men prefer the natural look over the “perfect” one.

I recently read an article about the way men embrace a woman’s so-called “imperfections” because they make her unique. Some even go so far as to end a relationship when the truth comes out about their procedures. Therefore, that bump on your nose or the way your ears stick out a little could be the very thing that your guy loves most about you. As one of my co-workers said, “Wrinkles add spice. A super smooth face feels like I’m dating a 10 year old.”

Remember that everyone has a different definition of perfection (mine would be Matthew McConaughey  ), so don’t let someone else’s definition influence your own. Before you head over to your local plastic surgeon, make sure you’re going in for you and not to please anyone else. In the end, you’re the one that has to live with that change forever…or at least until the collagen wears off.

Photo credits: Los Angeles Times Blogs and PlasticSurgery.com

So when I think of Madonna, I think: America’s material girl, Vogue-ing, her cowboy hat, her fabulous muscular body, and how lucky her kids are to have such a talented mom, and…how lucky Justin Timberlake is to have worked with her!

I also think of how punk rock this pop star has always been; Madonna has always played by her own rules and knows what it means to make a statement.

Now, having obviously gone through some sort of cosmetic facial procedures, she appears gorgeous and age-defying, yes. But is this the Madonna I always used to “cherish?” Dare I say now…she may be a plastic surgery conformist? Looks are everything in Hollywood and in mega-stardom, I don’t care what anyone says. So, the fact that La Isla Bonita wants to look the best she can – do I blame her? No.

(Madonna, plastic surgery?)

But please, Madonna, there is such a thing as cosmetic surgery addiction! I hope that you never appear other than yourself, because you know you will always have true blue fans who will always enjoy you – with or without a facelift.

Photo Credits: Make Me Heal and The Purse Forum 

In addition to being my 25th birthday, today marks the anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death. On August 5, 1962, Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood, California, home. There are many speculations as to the cause of her departure, and I am a firm believer in the conspiracy theories (especially the one involving Bobby Kennedy), but I won’t get into that!

The world may never actually know how the screen legend spent her final hours on this earth, but one thing has remained true since that fateful day 46 years ago; Monroe embodies a gorgeousness that many women still appreciate. She was much more than just a bombshell. Despite the fact that the beauty was Hugh Heffner’s original pin-up girl in the first issue of Playboy Magazine, she was also a vulnerable woman looking for love. The love, presumably, that she lacked as a child.

Born Norma Jean Baker, the legend who would later become known as Marilyn Monroe, had a difficult life. She never knew her father, and because of her mother’s mental condition, she grew up in orphanages for a good part of her childhood. Subsequent to marrying young and taking a job at a factory during World War II, she was discovered by a photographer and began modeling. Soon thereafter, she was acting under the name “Marilyn Monroe” (using her grandmother’s last name).

It is debated whether Monroe underwent cosmetic procedures to propel her to the level of loveliness for which she is known. The procedures that she is said to have undergone include cosmetic dentistry to fix her front teeth, chin surgery, and nasal surgery. Although not cosmetic, her bleach blonde hair was a big part of her makeover as well.

Once Monroe was a full-blown Hollywood star, she still suffered. While she was adored by many, she was still often seen as a sex object and desperately wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. Along with this, she had three unsuccessful marriages. In her last months, there is no argument that the star was depressed. However, many close to her say that in the days leading up to her passing, things had turned around and her spirits had greatly improved.

As the years continue to pass since the death of Marilyn Monroe, her fame continues to grow. Had the actress lived on past the age of 36, would she have achieved the respect that she deserved? It’s sad to say, but even with the relevance that she still holds today, it’s mainly because of her appealing appearance. Those who claim to love Monroe usually can’t even name more than one or two of her films.

One thing is for certain though; she achieved the love she was seeking, just not in the form that she desired.  

“I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because  I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.” —Marilyn Monroe

Photo Credits: MarilynMonroe.com and HubPages