The way we approach beauty took a total 180 just a little over two decades ago, when the ground-breaking injectable Botox was FDA approved for cosmetic use. Allure was there to cover the news: In 2002, we reported on the nation’s concerns that the human face as we know it would become a frozen, expressionless mask.
Since then, the injectable market has exploded as the number of 11 lines around the world has receded. There are five neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, Xeomin, Daxxify) for smoothing wrinkles, and a robust menu of hyaluronic acid fillers for plumping lips, cheeks, and laugh lines. The human face has not, in fact, become completely incapable of expression. But the way its creases and contours transform with age have — for some of us — changed. And social media – which none of us saw coming in 2002 – has had a profound impact on aesthetics.
Somewhere along the line, the decision to-fill-or-not-to-fill became less about personal preference and more politically-charged. Through it all, Allure’s stance has been this: We report the facts, you make the decisions. And we want to be transparent about what we ourselves partake of in this injectable world.
Granted, our participation is predicated on the fact that we’re not paying for it. In fact, unless otherwise noted, our editors received every treatment mentioned in this piece for free. Before you make your own decision, you should know that depending on where you live and who’s doing the injecting (Allure recommends only seeing board-certified dermatologists), a neurotoxin treatment in a single area of the face (like the forehead or crow’s feet) can cost around $400-$500. Filler is typically even more expensive with a price tag of upwards of $1,000 to treat areas like the jawline.
But the lure of free treatments hasn’t swayed all our editors. For every staffer who never misses a biannual Botox touchup (like those you’ll hear from below), there’s another who’s never touched the stuff. A few of us, like deputy digital director Kara McGrath, have spent time in both camps. “I'm all for getting injectables whenever you want, but I also love that their temporary nature means you can take a break to reacquaint yourself with your face whenever you want, too,” she says. Read on for seven editors’ personal injectable regimens.
“I’m always excited to talk about my injectables. I want us to get beyond the myth that ‘black doesn’t crack.”
With regular undereye filler, editor-in-chief Jessica Cruel, 34, feels confident at work — and in front of the camera — without any makeup.
I decided to get undereye filler while interviewing for the job as EIC of Allure. My dark circles (which are genetic) and laugh lines were glaring to me as I took photos at events and filmed videos on social media — two things I would start doing a whole lot more of with the promotion. I wanted to feel confident without any makeup on. I now have filler in my cheeks, undereyes, and smile lines… with a touch of Botox on my forehead. I rarely wear makeup now. People are always shocked to hear that I have any injectables — and that’s exactly how I want it to be. But I’m always excited to talk about it, just like when you find a great outfit on sale. And I want us to get beyond that myth that “black doesn’t crack.”
“When I physically can’t furrow my brows, I feel like a generally smoother, more even-keeled human.”
Executive beauty director Jenny Bailly, 46, has gotten regular neurotoxin injections through her 40s, and recently dabbled with filler in her jawline.
I was just starting to cover beauty when Botox received its FDA approval in 2002. While I was deeply interested as a journalist, I had zero interest as a consumer. At 26, I couldn’t imagine what this brow-lifting, line-smoothing drug could possibly do for me. Today it’s not uncommon for twentysomethings to dabble in neurotoxins, but this was before smartphones. And social media. And relentless confrontations with your own digital image. (Also before anyone was suggesting that preventing facial movement in your 20s could hinder lines from forming in the first place.)
Fourteen years later, I could definitely imagine what Botox could do for me. And here’s exactly what it has over the six years since my first I’m-turning-40 appointment: Softened my forehead lines (which remain pretty imperceptible at rest), raised my brows (not to shock levels but enough to make my eyes look more open), and eased my tension (of face and mind… when I physically can’t furrow my brows, I feel like a generally smoother, more even-keeled human). I get touchups about twice a year.
Also in my face currently: A couple of syringes of the hyaluronic acid filler RHA injected along my jawline to restore some angularity to an area where edges are starting to turn soft. While I was in the chair squeezing a rubber ball, I also had a little injected along my left (and only my left) cheekbone, to balance it out with my more naturally lifted right one. I tread lightly with filler (this recent experience was my third ever) because I’d never want to lose perspective on the natural contours of my face and start to look off. And if I decide I really want to take a stand against gravity in the next decade, I’m well aware that a scalpel and not a syringe is the answer.
“One thing led to another, and I left with unplanned Botox injections.”
Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen, 32, on her five-year love affair with neuromodulators.
I got Botox for the first time when I was 27… almost by accident. I was visiting a new-to-me dermatologist for a routine skin check and briefly mentioned my disdain for my pronounced “11s” — the vertical lines, also called glabellar lines, in between my brows. One thing led to another, and I ended up leaving her office with unplanned injections. But thanks to that fateful day four years ago, I’ve been regularly — and happily — getting neuromodulator injections ever since.
While my first injection session was strictly for my 11s, I’ve since expanded the landscape to include lines on my forehead, the area right above my brows for a quick brow lift, and my crow’s feet. Together, the combination gives me a smooth, stiff — but not frozen — look which I love.
I’ve tried a couple of different neuromodulator brands, like Dysport, Botox and Xeomin, and often go back to Botox for its longevity. Botox typically lasts three to four months, while Xeomin lasts one to three months. Next, I want to try Daxxify, which is supposed to last longer than its peers — up to six months. So far I love them all. So much so that I will continue to get neuromodulator injections for the foreseeable future… always carefully planned.
“Of course I don’t ‘need’ injectables. They're just another part of my beauty routine — and what that involves is totally up to me.”
Associate features director Dianna Mazzone, 30, has been injecting her forehead and 11 lines since her mid-twenties.
Because being a beauty editor means I'm fortunate enough to try services like facials, massages, and yes, even injectables, as part of my job, I started dipping my toe into the world of aesthetic treatments sooner than I probably would have otherwise.
I first got Botox in my mid-twenties between my brows and along my forehead, where I'd noticed fine lines beginning to form. Thanks to my dermatologist's conservative approach, I got to enjoy the benefits — like a forehead so smooth it reflects light, making my skin look brighter — without, I hope, appearing frozen or “done.”
At some point, I also incorporated injections around my crow's feet. My fine lines in that area are pretty minimal, but I find that injecting Botox or Xeomin there gives the tails of my brows a bit of a lift, which visually opens up my hooded eyes.
Of course, I didn't — and still don't — “need" injectables (though dermatologists agree it's better to treat fine lines while they're still fine lines and not full-fledged wrinkles). But like applying an antioxidant serum every morning or a retinol every other night, my twice-yearly treatment is just another part of my beauty routine — and what that involves is totally up to me.
“It’s simply about adding a bit of proportion and structure to my face where there wasn't before.”
Senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen, 28, admits she was down on injectables… until she tried filler and Botox.
I honestly might never have considered getting any kind of injectable if I had never become a beauty editor who a) has to write about these services for a living and b) gets them for free. Not only are they expensive, but they kind of interfere with my belief that women shouldn’t have to maintain their visual youth or look any one kind of way in order to have value. But then I began getting filler and Botox out of sheer curiosity and suddenly got it. For me, anyway, having these foreign substances pumped into my face isn’t about forming my features into someone else’s or permanently freezing my wrinkle-less face in time — it’s simply about adding a bit of proportion and structure to my face where there wasn't before… and maybe hitting the pause button for a few years because I’m only human, okay?
As it currently stands, I’ve gotten hyaluronic acid filler in my lips, my cheekbones, and my jaw, all features my dermatologist noticed were declining in volume or lacked symmetry. That might sound like a lot, but the overall effect has been ultimately imperceptible to people who aren't me, and I'm the only person I really do it for. As far as Botox goes, I’ve tried it just about everywhere on my face at least once, but on a regular basis (once every six months, if that), I just get it in my forehead and in my masseter muscles to soothe some of my TMJ (pain in my jaw).
Would I be willing to shell out my hard-earned money for these things if I didn’t have the job I do? Before entering this career, that answer was a hard no, but these days I’m not so sure. If anything, I have a much better understanding of the benefits of injectables in terms of both self-image and physical health (Botox isn’t just used to prevent aging, y’all!) — and I no longer harbor judgment on those who seek these treatments for any reason. Can fillers and Botox be misused and enforce impossible beauty standards? Absolutely — but they don’t always have to be that way.
“I'm grateful to lip filler for the confidence it gives me.”
Shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis, 27, on the lip injections she gets twice a year.
I can admit that I originally fell in love with the idea of getting lip filler from social media — it was the Kylie Jenner effect. While I wish that wasn't my original motivation, I'm glad that through my career I've been able to learn more about the different types of filler and figure out which works for me.
Before I got lip injections, there was nothing wrong with my lips. I just wanted them plumper. I've been seeing David Shafer, MD, FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, for a few years now for lip filler, and he's taught me which filler is best for the results I want — natural, plump lips. I basically want people to question, “does she get lip filler?” I usually go with Juvéderm Volbella XC because I enjoy the firmness and how long it lasts. I see Dr. Shafer twice a year and I am so grateful for him and the confidence lip filler gives me. Plus, I'm a beauty editor! I need all the real estate to try out lip products.
“I consider myself an injectable guinea pig, ready to test out whatever my dermatologist has to offer.”
Commerce writer Jennifer Hussein, 28, has had some wins (Juvéderm for her lips is a favorite) and made some regrettable decisions (no more nose filler).
For my 24th birthday, I decided to bite the bullet and treat myself to a touch of Botox on my forehead. [Ed. note: She paid out-of-pocket for it.] Ever since that first injection, I’ve considered myself an injectable guinea pig, ready to test out whatever my dermatologist has to offer. Throughout my four-year relationship with injectables, I’ve become an avid Botoxer and have tested the waters of lip, nose, and cheek filler.
I think the beauty of injectables is that you can experiment with different formulas — personally, I’m a Juvéderm fan for my lips — and if you don’t like the outcome, your practitioner (who should be a board-certified dermatologist) can dissolve it. That said, there are definitely a few things I won’t do again, including nose filler due to its potential health hazards — including serious side effects like skin death and blindness. For the most part, though, you can consider me a hardcore injectable fan who loves her motionless forehead and plumped-up lips.
Read more about injectables:
- Does Daxxify Work Better Than Botox? I Tried The New Neurotoxin.
- I Tried the Famous "Lip Flip" This Year — Here's Why I Wish I Hadn't
- Masseter Botox Is the Injectable Form of Stress Relief Everyone is Talking About
Now watch a dermatologist's entire daily routine:
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