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Aesthetic

British Beauty

Morphe Haul – Three Products You Have to Buy! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Happy Wednesday! Not a great week for me this week, but posting on here always relaxes me so I am feeling better already. What is good about this week though, is that I got my hands on some brand new Morphe products which I have been itching to try !

Morphe is a great all-rounder as a brand, producing amazing eyeshadow palettes, brushes, and much much more. It’s cruelty free (which is an essential) and also sells a range of vegan products too. I’ve used their eyeshadow, brushes, and baking powder in the past (check out my thoughts here) and have absolutely loved them so I thought it was time to branch out and try something new. Here are the three products I purchased…

Product 1 – Eyelid Primer

Price: £10
Colour: Translucent
Where can I buy? Cult Beauty

For a while now I have been struggling to get my hands on a really good eyeshadow primer, and have taken to using concealer instead as none agreed with me. As Morphe has been great for past products, I thought I would give their eyelid primer a go. I first used it on a night out, so the eyeshadow was rather dramatic, but it held really well. A little goes a long way and the colour is perfect – it gives good coverage under the brows as well to give a sharp definition. Take a look at the result below!

Apologies as it does look a little messy!

As you can see, it really helps with not only priming the lids, but also defining brows as well – a great multi-functional product which I would highly recommend.

Product 2 – Liquid Full Coverage Concealer

Price: £10.00
Colour: C1.35
Where can I buy? Cult Beauty

At the moment, I am loving Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Multi-Use Concealer. I am about to run out though and thought I’d try something new, and Morphe’s Liquid Full Coverage Concealer is a strong contender! I think the main reason it doesn’t quite beat it is because the colour isn’t warm enough for me. That’s entirely my fault though, because I didn’t actually colour match myself on Findation.com.

Its staying power is soooo good and it does blend really well, meaning that I would definitely buy again in a different shade!

Also this headband is a literal life-saver!!! Get yourselves to primark ASAP.

Product 3 – Continuous Setting Mist

Price: £16.00
Where can I buy? Cult Beauty

I am potentially saving the best ’til last here! I’ve waited for a long time to find a product which surpasses Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray, but this is… dare I say it… even better?! I use setting spray on both my highlighting brush for staying power, and on my face after I have finished my make-up. The brilliant thing about this is that it is a mist, so you don’t have to worry about random splashes of spray jeopardising your make-up. My make-up stayed on all night, and the price makes this a really worthwhile purchase. Take a look at my finished look:

As you can see, by finished look I definitely did not mean finished hair and outfit. Although you should know by now I just love posting in my pyjamas!

All in all, that was a really impressive haul. I also really did not mean to rhyme there, but there we have it! While shopping isn’t necessarily the remedy for having a bad time, a little bit of self-care definitely is. Giving myself a little treat, pamper, and getting all made up with my new make-up definitely made me feel better. If you have any other tips on self-care, do drop me a message! As always, it’s fab to hear from people.

It’s not long now until I present this blog to my class-mates, and I am SUUUPER nervous, so the rest of my week will be spent preparing my presentation. Whatever you’re doing, I hope it’s wonderful. Speak soon xxx


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British Beauty

Stay In and Stay Safe – Some Self-Care Tips if You’re Struggling with Isolation! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Hey guys! I hope you’re all staying safe in light of recent events. It’s a scary world right now, and I know that I’ve been feeling stressed, so my emails/comments are open if you need anyone to talk to (you can drop me a message here). While we are all staying in, I know that I will probably revert to a little bit of online shopping and I have a code for you guys if you wanna engage in some retail therapy while in isolation! A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to do an interview with Today’s Lifestyle, which you can read here. They have very kindly given me a code to use on their website, which hosts a fabulous range of skincare and haircare products:

1. (TDLS50) to get 50% DISCOUNT on the first purchase.
2. (TOP10BLOGGERS) for 10% DISCOUNT on the second purchase.

So I am currently pretty much in isolation due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak and it means I am actually stuck on my own in my uni room most of the time as all lectures are now being delivered online and I have to work from home. To keep calm, I would usually go to the gym and do a bit of sport, but my gym has closed and netball is called off. It’s great that measures are being taken to keep us safe, and I urge you to comply, but it can be really overwhelming. I’ve been struggling being on my own over the past few days, so I’m going to share some tips I have used to keep me calm.

Step 1 – Skincare

Just to confirm, I am in noooo way suggesting that you can cope with this outbreak by taking care of your skin. However, if you’re stuck in isolation it is so easy to feel sluggish, run down and, quite frankly, a little gross. Because of this, I am making sure I stick to my routine of cleanse/tone/moisturise so I at least feel slightly human. I am also using a nice facemask a couple of times a week which I have always found nice and relaxing. Some of my faves are:

Step 2 – Home Workouts

Staying active has always helped keep me calm when I am stressed, and I have been finding it really tricky not being able to go to the gym at the moment with everything that’s going on. As such, I have taken to doing some home workouts in my uni room. My advice would be to order yourself a couple of resistance bands (which can be purchased here) and search up some good online home workouts. One of my favourites can be found here.

Step 3 – Home Nail Treatments

So, I don’t know about you, but I always feel a bit better when I have my nails done. I’ve spoken about how I do my own gel nails before, and this week has been the perfect time to have a little pamper. You can buy your gel lamp here for £10, and you can click this link here to buy the shade Cashmere, which I am using. As it is quite a time consuming process which requires concentration, it is actually really therapeutic and can help take your mind off the worries of the outside world.

Step 4 – Talk to People and Stay Off Social Media

If you’ve been online recently, you have probably noticed that social media is filled with scary, and often fake, news. Have a little social media cleanse during this period definitely only listen to reliable sources for facts surrounding the pandemic. I’ve found the constant discussion of something which I am fearful of so draining, so I have been keeping a low profile online, choosing to stay in touch with my family and friends via text message instead of other platforms. Talking out my fears with people I love and trust has been extremely helpful. However, I do know that it can be difficult to share fears with people you know, and I want to reiterate how I am more than happy to offer advice/listen to your concerns.

I know this post hasn’t been very aesthetic orientated, but it didn’t feel right in light of recent events. While these tips may not work for everyone, they have helped me recently. Most importantly, though, KEEP SAFE. I’m sending positive thoughts out to everyone xxxx


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British Beauty

Hyaluronic Acid – Why It’s a Must-Have In Your Skincare Routine! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Hi guys! I hope everyone is safe and well at the moment during such scary times. Luckily, I made it to my grandma’s last week to isolate with her, which means I am with a family member as opposed to being at uni on my own. I don’t know about any of you, but it still all feels a bit surreal, and to be honest, I am pretty scared right now. I know I always say this, but if anyone feels the same way, you can always drop me a message here – sometimes it’s nice to speak to someone you don’t know when you’re stressed. I know how tough lock-down may be for some of you, me included, and to cope with it I am trying to stay positive and think of everything I am grateful for. I can honestly say that I hope never to take anything or anyone for granted again; I miss my friends, I miss my family, but I also appreciate them more than ever. I also want to take a chance to encourage everyone to please please PLEASE comply with the lock-down stipulations. It’s tough, I know, but we need to do everything we can to stop to spread of COVID-19.

Right, enough of the doom and gloom, let’s get on with the blog! I’ve mentioned a few times how I did an interview with Today’s Lifestyle, and they were kind enough to send me some face masks. One of the ones they sent was Filgora’s ‘Hydra-filler Mask’, used to create an ‘intense hydra-plumping effect’.

Not a very aesthetic picture I know, but you’ve gotta work with what you’ve got!

To lighten the mood a bit, you can also have a picture of me 5 minutes after a mini breakdown, using this face mask to try and cure my troubles…

While it hasn’t remedied all my problems, taking time out for a little pamper always helps. Sheet masks are great, not only for their comedic effect, but also because you can use them multiple times. The instructions advise you to leave on for 15 minutes each time, and I plan on doing this two times a week. Having used this twice now, I can confirm it has left my skin feeling fresh and plump. I’ve decided to really dedicate some time (since I have a lot of it right now) to my skincare regime, particularly while I won’t be wearing make-up. You can check out this face mask on Today’s Lifestyle here, using the code TDLS50 for 50% off your first purchase (making it £5)! More importantly, it contains hyaluronic acid, which is GREAT for your skin, and here’s why…

Our skin actually produces hyaluronic acid naturally to boost moisture, but levels are often compromised for a number of reasons, including ageing and skin pollution through environmental aggressors. As such, it is important that we include it in our skincare routines to ensure our skin is hydrated, moisturised, and plumped to perfection, with dermatologists claiming that it retains remarkable amounts of water in our skin. To avoid a dry complexion, as well as hyaluronic face masks, I use a moisturiser and serum, each of which contains the acid:

  • The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% Serum – £5.95 at Beauty Bay
  • Dr Ever Youth Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser – available for £7.99 at your local TK Maxx store. This isn’t very helpful though, as we can’t shop, so I’ve attached a link to an alternative by The Ordinary which also contains Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid for £5.20.

I know skincare is probably at the bottom of your list of worries right now, but for me it can be a positive distraction – it may not work for everyone, but I hope it helps some of you. As I’ve already said, please do drop me a message, even if it is non-blog related!

Stay safe everyone. Hopefully I will be back next week for more things aesthetic xxx


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British Beauty

Superdrug Naturally Radiant – Three Products You Need to Try! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Hi everyone! I hope you’re all staying safe at the moment. I just want to make a point of saying, while of course this situation is affecting some worse than others, please do not feel silly for struggling with the lock-down stipulations; it can be so hard trying to adjust, and I for one have been struggling. I say this on every post at the moment, but my comments/emails are always open for those of you who may need a chat. It’s a difficult time for everyone right now, and my thoughts go out to everybody affected by this situation. I know that I will never be taking even the most mundane things for granted ever again.

I’ve been focusing on my skincare routine during this lock-down, especially as make-up has just been non-existent. A positive of this is that my skin has cleared up, but I am craving a little bit of time to get all glammed up so I think I will be doing a post soon that focuses on make-up! But, for now, I will be discussing Superdrug’s Naturally Radiant Range, and the three products you NEED to try. A couple have featured in previous blog posts, but I think the brand now deserves a post dedicated to it entirely.

Why do I love this brand?

I’ve mentioned before that I always try to source cruelty-free brands, and this range is entirely cruelty-free AND they have a lot of vegan products too. It’s also super affordable, with the general price range falling between around £5-£10, but everything is ALWAYS on offer – check here to see their recent offers – get buying while you still can! Now for my top three…

Product 1 – Hot Cloth Cleanser

(I know the pics aren’t aesthetically pleasing – sorry!!!)

So the current price for this product is £3.48 for a 100ml bottle which also comes with a muslin cloth, and this is a vegan product. For application, gently massage onto the skin with the tips of your fingers, and then rinse the muslin cloth in warm water and use to polish off the cleanser. I’ve loved this product since I first started using it back in October and would say it’s an absolute must-have! It gets rid of excess make-up while gently exfoliating your skin. It contains skincare essentials such as Vitamin C, Mulberry Fruit, and Cocoa Butter, all of which work to even, brighten, moisturise and draw out impurities.

Product 2 – Glycolic Tonic 5% Toner

This is another product priced at £3.48 for a 100ml bottle, although it does not state that it is vegan on the website. This too contains Vitamin C and Mulberry Fruit, but it is also highly concentrated in Glycolic Acid which helps smooth out fine lines and helps reduce pores (both of which are issues I am REALLY insecure about), while also being renowned as a key ingredient for exfoliation (read more about it here). Again, this is brightening and keeps the skin healthy rejuvenated. Apply using a cotton pad to the face and neck.

Product 3 – Renewing Night Cream

Again, this is on offer for £3.48 for a 75ml bottle, although I must add that this also doesn’t state that it’s vegan. This is a product I’ve only recently tried but I absolutely love it and would say that this is an absolute must-have as you will wake up with the SOFTEST skin. It contains Sugar Beet and Fruit Acids which work to moisturise the skin and leave your face feeling super smooth. Apply using the tips of your fingers in circular motions until fully absorbed into the skin.

I hope this post has given you some skinspiration to keep your skin fresh during the lock-down. What’s imperative during this time, however, is that you’re looking after your mental health and keeping safe. It’s a scary world right now and it’s okay to feel worried, you’re not alone. Keep doing positive things and stay in touch with friends and family.

Hopefully I can keep up the blog posts because I really am finding it therapeutic. One of the main things I’ve tried to do during this time is keep myself busy, and so far so good! Speak soon xxx


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British Beauty

My Beauty Bay Haul – Look Good, Feel Good! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Hi guys! I hope this week has been as good as it can be at the moment. Unfortunately for me, I’ve started displaying a few symptoms and have been pretty under the weather, which is why my post is coming a little later than usual – sorry! Luckily, before I started to feel unwell, I got to try out some new products I ordered from Beauty Bay! While this might not work for everyone, for me personally, getting a little glammed up makes me feel really good about myself, even when in lock down. I’ve spent the past few weeks looking…different…based on the fact I’ve not had to get ready to go anywhere. Now I’m unwell, I’ve reverted back to that look, but before that I had a lot of fun trying out my new products and putting makeup on when I was feeling rubbish! Here’s a little before and after for you:

Being in lock down has meant I’ve managed to save up, so I thought I was due a little pick-me-up! Here are the products used to create this look…

Product 1 – The Brushes

Riiiight so I have just realised I managed to miss one out! Great start…can you tell I’m not quite with it?

Brand? BH Cosmetics
Cruelty free? Yes
Price? £20
Where can I buy? Beauty Bay

The last time I bought myself new brushes was well over a year ago now! This meant that it was time for a change. I know I said I was treating myself, but I didn’t want to go overboard on the price, so I went straight for BH cosmetics, which has always had rave reviews but maintains an affordable price range. This ten piece set includes:

  • 123 Flat Top Buffing Brush – A flat topped, fluffy brush for blending.
  • 124 Tapered Face Blending Brush – A tapered brush designed to sculpt and contour.
  • 125 Tapered Contour Brush – A long bristled tapered brush also for contouring, providing a natural finish.
  • 126 Precision Blush Brush – A fluffy bristled brush created used to apply blush to the cheeks.
  • 127 Angled Face Shader Brush – A thin brush, used to create a chiselled finish to your contour.
  • 128 Small Blending Brush – A small, dense brush, perfect for blending out eye shadows.
  • 129 Small Round Blending Brush – A bristled brush for a soft-focus finish to your eye look.
  • 130 Large Shader Brush – A flat bristled brush created to add colour to your eyelids.
  • 131 Nose Contour Brush – A brush designed to sculpt the sides of the nose for a slimmer appearance.
  • 132 Precision Detailer Brush – A long brush ideal for applying shadow along the lash line.

New makeup brushes always feel great, but these are honestly amazing! I particularly lovely the flat topped brush hand the tapered contour brush, as they made my base makeup look super smooth. I’m also a major fan of the nose contour brush as I am REALLY insecure about my nose, so anything that makes it look smaller is a yes from me. I would definitely advise you to try these brushes if you’re looking for a good brand that won’t break the bank.

Product 2 – The Highlighter

Brand? Beauty Bay
Cruelty free? Yes
Price? £12
Where can I buy? Beauty Bay

I managed to break my Doll Beauty highlighter a few weeks ago, which of course meant it was time for a new one! A palette I’ve wanted to try for a while is the Beauty Bay Brilliance Bouncy Beam highlighter palette as the colours are just insane! This palette is a bargain as you get four highlighters, meaning that they’re technically £3 each. The lighter I used is ‘Radiant’ for contouring my cheeks, ‘Strobe’ for the corner of my eyes and a mix of ‘Charmed’ and ‘Shine Bright’ for contouring my nose, upper cheeks and upper lip. They have a great staying power and the colour transfers so well onto the face – the issue with a lot of highlighters is that they look great, but they are too dusty to display a good colour. They’re also not too OTT but you can build with them. This means you can achieve a natural look or a glam look depending on your mood. My favourite highlighting brush is the NABLA brush which you can buy here for £10.50!

I went for a slightly more natural look here, but I think the highlighter looks fab!

Product 3 – The Lashes

Brand? Doll Beauty
Cruelty free? Unfortunately not 😦
Price? £10
Where can I buy? Beauty Bay

So, I wasn’t actually sure if I wanted to promote these lashes given that they’re not cruelty free, but I will give an honest opinion. They’re nice, and they were a good balance between natural and glam – see the below pic. However, they don’t hold that well and I actually bought them thinking they were cruelty free (the website says it is cruelty free but when I read the lash packaging it said mink hair). If you are interested, I am wearing the ‘Eva’ style, which I do genuinely like. However, they’re pretty expensive and, while good, I would say you can find some better alternatives in the SoSu by Suzanne Jackson, a range you can shop here.

You can actually see where they’ve not taken so well in the corners!

And that’s the end of this week’s post – thank you for reading! If you’re struggling in lock down, or even just in general, feel free to drop me a message or leave a comment. I also would love to hear some suggestions for products to try, so let me know your thoughts!

Have a great Easter weekend, and STAY AT HOME everyone! xxx


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British Beauty

Nailed it – My Views On Revolution Nail Products! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Happy Thursday! I’m finally feeling a little more human having been unwell last week, so that’s a positive. I have been struggling with the lock down recently, and if I’m completely honest, my mental health has taken a bit of a hit. Being unwell didn’t help, but as I’m feeling better now, I’m hoping to do little things to keep myself distracted. I’ve been doing daily workouts, uni work, working from home for my job, and of course blogging! I also find reading very therapeutic and audio books as well if I’m struggling to find the will power to read after a full on day of exam prep. I’ve been trying to do regular pampers so that I feel good about myself as well, and last week my treat from me to me was some new nail stuff! I’ve been isolating at my grandma’s, which means I didn’t have my gel lamp/kit to hand, so I thought I’d give the Revolution brand a go. Here are my thoughts!

The Price and Product

Makeup Revolution is known for being an affordable brand that provides high quality results which is why I thought I’d give their nail products a try. I’m used to gels, but they’re not the best for your nails, so I thought I’d invest in a few products to really help get my nails back into shape ready for me to have my gels on when this is all over. I went for a nice subtle nude/pink colour (called lingerie). I’ve never been one for bright nail colours for some reason, and I tend to stick to pinks/nudes/greys to make sure my nails never clash with my outfits. All the products I bought are below, with the links to purchase:

Makeup Revolution Care and Repair Nail Treatment – £4.00
Makeup Revolution High Gloss Nail Polish (Lingerie) – £4.00
Makeup Revolution Plump and Shine Gel Top Coat – £3.95
Makeup Revolution Nourish and Care Cuticle Oil – £5.00
Total: £16.95

It’s worth noting that the reviews are great and the products sell out really fast, so get buying ASAP if you want a bargain!

How to Apply

So I thought the products were great when I used them! They dry really quickly, and combining some nail treatments was really effective in helping my nails look and feel healthier – I think my favourite was the cuticle oil as it made me feel like a professional haha! Each product is fast drying and doesn’t smudge. However, you can only really do one layer of the lingerie varnish as it starts to peel if you do any more. Luckily, it has a really even finish so it doesn’t matter too much. They’re also quite durable; I’ve had the varnish on since Monday and haven’t had any chipped nails yet which is a result! For what I paid, I think it was worth it. It wasn’t too time consuming because of the fast drying, and I LOVE that it doesn’t smudge – that’s an issue I have with quite a few nail varnishes (FYI avoid Barry M nail varnishes).

Final thoughts? I would say give these products a go! I’m going to invest in a few other colours too so that I can switch it up a bit. I know it might seem pointless because no one will see me anyway, but it’s helping me restore some normality into my life in such an uncertain and unprecedented time.

On that note, I want to make a point of saying again that if you are struggling as I have been, please do feel free to drop me a message. If you feel you need a professional service, I’ve used Samaritans in the past (by calling 116 123) and they were an incredible help. More than ever, it’s essential that we are looking out for each other and keeping ourselves healthy physically AND mentally. Blogging has been a huge help throughout this, so I also owe those who read my posts a huge thank you!

Tomorrow is Friday, and while we may all be losing track of the days right now, let’s try and get that Friday feeling and look forward to the weekend ahead!

Speak soon everyone xxx


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Hair Styling

Neurotoxins in Aesthetic Medicine: A Comparative Review of Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Introduction


Botulinum neurotoxins have become essential tools in both therapeutic and aesthetic medicine. Derived from Clostridium botulinum, these neuromodulators inhibit acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions, resulting in temporary muscle paralysis. Clinically, this effect is used to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, particularly in the upper face. Four major botulinum toxin type A formulations are commonly used in aesthetic dermatology: onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®), abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®), incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®), and prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs (Jeuveau®).

This review explores the molecular differences, pharmacodynamics, diffusion characteristics, immunogenicity, clinical outcomes, and emerging considerations in long-term use of these products.

Mechanism of Action

All botulinum toxin type A formulations function by blocking presynaptic release of acetylcholine via cleavage of SNAP-25, a key SNARE protein required for vesicle docking and neurotransmitter release. This inhibition prevents muscle contraction and leads to temporary denervation. Though each product shares this mechanism, variations in molecular structure and formulation result in different clinical behaviors.

The onset of action typically occurs within 2 to 7 days post-injection, with peak effects at approximately 2 weeks, and duration of action generally lasting 3 to 5 months depending on formulation, dosage, and muscle mass.

Molecular Composition and Formulation Differences

Toxin Brand Name Complexing Proteins Molecular Weight Units per Vial
OnabotulinumtoxinA Botox® Yes ~900 kDa 100 units
AbobotulinumtoxinA Dysport® Yes ~500-900 kDa 300 units
IncobotulinumtoxinA Xeomin® No 150 kDa (naked toxin) 100 units
PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs Jeuveau® Yes ~900 kDa 100 units

Xeomin® is considered a “naked” neurotoxin as it lacks complexing proteins, which may reduce the risk of immunogenicity. The presence of these accessory proteins in other formulations does not affect clinical efficacy but may influence immune response and product stability.

Diffusion and Spread Characteristics

Diffusion is a critical factor in determining efficacy and potential side effects. Dysport® is thought to have a broader spread due to its lower unit potency and molecular configuration. However, diffusion is not solely dependent on the toxin itself but also on dose, injection technique, muscle anatomy, and dilution practices. New imaging techniques such as electromyography and three-dimensional mapping are being studied to quantify diffusion zones with more precision.

Potency and Dose Conversion

There is no direct unit-to-unit equivalence among neurotoxins:

  • Botox:Dysport is often approximated as 1:2.5–3
  • Botox:Xeomin is considered 1:1
  • Botox:Jeuveau is also considered 1:1 based on current evidence

These conversions are based on clinical studies and are not interchangeable at a molecular level due to proprietary manufacturing processes and potency assays.

Duration and Clinical Efficacy

Clinical duration of effect is influenced by patient metabolism, treatment area, and product used. Meta-analyses have shown comparable efficacy across all four products, though some patients may perceive longer duration or smoother onset with one over another due to formulation characteristics.

A 2019 head-to-head trial (Prager et al.) comparing Botox and Jeuveau found no statistically significant difference in wrinkle reduction outcomes at 30 days post-treatment. Longer-term comparative trials are limited and needed to evaluate sustained efficacy and recurrence timing.

Immunogenicity and Neutralizing Antibodies

One clinical concern is the development of neutralizing antibodies that reduce efficacy. Xeomin®, which lacks complexing proteins, may present a lower immunogenic risk. While the incidence of antibody-mediated resistance is low in aesthetic applications due to infrequent dosing, higher cumulative dose exposure—such as for therapeutic uses or high-frequency cosmetic treatments—may increase immunogenic potential. Studies suggest that minimizing protein load and extending treatment intervals may mitigate risk.

Storage and Handling

  • Botox and Xeomin can be stored in a refrigerator before reconstitution.
  • Jeuveau and Dysport also require refrigeration but have varied stability profiles post-reconstitution depending on diluent and temperature.
  • Studies comparing shelf stability suggest that Xeomin may be more thermally stable due to its formulation without complexing proteins.

Regulatory and Manufacturing Differences

Each neurotoxin is manufactured using proprietary processes, which may affect purity, potency, and immunogenicity. For example:

  • Botox is produced by Allergan (AbbVie) in the U.S. using a crystalline preparation.
  • Dysport is manufactured by Ipsen in Europe with a lyophilized powder.
  • Xeomin is produced by Merz in Germany using chromatographic purification.
  • Jeuveau is manufactured by Evolus via Daewoong Pharmaceutical in South Korea using a 900 kDa complex similar to Botox.

These differences, while subtle, contribute to physician preferences and may influence clinical selection based on treatment context and patient response history.

A Note on Clinical Practice

Clinics across North America increasingly personalize neurotoxin selection based on patient goals, previous response, and injection history. For example, providers like Skin Works Medical Spa in El Segundo may offer multiple neurotoxin options in a medically supervised setting, emphasizing safety, precision dosing, and informed decision-making. Though product choice may vary, patient outcomes are consistently tied to injection technique, anatomical understanding, and follow-up care.

Conclusion

Botulinum neurotoxins remain central to non-surgical facial rejuvenation and neurological therapies. Although their mechanisms of action are similar, subtle differences in molecular structure, accessory protein content, diffusion, immunogenicity, and clinical handling may influence choice based on practitioner experience and patient-specific factors. Ongoing comparative research, long-term safety studies, and improved standardization in potency assays are essential to further advancing the science of neuromodulation.

References

  • Jankovic, J. et al. (2021). Botulinum Toxin in Clinical Practice. Toxicon, 189, 60–67.
  • Prager, W. et al. (2019). A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs and OnabotulinumtoxinA. Dermatologic Surgery.
  • Carruthers, A. et al. (2013). A Comparative Review of Botulinum Toxin Formulations. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
  • Hexsel, D. et al. (2020). Diffusion, Spread, and Migration of Botulinum Toxin. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.
  • Dressler, D., & Bigalke, H. (2018). Botulinum Toxin Therapy: A Standardized Approach. Drugs.

Pickett, A. (2020). Manufacturing and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxins. Biologics in Therapy.




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British Beauty

Lips and Lashes on Lock! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Good morning! I genuinely hope it is a good morning for you all. I’ve been a little more positive this week about things and I’ve been going on long walks as my daily outdoor exercise which I have also found beneficial.

It’s also been quite refreshing to have a break from makeup, although my skin doesn’t seem to think so! I’ve seen so many posts where people have been saying lockdown has done wonders for their skin. Has this happened with mine??? NOPE! If you’re a regular on my posts, you’ll know I’ve struggled with bad skin since I was about 11. Although having more time on my hands has enabled a greater focus on my skincare regime, mother nature making an appearance and my stress levels recently have caused an annoying breakout. I’ve just completed a two week social media detox and I absolutely loved it because I wasn’t constantly viewing pictures of picture perfect women (which can really impact your confidence if you’re not feeling great). I have them back now, but I’ve reduced my screen time massively, and instead of posting a cheerful photo of me looking all dolled up and pretending everything is fab, you can have some photos of my flared up skin instead! My best advice at the moment would be to try and stay away from social media; it’s inevitable that were not gonna be feeling amazing, and seeing unrealistic and photoshopped pictures where people are looking their best will only exacerbate the problem. Take time out and be happy in your own skin (I’ve embraced the spots)!

  • Wow ok I also really need to brush my hair!

Right, now for the subject of this week’s blog: lips and lashes! And first up we have….

Product 1 – The Lip Mask

It’s no secret that I’ve used dermal fillers in the past (click here to see my blog post where I discuss them). They’re not for everyone and it’s really not a decision that should be taken lightly, so I just want to make it clear that I never have and never will promote the use of lip fillers.

Of course, being in lockdown I can’t actually get my lips topped up anyway! I mentioned in last week’s post that I was feeling pretty rubbish, so my best friend very kindly left a care package outside for me, which included these really cool lip masks!

Dermal fillers start at around £100 for 0.5ml and can go upwards of £250 for more. These little masks are…£1!!! That’s 50p per lip mask as they come in a pack of two – check them out on the B&M website here. The packet says that they moisturise and plump the lips, and they’re infused with collagen, which is a natural remedy for enhancing lip volume. I’m sure given the bargain price you may be skeptical as to whether they work – let’s see!

  • BEFORE
  • LEAVE ON FOR 15 MINS
  • AFTER!

Not only is the volume of my lips visibly enhanced, they were left feeling really soft and smooth so the moisturising promise was most certainly met. While the effects are less permanent, I’m excited to continue using these masks throughout lockdown to keep my full lips in place! These little masks are a must have (even if I did looks a little strange while wearing one).

Product 2 – The Last Lift

I’ve never been one to wear individual lashes as I just end up picking them all out, so my usual go to lash treat is the lash lift. Right now, more than ever, I felt like this was a must-have because I’m makeup free every day but still want a little boost so that I’m feeling good when rocking the natural look. So, I thought why not try it myself…

I purchased this product from amazon for £20.99 – click here to buy! The instructions are really clear, but I just want to say, it is really fiddly to use at first. Here are the steps:

Sounds easy right? I mean, it was once I got the hang of it! So for step one, my advice is to apply the glue to your lashes and the pads before trying to fix them on the lid. Once you’ve placed the glue on the pad/your lashes, fix onto your eyelid and use a cotton bud to gently stroke up the lashes so that they stick to the pad. I also used a cotton bud to apply the perm solution and the fixation lotion. This is what it will look like – it’s a little strange.

  • 1) Glue
  • 2) Perm
  • 3) Fixation

Staying still for around 30 minutes was harder than you’d think, but I was actually really happy with the finished result.

  • Before
  • After

As you can see, my lashes are visibly lifted, although I wouldn’t say it’s salon quality. I think it would be better to use the product with a tinting solution too for optimal results, but I was still really pleased with the outcome for my first time trying! You’ve got to be patient, but we all have a lot of time on our hands right now don’t we?

That’s all for this week! I have honestly really enjoyed trying out some cool home treatments during lockdown and I would recommend giving it a go if you’re looking for something new to try. We’re all missing our usual beauty treatments at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we have to go without! It’s also a really nice distraction, particularly if you’re an over-thinker like myself. I say it every week, but if you’re struggling and need a chat, contact me here! Sometimes it’s good to speak with someone you don’t know as well. Also give me a message or leave a comment with recommendations of any other products you think I should try – I am open to all suggestions. Here’s a picture of me with half wet hair, no makeup, and pretty rubbish skin as a reminder that what you see on social media isn’t always accurate – don’t pay too much attention to it!

Stay safe everyone xxx



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British Beauty

Get Ready With Me (Again) – A Full Makeup Tutorial! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Hi everyone, and welcome to this week’s blog! And what a rubbish week we are having with the weather, although I’m not sure what I prefer; is it better for the weather to be bad when we are stuck indoors anyway, or is the sunshine uplifting in difficult times? I think my mixed views display how neither situation is exactly ideal, however there are things we can do to try and make how we are feeling slightly better. At the moment, I am loving having a daily pamper, reading more books, watching rubbish on Netflix, going on walks, and doing home workouts. I’ve also decided to do my makeup a couple of times a week to keep me feeling human, which you will know if you read my post a couple of weeks ago on my BeautyBay haul! I’ve not actually done a full makeup tutorial for you guys since December though (check it out here), and some products I use have changed since then, so why not do a big makeup post?! Here is a nice little before picture if you guys need a laugh (I know I do)!

I’ve just noticed I am so pale I would probably disappear into my wall if it was white…

Aaaaand here is a meme to summarise how I am feeling about the above picture…

Wow, I also LOVE the caption of this pin haha! Well, at least I am funny sometimes I hope…Anyway, time to stop rambling. Here’s the tutorial!

Step 1 – Prime

So this is a pretty easy step, although for some reason I didn’t actually take a before and after picture. Here is the order in which I apply the products:
1) Dr Everyouth Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Day Moisturiser – £13.99 on gogroupie.
2) The Ordinary High Adherence Silicone Primer – £3.95 from BeautyBay.
3) RCMA No-Color Powder – £11.75 from BeautyBay.
4) Morphe Continuous Setting Mist – £16 from Cult Beauty.

So, I am absolutely IN LOVE with this prime routine. I’ve always moisturised and then applied primer, but I would highly recommend setting your primer with a translucent powder and setting spray – you will notice a huge difference when it comes to the durability of your makeup and it goes on soooo much better.

Step 2 – Brows

The products used here are my all time faves:
1) Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in shade Soft Brown – £19 from Cult Beauty.
2) ZOEVA Graphic Brow Fix in shade Ammos – £9 from Beauty Bay.
3) Morphe Liquid Full Coverage Concealer in shade C1.35 – £10 from Cult Beauty

  • STEP 1 – Use a flat angled brush to apply the dipbrow pomade.
  • STEP 2 – Brush on the brow gel in fine strokes.
  • STEP 3 – Apply concealer around the brow and brush down onto the lid to act as a primer.

As my hair is blonde (despite the awful roots I have right now due to being unable to visit a hairdressers) I don’t go too dark with my brows. However, more shades are available in the products I recommend depending on what kind of colour you go for. While £19 is a bit expensive for a brow gel (I may have cried at the time of purchasing), it has lasted for 2 years and I am still no where close to finishing so I think we can view this as an investment.

Step 3 – Eyes

Right, I had to improvise pretty hard here as I don’t have a lot of makeup with me. As mentioned above, I used concealer to prime my lids, and then I used a bronzer and highlighter to create a natural bronze look which I love for the daytime. Here are the products:
1) Doll Beauty Gimme Sun Matte Bronzer in shade Medium – £15 from BeautyBay.
2) MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter in shade Golden Scintillation – £2.99 from Luxplus.
3) Unicorn Cosmetics Lashes in style Peachy Pie – £10 from BeautyBay.

  • STEP 1 – Use a fluffy brush to buff the bronzer across your lid.
  • STEP 3 – Gently press the highlighter into the mid-to-corner of the lid.
  • STEP 4 – Once the lash glue is tacky, apply and hold for 20 seconds to ensure it stays on.

Now, this is definitely not the most dramatic eyeshadow look I’ve done but this is my go to for a more natural, glowy, daytime look, and I often use highlighters and bronzers as eyeshadows too which makes them an even better investment. While the lashes are £10, they are reusable which means that these are also an investment and they work out cheaper than less expensive lash brands as they last longer.

Step 4 – Base

Here we have two of my favourite ever makeup products for base makeup, and I would highly recommend you purchase ASAP! I’ve tried a lot of brands, but I’ve never found a foundation or concealer as enduring as these two. The products are:
1) EX1 Cosmetics Invisiwear Liquid Foundation in shade 3.5 – £12.50 from BeautyBay.
2) Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Multi-Use Concealer in shade Neutraliser – £8.99 from Superdrug.

  • STEP 1 – Apply the foundation using a flat topped foundation brush (I would say BH Cosmetics are the best).
  • STEP 2 – Apply concealer under the eyes, the forehead, the nose and chin.
  • STEP 3 – Use a small contour brush to blend.

These are really great products which are priced well too! My foundation is a little too dark for me right now though, but that’s purely because I am not fake tanning at the moment! If you want to find the perfect shade in the foundation/concealer, take a look on Findation to get your match based on the shades you use in your current products.

Step 5 – Contour

Time to sculpt my face into something slightly more appealing. Some of the products here can definitely be replaced with cheaper alternatives, but again, I’m limited with the products I have to hand. Products used here are:
1) Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder – £32 from Look Fantastic. A cheaper alternative which is *almost* as good is Morphe’s Bake and Set Powder in shade Banana for £12 from Cult Beauty.
2) EX1 Invisiwear Compact Powder in shade 11 – £11.50 from BeautyBay.
3) Mac Studiofix Powder Plus Foundation in shade C35 – £27 from MAC. However, you can get much cheaper pressed powders which do the job – EX1 do many shades on BeautyBay, and you can buy the Revolution Pressed Powder for £2 from Superdrug.

  • STEP 1 – Use a beauty blender to apply the baking powder under the eyes, the nose, forehead and cheeks.
  • STEP 2 – Use a sculpting brush to apply bronzer to the cheeks, sides of the nose (can use a finer brush for that step) and forehead.
  • STEP 3 – Gently press a flat foundation brush into pressed powder and dust off the translucent powder.

As you can see, I am starting to look slightly more human now! Contouring can be quite tricky, so I am fairly basic with my method so as not to overdo it. That being said, I’m happy with the result!

Step 6 – Highlight

As you can see, I sat on this palette and smashed the mirror…

This product is my new favourite highlighter! The BeautyBay Brilliance Bouncy Beam palette is £12 from BeautyBay. I used ‘Radiant’ for contouring the corners of my cheeks, ‘Strobe’ for the corner of my eyes and under my brows and a mix of ‘Charmed’ and ‘Shine Bright’ for contouring my nose, cheekbones and upper lip. Here’s the result! I apply setting spray to my brush before application for the best results.

Step 7 – Lips

Right, I am sure if you’re a regular here you will know that I just ADORE a nude lip! I know I need to branch out, and I will try to do so, but as this is a daytime look I had to go for a natural nude colour. The products used were:
1) Milani Colour Statement Lipliner in shade Nude – £6.50 from BeautyBay.
2) Doll Beauty Lipstick in shade Golden Girl – £13 from BeautyBay.
3) Doll Beauty Lipgloss in shade #Gobby – £13 from BeautyBay.

  • STEP 1 – Apply the lipliner around the lip and blend inwards towards the center of the lip.
  • STEP 2 – Apply the lipstick and blot with tissue.
  • STEP 3 – Run a thin layer of lipgloss across the top.

I absolutely love these colours together as they create a really cute pinky nude that’s both glossy and natural! The lipstick is also nice and creamy which I like, as matte lipsticks can really dry my lips out. The durability of the lipliner is fabulous too, and I love the pinker tone of the gloss – the perfect nude!

Now to set again with setting spray and I am FINISHED! Here is the end result!

  • BEFORE
  • AFTER
I am pretty impressed with this glow up!

Doing my makeup, taking some selfies and going on nice long walk really calmed me down the other day when I was having a bit of a meltdown, and I would strongly advise you all to find something which has the same effect as it genuinely works. Here are some cute pictures I took on my walk…

PHEW – that’s the longest post I’ve done in a while, but I really enjoyed it and I hope some of like the products I have recommended. In the meantime, remember to contact me and/or leave a comment with any anxieties/recommendations or even if you just fancy a chat – my ears are open. Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Stay safe xxxx



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