Oh wow, that looks amazing! You just look very well rested and well hydrated -- I honestly didn’t know fillers could look so subtle. I hear “fillers” and think kardashian or something similar 😂 I’m looking forward to the follow up article on with all the details!
Regarding fillers: You and me both! LOL. The doctor mentioned that and all I could see was huge puffy lips. And as I note, I was pretty nervous about looking weird. So I appreciate hearing your kind words!
Yeah, I can honestly say that when Brent said that I knew I'd married the right guy. I mean, I'd known that a long time ago, but this reminded me of that.
Hi Michael! I am 10 years older than you and I have been going through the same experience every day when brushing my teeth. But, “ it’s just not me !!!”
You’ve given me some reasons and confidence to re-explore my decision making around this issue. Thank you.❤️
Apr 21, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
Dear Michael:
You always are strikingly handsome. But now, you have the good feelings about yourself to go with that handsomeness. And that's all you need to make this adventure a success. Take care and give Brent an extra hug for his support.
I've had Juvederm injections every other year for several years now. I'm almost 72, and the fillers make a big difference. My doctor in Daytona charged $600 the last time; if I schedule in December (in the past, at least) he knocks off another hundred as a Christmas special. Years ago I contemplated a blepharoplasty but discovered that the use of an eye cream improved the appearance of my eyes so much it wasn't necessary. I use Olay Total Effects eye transforming cream. It has jumped up in price recently but is worth every cent.
Thanks for sharing this, Miles. I appreciate hearing others experiences as well. I have a feeling this will become an ongoing maintenance routine for me. And I'll check out that Olay cream!
Apr 22, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
Absolutely charmed by your transparency and doubly charmed by your supportive husband’s loving wish for you to be happy. Lucky guys.
Also, don’t we allllll start doing that pulling the skin back in front of the mirror around the time we hit the half century mark?! 😉 You look great before and after. Lovely that you FEEL great now.
We are lucky and thank you very much. As for the skin pulling, yeah, we all do it. But there's doing it and going "Hmmm..." and then there's doing it and going, "Well, shiiiiiiitttttt...." LOL.
Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Here's the BEST part.You don't look ANY different before and after EXCEPT upon closer inspection the lines appear softer. The BEST kept secret: you are being proactive while aging gracefully and building self-confidence to once again look in the mirror without feeling HORRIBLE, uncomfortable, or even critical, whatever that feeling happened to capture. You may feel less than stellar on a bad day but the lines and sagging won't be there to remind you that aging is rarely graceful. You will be grateful and likely never take it for granted. A reprieve of such.
I know. What you described is EXACTLY how I felt. I can assure you my trepidation was exponentially on steroids then. I was getting married for the first time to my childhood sweetheart that I'd not reconnected with until my 60th birthday. It started when I tried to find "the blushing bride" makeup for an outdoor ceremony and photography concerns. I wasn't trying to be vain. Honest. I wanted to look my best. Ir wasnt happening naturally. I found filler and Botox through a skincare specialist who'd done peels and dermaplaning in my former toxic long-term relationship. She was related to him, so I had to sneak into that small town, hide out in her office, and wait until after dark to get everything done, then slide out, and drive 8 hours back home.
Long story short. $1100 later I looked like a million dollars. To me. No one else noticed. Except I kept hearing how good I looked for my age. That was all I wanted to hear. And see!!! I didn't want the marionette lines acting as crevices that captured my makeup, or the dark circles under my eyes, or the frown lines accentuated. She worked her magic.
And though the pictures taken at my wedding on top of a mountain in the middle of the day were horrible (another story) the worst that captured our love and committmwnt to one another were still magical.
Yes. There is upkeep. My husband doesn't give me a hard time about it because he knows how good I feel and more importantly how I carry myself with confidence and poise... worth every penny!
I do it every 5-6 months. I don't go crazy. It ranges from $900-$1300, depending on how it held up. A lot depends on activity, if say, you're a runner or endurance athlete.
I'm happy and thrilled for you!! It wasn't me either. I'm so grateful I found the right person to do it, the cost was in my range, and the results let me live to reflect in the mirror, yes I'm aging, but softly and gracefully... and isn't that all we can hope for?
Great piece and I'm really glad you shared this with us.
Thanks for that wonderful response, Patti. Everything you say resonates with me and now I have a completely different perspective. I really hope by sharing my story and then folks like you commenting other people thinking about doing this will feel more comfortable and less judged with the choices they make.
But I'm sorry about the bad wedding photos! But it sounds like they aren't at all reflective of your marriage, which makes me happy for you.
Apr 24, 2023·edited Apr 24, 2023Liked by Michael Jensen
Yes, sharing your stories helps the rest of us. Even when we don't think we need help or validation.
There has been a lot of talk about Madonna lately. She looks so different and it's beyond noticeable, it's cause for gaping in either awe or horror.
I used to go to the same skincare specialist she went to in Miami. Many years ago. We were both on our 30s. He was adamant on peels, dermabrasion, and preventive measures. He used to say we'd thank him later for his work. It became somewhat of a kaffeeklatsch in his waiting rooms and reception area. Numbing cream takes a hot minute , time to compare notes.
He was fodder for the show "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." He worked on himself and an example of going overboard and distorting reality. He hung himself because of was ashamed and humiliated from the malicious teasing he got. He was a kind, sweet, gentle oddball who was a favorite for celebrities and commoners alike.
I will never forget him. And I will remember him (always) before instructing the NP what results I want.
Back to Madonna. I defend her choices. I understand what it feels like losing your identity due to aging and being surrounded by much younger people who either intimidate or say things that make you doubt yourself.
Cosmetic intervention is a crazy, beuatiful,, wonderful thing when we stick to enhancing and not distorting. Where the vanity goes the mind will follow, maybe the other way around.
Thanks for sharing those thoughts, Patti. And that's terribly about that poor man.
As for Madonna, I try now to no longer have an opinion on what she -- or anyone else does -- because I know have a much better understanding of what they are going through and feeling.
- face cleanser: purito defence barrier ph cleanser.
which cleanser you use doesn't matter as much because you wash it off immediately I have never developed a devotion to a particular cleanser. When I need one, when I'm going my k beauty online ordering I find a mild one from a good brand that's on sale.
(note: I tried the body shop camomile oil cleanser and it aggravated my face, so I went back to my klairs oil cleanser. I am not sure that you will need an oil cleanser, this is just fyi)
- I would add in the rohto gokujyun premius HA just because you bung it on as you step out of the shower and hyalauronic acid + sunscreen are the two basics to ensure happy skin. I actually don't think of it as part of my skin care routine, it's more like putting on deodorant. You end up with a dry face without having to use a towel because HA works by absorbing water.
- face cream: paula's choice intensive repair cream (part of her Resist line). been using this one for a few years. The moisturiser is a good place to put the money. Paula's choice products tend to be packed in with many many good ingredients all supported by scientific research. Her site always has a list of references (the particular scientific study) for each ingredient. Paula's choice is available all over the world from her website.
- sunscreen: purito centella green level unscented sun spf50+ PA++++
-OR purito snail clearing bb cream which is a heavy tinted powerful moisturiser with a bit of tint (colour) in it. I find it really helps with concealing my pinkness.
- night face cream: purito dermide cica barrier sleeping pack
Another Thing to consider is that it's best to do the "night routine" after dinner/when you are definitely in for the night. That's because it's usually when you apply all the actives, so the longer all that stuff is on your face the better.
I don't really do an eye cream specifically. I just use a super duper moisturiser that's safe to use around my eyes.
The thing to do really is to get started and see what makes your face happy. You have the benefit of taking frequent pics of your face, (unlike me) so if you diarise when you started to use product x, a year later you can check photos from then and photos from now and see any differences.
I get all my skincare online nowadays. Being in Asia as you are, it is probably all there in the shops you lucky thing. (online: lila beauty and yesstyle).
Hyram on youtube (a nice young man who happens to be a gay mormon from Hawaii) is good to check out when you are having a youtube moment.
Good for you Michael! No, great for you. You did your research, listened to your worries and weighed them against your perceptions of what you needed and could do to make the best decision for YOU! I’m glad Brent was so supportive.
It does matter how you look if it makes you feel old. Cause it doesn’t match how you feel inside. You look great and now you feel great too! Hurrah!
Oh wow, that looks amazing! You just look very well rested and well hydrated -- I honestly didn’t know fillers could look so subtle. I hear “fillers” and think kardashian or something similar 😂 I’m looking forward to the follow up article on with all the details!
I had the same thoughts =)
Regarding fillers: You and me both! LOL. The doctor mentioned that and all I could see was huge puffy lips. And as I note, I was pretty nervous about looking weird. So I appreciate hearing your kind words!
My takeaway from this story is this: "Especially if you think it’s going to make you feel better.” That's love in eleven words. Glorious.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
(Sorry, that looks like overkill on the emojis, but context, right?! Clearly eleven were needed.)
Yeah, I can honestly say that when Brent said that I knew I'd married the right guy. I mean, I'd known that a long time ago, but this reminded me of that.
Good on you bro!!! (and no one would ever mistake you for Madonna at the music awards)
Hi Michael! I am 10 years older than you and I have been going through the same experience every day when brushing my teeth. But, “ it’s just not me !!!”
You’ve given me some reasons and confidence to re-explore my decision making around this issue. Thank you.❤️
Hi Karchner, In really glad to hear that. It's a big part of the reason I decided to share my story.
If it’s safe and you can afford it, why not? Your life...do what makes you happy.
Dear Michael:
You always are strikingly handsome. But now, you have the good feelings about yourself to go with that handsomeness. And that's all you need to make this adventure a success. Take care and give Brent an extra hug for his support.
Thank you, William! That's very nice to hear. And now I shall go hug Brent!
I've had Juvederm injections every other year for several years now. I'm almost 72, and the fillers make a big difference. My doctor in Daytona charged $600 the last time; if I schedule in December (in the past, at least) he knocks off another hundred as a Christmas special. Years ago I contemplated a blepharoplasty but discovered that the use of an eye cream improved the appearance of my eyes so much it wasn't necessary. I use Olay Total Effects eye transforming cream. It has jumped up in price recently but is worth every cent.
Thanks for sharing this, Miles. I appreciate hearing others experiences as well. I have a feeling this will become an ongoing maintenance routine for me. And I'll check out that Olay cream!
You look great. Good for you for trying something outside your box. Pat on the back to Brent for supporting you in giving this a try!
Thanks!
Wow! So glad you’re writing about this! It’s absolutely true that we form judgments without knowing enough... you look great by the way!
Thank you very much.
Also, forgot to mention - Brent is the best! Seriously. You probably already know that.
I agree and I do!
Haha thank you 😍
Omg. This whole post Is.So.Me! You look incredibly better, btw, Michael. I cannot speak for the intrinsic weirdness, lol.
Thank you, Tanya. I appreciate hearing that.
Absolutely charmed by your transparency and doubly charmed by your supportive husband’s loving wish for you to be happy. Lucky guys.
Also, don’t we allllll start doing that pulling the skin back in front of the mirror around the time we hit the half century mark?! 😉 You look great before and after. Lovely that you FEEL great now.
We are lucky and thank you very much. As for the skin pulling, yeah, we all do it. But there's doing it and going "Hmmm..." and then there's doing it and going, "Well, shiiiiiiitttttt...." LOL.
You really do look better! Congratulations!
Thank you, Gary. Very much appreciate hearing that.
Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Here's the BEST part.You don't look ANY different before and after EXCEPT upon closer inspection the lines appear softer. The BEST kept secret: you are being proactive while aging gracefully and building self-confidence to once again look in the mirror without feeling HORRIBLE, uncomfortable, or even critical, whatever that feeling happened to capture. You may feel less than stellar on a bad day but the lines and sagging won't be there to remind you that aging is rarely graceful. You will be grateful and likely never take it for granted. A reprieve of such.
I know. What you described is EXACTLY how I felt. I can assure you my trepidation was exponentially on steroids then. I was getting married for the first time to my childhood sweetheart that I'd not reconnected with until my 60th birthday. It started when I tried to find "the blushing bride" makeup for an outdoor ceremony and photography concerns. I wasn't trying to be vain. Honest. I wanted to look my best. Ir wasnt happening naturally. I found filler and Botox through a skincare specialist who'd done peels and dermaplaning in my former toxic long-term relationship. She was related to him, so I had to sneak into that small town, hide out in her office, and wait until after dark to get everything done, then slide out, and drive 8 hours back home.
Long story short. $1100 later I looked like a million dollars. To me. No one else noticed. Except I kept hearing how good I looked for my age. That was all I wanted to hear. And see!!! I didn't want the marionette lines acting as crevices that captured my makeup, or the dark circles under my eyes, or the frown lines accentuated. She worked her magic.
And though the pictures taken at my wedding on top of a mountain in the middle of the day were horrible (another story) the worst that captured our love and committmwnt to one another were still magical.
Yes. There is upkeep. My husband doesn't give me a hard time about it because he knows how good I feel and more importantly how I carry myself with confidence and poise... worth every penny!
I do it every 5-6 months. I don't go crazy. It ranges from $900-$1300, depending on how it held up. A lot depends on activity, if say, you're a runner or endurance athlete.
I'm happy and thrilled for you!! It wasn't me either. I'm so grateful I found the right person to do it, the cost was in my range, and the results let me live to reflect in the mirror, yes I'm aging, but softly and gracefully... and isn't that all we can hope for?
Great piece and I'm really glad you shared this with us.
Thanks for that wonderful response, Patti. Everything you say resonates with me and now I have a completely different perspective. I really hope by sharing my story and then folks like you commenting other people thinking about doing this will feel more comfortable and less judged with the choices they make.
But I'm sorry about the bad wedding photos! But it sounds like they aren't at all reflective of your marriage, which makes me happy for you.
Yes, sharing your stories helps the rest of us. Even when we don't think we need help or validation.
There has been a lot of talk about Madonna lately. She looks so different and it's beyond noticeable, it's cause for gaping in either awe or horror.
I used to go to the same skincare specialist she went to in Miami. Many years ago. We were both on our 30s. He was adamant on peels, dermabrasion, and preventive measures. He used to say we'd thank him later for his work. It became somewhat of a kaffeeklatsch in his waiting rooms and reception area. Numbing cream takes a hot minute , time to compare notes.
He was fodder for the show "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." He worked on himself and an example of going overboard and distorting reality. He hung himself because of was ashamed and humiliated from the malicious teasing he got. He was a kind, sweet, gentle oddball who was a favorite for celebrities and commoners alike.
I will never forget him. And I will remember him (always) before instructing the NP what results I want.
Back to Madonna. I defend her choices. I understand what it feels like losing your identity due to aging and being surrounded by much younger people who either intimidate or say things that make you doubt yourself.
Cosmetic intervention is a crazy, beuatiful,, wonderful thing when we stick to enhancing and not distorting. Where the vanity goes the mind will follow, maybe the other way around.
Thanks for sharing those thoughts, Patti. And that's terribly about that poor man.
As for Madonna, I try now to no longer have an opinion on what she -- or anyone else does -- because I know have a much better understanding of what they are going through and feeling.
- face cleanser: purito defence barrier ph cleanser.
which cleanser you use doesn't matter as much because you wash it off immediately I have never developed a devotion to a particular cleanser. When I need one, when I'm going my k beauty online ordering I find a mild one from a good brand that's on sale.
(note: I tried the body shop camomile oil cleanser and it aggravated my face, so I went back to my klairs oil cleanser. I am not sure that you will need an oil cleanser, this is just fyi)
- I would add in the rohto gokujyun premius HA just because you bung it on as you step out of the shower and hyalauronic acid + sunscreen are the two basics to ensure happy skin. I actually don't think of it as part of my skin care routine, it's more like putting on deodorant. You end up with a dry face without having to use a towel because HA works by absorbing water.
- face cream: paula's choice intensive repair cream (part of her Resist line). been using this one for a few years. The moisturiser is a good place to put the money. Paula's choice products tend to be packed in with many many good ingredients all supported by scientific research. Her site always has a list of references (the particular scientific study) for each ingredient. Paula's choice is available all over the world from her website.
- sunscreen: purito centella green level unscented sun spf50+ PA++++
-OR purito snail clearing bb cream which is a heavy tinted powerful moisturiser with a bit of tint (colour) in it. I find it really helps with concealing my pinkness.
- night face cream: purito dermide cica barrier sleeping pack
Another Thing to consider is that it's best to do the "night routine" after dinner/when you are definitely in for the night. That's because it's usually when you apply all the actives, so the longer all that stuff is on your face the better.
I don't really do an eye cream specifically. I just use a super duper moisturiser that's safe to use around my eyes.
The thing to do really is to get started and see what makes your face happy. You have the benefit of taking frequent pics of your face, (unlike me) so if you diarise when you started to use product x, a year later you can check photos from then and photos from now and see any differences.
I get all my skincare online nowadays. Being in Asia as you are, it is probably all there in the shops you lucky thing. (online: lila beauty and yesstyle).
Hyram on youtube (a nice young man who happens to be a gay mormon from Hawaii) is good to check out when you are having a youtube moment.
Thanks, Nanette! You've been very helpful!
Good for you Michael! No, great for you. You did your research, listened to your worries and weighed them against your perceptions of what you needed and could do to make the best decision for YOU! I’m glad Brent was so supportive.
It does matter how you look if it makes you feel old. Cause it doesn’t match how you feel inside. You look great and now you feel great too! Hurrah!
Thanks, Jill!