Let's do Magic and bend that straight-ass spoon

Botox and the Square Jaw

It was definitely a Jerry Springer moment. My mom actually warned me off on having Botox treatments the minute i flopped down beside her to watch tv.

I mean, she knows I super hate needles (among many many things) and having any foreign stuff injected into me, so the idea of me going for Botox is definitely going off tangent here. While on an internship with a PR firm in Sydney, one usually savvy and witty colleague actually had a phobia for needles soo bad that he practically gagged when we were at a Botox presentation and rushed out of the room. Needless to say, I didn't think of him as quite so savvy anymore.

Mom for one thing, was on high alert cos of the article she was reading on youngsters as young as 20 going for Botox jabs to smoothen their squarish jawline or lessen the 1 or 2 wrinkles that have popped up (hey do they work wonder for zits as well?) So true to nature, my mom will dispense well-meaning advice as soon as she gets the chance, and in doing so, will once again 'save' me from making one big mistake. Still, while i appreciate the concern, really i do, Mom has nothing to worry about cos i'm a 'cool-worrier' - acts cool on the outside but a seabed of mush on the inside. I will not go for Botox cos fear is truly a remarkable thing and I happen to like my squarish jawline.

Going for Botox is not as easy as waltzing into the doc's office and raising your profile. You gota do your research, go for consultation, be willing to part with anything from $500-$1500 PER jab and make friends with foreign substances whom you know will be there for a short period of time before you're due for another jab to shall we say, keep up appearances.

FYI: Botox is actually a natural (hah!), purified protein. It blocks nerve transmissions to the injected muscle and is confined only to that area. Good thing is, it doesn't travel throughout the body- Can you imagine, injecting your jawline, and a few minutes later, your boobs start to tingle and rise? Whoa no more breast lifting exercises in the morning (hmm interesting..but not quite convinced). Its fast takes about 10minutes, and is a minimally invasive procedure with fast recovery time. First time you'd feel numb and unnatural but your muscles will relax soon after.

Honestly, I have always thought that Botox was an option for the older crowd cos I thought it was all about getting rid of them wrinkles and numbing cells that cause aging. But im surprised to find out that it can also 'shape or raise eyebrows higher', regulate oil secretion to prevent acne (ahhh tempted but still a no go) and soften an unpopular, squarish jawline.

Cos of the above, young students and undergrads are braving the needle, claiming that it feels a lot like ant bites and doesn't hurt. That would explain the zero need for anaesthesia.

While I'm not an expert, I think there is a preoccupation with wanting that cute, elfin look so synonymous with Japanese and Hongkong stars like Ayumi or Cecilia. A squarish jaw just don't cut it cos you come off looking too strong or mature than your age.

I have grown up with people telling me that I am a handsome woman (if you read Jane Austen's novels, believe me, that term doesn't offend), that i have a strong jaw or am i the older child? (cos my older sis has that ovalish-shaped face). Of course i did take it personally and tried all means to soften my jawline like pile on those make-up tricks, suck in my inner jaws to create that moue-moue look and even do dumb stuff like go 'Oh its strong?..no lah alot of people say its nice...you ahh'. I'd be feeling moody, be crappy to my sweet sis and let people get to me and ruin my day but when you're 14, with ongoing puberty hang-ups, trust me, you'd let stuff like this affect you greatly.

It wasn't until I went to uni that I came to terms with how I looked. I'd attribute it to the fact that I was away from home and away from crappy people who put me down. I learned to be 100% independent in taking care of myself and ensuring I make the right decisions. My self-confidence grew and I developed this upbeat and strong attitude which has proven to be the right attitude for this life.

I was definitely a late bloomer but I'm glad I have reached a level of maturity in liking and appreciating myself. Nowadays, I meet more people who like squarish jawlines or have strong jawlines themselves :)

Sure its corny but i guess sometimes certain things happen for a reason including the shape of your face or how you look. I'd choose to think its because it looks good on you and just you alone, therein making you uniquely you.

Either way or either choices, there's no right or wrong, only consequences and justifications. So for those of you who have strong jawlines, i shall end this blog trip with the many many benefits on being a handsome, happie woman, enjoi :)

10 Inspiring Reasons to Celebrate Your Strong, Squarish Jawline Today:

1. You carry the sexy, Aviator shades/sunnies look stylishly better than most women can

2. Your equal jawline and hairline gives a look of quiet determination, nobility, mystique and attractiveness

3. Somehow, dont ask me why ask a stylist, layered wavy cuts and rock-chic bangs will look good on you.

4. For those steeped in Hollywood, some of the world's beautiful women are celebs who celebrate their square- jaw look and make the best of their feature like Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Geena Davis, Jennifer Garner, model Shalom Harlow and Cindy Crawford ( i can go on all day people!)

6. If you're a slow eater, having a strong jaw is perfect. You cover more ground in a single bite, prolonging the chewing experience

7. Strong jaws when exuding self-confidence and sex appeal form a lethal combination a la Angelina Jolie

8. Wanting to intimidate succesfully? Only you can give that impressive 'Gator Chomp' routine just like what LucyLiu did in Charlie's Angels during the Chess match scene with the child protegee

9. As weird as this sounds, people do go for surgery to get a square jaw. Looks like the grass is always greener on the other side.

10. Lastly, whether its for the good or bad, You DO stand out in the crowd with much less effort..so 'nuff said.

posted by GirlAwake @ 2:17 PM 2 comments