• Microtox is a treatment little-known in the West, which promises to smooth fine lines without freezing the face.
• Originating from South Korea, microtox is diluted Botox injected into the facial fibers, not muscles.
• I tried it, and while my skin glowed, the result was more subtle than I'd hoped for.

When my boyfriend proposed last December, I was overcome with joy for our future — and excited about wedding planning.

But I was surprised that although I'm not anxious about my looks, I felt the urge to perfect my appearance. If I'm not going to pull out all the stops on my wedding day, when am I?

I've whitened my teeth (painful), tried eyelash lengthening serum (it turned my under eyes red so I won't be repeating), and nailed down a solid skincare routine.

But no amount of retinol or SPF is going to smooth the fine lines that have appeared on my face in recent years.

Botox is, to many, the obvious solution to this symptom of human existence that we're conditioned to fear. That and other non-surgical "tweakments," such as fillers, are on the rise. From 2019 to 2022, the number of people getting Botox injections in the US jumped by 73% (to an all-time high), and those going under the needle are getting younger.

While social media has made people more anxious about their looks and reduced stigma around treatments, a more natural aesthetic is now on trend. This has seen celebrities such as Courteney Cox and Khloe Kardashian dissolve their fillers.

In that vein, I feared I would suffer from the dreaded "frozen face" Botox can cause and be unable to express my emotions on one of the most emotional days of my life.

(My fiancé, for his part, says I "don't need Botox" — but what does he know?)

So, when I heard about a treatment called "microtox" that promised to smooth fine lines without limiting facial expressions, I was desperate to know more.

Also known as "glass skin treatment," I learned microtox hails from South Korea — known for its advanced skincare — and involves diluting Botulinum toxin (aka Botox) with saline or other skin-boosters. Crucially, it's injected into the facial fibers that connect the muscles to the skin instead of the muscles themselves, smoothing the face without freezing it.

At 31, I'd never had any injectable cosmetic procedures before, and microtox seemed like a soft landing into the world of anti-aging treatments.

I tried it, and while my skin glowed, the smoothing effect was too subtle to be worth the £495 ($657) price tag.

'An airbrushed look and lustre'

After checking with dermatologists that microtox is safe, I quickly realized this relatively new treatment isn't offered by many clinics in the UK, where I live.

I booked a consultation with the Taktouk Clinic in London's ultra-affluent Knightsbridge neighborhood, which three years ago became one of the first places in the UK to offer microtox.

The treatment was originally £695 ($922), but the clinic told me the price was lowered to £495 ($657) in July to bring it in line with their other skin boosters. Business Insider was given a media rate of £476 ($631).

First, Christine Hall, an aesthetic doctor at the clinic, and I talked on Zoom about my skin and what the treatment involved. She told me not to drink any alcohol 24 hours before or after microtox, and also to avoid painkillers, the sauna, steam room, and gym.

Hall said microtox is incredibly popular in South Korea, where her mother is from, and is seen as a "red carpet treatment" to have before a big event.

"They're about 10 years ahead of us in terms of aesthetics, so I try and keep up with them because it informs me about what's going to come over to this side of the world," Hall said.

"You're going to look refreshed, your skin's going to be glowing, but nobody's going to particularly be able to tell you why," she added.

The treatment wouldn't do much to deep wrinkles, but could give me an "airbrushed look and lustre," Hall said. "Sign me up," I thought.

My face was numbed before the treatment

The clinic, which is chic and minimalist but with period features that give it an old-money feel, is discreetly positioned on a busy street of designer shops.

After checking in, I was sent to the elegant restroom, complete with expensive perfumes, to cleanse my face.

Hall greeted me in the waiting room, and I was reassured that her glowing, smooth complexion was neither frozen nor line-free.

She assessed my skin and said it was in good condition, meaning microtox wouldn't have a hugely noticeable effect — it's popular with people who have very oily skin or want to minimize redness.

Clinic manager Hilda Akpenyi then applied a powerful numbing cream to my face, topped with a plastic mask to stop it from evaporating. The cream took half an hour to take full effect, and my face quickly started to tingle and feel hot.

Hall explained that, unlike other clinics, Taktouk dilutes Botox with Klardie Cellup Ruby Solution, which she said is a hyaluronic acid skin booster designed to reduce pigmentation, hydrate, and boost radiance. This, however, makes Taktouk's treatment around £100 ($132) more expensive than its competitors, she said.

Microtox is a bearable, 20-minute procedure

Hall took me to a spacious and bright treatment room, where she wiped off the numbing cream and cleansed my face again before I made myself comfortable in a reclining chair.

Over 20 minutes, Hall made around 100 injections about one millimeter deep across the entirety of my face, unlike Botox which targets specific areas. She regularly changed the needle to keep it sharp and avoided going too close to the muscles of the mouth and eyes to prevent drooping, which can happen if it goes in too deep.

The process was slightly painful but bearable, and it felt just as you'd imagine lots of tiny needle pricks would. Having a numb face was arguably more uncomfortable.

We were able to chat throughout, and I felt reassured hearing Hall's approach is all about small, subtle, natural-looking tweaks. "The ethos of the clinic is that we're extremely conservative and we're very happy to say no," she said.

Hall finished by applying a soothing moisturizer to my skin. What I didn't realize until she held up a mirror was that my face was covered in bumps from each needle prick. It reminded me of the acne I used to have, which I thought was ironic. Hall said the bumps would ease after a couple of hours.

As I traveled across London to meet a friend, I was conscious of the looks I was getting. It took more than a few hours for the bumps to reduce, but 15 hours later the next morning, they were 95% gone.

Microtox made my skin glow

Hall said that the effects of microtox could appear within a few days, and would peak two weeks after the treatment.

For a fortnight, I dutifully monitored my face, conscious of every pore and line.

After a few days, I thought my skin appeared slightly smoother, with more sheen. As the days passed, my complexion looked somewhat tighter and glowier without being shiny, despite the lines on my face looking the same.

However, I was disappointed that my freckles faded.

After two weeks, my skin looked smoother and younger overall, and my crow's feet diminished. I was starting to understand why microtox is called "glass skin" treatment.

But the effect was slight — people who knew I'd had the treatment told me they could "maybe" see a difference, otherwise no one commented.

The effect is meant to last two to three months, but for me, it was negligible. My skin gradually went back to normal over the weeks, so it was hard to tell when the results wore off. It was like I'd had a really good facial, with longer-lasting results but a significantly higher price tag.

The result didn't justify the cost

The concept of facial tweakments is paradoxical. On the one hand, you want subtle changes so people can't tell you've had anything done. But on the other, you want enough of an effect to justify the cost.

For me, microtox wasn't worth the cost, but I wasn't the prime candidate, and people who have oily skin and large pores might have better results.

If money were no object, I might have had microtox again, considering it an expensive (and less relaxing) facial that would turn back the clock on my face a year or two for a few weeks.

However, for now, the anti-aging holy grail of having smoothed wrinkles while maintaining facial expressions remains to be found.

It's more than just menorahs and gelt (but also those too!)

• As a former Sephora employee, I've tried many of the store's budget-friendly products for under $25.
• The Rare Beauty liquid blushes and Tower 28 jelly glosses add the perfect flush of color.
• The Sephora Collection liquid foundation is one of the best base products I've tried.

When I worked at Sephora, I loved finding high-quality beauty finds that didn't break the bank.

Here are 9 of my favorite products that cost $25 or less.

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• As a makeup artist, I already know which beauty products I'll be repurchasing in 2025.
• The Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin blurring balm powder is one of the most innovative items I've used.
• When it comes to drugstore beauty, I love the Maybelline Super Stay up to 24-hour skin tint.

As a makeup artist, I'm always on the hunt for products that look amazing and make my job easier.

Throughout 2024, I discovered some absolute game changers that transformed my kit and beauty routine. My kit is my lifeline, and these products have repeatedly proven themselves over and over again.

Here are eight beauty products I'm definitely repurchasing in 2025.

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Lili Reinhart, 28, feels as strongly about mental wellness as physical.

The actor, best known for her roles in "Riverdale," "Hustlers," and "Look Both Ways," has 25 million followers on Instagram, and she makes the most of her platform.

Reinhart is outspoken and candid on everything from Donald Trump's reelection to mental health and acne.

In January 2024, Reinhart said she'd been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease alopecia, which can cause hair loss. Reinhart also has chronic fatigue, and she regularly raises awareness for her conditions in a lighthearted way.

While driving to a doctor's appointment, Reinhart spoke to Business Insider about how she keeps herself feeling good outside her working hours, from getting take-out with her boyfriend (fellow actor Jack Martin) to bookending the day with her dog, Milo.

A four-legged alarm clock

How do you start the day?

My little mini schnauzer Milo loves to wake me up. He doesn't do it when he's with my boyfriend or assistant, but he knows that just by sitting up and staring at me, I will feel it and wake up. It's kind of nice that I have this little natural alarm clock.

So, usually around 7:30 a.m., I get out of bed, go downstairs, let him out, and feed him. I don't take my phone with me because I think it's important not to look at your phone immediately after waking up.

If I'm lucky, I can go back to sleep. I try to get as much sleep as humanly possible so I wake up as late as I can. If I need to set my alarm for 10 minutes before I have to leave, that's what I'll do. I have chronic fatigue so I need my rest.

What do you eat for breakfast if you're not dashing out?

If I have a relaxing day, I love ordering breakfast or making myself oatmeal. I did a food allergy test and found out that I'm highly sensitive to eggs, but I've been eating them my entire life and I'm not going to stop. I often order eggs with toast and chicken apple sausage, or an eggs Benedict, and an iced oat-milk latte.

I like to sit outside in my backyard and soak up some sunlight on my face before I start the day. It helps wake my body up in a natural way.

Thorough skincare to manage acne

What does your skincare regime look like?

I've always been very good and consistent with my skincare because I've had acne and when you have acne, you're usually pretty strict about those kinds of things.

My own struggles inspired me to launch my new skincare line, Personal Day. So I use my cleansing powder in the morning. If I've been stressed and I have a breakout, I pat the salicylic acid acne treatment all over my face and then follow up with a day moisturizer.

I do the same at the end of the day except I double cleanse, and two to three times a week, I do the Personal Day peel and mask too.

Has acne been a constant in your life?

I developed acne when I was 12, which was a surprise because my older sister and my parents all had really good skin. It became more problematic as I got older and worked more consistently, had crazier hours, wore a lot of makeup, and dealt with more stress. The stress of my life was reflected in my skin.

When I was 24, after trying all the different topical treatments, I went on Accutane for six months but it did not have a good effect on my body. It made me very swollen and inflamed, so I stopped, but then my acne came back even worse. I went back on it for a bit while filming Riverdale just to try to keep the acne at bay.

When my esthetician, Sarah Ford, told me to pay more attention to the ingredients in my skincare, things changed. Since using Personal Day, which doesn't contain any acne-triggering ingredients, my skin has never looked better.

I wanted to start a brand that could really help people.

Gentle movement

What's your approach to food?

I'm an unhealthy eater, so I've had to change my habits, which hasn't been easy. I've just tried to be more mindful of everything I consume. I'm conscious of minimizing chemicals in all sorts of products, from skincare and tampons to food.

I order dinner in a lot — my boyfriend and I have been getting a lot of barbecue wings recently.

How do you keep active?

I've been dealing with some health issues that have made it a bit harder to be active, but I walk my dog a lot.

I have an autoimmune disorder, and so when I work out, my body doesn't feel energized or replenished. It actually feels very depleted. So I have a very tricky relationship when it comes to movement because I am still figuring out what works for my body.

I've just got back into very gentle, soft stretches at night. I grew up dancing and in musical theater, so I like to stretch. It takes me back to that time in my life, and it's meditative too.

I hope to be more active again soon. I would love to go on a nice long hike here in LA because I do enjoy it.

How do you wind down for bed?

My boyfriend and I like to watch a movie or a show and I try not to go on my phone at the same time, so it's only one screen at a time.

I end my night by feeding my dog and letting him outside. He eats three times a day because he's a little prince, so I give him what we call his midnight snack. I take some deep breaths when I'm outside and soak in some fresh air before I get into bed.

Unfortunately I do wind down on my phone, which is the worst way to do so. I try to limit my screen time, but I'm only human.

I go to bed snuggling my dog, so it begins and ends with Milo.

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• After working at Sephora for 11 years, I have lots of go-to makeup and skincare products.
• The First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads and pure-skin face cleanser are great products.
• I love the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation and Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond long-wear lipstick.

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• My beauty routine has changed significantly since moving from Boston to Paris about six years ago.
• French women tend to wear less makeup, so I no longer use foundation or eye shadow every day.
• I've learned to embrace my natural brows and less elaborate hairstyles.

As an American who's lived in France for about six years, I've made some dramatic changes to my beauty regimen.

Though I regularly wore several makeup products back in Boston, I've since narrowed my routine down to four things: a tinted serum, a blush stick, clear brow gel, and mascara.

Here are nine ways I changed my beauty routine throughout my years in Paris.

I no longer wear full-coverage foundation

I've never been the type to wear a full face of makeup, but a mid-coverage option like a BB cream was always a staple in my makeup routine in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn a tinted base (sometimes mixed with moisturizer) on my face five times a month at the most.

One of the first things I noticed in Paris was how little makeup most French women wear.

In Boston, you'd be hard-pressed to find a woman with a bare face at a bar on a Friday night. But in Paris, it's the norm.

In France, I felt I had permission to go natural for the first time. It might sound silly, but seeing so many women embrace their natural beauty motivated me to join the bare-faced party.

I've learned to embrace natural brows

Filling my thin, blonde eyebrows with a pencil was part of my makeup routine in the US.

Because my hair is so light and fine, I felt it necessary to draw on my eyebrows to fit in with the thick, defined-brow trend that's popular in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I simply use a clear Benefit gel to create a laminated look that stays in place.

I no longer use as much product on my lips

I always thought French girls wore red lipstick, but one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Paris was the lack of bright lips.

Though some women will rock a red lip, it's much less common than I expected.

I always wore lipstick or a stain on a night out in the US, but since moving to Paris, I either go bare-lipped or wear a lip oil.

I don't go for super noticeable highlighters anymore

In the US, it wasn't uncommon to see people wearing a shimmery, glowy highlight on a night out.

But now, I can't remember the last time I used a highlighter.

In France, I typically opt for a shimmery face oil, like the one from NUXE Paris, or a multipurpose balm for a subtle but natural glow.

These oils and lotions double as skincare while providing a nice shine.

Mascara is the only product I use on my eyes

Most women I meet in Paris don't wear eyeshadow or eyeliner. Instead, they typically only wear mascara on their top lashes.

Back in Boston, I would attempt heavier eye looks because I was surrounded by women with gorgeous smoky eyes.

Now, I stick to just mascara. Getting ready is much faster, and I have less makeup to remove at the end of the night.

Plus, I can finally stop pretending I know how to do eyeliner.

I prioritize skincare over makeup

Since being bare-faced is the vibe in Pairs, French women seem to prioritize skincare over makeup, and I've followed suit.

My skincare now includes a multistep morning routine and a separate nighttime regimen.

When I lived in the US, my skincare routine included an under-eye caffeine roller, a serum from whatever random brand I found at T.J. Maxx that week, moisturizer, and the occasional sheet mask.

Now, I invest in lots of products from brands I love (my favorites are Typology and La Roche-Posay), and getting ready is focused more on skincare and less on makeup.

I believe my skincare routine has completely improved my complexion, as my face seems plumper, more radiant, and brighter.

I get more high-maintenance treatments than I did before

I'm not sure if it's a direct result of moving to France or a byproduct of aging, but I started doing preventive treatments throughout the last five years.

I get Botox on my forehead twice a year, lip filler every two years or so, Hydrafacials (microdermabrasion-like treatments) every few months, and my eyebrows laminated regularly.

I've found that the French woman's approach to preventive medicine is subtle and discreet and enhances the features you already have.

The work I've had done is very minimal, to the point where most people in my life don't notice a difference.

I hardly ever wear a set of false lashes

Wearing a set of false lashes in the US seems like the most normal thing in the world, as some people wear a set each time they go out.

I'd throw on a set of lashes if I felt spicy on a Friday night and always had a few pairs stocked at home.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn false lashes a total of five times. Natural looks reign king over here, so false lashes aren't common.

I rarely style my hair

Though I've always loved self-care, I'm a big fan of how much time I save doing my hair in France.

In the US, I spent hours curling, straightening, and styling my hair. Here in France, however, a more natural, messy hair look is the go-to.

Now, doing my hair takes about one-quarter of the time it used to.

I either air-dry my hair or put waves in it with the Shark FlexStyle curling-wand attachment and brush my fingers through it.

I've embraced messy hair, and I love it.

This story was originally published on January 8, 2024, and most recently updated on November 19, 2024.