We’ve all been asked that age-old question, “If you were stranded on a desert island what would you bring?” Now imagine that this desert island is full of Epicor fitness equipment and requires a membership, then what?  It’s not easy deciding what to bring along with you to the gym, but there are a few essential items that should be considered next time you’re packing your gym bag. Squats are hard, but this is easy!
Dry Shampoo
Unless you’re workout Barbie, chances are you need to take the time to freshen up post workout in order to continue taking on your day. In regards to reality, sometimes showering just isn’t an option due to time constraints. That’s why dry shampoo is, or should be, your new best friend. A few sprits of this and a somewhat dramatic, but super fabulous hair flip should do the trick! You’ll keep your coworkers guessing how you can manage such a fit body and still have time to primp.
Nike+ Fuel Band
This little black (or pink depending on how fashion forward you’re trying to be for the gym) bracelet will be your constant reminder and main means of motivation. It not only tracks your every step, but shows you just how many calories you burn throughout the day. It’s so subtle that you’ll forget you’re even wearing it until you look down at the stats and see just how awesome you are!
Oil Absorbing Pads
Your lean body should show off your efforts at the gym, not your shiny skin. Try using a fragrance-free blotting pad to remove perspiration and to avoid potential breakouts from using your hands or towel. The SHAW Center also offers a variety of different exfoliating treatments, including microdermabrasion, that can aid in skin restoration if the gym is in fact taking a toll on your complexion.
SmartShake
The SmartShake takes on the form of a regular water bottle, but it is much, much more! Its compartments allow for you to store several different servings of nutritional supplements, such as protein, vitamins and capsules that you can keep to consume throughout the day.  Looking good after the gym is important, but feeling good is the key!
BB Cream and Moisturizer
This essential is the perfect no-makeup makeup and will help to keep skin moisturized long after your workout. This lightweight alternative will help to reduce any redness and/or blemishes that can be enhanced during cardio. Before application, for the perfect moisturizing cocktail, you can apply a regular moisturizer. The SHAW Center’s SkinCeuticals  line is both ultra-hydrating and rejuvenating.
All of these necessities will help to lift any weight off your shoulders, both literally and figuratively!
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Let’s face it – this has been the year for lips! If you’ve been on social media you’ve probably seen celebrities like Kylie Jenner showing off their puckered pout in a big way. You have to sometimes wonder if its surgery or just an intense makeup regime that renders these women so kissable.
Well…It’s probably both!
Plump it up
An easy way to temporarily plump is to use a lip plumping gloss. There’s scores of different types of over-the-counter products that promise to produce enhanced lips but do they actually work? Some do because they contain ingredients like cinnamon, ginger mint or other compounds that are found in hot peppers, which work to create mild redness and swell the lip, however these are temporary solutions.
Crossing the line
Lining your lip is both temporary and non-invasive. Creating the illusion that your pout is more dramatic as it is can be achieved through this method, but it’s also important that you do it right so you don’t end up looking like you just failed your first stage makeup tutorial. Don’t over line, and make sure you follow the natural raised creases that are there but just may not have full, natural color.
Make it effortless
If you’re really trying to attain your desired lip shape and size, then Restylane Silk may be the answer. It is the first and only FDA-approved treatment to specifically address lips and is both a natural and subtle means for lip enhancement. Lips can be one of the first signs of aging due to the lines that are created around the mouth. These lines can lead to lip thinning and loss of shape. Restylane Silk is designed to provide natural-looking results through the use of injecting a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid, which is a sugar that is already naturally present in your skin. The SHAW Center offers this service and would be happy to schedule a consultation in order to figure out the best approach for you!
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It’s that time of year where there are warmer days fewer than cool, and we’re sure you’ve been planning or at least dreaming of your next beach side vacation. While being outdoors can make it a little more difficult to perfect your look, we have some tips and tricks that’ll have you glowing long after the sunsets.

Less is more
Leave the foundation at home in order to cut down your beauty routine for a leisurely getaway. We recommend using a tinted moisturizer with SPF built in. These usually provide a sheer to medium coverage and will leave your skin feeling light and fresh. It’s also essential to find a tinted moisturizer that’s oil-free in order to avoid clogging pores. Another bonus is that it’s much easier to blend than foundation so it will leave your skin with a natural looking appearance.
My lip balm is poppin’
Using a lip balm is essential for the beach because of its sun protective properties. Most balms will include a SPF and stay on much longer than a standard lipstick. We’re not saying you need to completely rid your face of color, and in fact it’s more common now to find a tinted lip balm. Opt for a shade just a few shades pinker than your natural pout, and avoid red at all costs. It’s better suited for nighttime anyway!
Dive in!
Waterproof mascara is a must! You may decide to pass up playing in the waves, but the added perspiration from just laying out in the sun will enable your lashes to flake and smudge. The raccoon look is never welcome, but especially not in paradise! Because waterproof mascara can prove to be a bit more difficult to get off, make sure you use a hypoallergenic makeup remover, and take your time when removing.
Fake it ‘till you bake it
The first couple of days at the beach are usually dedicated to working on a tan, however it’s always a must to think of your skin in the long run.  Apply SPF during the day and if you’re not achieving the color you desire, try dusting a bronzer along your cheekbones and collarbones to get the glow you desire. Finding a bronzer with a bit of shimmer is ideal since this will act as a two-in-one without having to use a highlighter. You can also use bronzer to add bit of definition to the crease of your eyelids at night.
Bye, Bye oils
 If you have really oily skin, try using blotting films instead of powders to reduce the sheen. They will suck up all the extra oil created from basking in the sun and will keep your complexion looking matte and revived.  A major plus is that they take up hardly any extra space in your beach bag!

The SHAW Center also offers many services to help you prepare for a laid back look by offering services that result in a natural appearance. Latisse is one of them and is ideal for women who crave effortless beauty. This prescription treatment helps to grow lashes longer, fuller and darker! For more information on whether or not Latisse is right for you, contact The SHAW Center at (480) 767- 1900 to schedule a consultation.
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Let’s set the scene.
 It’s 7 a.m., you’ve just hit the snooze button for the second time and you’re lying in bed wondering how much closer you’re getting to leaving the house completely ungroomed for the sake of five extra minutes of sleep.
We get it. Waking up early and still pulling yourself together isn’t so easy, no matter how effortless Jennifer Aniston makes it look in movies.
However, there are some key beauty hacks that will help cut down your routine and allow you to squeeze in some additional beauty sleep. So hit the snooze button one more time. We dare you!
Maintain your mane
Alright, let’s start with that tousled mane of yours. Unless you’ve perfected the art of sleeping like a corpse throughout the entire night, it could probably use a good rinse, lather and repeat.
If you don’t have time for a full shampoo, then cheat. Yes, cheat. It’s called the “bang wash” and it only requires quickly wetting the hairs that frame your face. Pull your hair back into a quick pony, leaving just the front pieces out. Add a small dime size of conditioner and run it through the strands, allowing for the sink water to rinse through it thoroughly. The hair around your face air-dries the quickest, but if you can afford an extra minute or two, just quickly run a blow dryer over the damp hair.
Conceal and highlight
Even if your morning isn’t, these products will brighten up your face almost instantaneously. Use a concealer almost three shades lighter than your natural skin tone, and apply it underneath the eye area. You can even get a little adventurous and add some to the inner creases of your eyes. This will give it the illusion that your eyes are larger, wider and definitely more awake. Always apply a luminescent highlighter to the uppermost cheekbone area of the face. You can also add some to the crease of your top lip line and above your brow as well.  When the highlighted areas of your face catch the light it draws a natural glow, improving the look of your complexion.
Just do it in your sleep
If you don’t have time for your normal remedies in the morning, you can prep throughout the night.
Moisturizing is imperative, and nothing says “Carpe Diem” like hydrated skin. ZO Skin Health, available at The SHAW Center, is a line of skin products that caters to the wellness of your skin.  These ultra-nourishing products will give your skin a healthy and radiant appearance for the morning and also fights against aging.  If all else fails, throw on a red lip. It’s sort of the answer to everything anyway.
The SHAW Center offers a variety of alternative options to looking youthful and rested, without having to deal with all these added extra morning tasks. Whether it’s Juvederm, Sculptra or Latisse, our center ensures every possible option for staying and looking effortlessly beautiful.
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Spring is quickly approaching but for those who have not seen the sun, may not be ready to put their best bronze forward. It may seem logical to resort to tanning beds as a means of instant gratification, but it’s essential to stop and think before exposing yourself to those unhealthy and unnatural rays.
Sure it’s easy, convenient, and for the most part actually works. However, the long-term damage caused from “fake baking” is just not worth it. There are quite a few alternative options that are far better for your health and won’t make you look like you just got done rolling in a pile of Doritos.
Bronzing Sprays
This bronzing process is both effortless and effective! There are quite a few different bronzing sprays out there, but QuickTan spray, available at The SHAW Center, is foolproof. It encompasses agents like flower extract and Aloe Barbandensis Leaf Juice and when applied will build a subtle, believable color.
You Are What You Eat
You can also achieve a sun kissed complexion by eating your way there. Obviously we don’t suggest using this as your only means to mahogany, but it will definitely aid in the process. Vegetables such as carrots, apricots and sweet potatoes all contain beta-carotene, which produce a ton of vitamin A. This will help increase the production of melanin, which is responsible for changing the color of your skin.
Carrot cake anyone?
Highlighting Other Features
When all else fails, focus on other features that when contrasted against your fair skin makes you appear bronzed. This can be as simple as whitening your grin. Crest’s 3D whitening strips will make your mouth sparkle within just a matter of days.
You can also always utilize a good matte bronzer for a quick fix. You don’t have to limit your makeup application to just your cheek bones either. Give your collar bone and shoulders a good dusting as well. We recommend utilizing a setting spray in case you’re planning on giving any hugs to men in white button downs later. 
Always wear light colors. The only need to wear black now is if we’re mourning the death of our tragic winter skin. Otherwise, donning muted tones, pastels and creams are a surefire way to deliver the perfect contrast.
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Coconut oil has countless health benefits and can be used as a remedy for even some of the trickiest fixes. The Shaw Center is a huge advocate of maintaining a healthy image, and this supplemental method will only help to ensure that your complexion keeps its pristine glow.
More than 99% of coconut oil is made up of fats…don’t freak out yet. They’re the good kind of fat and work as agents to fight off potential attacks on your body.
One way to take advantage of some of the benefits of coconut oil is to use it on your locks. Being that coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrients for hair follicles, it aids in nourishment through shine and revival through growth. It also helps with protein loss, which would otherwise contribute to some other unwanted qualities for your mane.
You can apply coconut oil to your damp hair after you shower and let it act as a leave-in conditioner for an ample amount of time until you wash it out. This will help to heal damaged hair and moisturize your scalp.
Another beneficial use of coconut oil is on your skin. It acts as a powerful moisturizer without clogging your pores. It can also be used as a preventative measure in avoiding aging and wrinkling of the skin. Although the Shaw Center offers many different options for skin rejuvenation, adding coconut oil into your daily regimen can only help to amplify your skincare method.
Additionally, coconut oil can help with digestion, improve bone health, treat damaged skin, lower cholesterol and improve your overall immune system!
Coconut oil has become the holy grail of all-natural products and might need to be considered the next time you’re wondering what more you can do to enhance both your health and beauty routine.
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From demis to push-ups, finding the right bra for you can be a tedious process.  Having the proper knowledge of exactly what to look for in an undergarment can make a worlds difference and feel less overwhelming.  Knowing your bra size is critical, but there’s more to it than just numbers and letters.  Wearing a bra shouldn’t be like donning some dated, Victorian contraption. It should be effortless!
Not only is it important to determine which type of underwear you feel best in, it’s also instrumental in guaranteeing a flattering figure. Whether it’s the constant struggle of trying to reduce your bustiness or attempting to make your girls look even, there’s a solution for even the most frustrating fixes. Plus, at times wearing the right bra can even make you look as though you’ve dropped 10 lbs!
HerRoom has comprised a chart that both simplifies and personalizes your bust and its corresponding bra style. Obviously, you can’t define your breasts based entirely off of a structured list of categories, but it will aid in helping to give you that extra needed support and shape. 
For example, a demi cup will allow for you to showcase some cleavage due to its shorter underwire and wide-set straps. If you’ve recently come to terms with the fact that no matter how much you try your top is a stage one clinger and won’t settle without first exposing your bra’s silhouette, then the t-shirt bra might be the best bet. Lift your spirits and your bust with these considerations next time you’re in the market for some new lingerie. Do not forget to embrace your shape!
            Contact The SHAW Center at (480) 767-1900 for more information about a breast reduction or augmentation procedure or to schedule a consultation! 

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            From lashes to skin treatments, The SHAW Center carries a wide variety of powerful, pharmaceutical strength products that can promote healthy skin and enhance your appearance.  Although we love all of the products we carry, like Oprah, we have compiled a list of our top five favorite products of 2014. 
Be on the lookout starting Monday, December 15 for each of our favorite products to be featured on our Facebook (The SHAW Center – Plastic Surgery – Skin – Laser) and Instagram (@TheSHAWCenter).  One product will be featured each day next week and when it makes the list, you will have the opportunity to take 10% off that product.  We will also be featuring a giveaway of 2 Latisse and 2 Nectifirm.  The following are our favorite products and why we love them!
Clarisonic Brush: Smooth, clean skin creates the perfect canvas and that’s why we love the numerous benefits of the Clarisonic.  This product helps remove 6x more makeup than manual cleansing, leaves skin feeling and looking smoother, cleanses so well that products absorb better, helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes, and also helps reduce the appearance of visible pores.
GlamGlow Glamtastick Masks: Since hitting the market in 2011, GlamGlow has been one of the most sought after beauty brands.  Their products help combat common skin concerns and are targeted for men and women of all ages and skin types.    
Latisse: Forgo the falsies and get the real thing with Latisse.  Latisse is the first eyelash treatment that has been approved and proven effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
Nectifirm made by Revision Skincare: Take charge and transform a turkey neck with Nectifirm.  This amazing product helps tone and enhances the firmness and texture of your neck.
ZO Daily Power Defense: This powerful product contains time-released retinol, antioxidants and specialized DNA-repairing enzymes to consistently aid in reducing UV oxidative damage and uneven pigmentation while simultaneously repairing skin function and elasticity. 
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            New York Fashion week officially kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 4.  Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City said it best, “Every year the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward to the future…this is known as Fashion Week.”  Although the majority of us are unable to attend, Instagram is a great way to live vicariously through those that are behind the scenes and in the front row of shows.  The following are our favorite Instagram users we came across for a glance at the best beauty shots during New York Fashion week.
Gucci Westman (@gucciwestman): “Make up artist / global artistic director Revlon.”
MAC (@maccosmetics): Follow the legendary beauty brand for a peek at backstage looks
Essie (@essiepolish): Find all the fabulous nail trends and runway looks from the iconic nail brand
Hannah Murray (@Hannah_Murray1): “Make Up Artist.  Topshop Make Up Consultant.  Globetrotter.”
Rebecca Minkoff (@RebeccaMinkoff): The lifestyle brand covers an array of behind the scenes and runway shots throughout fashion week
            Have you heard?  The SHAW Center is now on Instagram as well!  Follow us @THESHAWCENTER.  Be one of our first 250 followers for a chance to WIN CoolSmooth treatments.  Two lucky followers will be chosen at random once we reach 250 followers, good luck! 
(Photo courtesy of The Coveteur)
           
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            We’re sure you’ve heard of at least one beauty myth out there and wondered if it really worked: utilizing toothpaste on zits will make them go away, it’s possible to diminish your pores or sleeping on your back prevents wrinkles.  Are all of these really true?  We’ve debunked some of the typical beauty myths so you can finally get the truth.
            Putting mayonnaise on your hair will make it shinier:  Although mayo contains an oil base and it will make your hair glossier, this process can get messy.  In order to steer clear of a major clean up, try the following: “Apply a cup of mayonnaise mixed with a teaspoon of vanilla extract (to cut the mayonnaise scent) to dry, unwashed hair.  Cover your head with a warm towel to help the mayonnaise penetrate, and leave it on for 20 minutes.  Before you step into the shower, apply a heaping handful of shampoo to your hair.  Don’t add any water yet; just massage it in thoroughly for several minutes,” according to www.realsimple.com.  
            You can diminish your pores: Although it’s unfeasible to actually alter the size of your pores, it’s possible to make them appear smaller.  Applying egg whites to your face tightens the skin, making your pores look smaller, however, this is a short-term effect.
            Crossing your legs can create varicose veins: Although sitting down and crossing your legs will not cause varicose or spider veins, standing might.  Standing makes the vascular network work more strenuously to pump blood from the legs up to the heart.  The valves duty is to continue to flow blood in one direction within your vessels.  If the valves aren’t working correctly, the result may be a pooling of blood, which then produces unattractive veins.
            Applying toothpaste can help get rid of pimples: Toothpaste typically is comprised of methanol, which has the ability to help dry out a pimple.  However, the other ingredients within toothpaste can aggravate your skin. 
            Sleeping on your back help prevents wrinkles: There may be slight truth behind this one.  As you grow older, the collagen and elastin fibers within your skin begin to break down.  When you lay with your face buried in a pillow and place pressure on the fibers for several hours from time to time, your skin becomes less probable to pop back.  However if you typically favor one side of your face to the other when sleeping, the side you sleep on will usually have more wrinkles. 
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