When I peruse the LA Weekly each Thursday upon its release, the only thing that’s more distracting from actual content than the numerous marijuana clinic and escort advertisements are the ads for “rejuvenation,” “tightening,” “removing,” and “plumping.” I realize I’m located in the area of the country in which this is most plentiful (Los Angeles), however, I have seen billboards for similar services in other parts of the nation, and personal improvement topics certainly can’t be avoided when flipping through television channels. Certainly exposure to varying climates and the sun, pollution, and just simply aging can be difficult on the skin, but shouldn’t there be a way that one can tweak oneself—slightly and naturally improve upon what’s already there—as opposed to being stuck or filled by some stranger?
Luckily, Frownies comes to the rescue for this predicament! Frownies were originally created in 1889(!), and they originated…
…after Margaret Kroesen discovered that her daughter Alice, a concert pianist, had developed unsightly wrinkles and frown lines. With a desire to maintain her youthful beauty and stage presence, Mrs. Kroesen created Wrinkle Eradicators (as they were first called) by employing the basic principle of fitness to the muscles of the face.*
The business continues to the present-day as a family-owned operation—current acting CEO/General Manager, Kathy Wright, is the daughter-in-law of past CEO Margaret Wright, who is the granddaughter of Kroesen. Not only, then, are family members able to maintain standards and ensure the 120-year-old product continues in line with its original goals, but this also is a business created and maintained by women—always a plus.
The goal of Frownies is that they retrain muscles in the face, which in turn eliminates wrinkles and reshapes naturally. Consider them a stuck-on workout for your face. They should be used “a few nights a month directly over the lines,” and usage is discontinued “when the lines are no longer visible.”
My Beauty Bunny received a Facelift in a Bag kit and samples of Frownies to try. I’m 26, and though I do have some small lines on my face, I wanted to share this product with someone who had more pronounced lines and who might benefit more from such a product. This is not meant to be offensive—for I’m sure most of the lines are from extensive smiling and laughing, right?!
In keeping with the familial tradition of the company, then, I solicited my mother Melissa to test the product. She and a friend put Frownies to work, and I interviewed her later to assess the results. Here’s what she had to say:
My Beauty Bunny: Were the instructions clear?
Melissa: The instructions were clear. Frownies are to be worn overnight. Initially, they are a little hard to place—you have to spray them and then hold them into place, or they slide around. There are many shapes and sizes, but you have to tear them into perforations for each section.
MBB: How would you describe your skin, and how did Frownies affect your skin?
M: I have combination skin, and in the morning, my skin felt very smooth and resurfaced. I noticed a small, temporary change in the wrinkles. My face felt very clean afterwards.
MBB: What are your overall thoughts on using the product itself?
M: [My friend] and I agree that because it is somewhat cumbersome—the patches on your face—it can be a little difficult to be consistent in using Frownies. One additional thing to remember: wet them before taking them off, or it can be painful, like ripping a Band-Aid off! Ugh! But they smelled pleasant and clean.
MBB: Is this something you would consider purchasing again or would continue to use?
M: It is a little bothersome because they are brown paper patches glued to your face—feels a little silly, and definitely not very romantic! But it is nice packaging for travel. My friend and I tried them when we were visiting [family] on a beach vacation, so luckily my boyfriend was spared the awkwardness of the brown paper patches on my face!
A big thank-you to my mother and her friend for being game to try the Frownies. It’s great to know that 120-year-old research and technology are still effective!
Frownies can be purchased online, through Frownies.com’s online store. The store also offers hydrating products, moisturizers, serums, and even books and DVDs to aid one’s journey in whole, healthy, natural living.
Morgan
