Beauty Treatment: Facial Reinforcements

Even through major life changes, one's personality remains remarkably unchanged. New research from Oslo supports one explanation for this stability. While most personality research has centered on how biology and environment shape character, Tilmann von Soest and collaborators explored the role individuals themselves play by actively shaping their own environment.

Typically, extroverted people enjoy socializing more than others, so it would be more important for them to view themselves as attractive. The theory predicts that extroverts would thus maintain their appearances more than others, allowing them to become even more social and strengthening their outgoing personalities.

The researchers found that extroversion scores were higher for women who were undergoing or had undergone cosmetic surgery than for women who had no surgery experience. Furthermore, most of the patients reported satisfaction with their new looks, and extroversion scores increased from pre- to post-surgery. Von Soest warns, however, that "cosmetic surgery may increase satisfaction with appearance, but it has rather small effects on self-esteem."

Nope/Tuck

Can't face the face-lift? PT tried several alternatives.

• Oil of Olay Definity Night Anti-Spot Treatment ($30) This easy-to-use glucosamine cream made my brown spots a little lighter and added some glow to my usually dull skin.
• L'Oreal Collagen Filler Lip ($20) Though a bit greasy, this two-step lip-filler did make my usually thin smile look fuller and plumper without the sting of similar products
• Dr. Hauschka Facial Steam Bath ($35) I love how easy this facial is. Herbal extracts and witch hazel combined with steam left my oily skin brighter, softer, and blackhead-free."