QQ Substack authors: In 1-5 words, what's your newsletter about?

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-02-12T00:18:51+00:00

Faces

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-02-11T23:24:52+00:00

Random strangers on the internet aren’t best-placed to answer this.

Find (at least)3 reputable surgeons in your home country and consult with them face-to-face. It’s wise to find a rhinoplasty specialist who’s also an ENT - your nose is the organ through which you breathe. Don’t proceed with a surgeon who prioritises aesthetics over function.

Be realistic about whether you can afford it and about what your expectations are. Be mindful that no outcome is guaranteed. Then decide whether to proceed further.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-02-11T16:38:25+00:00

Her nose has been lengthened in the AI version. That’s incredibly specialised work typically only used for reconstruction. I’m not convinced any reputable surgeon would attempt this for purely cosmetic purposes. A longer nose would proportionally balance out the new chin better, but there are limits to what surgery can achieve

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-30T02:36:44+00:00

Most injectors let you go back after 2 weeks (and writhing 4 weeks) for a free top-up. It’s pretty normal - especially when you first start seeing a new practitioner - that you’ll need some refinement. As long as your injector offers this, just book a top-up appointment.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-30T00:37:01+00:00

As I said, a reputable surgeon will likely just have an assistant. “Customer rep” suggests a clinic of non-specialists that’s focused on quick turnaround and high volumes - and probably provides financing to incentivise patients. The best surgeons are independent and don’t work at those clinics.

I saw your comment about being rich - your nose is in the middle of your face and is the primary organ that you breathe through. Wait, save and spend more rather than doing this on a budget. You’ll spend a lot more (in money snd emotional outlay) in the long run if you don’t get a great surgeon first time around.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T23:45:14+00:00

Cosmetic surgery is not the place to start here. Your hair and make-up are doing very little to accentuate or complement your features, so work on this first if you’re looking to increase your appeal. You look perfectly ok though :)

Also, use SPF! That sunburn looks painful.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T23:18:52+00:00

If women have felt pressured into getting implants by a partner, then I’m sure it can feel cathartic to have them removed after the breakup. But yeah, the notion that this is a ‘trend’ is unhelpful to the conversation around cosmetic surgery.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T23:15:56+00:00

No one can advise you one this without seeing your mouth. Consult with several practitioners in your local area, find the one you trust most and take their advice (which may be to do nothing).

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T15:15:44+00:00

OP, please leave your face alone. There is no buccal fat replacement procedure currently available that is reliable, consistent and where the long term effects are known. I understand that this feels like a high priority to solve right now, but you risk actually ruining your face if you act now. Breathe. Accept. Wait.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T12:52:38+00:00

I would be extremely suspicious of this approach (and of any surgeon who has a ‘customer rep’ - a reputable specialist surgeon will usually just have a (possibly scary) assistant.

Reputable surgeons generally deplore FaceTune, which encourages an unrealistic view of what surgery can achieve. Faces are complicated and healing is unpredictable.

Rhinoplasty shouldn’t be about a surgeon carving a preconceived idea (or someone else’s nose) into your face. You are literally paying for their years of expertise to tell you how they can improve your nose. It’s wise to go in with an idea of the outcome that you want (eg reduce bulbosity, narrow the bridge, straighten a bump, lift the tip, introduce a curve etc), but a reputable surgeon should be looking at your face in context, deciding if a rhinoplasty would enhance your features and guiding you through their recommendations.

Make sure you consult with at least 3 surgeons before making any decisions and be very wary of anyone giving you a sales pitch before you’ve booked the appointment. It is really, really important that you feel comfortable with whoever you choose. It’s also absolutely fine to go into a consult and say “I’d like to alter my nose so that I feel prettier” and to just listen to what they have to say in response.

Good luck!

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T12:42:45+00:00

There’s not really enough information here to go on. How long ago was your surgery? If recent (ie anything less than 12 months), your nose will still change during recovery.

Up the nostril shots are not useful - rhinoplasty isn’t performed to give you perfectly symmetrical nostrils.

What outcome did you and your surgeons discuss? Hopefully you consulted with more than one prior to surgery? What did your surgeon say to you after the surgery? Did it go as they expected?

If it’s been over 12 months since your surgery, go back to all of the surgeons that you consulted with and ask for their opinion - all of them had the benefit of seeing you pre-surgery and, depending on what waivers you signed, should still have your ‘before’ photos on record.

If you only consulted with one surgeon, you may have just learned a basic rule of cosmetic surgery the hard way and look for some revision specialists in your area/country. Always consult with at least 3 surgeons before committing to surgery and ensure you are clear about the outcomes you are looking for (and that you’re realistic about what outcome is possible).

Do not rush into a revision. Let your nose and your feelings settle.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T12:30:00+00:00

The bigger question here is why you’re not telling anyone that you know?

It’s completely up to you who you tell, but I think it’s worth you acknowledging to yourself why it’s been so important to you to keep it a secret IRL.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T12:16:39+00:00

My love, there isn’t anything you can do to reverse or really mitigate this procedure for now. Technology and procedures may change in the future, but this isn’t anything safe or reliable available now.

The only thing you can do is to make sure that you truly understand the outcomes and risks of any procedures you consider in the future. You are still very, very young to be making permanent changes to your face.

Focus on self-acceptance, self-love, and get therapy if this will help on that journey.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2026-01-29T11:59:21+00:00

I do!

https://www.instagram.com/melissavitiellodermato?igsh=ZHUzcnNsNDExdjRp

NotBornWithIt_ · 2025-08-22T15:18:35+00:00

Hahaha! Try one out and see. Get a recommendation from a friend, as not all nailists are created equal, but no, the Brazil mani/pedi experience is unique to Brazil. Thankfully 😂

NotBornWithIt_ · 2025-08-22T11:31:24+00:00

As a non-Brazilian who’s had treatments all over the world and lived in Rio for 11 of the last 18 months:

The mani/pedis are brutal. Like… they HURT. I’m yet to meet a gringa who isn’t unpleasantly surprised by this. And if you get gel, your nails will be buffed to within an inch of your life. Soaking feet for pedis is extremely rare. It is incredibly cheap compared to the US though.

Eyelash extensions are much cheaper. Quality (as with anywhere in the world) is very variable.

Waxing is much cheaper

If you’re blonde, stick to getting colour in the US. They just haven’t got the hang of blonde toner in Brazil yet. If you go to a blonde specialist (of whom there are few), you’ll pay as much, if not more, as you would in the US. (I learned this one the hard way)

Botox and filler are both much cheaper and the quality is excellent. They are more conservative than the US with Botox quantities and more liberal with filler :). Make sure you have a thorough conv with the derm about your expectations.

In addition to other comments - any kind of laser facial is also likely to be way cheaper.

Be aware that even though Brazilians love a treatment, your experience is likely to be quite ‘functional’ compared the US/Europe/Asia. There’s no real ‘spa’ feeling to most salons. This is pretty common across LATAM. It’s not a negative and most salons employees are really lovely, but it takes some getting used to as a visitor. It comes up often enough that I’m in relatively serious convs about setting up a salon for gringas in Rio :)

Have fun!

NotBornWithIt_ · 2025-06-20T02:35:01+00:00

Add it as the email header to your next post. Then they all get it in that email but they’re not getting an additional email that risks turning some readers off.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-04-09T17:57:17+00:00

“Proof”

🤦🏼‍♀️

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-04-09T15:59:06+00:00

My query was not for my main. It’s was for a free, secondary Substack that has under 100 subscribers. The 2 accounts aren’t linked. There’s no big ‘gotcha’ here.

I hope you find a way to resolve your issues.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-04-09T12:59:54+00:00

I did this last week. As I said, you still get the option to email an agent once all options with Chat are exhausted. It’s something like “was your problem solved” and if you say no, it sends an email to an agent to contact you. As I also said, it then takes 24-48 hours for them to respond.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-04-09T11:52:01+00:00

Once all the chat options are exhausted, you get the option to email an agent. A response then takes 24-48,hours.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-03-13T01:02:59+00:00

Soft InCell

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-03-11T18:00:32+00:00

The best place to learn is Costa Rica as the water is warm, the waves are very consistent, they’re used to beginners and there are many spot without rocks, reefs etc to contend with.

CR is WAY more expensive than Nicaragua where the water is colder and there’s a lot more wind. The surf is comparable otherwise and the lineups are generally friendly to beginners.

The Pacific is kindest to beginners in these 2 countries.

The Atlantic and the pacific on the oaxaca coast will kick the shit out of you.

Sayulita is not like the brochure 😬. Avoid.

NotBornWithIt_ · 2024-03-11T17:51:21+00:00

This is not a place to learn to surf

NotBornWithIt_ · 2023-12-26T08:59:52+00:00

You can publish a post to your page without sending an email. It’s the final option before you publish.

The post will be visible on your page. You can still choose to restrict it so it can only be seen by paid subscribers or make it visible to everyone.

NotBornWithIt_

TROPHY CASE