Beauty Creator Carly Cardellino Just Listed Every Single Thing She's Had Done

What I've Had Done

Here’s the truth: Injectables, treatments, and cosmetic procedures are wildly popular and often very effective. Another truth? We’re tired of the stigma attached to “getting something done” and exhausted with the notion we’re supposed to keep it secret. With our series, What I’ve Had Done, we’re laying out the details about our injectable routines, favorite lasers, and any nips or tucks we’ve tried. Then, we’re asking celebrities, founders, and influencers the same questions. No judgment, no shame—just helpful recommendations and honest information. Let’s get into it.

Looking back on all of the decisions I’ve made regarding injectables and treatments, I have to say that I’ve really put myself out there as a guinea pig. However, I was happy to do it. I felt like it was my job. Because, as the former beauty director of Cosmopolitan, it was…and still is to a certain extent in my current role as a freelance beauty writer and editor. What people may or may not know about being a beauty editor is that one of your main roles is to try out the products and treatments that have been launched so that you can successfully report back to the masses (with an unbiased view), allowing them to make the most educated choice on what to try.

I’ve always taken that very seriously (after all, it sucks when you spend money on a product or treatment that doesn’t live up to its claim) and built my career on talking about products that have worked for me. I can sleep on my (silk) pillow soundly at night, knowing I’m speaking the truth and helping people. That said, here’s what I’ve tried, for better or worse.

What's Currently In My Face

I typically see Dr. Shereene Idriss, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of her namesake skincare line for injectables. If you have ever gone to her, you know she will not let you overdo anything, even if you beg. She has a very light but effective hand; her technique is incredible. She's an actual artist (she can paint and draw insanely well), which serves her well as she works to fine-tune her patients' faces.

At my last appointment, Dr. Idriss injected Restylane Contour for a more structural effect (one side of my face has slightly more structure, so we had to build up the other side). She used this filler to build up the "foundation" of my face and then used regular Restylane, a type of filler that offers a softer look, to fill in any structural gaps on that side of my face.

She also injected a syringe of Botox (botulinum neurotoxin type A, which temporarily paralyzes the muscle) in my upper forehead, glabella (the area between my eyebrows), and around the eyes. I've since decided that I don't prefer the placement of Botox around the eye area because it causes a puckering effect under my eyes that makes it look like I got something done—and that's the last thing I want.

Lastly, once a year, she injects BeloTero, a dermal filler that smooths and fills, into my lips to even out the slight asymmetry I have in my cupid's bow. I used to have her add more for volume but found that it really didn't look realistic on me, so now we target the cupid's bow and philtrum (the trough below your nose that leads to your mouth). The philtrum injection is slightly more painful. The effects last about six months since you're always using your mouth—lip injections tend not to last that long because of the overuse. After the sixth month is up, she will give me what is called a "lip flip," where a small injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A is used along the top of the cupid's bow, causing the points of your lip to slightly flip up, creating the look of more volume.

Last Cosmetic Treatment I Tried

The last cosmetic treatment I tried was at The Formula by Nicole Frontera in Rye, NY. I got my first session (out of six) of EmFace, an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that’s like a little workout for your face. It uses synchronized radiofrequency and high-intensity facial electrical stimulation to bring tiny contractions to the muscles in your face, building up your muscles for higher cheekbones, a tighter jawline, and a smoother forehead. With one session, you might see results. Still, Frontera, a nurse practitioner and a leading expert in clinical aesthetics, recommends a package of four to six to see longer-lasting effects.

The First Injectable I Tried and the Age I Tried It

Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and Madonna's go-to at the time, Dr. Frederic Brandt (may he rest in peace), gave me my first dose of Botox. He was launching a product at his NYC practice and invited all editors in for a treatment to accompany the launch presentation. I was enamored by the fact he treated Madonna, and he was also just so charismatic and quirky, but most importantly, smart as hell. I was 23 years old, and the term "preventative Botox" was floating around then. Since Botox was one of the options we could choose from that day, I went for it. For me, I'd always furrow my brow at my desk while I was concentrating, so he gave me a couple of shots in my glabella (the area between your brows) and upper forehead, and I've been getting it ever since. My mom has deeper lines between her brows, and I've been able to avoid that, so say what you will about preventative Botox, but it works—and my face is proof.

The Cosmetic Treatment I’m Dying to Try

I'm psyched to get Ultherapy, a skin-tightening and lifting treatment that uses micro-focused ultrasound to generate a thermal effect under the skin. This thermal effect jumpstarts your body's process to create new collagen. It's apparently a bit uncomfortable, but there's little to no downtime, and it snatches your face like no other. Getting it once a year is recommended as you start to see laxity in your face.

The Lasers That Work

I recently had two Clear and Brilliant treatments done by Dr. Jeremy Brauer in Purchase, NY. It uses a diode fractional laser that addresses dullness and overall tone by creating thousands of microscopic zones in the upper layers of skin, causing tiny injuries. Your body then responds by creating healthy tissue in place of the damaged skin. I’ve been really happy with the results—and even saw a big difference after the first time I had gotten it. I might need one more round, but since summer is coming, I might hold off until this winter (summer isn’t the best time for lasers due to increased sun exposure).

Cosmetic Procedures I've Had

• Botox between my eyebrows

• Botox on my upper forehead

• Botox around my eyes

• Botox in my neck

• Botox in my masseter muscle

• Restylane Contour in my cheek and along my jawline

• Countless chemical peels

• Clear and Brilliant

• Lip injections

• Kybella

• Veneers

• EmFace

The Cosmetic Treatment That’s Made the Biggest Difference

My veneers. I have 10 uppers and six lowers and had them done by Dr. Michael Apa in 2017. Dr. Apa's publicist invited me in for a cleaning earlier that year, and the conversation grew into a plan of building out my smile since I was a product of many orthodontic procedures when I was a kid and still wasn't happy with my teeth. He is super kind and incredibly smart, but most of all, he is wildly talented, and man, does he know teeth.

I was in his office recently because I cracked my tooth (not one he did for me) on a pistachio, and I asked him about our original meeting, to which he texted me post-appointment: "Carly's original treatment plan was for ten upper and six lower veneers. How did we get there? Treatment planning and smile design is about much more than teeth. When I walk into a patient consultation, I examine the teeth last because a smile close-up means nothing. You need to understand a patient's full face, presence, and personality. Social conversation is important; it allows me to see how a patient's teeth interact with their face during natural dialogue."

He then said, "The goal with a smile makeover is to enhance; understanding what you're trying to enhance is essential for a positive outcome. To have facial harmony, everything has to work together. For Carly, it was about building out the back teeth and playing with tooth-shape to achieve a broader and more balanced smile. She had some staining and wear that had developed over the years, so we corrected that with a brighter, more youthful color."

I was going on TV and in many videos for Cosmopolitan, so I wanted to feel more comfortable with my smile, and he got me there tenfold. I'd trust him with anyone's teeth. PS: If you're considering veneers and lip injections, he recommends getting your teeth done first because it can drastically change the support of your lips and how they'll look.

My Injectable Schedule

I’ve pulled way back with injectables since having my kids. You can’t get anything done when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so I went almost four years without doing anything and really liked the way I looked. I still see Dr. Idriss for my lips once a year and Botox between my eyebrows and on my forehead twice a year. Now, my main focus is how my skin texture looks, and esthetician Sofie Pavitt has helped me immensely. She taught me to go back to the basics, which is hard for a beauty editor/influencer to do. But I listened, and it paid off. Now, I use her Clean Clean Cleanser ($34) and Mandelic Clearing Serum ($54) for cell turnover and to keep my pores clear. I follow that up with Dieux Air Angel ($44), a gel cream perfect for acneic skin. SuperGoop Mineral Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 ($40) rounds out my routine. I’ve also started using retinol again but at a low dosage. I’m toggling between Medik8 Intelligent Retinol ($42) and Ole Henriksen’s Double Rewind Pro-Grade 0.3% Retinol Serum ($72).

My Favorite Derm and Plastic Surgeon

This is an incredibly hard question because I've had the privilege of getting to know and being treated by some of the best in the world. For example, Dr. Shereene Idriss is an actual artist and a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist who is incredibly smart (and straightforward). Dr. Kiran Mian is also an incredibly knowledgeable dermatologist and has an extremely talented hand when it comes to injections—especially lips. Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, also based in NYC, is a laser genius (he went to med school at 17) and can get your skin in the best shape possible. He helped me with my perioral dermatitis, and I'm grateful. He also does hair transplants; the man is a wizard.

Dr. Michelle Henry is another person I'd highly recommend. She completely transformed my friend's skin, guiding her with the right lasers and acne treatments. When I first started breaking out badly, a few years before I had my kids, Dr. Shari Marchbien swooped in, took one look at my face, diagnosed me with comedonal acne, and wrote out a regimen for me faster than I could blink. She completely cleared my skin for me until I was hit with perioral dermatitis five years later (in 2023).

Advice for Those Considering Cosmetic Procedures

Do your diligence on who you're seeing. Look at their previous work. If you can, I recommend starting little by little with injections. More isn't more because you can start looking puffy over time. Yes, you can always dissolve something that you don't like, but let me tell you, it hurts way worse than getting the injections.

It's also easy to fall down a slippery slope and want more injections, so it's good to go to someone who will be honest with you and tell you "no" more times than they tell you "yes." That way, you can continue looking as natural as possible. I say it's better to be more conservative and build on a look rather than go full tilt from the start.

Thoughts on the Stigma Surrounding Cosmetic Procedures, Treatments, and Injections

I feel like you never know why someone is doing something to their face or body—and who are we to judge or care? If it’s not your face, then don’t worry about it. I think the most important thing is that you trust whomever you’re going to and that they have the proper credentials. I will always suggest a board-certified dermatologist, but I trust some nurse practitioners, like Nicole Frontera, who has worked with plastic surgeons for years. The last thing I’ll say is to be wary of med spas. They’re popping up everywhere these days; it’s not to say you can’t get good work done at one, but I’d be wary as I’ve heard some horror stories.

Read the original article on Byrdie.