WELL+GOOD | SWEAR TO GOD, THIS FACIAL GAVE ME BETTER POSTURE

Liza Egbogah ·

WELL+GOOD

Serving me tea in her airy suite at Chicago’s Four Seasons hotel, Liza Egbogah, BSc, DC, DOMP, a Toronto-based myofascial release expert, floats around in a gauzy white dress that highlights the sort of angelic, fairy godmother glow she bequeaths to the complexions of stars like Yara Shahidi, Sally Hawkins, and Amanda Brugel. It’s not just her otherworldly manners and presentation that warrant the attention—it all started a year into her decade of practice when clients started to report surprising side effects after myofascial release appointments.

“Not only did they feel better, but also looked markedly younger and more refreshed. An actor had come in for back pain, but when he returned to set his co-stars asked if he had work done because he looked like he just took 10 years off,” she shares. Though the promise of a fountain-of-youth facial surely caught my attention, I’ve come to discuss rumors that her aforementioned treatment is actually helping clients to sit straighter, stand taller, and reverse the dreaded “cashew” shape that spending hours slouched over a keyboard can create. “Posture is greatly affected by receptors in the joints and muscles in your upper neck region,” explains the facialist who’s gained a reputation for her magic fingers and signature Face Lift Facial. Here’s what to know about the posture-enhancing facial, and how to replicate the sit-straighter results at home.

Want to give this treatment a try? Book a myofascial release visit with Dr. Liza

Introducing the dr. Liza bootie

Liza Egbogah ·

dr-Liza-bootie

The dr. Liza bootie is the most comfortable ankle boot you will ever own. With all the signature elements of the dr. Liza sneaker pump and expert Brazilian craftsmanship, you will not want to take these off. The generous toe box and ankle opening mean that whether your feet and/or ankles are wide or narrow these will be a perfect fit. The rubber sole means that you can wear this beautiful ankle boot all year while the beautiful silhouette make it great for running around, an evening out or even a black tie event.

Dr. Liza designed these booties for everyone. Whether you have arthritis, ‘horrible feet’, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, large ankles, wide feet, narrow feet etc, you’ll be able to wear these comfortably. In fact you may never want to wear another pair of shoes again.

PRE-ORDER | SHIPS IN 6 - 8 WEEKS

Use the code ‘BOOTIE50’ to get 50% off your pre-order.


the[fix] pop-up during TIFF 2018 - a recap

Liza Egbogah ·

Thank you to dr. Liza shoes, Alicia Nikole, Absolut Lime, Shiseido, Station Cold Brew coffee and The Fix + Co. for sponsoring the[fix] pop-up during this years Toronto International Film Festival. This year all proceeds will be going to help settle Nigerian refugees in Toronto. The pop-up was a huge hit and most of the stars visiting Toronto during the first 5 days of TIFF stopped by to sign our charity board and many took home some swag.

Monica Belluci was so in love with Alicia’s Nikole’s jade roller that she even asked if she could buy one. Of course we were honoured to gift it to her. All the makeup artists and stylists went crazy for the jade roller and Kit Harrington’s makeup artist used the roller on him right before his photoshoot with Getty. Thandie Newton, Abbie Cornish, Julia Roberts, Elle Fanning, Christian Slater, Issa Rae, Matthias Schoneaerts, Billy Howle, the TIFF rising stars, Sara Paxton, Yara Shahidi, Dev Patel, Jason Issacs and Selma Hayek were just some of the celebs that took home the coveted Jade roller and Shiseido’s new eye definer.

Station Cold Brew coffee was a big hit with actors like Billy Howle returning for the cold brew that they enjoyed last year. The TIFF rising stars enjoyed the assortment of flavours while Divine Brown was a huge fan of the Mocha. 

The stars were thrilled to get a healthy boost that was actually delicious thanks to The Fix + Co. Christian Slater, Sara Paxton, London Brown, Michael K Williams were just a few of the stars that enjoyed a boost of vitamins during the busy festival. 

Issa Rae, Gillian Jacobs, Yara + Keri Shahidi, Cynthia Erivo, Kristin Booth, Divine Brown and Sara Paxton were some of the beautiful actresses who fell in love with the dr. Liza pump. The chilli red, nude and blush pink were definitely the favourites and some actually changed right into their new comfortable heels for the rest of the day.


What seemed to be the biggest hit this year was the candy. Dev Patel returned several times to enjoy treats from the signature candy bar while Elle Fanning snuck in some candies and double bubble. The kids [big and little] of the fest were beyond ecstatic to receive an entire glass water bottle full of candy. The ever so sweet Matthias Schoenaerts returned several times to the candy bar before we finally handed him an entire bottle of candy.


Dr. Liza was on hand offering her signature myofascial release treatments. Actor Matt Murray took his shirt off to benefit fully from the treatment while Abbie Cornish got fixed in a gorgeous floral gown. Some of the A-listers booked their appointments in the comfort of their hotel suites to indulge in a full hour treatment. 

The absolut lime was a welcome surprise in the gift bag for many of the actors that said they would enjoy it later. Quincy Jones, Issa Rae, Cindy Sampson, Matt Murray, Emmanuel Kabongo, Jason Issacs and Dev Patel were some of the stars that took home the[fix] gift bag with absolut lime.

Here is a list of some of  the stars who stopped by:


Nicole Kidman

Olivia Munn

Keegan-Michael Key

Issa Rae

Jason Issacs

Chris Pine

Billy Howle

Monica Bellucci

Drew Scott

Matt Bomer

Maggie Gyllenhal

Chris Fulton

Geena Davis

Quincy Jones

Sara Paxton

Courtney B Vance

Kit Harrington

Cara DeLevingne

Yara Shahidi

Patrick Adams

Stephan James

Thandie Newton

Elizabeth Olsen

Steve Yeun

Elizabeth Debicki

Susan Sarandon

Mahershala Ali

Jesse Eisenberg

Sebastian Stan

Jasan Sudeikis

Michael Shannon

Lee Pace

Salma Hayek

Jamie Dornan

Brian Tyre Henry

Joel Edgerton

Mamoudou Athie

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Damson Idris

London Brown

Bradley Cooper

Christina Hendricks

the[fix] pop-up clinic during TIFF

Liza Egbogah ·

thefixtiff

the[fix] is a celebrity favourite with an enviable roster of A-listers benefitting from some fixing. As such, it was only fitting that the[fix] would offer their own take on the gifting lounge where stars not only got some curated swag, but also get to indulge in some much needed care for the mind and body during the busy hustle and bustle of TIFF. Following the success of the inaugural the[fix] luxury treat in 2017, the[fix] returns with a pop-up where media and select stars are invited to relax, get fixed, raid the candy bar, enjoy a drink and take home some coveted swag.

Guests of the[fix] luxury retreat will be invited to select high heels from dr. Liza shoes’ comfortably stylish collection and take home a bag filled with a glass water bottle filled with candy, shiseido’s energy eye definer, celebrity make-up artist Alicia Nikole’s jade roller, the[fix] relax balm, station cold brew coffee, absolut lime and more.

While in the lounge, female guests can pick out a pair of the shockingly comfortable dr. Liza shoes to complement their personal style followed by a quick fix massage from the manual therapy experts at the[fix]. Celebrity makeup artist Alicia Nikole will be onsite offering a quick de-puffing face treatment that can be done over makeup.  Next, guests are invited to sign a charity board with all proceeds going to help Nigerian refugees. One of Toronto's top photographers will be on-site to capture the experience.

Follow along on Instagram by using the hashtag #thefixtiff

5 Exercises For A Natural Butt Lift

Liza Egbogah ·

Sitting at a desk all day, or too much sitting in general, can lead to a flatter backside.

It's true!

While you're sitting, your glute muscles aren't working at all, and over time, they become weaker and elongated. In turn, the body "turns off" the glutes and begins relying on stronger muscles nearby, like those in your lower back and surrounding your knees, to pick up the slack. The bad news is that extra the extra stress on these body parts makes them more susceptible to injury especially in the knees and back. 

Our sedentary lifestyles mean more women are losing the definition between their thighs and their butt than ever before. They call it the ‘thut’ and it’s when the muscles on the back of a woman’s legs are undeveloped, leading the butt and thigh to appear as a single piece of anatomy. It just makes it look like your bum has dropped down into your leg and you lose that lift that a toned butt should have. 
 

So how can we save our butts from going flat? We need to learn to activate, or “wake up” your glute muscles, as well as stretch and release tight muscles that attach to the glutes through fascia and contribute to the flattening of your butt. 

 

There are exercises that actually help to build muscles in your glutes. 

standing-clam


STANDING CLAM

Stand straight with your feet together. Engage your core muscles and bend forward so that you are almost parallel to the floor. Keeping your knees together bend your right knee to about 45 degrees. Lift the right leg  knee out until it is the same level as your hip, keeping the knee bent.  Lower to start position. Repeat this movement for 30 seconds, switch legs and perform movement on opposite leg for another 30 seconds.

 

WHAT IT DOES:
This is one of the best exercises your can do to strengthen your gluteus medius muscles which will help to round out your butt while working to also treat/prevent hip, back and knee pain.

 

sumo-squat

 

SUMO SQUAT

Start with your feet in a wide stance, toes pointed out as far as is comfortable. Keeping your back and spine in a neutral position, and torso upright, tighten your core. Bend the knees outwards so they remain over your ankles, and sit down with your butt into a squat position. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly come up to a count of 5. 

 

WHAT IT DOES:
The wider stance works to take the majority of the effort of squatting from your quadriceps and shift it into the glutes working your gluteus maximus which is the largest of the glute muscles. It also helps to open up your hips, which is helpful in activating your glutes and preventing back pain. Plus, as a bonus, it doesn't put too much stress on your lower back. 

 

bridge-with-butt-lift

BRIDGE WITH BUTT LIFT

Lie flat on the floor on your back with your hands by your sides and your knees bent. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground and placed about hip width apart. Take one of your legs and straighten it so that your toes are pointing up towards the ceiling


Push through your heel, lift your hips off the floor while keeping your back straight. Breathe out as you perform this part of the motion and hold at the top for a second. Slowly bring your butt back down to the floor to complete the rep. Repeat

 

WHAT IT DOES: 
This exercise is a powerhouse for lifting the butt by strengthening the glutes while also targeting your obliques to give you a more defined waist line and stronger core. This will help to create lines between the waist and the glutes giving your butt better definition.

 

DOWNWARD DOG WITH LEG LIFT

Start from a standing position and walk your hands out in front of you so that your hands are slightly forward of your shoulders. Spread your palms and turn your toes under.


Exhale and lift your knees away from the floor. At first keep the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor.  Then with an exhalation, push your top thighs back and stretch your heels onto or down toward the floor. Straighten your knees but be sure not to lock them. Inhale and lift your right leg up. Exhale and bring your foot to the floor.


WHAT IT DOES:
The downward dog position provides a great stretch for you hamstrings helping to minimize the appearance of the ‘thut’ [where the thigh and butt look continuous]. At the same time you are targeting your glute max in the lifted leg and glute med in the leg on the ground resulting in a rounded and lifted butt.

 

extended-hand-to-toe-pose

EXTENDED HAND TO BIG TOE POSE

While standing, bring your leg up so that your thigh is parallel to the ground and your knee is bent to 90 degrees. Grab your big toe with your 2nd and 3rd fingers and your thumb. When you feel that you have your balance, kick your leg out to the side so that your leg is straight. The standing leg and the leg in front of you should both be straight and your hips should point forward. Bring your leg out to the side so that the inner thigh is facing the front of the room and try to bring your leg as high to the side as possible so that it is parallel to your body. Hold for 15-20 seconds and repeat on the other leg.

 

WHAT IT DOES:
This exercise strengthens the legs while seriously working the glutes. By doing this exercise you will not only build up your glute med muscles that give a crucial in creating lift but also stretching to help minimize the appearance of the ‘thut’.

Foam Rolling for Leaner, Longer and Pain free Legs!

Liza Egbogah ·

the-social-foam-rolling

Research has shown that foam rolling before your workout can increase range of motion without the decrease in muscle power that can result from pre-workout static stretching.
Using a foam roller to achieve improved range of motion allows you to become stronger in that extended range. For example, if you are working on doing deep squats, foam rolling will facilitate a deeper squat thereby allowing improved engagement and strengthening of your glutes. So, if you are strength training as part of your half-marathon prep, you should be able to improve your time.  


You can have postural imbalances caused by tight muscles and fascia. By releasing the right muscles and fascia with myofascial release you can help to correct these postural imbalances. 
Foam rolling can also stimulate the lymphatic system and help to reduce fluid retention.  This effect is short lived but by reducing a bloated appearance and dimpling in the skin, rolling will have you looking leaner for at least a couple of hours. 

The Social - Facial Cupping + Face Yoga

Liza Egbogah ·

dr-Liza-egbogah-the-social

Dr. Liza visited her friends at The Social and performed a facial cupping treatment and walked the hosts  through some popular facial yoga poses to tighten, tone and relax face muscles without making a trip to the doctor. Before the rise of facial injections, facial yoga was popular among women as a way to keep faces looking youthful. It might not be as quick, but with a little patience and commitment, your results could be just as good.  Head to The Social to watch the full segment and learn how to do the poses!

Please note that Dr. Liza performs facial cupping as part of the comprehensive myofascial release visits and these treatments are not eligible for insurance reimbursement as they are cosmetic in nature.

 

 

The dr. Liza sneaker pump available for pre-order

Liza Egbogah ·

dr Liza sneaker pump.jpg

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. SHIPS FEB/MAR 2018

The dr. Liza sneaker pump is a revolutionary 2 inch pump that literally feels like a sneaker. With all the features of the dr. Liza pump on a 2 inch heel and 0.5 inch platform you might never want to take these off. The orthotic insole, injected cushion throughout, rubber outsole and EVA [the same stuff in running shoes!] platform mean that you will be able to wear this heel all day and night. Versatile enough to take a walk, take flight or dance the night away at a special occasion. 

Available in Regular width [N] and Wide width [W] in sizes 5-12

Pre-order now at drLizashoes.com and get 50% off using the code 'FRIENDS2018'

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