I’ve always felt like my face was missing something. Not sure exactly what, but I couldn’t ignore that lingering feeling. Maybe a facelift? Buccal fat removal? Something to “snatch” this baby face? I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Then I heard of facial balancing.
What is Facial Balancing?
Facial balancing is a modern, non-surgical technique that uses dermal fillers to restore volume, correct asymmetries, and enhance harmony throughout the face. Instead of zoning in on just one feature, facial balancing treats the face holistically, addressing proportions in areas like the temples, cheeks, jawline, and under-eyes to create a cohesive and natural look. Many practitioners use principles like the “golden ratio” to guide this process, aiming to subtly elevate a client’s features rather than transform them entirely. Results are typically immediate, and the process involves little downtime, making it a go-to for people who want impactful changes without surgery.
How AFL Beauty Bar & Founder Fatema Love Helped
When I discovered AFL Beauty Bar, I knew I had found something special. Founded by Fatema Love, with locations in ATL, NYC, LA, and Miami, this POC-owned beauty bar has become a safe haven for women looking to enhance their appearance without compromising their identity. Love’s approach is rooted in empowerment and intention, which resonated with me deeply. Her philosophy isn’t about dramatic transformations, but about helping women see the beauty that already exists and enhancing it in a way that feels authentic. That’s why when I had my initial consultation with her, something just clicked. I finally felt like I was in the right hands.
My Appointment Experience
Booked and nervous, I arrived at the Staten Island location excited but unsure. The office was busy, and I ended up waiting about an hour and a half before I was called back. Still, the energy in the space was warm and welcoming, and I didn’t let the delay ruin the vibe. When I finally got into the chair, the doctor greeted me with a sincere apology and a kind smile before asking what I wanted to change. That’s when I confessed, I truly had no idea what my face needed, and I was trusting his judgment entirely.
To my surprise, he told me that my face was already quite balanced. I wasn’t expecting that. He pointed out that I had a strong jawline and that a little chin filler would help define it even more. He also noted that I had some under-eye hollowness and recommended a small amount of filler there as well. That was it. No laundry list of flaws, no pressure to do more than I needed. Just small, intentional tweaks to highlight what was already working.
After applying numbing cream to my chin and the area above my cheekbones, we waited about ten minutes before the doctor returned with the syringes. I received 1 mL of Belotero filler in each of the targeted areas. The chin injection was definitely an odd experience. It wasn’t painful exactly, but uncomfortable. I could feel the filler spreading beneath my skin, almost like a pressure balloon slowly inflating. It wasn’t pleasant, but it wasn’t unbearable either. The under-eye injections were much easier. In fact, I barely felt a thing.
The entire procedure took about 45 minutes. Before I left, the doctor reminded me not to drink alcohol for the next 24 hours. What he didn’t mention was the reality of the healing process. My under-eyes were slightly sore, but nothing major. My chin, however, was a different story. It felt hard and tender to the touch. As someone who sleeps on her side, I quickly learned that wasn’t going to work. Anytime I shifted onto my side, it felt like the filler was being pulled by gravity, throwing off the balance we had just created. A quick Google search confirmed that sleeping on your back for the first 48 hours post-filler is highly recommended to avoid migration. That night, I committed to sleeping like I was laid out in a casket. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked. By day three, everything felt normal again.
The Confidence Shift
I started noticing a difference just 15 hours after my appointment. Over the next few days, the results became more and more clear. I’ve always been the kind of person who loves a good mirror moment, but now? I truly can’t stop looking at myself. The changes are subtle, but significant enough for someone who studies her own face daily. The chin filler, especially, was a game changer. It brought so much definition to my lower face, giving me what I can only describe as a model-esque look.
As for the under-eye filler, I didn’t see a dramatic shift at first. I’ve had sunken eyes for most of my life, and it’s something I’ve always been self-conscious about. But one night, after a good cry, I caught my reflection and thought, “Wow, I actually still look good, even after bawling my eyes out.”
That was new for me. I’d never felt that kind of post-cry confidence before. If anything, I might go back for another round and get a bit more under-eye filler, just to brighten that area a bit more. But this first step was huge.
Facial Balancing for Black Women
For Black women especially, facial balancing can be a powerful tool, not because we need to change ourselves, but because we deserve to see ourselves in the best light. Our features are unique and beautiful, but often overlooked or misunderstood by mainstream beauty standards. Facial balancing, when done right, doesn’t erase identity. It amplifies it. Whether you’re addressing volume loss, softening harsh lines, or enhancing natural contours, the key is finding a provider who understands melanin-rich skin and culturally diverse aesthetics. That’s what made my experience at AFL Beauty Bar so transformative. It felt tailored to me, not just to a generic beauty ideal.
Choosing a woman and POC-owned med spa like AFL means getting care from someone who understands the nuance of your skin tone, your facial structure, and even your cultural beauty references. It also means being in a space where your concerns are heard, your features are respected, and your beauty is celebrated, not corrected.
Why It Worked for Me
Facial balancing worked for me because the approach was holistic rather than hyper-focused. Instead of suggesting that I change individual features, the team at AFL Beauty Bar looked at the overall picture. The enhancements were minimal, but the impact was major. More than anything, it worked because I was in the hands of people who understood and respected my natural beauty. That made all the difference.
If you’re considering facial balancing, do your research. Learn about the different filler types, like Belotero or Juvedérm, and how long they last. Understand the limitations and what to expect in terms of results. If you’re a Black woman, prioritize practitioners who have experience with melanated skin and culturally sensitive aesthetics. Be realistic about what you want and communicate openly with your provider. Finally, don’t underestimate the healing process. It may be quick, but those first few days can be crucial to your final results.
The New Me
Looking in the mirror, I no longer wonder, “What’s missing?” Facial balancing didn’t change me, it revealed me. I feel like the version of myself I always imagined, and for the first time, I’m not questioning it. I’m simply living in it.
If you’ve ever felt like something was just slightly “off” but couldn’t figure out what it was, facial balancing might be the solution you didn’t know you needed. For me, it was a shift in symmetry, but the confidence it gave me? That was the real transformation.