Keeping it Real… And Some Beauty Chit Chat

Hi Pretties!  Well, I’m just going to say it.  I’m the WORST blogger known to man!  Seriously!  I was on a pretty good roll around Christmas, and then I just fizzled out…complete and total radio silence.  *facepalm*  Without going into everything, life once again took a turn, and I had to make some changes.  Fortunately, they were all good changes!  Oh how I’ve missed my little blog!  I’ve been dreaming up blog posts in my head for months now, so its time I actually put pen to paper (figuratively) and get back in the swing of things.

I’ll be honest, I’m a bit unprepared for this post; I have not planned out my subject matter or taken any photos.  I just wanted to post – to put some thoughts out into the void if you will.  There are some exciting things on the makeup horizon!  Let’s discuss.  Firstly, if you have even a vague interest in makeup (which I’m assuming you do if you’ve stumbled upon my wee blog), you’ve probably gotten wind of the Jaclyn Hill (YouTube Beauty Guru Extraordinaire) collaboration with Becca Cosmetics.  She has cultivated a new Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, and it is gorg!  I actually got to see it in person – Baby Sephora (i.e. Sephora in JC Penny) has already gotten in a shipment, and one of the employees pulled one out of the back to show me.  I was really hoping I could talk them into selling me one early, but alas, I was denied.  To my dismay, there were no rule breakers in that bunch.  They did take my name and number and told me they would call me when they put them out on the floor; somehow I don’t hold out much hope that they will actually call me.  I signed up for an email notification on Sephora’s website, and there was a DISCLAIMER:  “Product will be available for sale on July 2, 2015.  Due to the special nature of this collaboration, quantities are very limited.”  What. The. Heck.  Why do they do this to us?  They know this is gonna be a highly sought after item – why not stock enough to meet the demand????  MAC does this too and it’s supremely frustrating.  So if I happen to miss the email notification and Baby Sephora doesn’t call me, my only option will be to check ebay where people are hocking these things for three times the retail price??? So not cool.  This brings me to another point – you know those vultures that stalk the internet and buy up all the available stock so they can make a buck on ebay?  Yeah, they suck.  A lot.  But I digress.  Suffice to say that I really hope I can snag one!  In other pretty news, MAC’s Giambattista Valli collection is suppose to hit online on July 2nd (sidenote: why is that such a big release day???) and counters on July 9th.  I believe Nordstrom will also have this collection for sale online on the 6th.  The only images I’ve seen are of the five lipsticks in the collection (maybe it’s all lip products?).  The packaging is SO pretty!  I’m such a sucker for limited edition packaging!  Lastly, Beauty Blender has a new product fresh on the market – it’s called Blotterazzi, and it’s a reusable alternative to blotting papers.  As an oily skinned gal, I am all about that blotting life.  You get two blotting sponges in a cute little mirrored compact.  The sponge sucks up the oil and smooths out any funky spots!  AND it’s washable!  So much better than having used blotting papers all stuck in the bottom of my purse!

That’s all I’ve got right now!  Hope all my Pretties had a happy Monday!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas…

Hi Pretties!  Are you enjoying the holiday season?  I am!  I’m especially enjoying all of the baked goodies that go along with Christmas!  I’m sure I’ll regret that in a few weeks when my pants are uncomfortably tight!  But enough about me… on to the good stuff!  Sing it with me!  On the ELEVENTH day of Christmas, Sephora gave to me… Stila Eyes are the Window Shadow Palette – Mind!  Such a great palette, and one I haven’t really heard much about.  This palette has all matte shadows, which is super duper exciting.  We can’t look shiny and shimmery all the time, can we?  This palette of goodness is full of gorgeous neutrals that are ideal for day-to-day wear – working women of the world, this one’s for you!  Now, I know what you’re thinking, “just what I need, more neutrals!”  Well, ‘A’ of all, there is no such thing as too many neutrals, and ‘B’ of all, there are some colorful surprises to be found in this palette.  I’m obsessed with the rusty orange shade called Perception – so different from anything else in my arsenal, and the deep plummy purple shade called Thinker is my jam! Love smudging it along my lash line. As far as texture, some shades are a bit powdery, but most have a nice texture and blend easily.  Keep in mind that the pigmentation, while good, is not the BAM-in-your-face pigmentation that you find with brands like Urban Decay.  Rather these shadows are perfect for giving you a wash of color but can be built up for more oomph.  As for the longevity, I think its fairly good – I would recommend a primer, especially if you have oily lids like me.  All in all, a solid addition to my embarrassingly large palette collection (Woe to me for my makeup addiction! I’m one sick cookie!)  This palette retails for $49.00 and can be purchased from Sephora, Ulta, or the Stila website.  I didn’t swatch all of the shades – just a select few – but if that’s something you’d like to see, let me know in the comments!  Hope you’ve got all of your shopping done!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas…

Pretties!  I’ve missed you!  Where in the world did November go????  Sorry for the radio silence… my day job has been demanding of late, and the only thing I’ve wanted to do when I got home was face-plant into my bed!  I didn’t even have time to share my VIB Rouge haul with you guys!!!  Rather than do a belated haul post, I thought I would just give you a glimpse of some of the new things I’ve purchased this holiday season that I’m LOVING!  As it is nearing Christmas, let’s be cliché and have a 12 days of Christmas theme!  With that said, (all together now!) on the TWELFTH day of Christmas, Sephora gave to me… Laura Mercier’s Mini Caviar Stick Eye Colour Quartet!  Disclaimer:  this 4-piece Sephora exclusive set is unfortunately sold out online (although the similar 6 stick set is still available here and here as of this posting).  However, I love these things so much, I am willing to incur the wrath of my Pretties to tell you about these sticks of goodness!  I’m  usually not one for cream eye shadows, but these could convert me.  They’re just easy, you know what I mean?  Creamy, pigmented, and blendable… a few swipes and some blending with my finger or a brush and I’m set.  I love products that simplify my mornings!  Very versatile as well – you can pick one for a wash of color or put multiple ones together to create a full look.  I’d say they’re relatively long-wearing – even with my oily eyelids!  All in all, I’m super-duper pleased with this purchase and will be adding other colors to my wish list!  If you’ve never tried these before, get thee to a Sephora or Nordstrom, ASAP!  The individual caviar sticks are $28 apiece, which sounds a bit steep, but you get a good amount of product and a little goes a long way!  If you’ve tried these, let me know what you think and what colors I need to add to my collection!  Also, let me know if you’d like to see some pictures of how I’ve been wearing these.  Hope everyone is having an enjoyable December!

Blame it on the CHEESE!

Hi Pretties!  Sorry I’ve been a little MIA.  To be honest, I really just haven’t felt inspired… of course, I’m sure my lack of inspiration has something to do with the current state of my skin – I’ll explain.  As you may or may not know, I’ve struggled with acne since I hit puberty.  I’ve tried all manner of treatments.  Unfortunately, I also have extremely sensitive skin and an allergy to the gold standard of acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide (truly – my face swells up and turns beat red… and it ITCHES!).  This makes finding something that works super difficult!  I’m constantly researching things in an attempt to find something that will beat the acne beast into submission.

Recently, I came across several articles linking dairy products to acne.  The theory is that hormones produced by the mama cows are passed on to us when we ingest dairy.  These hormones can interfere with our natural hormone production, which triggers extraneous oil secretions, inflammation, and finally, acne!  Now, I was extremely dismayed to hear this, because girl can eat some cheese!  In fact, all of my favorite foods have some form of dairy in them.  But since I was feeling a little desperate, I decided to try an experiment:  I cut out dairy for several weeks – no cheese, no butter, no milk, nothing.  You know what?  My skin improved.  Keep in mind that I was also being very diligent about my skincare routine and really watching the ingredients in my makeup products.  Now, any or all of these things might have been responsible for the improvement, so I can’t say with 100 percent certainty that the no-dairy diet was responsible.  However, I have more evidence to support the dairy-is-evil theory.

One night I was coming home from work, and I was exhausted and HUNGRY… and REALLY craving pizza.  I caved and gave in to my pizza craving.  I thought, “surely a few slices of pizza can’t undo all of my progress, right?”  Unfortunately, that one pizza was a gateway to more cheese-laden food.  Now I sit here with multiple active breakouts and lots of pore congestion.  Boo!  As I also relaxed a bit on my skincare routine around the same time, I STILL can’t say that the problem is 100 percent cheese-related.  However, my instinct is that the dairy is the culprit.

So it’s back to strict dairy-free.  It’s really easier than you’d think – I’ve found some good substitutes for most things (still looking for a good cheese substitute).  As much as I love cheese and ice cream and milk, I just don’t think it’s worth the blow my self-esteem takes when my face looks so heinous.  As a disclaimer, I should tell you that there still isn’t any hard and fast evidence that dairy causes acne (at least I haven’t seen any clinical studies), and everyone’s body reacts to things differently.  However, if you are struggling with acne like me, give the no-dairy thing a shot.  It may be the key to a better complexion and a happier you!

Dairy Free Goodness!

 

Heads Up!!! Deals and Steals Alert!

Hi Pretties!  Urban Decay‘s Friends and Fanatics sale is going on now and ends TOMORROW, October 19th at 11:59 PST.  It’s an awesome (and rare) opportunity to score some fantastic goodies for yourself or maybe even some holiday gifts!

Dear Santa… Holiday 2014 Collections

Hi Pretties!  Fall is officially here, and we’re gearing up for the holidays!  As is the custom of all North American retail establishments, holiday items are being stocked right alongside Halloween items.  Which, of course, begs the question, what’s on your wish list?  As I am a makeup junkie, the list is long, my friends!  Here’s just a sampling of some of the goodies I’ve got my eye on!

Limited Edition Cremesheen Glasses in (L to R) Ceremonial, Seeking Adoration, Social Season, Romantic Overture, and Courting Chic ($22.00 each) MAC Heirloom Mix Collection – Holiday 2014 Available Online October 19th and In-Stores October 23rd

Clockwise from top left: Gold Lip + Eye Bag ($59.50); Viva Glamorous Lip Palette ($40.00); Nude Lip Bag ($39.50); Viva Glamorous ($30.00)
MAC Keepsakes Collection for Holiday 2014
Available Online October 19th and In-Stores October 23rd

 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights in pearl, champagne gold, and opal ($25.00 for the set)
Available now at Sephora.com, Sephora Stores, and Becca.com

Too Faced Everything Nice Set ($56.00) Available at Sephora and Sephora.com

Make Up For Ever Studio Case ($59.50)
Available now at Sephora and Sephora.com

Friday Quick Tip!

Hi Pretties!  So, I kinda sorta overslept my alarm this morning and only had 45 minutes to get ready for work.  Yikes!  This is not near enough time for me to really get my makeup like I like it (what can I say? I’m high maintenance).  As is my custom, I spent the majority of my time trying to make all of the hyper-pigmentation, dark circles, and fine lines fade from view – bring on the paint and spackle!  Then I attempted to give myself the appearance of cheekbones with blush, bronzer, and highlighter (see?  I told you, high maintenance!).  This certainly didn’t give me a lot of time to do anything interesting with my eyes, so I improvised!  I used a fluffy blending brush and ran the bronzer I used for my contour through my crease.  I also used my cheek highlighter to highlight my brow bone.  Top it with a bit of mascara and you’re good to go!  Today I used the M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish in Jolly Good from the Kelly Osbourne collaboration.  I missed out on this collection when it first came out, but fortunately for me, Macy’s still had some of the items in stock online!  Here’s the link for those interested!

No Buy Challenge! Can it be done????

Hi Pretties!  So, I’ve gone a bit nuts with the makeup shopping lately.  Seriously nuts.  I’m like a junkie that has to get a fix.  I tell myself, “it’s been a rough day, I just go *look around* at Ulta (or Target or Sephora or ONLINE)”, but it never fails.  I always buy something.  As the holidays approach, I know I need to be building up my cash reserves for travel and gifts and the like (and for all those holiday gift sets that will be coming out!).  I was trolling around on the ol’ interwebs this morning, and I came across a blog post by a fellow beauty blogger, XO Luba.  In said blog, Luba mentioned that she was on a 30-day No Buy Challenge, which is exactly what it sounds like:  30 days without buying a single beauty product.  Now, I’ve been telling Mom I’m going on a No Buy for weeks.  In fact, I told her yesterday that October was going to be the month of the No Buy… of course this was after a trip to Sephora.  Luba seems to be coping by making a Post-No Buy Wish List.  What a good idea!  So, with that said, I’m officially embarking on my own 30-day No Buy Challenge.  I would say that I’m going to try my best, but as Yoda would say, “Try Not.  Do or do not… there is no try!”  Hopefully this will not be an exercise in futility!

Here’s my Post-No Buy Wish List…

1.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette, $58.00

So pretty!  I have two of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes and I LOVE them.  This palette includes the shades Luminous Flush (which has been on my list for a while), Incandescent Electra (a shade exclusive to the palette), and Mood Exposure (which is one of the two I have, but never hurts to have a back up!).

2.  Dior Star Fluid Foundation SPF 30, $50.00

This is Dior’s newest foundation offering that’s designed to brighten, even skin tone, and reduce the appearance of dark spots.  The marketing says it’s “infused with hollow silica beads that capture and diffuse light in a correcting halo that doesn’t leave skin looking shiny, the color-filter pigments neutralize skin tone imbalances, and the anti-“light-trap” skincare ingredients help reduce the appearance of dark areas, pigment spots, and redness.”  That’s probably a bunch of baloney, but I’ve seen several positive reviews of this foundation, and I REALLY want to give it a try.  I’m always looking for something that will give me “flawless” skin!

3.  Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation, $48.00

Yes, I realize I have two foundations on my list, but I can’t help it.  I love foundations, and I’m still looking for that can’t-live-without-it, HOLY GRAIL, desert island foundation that keeps my oily skin in check and blurs out all my imperfections.  This is supposed to be a long-wearing foundation that looks like real skin.  Let’s face it, we all want to look like we have NATURALLY flawless skin, and I’m no exception!

4.  Tony Moly Bbo Bbo Lip Balm in Blueberry, $9.00

Look how cute this is!  This is a lip balm from Korean brand, Tony Moly.  One of the reviews on Sephora said it stopped her lips from peeling, and  I’m all about anything that keeps my lizard lips from shriveling up and falling off!

That’s the list for now!  Comment below and let me know what’s on YOUR wish list!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara… Was It Good For You?

Call me immature, but I giggle like a 12 year old every time I tell someone what mascara I’m currently using.  Too Faced is no stranger to cheeky product names, and “Better Than Sex” is no exception!  I must admit, I was hesitant to try this product when the lady at Sephora recommended it to me.  I had played with the tester, and the wand seemed really gloopy (that’s a technical term), so I assumed that my lashes would turn out gloopy.  I’ve been using it for about a week or two now, and I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised.  Here’s how Better Than Sex measures up:

 

First of all, the curb appeal on this mascara is spot-on.  The pink box with the product name emblazoned upon it in gold gives this mascara a very luxe feel; it stood out among the other mascaras and caught my attention right away.  The tube itself is a pink brushed-metallic with the name embossed on it – very sleek and pretty!  It also has a bit of weight to it, which contributes to that feeling of luxury.  Overall, very impressed – good job, Too Faced!

 

Of course, all the fancy packaging in the world can’t make a bad mascara good, so how’s the performance?  Well, I’m getting to that.  The hourglass-shaped wand has stiff, traditional bristles instead of those rubbery ones that are all the rage.  As I mentioned, the brush does look a bit gloopy when you pull it out of the tube – you may need to wipe off the tip – but your lashes won’t be gloopy.  The longer bristles on the ends do a good job of reaching those lashes on the outer corners while the shorter bristles coat the lashes in the middle; this makes for a more even application and better definition.  I’ve had pretty good results with this wand, but I usually have to run a lash comb through my lashes – they’re naturally curly and like to get a little cray.  Too Faced’s website says that the wand has “the perfect brush silhouette that separates, coats and curls each lash to voluptuous perfection;” all in all, I think this wand performs as described… though I’m not exactly sure what “voluptuous perfection” looks like.  Don’t you love marketing?

Now, let’s discuss this formula!  It’s a pretty wet mascara, which gives me time to apply multiple coats without giving myself scary spider lashes!  (I do have to refrain from blinking until it drys though – otherwise, HUGE mess!)  Too Faced recommends three coats – I find that one or two suffice for daytime.  Too Faced’s website says that “Better Than Sex mascara includes a film-forming polymer for smudge-proof, all day wear, Acacia Senegal Tree Extract to nourish, thicken and lock curl in place, and unique peptides for the deepest, intense black possible.”  I don’t have any idea what Acacia Senegal Tree Extract or film-forming polymers actually are, so I’ll just discuss my observations and experiences.  This is not a waterproof formula, but it’s extremely tenacious and long-wearing.  I’ve worn it for more than 12 hours with no smudges or flakes (the no-flaking is huge as I’m a contact lens wearer), and I usually need to use an eye makeup remover to remove it all at night.   My favorite thing about this mascara is how soft it keeps your lashes – I HATE stiff, crunchy lashes!  As you might have guessed, Better Than Sex only comes in one color – REALLY, REALLY BLACK.  Most people will have no problem wearing such a black mascara, but those with very fair hair and eyebrows may find it looks a little harsh.

Naked Lashes (see what I did there?)

Lashes with Two Coats of Better Than Sex – No Primer, No Eyeliner

Overall, I’d give this mascara a strong B+ to an A-.  I personally would prefer a bit more definition, but I can’t argue with the insane amount of volume this gives.  If you’re in the market for a new mascara, I’d definitely take this one for a test drive!  It retails for $23.00, which is a little on the high side, but I personally don’t mind investing in a great mascara.  You can buy it from Sephora, Ulta, or directly from Too Faced.  Stay tuned for my review of the Lorac Pro mascara… Can it best Better Than Sex in the Mascara Madness match-up?!?  Happy shopping!

Welcome to My Blog!

It seems fitting that my first blog post is being written on Halloween – a day designed for transformation.  And isn’t that what makeup ultimately does?  For me, makeup transforms my attitude as much as it changes my face.  As a teenager, I was plagued with acne – I’m sure a lot of you can relate – and it greatly impacted my self-image and my confidence.  Makeup was essential because it gave me the confidence to face the day.  I learned early on how to blend and layer products to hide my facial shortcomings.

In college, I realized that makeup could be fun as well as functional.  I started playing with lip glosses and eye shadows.  Before long, I was hooked; makeup (and shopping for makeup : P ) quickly became a hobby of mine.  Whenever I had a bad day, I’d find myself roaming around the cosmetic counters in my favorite department store.  And then my local mall opened a Sephora… and my life would never been the same.

Now, I make regular trips to my local Sephora or Ulta so I can play with the testers and dream of all the things I would buy if money were no object.  The salespeople and I are well acquainted!  I’m also that freaky person that will strike up a conversation with random shoppers about whatever product they’re looking at.  If I start talking to you while you’re looking at lipsticks, don’t be afraid – I’m just REALLY excited about makeup.  That may seem silly to some of you, but makeup allows me to express my creative side.

When I was little, I loved to draw, color, etc., and I would tell everyone that I wanted to be an artist.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to foster my creativity and grow my artistic skills.  By the time I got to college, practicality was the name of the game and I, like a lot of us do, pursued an education in a field that would pay my bills, but wouldn’t necessarily become my passion.  I’m currently the senior accountant at a growing company.  I like accounting and find it challenging, but it’s not my passion.  And let’s face it:  if you’re a creative accountant, you’re probably going to end up in jail.  Creativity is NOT encouraged in accounting!!!  Now, at the ripe old age of thirty, I’m tired of being a “company man” (woman, actually, but it’s an expression); don’t get me wrong, I ALWAYS give 110% at my job – that’s just who I am – but I don’t want my whole life to revolve around work.  I’ve got to find some balance.

So, I say all of that to let you know that I am reclaiming my creativity and artistic sensibilities and I think that makeup – and this blog – might be the perfect outlet.  If you’ve made it through this rambling entry, thanks for reading the whole thing; I’ll be more concise in the future.  I’m looking to provide product reviews, tips and tricks, tutorials, and the like to the masses – hopefully, you’ll find them a wee bit interesting.

Last thing before I go:  the name of my blog.  Smoke and Makeup Mirrors.  Why did I choose this, you might ask?  Well, my face looks pretty gnarly in the mornings when I roll out of bed.  As I’ve aged, acne is less of an issue, but as anyone with acne will tell you, the trademarks of acne last a lot longer than the blemishes do.  I’m blessed that I don’t have a ton of scaring, but there is enough to make me feel self-conscious.  Thank the Good Lord for makeup!  Strangely enough, I get compliments on my skin all the time.  I try to be gracious in those circumstances, but I always feel like I’m fooling people in some small way.  It’s probably silly, but I always feel the need to smile and tell them it’s all smoke and mirrors!