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!

 

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!

Product Shout-Out… Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Palette

Hi Pretties!  So I wanted to share a product that I’ve been loving lately.  It’s the Urban Decay Pulp Fiction palette.  Now, let’s get real for a moment.  I have never seen Pulp Fiction… nor do I really have an inclination to do so.  So the Pulp Fiction connection definitely didn’t lure me in.  And at first glance, the palette didn’t really interest me either.  It just looked so… basic.  And boring.  Creams and Browns.  Can’t I get that anywhere?!?  But then one of my favorite YouTube Beauty Gurus (MakeupByTiffanyD) posted a haul video that featured this palette, and it piqued my interest… and then I was roaming around Sephora, and I swatched the colors… and it was all over from there.  These are some of the silkiest, most buttery shadows I’ve ever felt in my life!  Very pigmented and very blendable.  There’s something to be said about the simplicity of this palette too.  It’s just easy… Great for work days when I wake up tired and just need something that I don’t have to think about.  Forgive the demo pics below – bad lighting kinda washed the colors out, but this is generally how I wear it.  MakeupByTiffanyD has a great tutorial using this palette here.  If you’re interested, this palette is limited edition and retails for $34.00 and is available from Sephora, Urban Decay.com, and Ulta.

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!

Twilight Saga Steals!

What a week it’s been!  I’ve been working like a mad lady, and I’m exhausted!  Fortunately, I had a little treat to look forward to:  my mom and I had a movie date to see Breaking Dawn, Part 2.  Yes, I admit it, I’m a Twilight fan.  The movie was the highlight of my week, needless to say.  It was a ton of fun, and Kristen Stewart’s makeup was divine!  In anticipation of the movie, I went to my local Ulta in search of Essence Cosmetics’ Exclusive Makeup Collection – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2.  I guess a lot of people had the same idea because the display was pretty picked over.  That’s okay – I got the one product I was really excited about.

This gorgeous matte blush in Renesmee Red was only $2.99 for 5.5 grams of product.  As a point of reference, Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blushes (which I love) are 5.6 grams and retail for $25.00.  I’m typically a big believer in “you get what you pay for” (I’m a bit of a product snob), but I’m finding that the quality of this product is really great for the price point.

The texture is very smooth and silky – not chalky or dusty at all. It’s also highly pigmented – a little goes a long way – and though it’s a bit bright in the pan, it blends out nicely.  I’ve been wearing it all week, and I love the red color – it’s nice to change things up from my usual pink or peach blushes.  I have really fair skin, but I think those with darker skin tones could easily wear this color.

Swatch of Renesmee Red on Bare Skin

The staying power is pretty good too – it doesn’t seem to disappear midday like some other blushes do. The packaging is simple – nothing super exciting, but I do like the Breaking Dawn logo across the front.  As a HUGE added bonus, Essence Cosmetics is a cruelty-free company; you can read their statement on animal testing here.

Swatch of Renesmee Red on Bare Skin – Blended Out

For the price, I highly recommend Renesmee Red – even Twilight haters will love this blush!  If you get an opportunity to pick up this limited edition product before it’s gone, you definitely should.  Essence Cosmetics are sold at Ulta, H-E-B, and Fred Myer.  For more information, visit Essence’s website.

Short and sweet, but there it is.  Stay tuned for more good things to come.  I’ve got a lot of new stuff to try and talk about!

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!