Re- buy or Bye bye??

There are a million (ok maybe not a million) beauty bloggers who review products out there and the amazing thing is that everyone has the right to to like or dislike a product for an endless amount of reasons. Personally I try my hardest to give you valid reasons for my judgements much like the stern but respectable judge Judy. I also like to wait until a product is empty because I'm human and let's face it , I change my mind sometimes when I'm patient and realize results might take time. So here my glorious readers is another round up of my empties and thoughts on them. Would I re buy it or should it just go bye bye?

Revlon Colorstay Whipped foundation $14.99 0.8 fl oz

I am going to preface this by saying that I had to return this twice to find a shade I could work with. I ended up with 150 buff chamois but it even was a little too pink, warming my face up with bronzer was a must when wearing this. The formula is one of my drugstore faves and I will definitely be repurchasing this. I easily get medium to full coverage and the texture allows it to be light and non Cakey. It says 24 hrs on the packaging, I don't know about all that jazz since I wash my face before and after bed but I can say it lasts through a long work shift without being patchy.

Olay Regenerist Luminous tone perfecting cream moisturizer $28.99 1.7 oz

This Olay moisturizer claims to fade dark spots and make your skin brighter. I have a couple of sun spots and I did not notice much difference in the darkness after using the entire jar over the course of a month. It did keep my skin moisturized and hydrated but I can get that from a different moisturizer at a lower price point. It's going bye bye into my trash can!

Jessica Simpson Fancy perfume $59 3.4 oz

I always pick up the 1.7 oz bottles of this at TJ MAXX or Ross for around $15. The notes sparkling pear, juicy apricot nectar, gardenia, jasmine, toasted almonds and caramel make this oh so feminine and sweet. It's one of my favorite scents and right now I feel lost without a bottle of it in my rotation so I will be re buying it asap

Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder $3.99

This little drugstore gem provides excellent coverage with a truly matte finish. It gives some higher end brands a run for their money. It does contain talc as its primary ingredient so that is of note if you are sensitive but I have repurchased many a time and will continue to do so. 

Simply Vera mascara 

I can't find a price or link to this mascara in stores. I picked it up in kohls on clearance but don't be sad because you don't want it. It's clump and transfer city and did nothing for my lashes except morphs them into one giant clumpy mess. I should have saved my money and you should too.

Glam glow brightening mud eye treatment $69 for 12

I liked this. I wasn't tempted to run out the very minute I used it to buy more but I would reconsider it in the future. My eyes did feel refreshed and tighter. Overall I think this product is worth the splurge if you are able to but don't skip lunch for a week in order to buy it

Maybeline instant age rewind dark circle eraser $8.99 0.2 oz

I have a love/hate relationship with this product. I love the product and hate the packaging. Almost so much that is makes me hesitant to repurchase. The actual concealer brightens and conceals like a dream and doesn't crease on me ( everything that's makes a holy grail concealer) but the applicator is foam (hello bacteria) and then the darn tube cracked on me. After some research due to the gigantic mess I had on my hands I saw it was a common problem. Maybeline hear my plea and repackage this!!!!!

Elf volumizing and lengthening mascara $3

Eh..... Wasn't impressed. I would buy wnw or nyc over this for the price. Jordana blows it out of the water. The price point is excellent but the aforementioned brands are doing better things for the same amount of money.

A whole ton of skincare/haircare reviews because I am slacker

Hello again my wonderful friends. I know you will not judge the fact that I am moving in a month and refuse to move garbage and that is the only reason I am doing these reviews presently. Life happens and fortunately my life has been pretty awesome lately. My relationship with my husband is growing and this gal right here now works at Sephora (hello dream job) and we are finally moving to a better location for my kids.... More space for them to create chaos!!! Over the course of all these exciting happenings I have been testing and trying out some great and not so satisfying things... When I am done I promptly throw the empty container into my "empties" and low and behold that is where they have remained until now....... now you will receive my reviews in all of their majestic glory and I will actually throw away my trash!

Philosophy Purity facial cleanser $11 3fl oz.
This is a natural one step facial cleanser. It claims to tone and hydrate the skin. I have pretty sensitive acne prone skin and this cleanser while it is not a miracle blemish fighter is very gentle and effective at cleaning my face at the end of the night. Overall I would totally suggest this to anyone who has normal to combo skin and doesn't have any major skin concerns. When I get my skin to a place where it is balanced and I have a skin routine in place that works for me I would definitely repurchase for use as my skin cleanser. In the meantime this sample size is a wonderful inexpensive brush cleanser and is readily available at Sephora!

Epice purifying exfoliant  $32 3.3fl oz.
This was an Ipsy bag sample that I receive in a glam bag. I have never previously used this brand but I am now intrigued to try more. This exfoliant is finely milled so much that is gentle enough to be used a few times a week in place of a regular cleanser. It does not have any strong odor and left my skin feeling clean. I would even say that after I finished the sample my skin looked smoother and more radiant. My skin type does not really warrant the use of this type of product and I probably would not repurchase but I look forward to trying other products from the line.

Aveda Green Science firming eye cream $47 .5oz
Little known fact about me is that I am an Aveda trained cosmetologist and obviously have a weak spot for the line of products. My integrity is of the utmost importance to me and on that note I have to say this was a miss for me. I used the product in its entirety as directed and although I do not possess many deep lines I did not see any of the other magnificent claims I was lured in with. My under eyes did not appear dramatically hydrated or darkness free. I will say that just because this did not work for me does not mean that it automatically will not work for others. I love the fact that Aveda is an all natural product with wonderful ingredients but overall my advice is to skip this one.

Dr. Brandt pores no more vacuum cleaner $45 1oz.
Although this product is not necessarily bad I would not call it any better than most mud masks out there. With the $45 price tag I am hesitant to tell anyone to run out and buy it. I did like the fact that my pores felt and appeared smaller and unplugged. In the end I know that it takes a lot to really WOW me and unfortunately this just did not do it

Glow by dr. Brandt $65 1.7 oz
I am sad that the sample I had wasn't a tad bit larger. It is hard for me to give a FULL review based on using it once or twice and I think that I may pick up another sample from sephora just to make sure I don't want to change my mind but based on the times I did use it I am on the fence. It is a glow enhancing moisturizer made with red crystal technology and retinol but without any of those nasty parabens or sulfates. All moisturizers are not created equal and if you are looking for a good one with retinol then I say give this one a shot but I myself haven't found that retinol is a good thing for me at this stage.

Aveda damage remedy daily hair repair $29 3.4fl oz.
This is actually a holy grail product for me. I know that is a strong claim but I do not even have to double think it. Not only is it all natural and formulated with things like Quinoa protein and soy oil but it has literally saved my hair more than once. As a hairstylist I change my hair so often it goes through multiple processes and therefore gets heavily damaged. This daily leave in replaces the missing protein and restores hair. If you are looking for a product to fix your tresses than run out and purchase this asap!

Moroccan oil treatment light $43 3.4fl oz.
This oil can be used to condition, style, or finish hair. It is made with Argan oil, vitamins, and proteins. Overall it is a great product especially if you have light colored hair or it is fin or limp.  This one can go either way by although it does what it claims and is a great product there are other ones on
the market that will work just as great for a more reasonable price.

Macadamia moisturizing rinse $24 10 oz.
The one redeeming quality about this product is that it provides uv protection, besides that I found it to be too fluid and thin and not that moisturizing. It is made with mostly natural ingredients and isn't going to do any damage but I would rather spend my $24 on a more hydration.

Macadamia rejuvenating shampoo $21 10oz.
This is formulated without sulfates or parabens and is a great basic shampoo for anyone with normal to oily hair. Made with Argan oil And doesn't create build up. I have other shampoos that I enjoy more but I don't hate it!

Caviar cc cream by alterna $25 2.5oz
This is a 10 in 1 leave in That apparently provides moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, anti breakage,  heat protection, light hold, Uv protects toon, manageability and strength. I would say that it does all of these things fairly well. If you are looking for an all in one leave in and don't have hair with a specific need this is a wonderful choice. I would buy it

Yves Saint Laurent MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS

Sometimes I find myself wondering if I truly just have an addiction problem, Some people can't turn down a glass of wine and others have to take their customary smoke break every half hour. Thankfully I have never fallen victim to these vices but put me inside Sephora or Ulta and I most definitely will spend my money on even more cosmetics. I would liken this addiction to the realm of fitness freaks and strict vegetarians. What we do doesn't really hurt anyone and in some instances even improves our quality of life but as with anything too much of even a good thing can be a bad thing. Luckily I have found a few different ways to lessen the burden on my wallet and Influenster is one of them. Influenster will send product for review based on your social media presence and this time I was fortunate enough to be able to review the new YSL mascara.

Just the words YSL evoke a feeling of luxury and indulgence and the packaging does not disappoint. With the flashy gold tube and the embossed YSL on the front it is definitely one of those mascaras that will sit front and center on my vanity instead of hiding out in a drawer some where. The tube itself is crafted from metal and carries a nice substantial weight. That beautiful attention to detail will run you $32 on the Sephora website.

If you are a makeup hoarder like myself then of course the packaging intrigues you but I am well aware that there are normal sane individuals who actually care about the formula and brush on a mascara. I personally always layer my mascaras. I always have and I probably always will. I usually start with a lengthening mascara that boasts a rubber wand and then follow that with a natural bristle brush like that on this mascara. For the sake of this review I strayed from my normal routine and wore the mascara both alone and layered. Alone the mascara was simply alright. It is black and I noticed a slight lengthening effect. My lashes are blonde tipped but already carry a decent amount of length. I tend to look for a curling effect as well as some volume to really push them over the edge and I unfortunately did not get much of either by wearing this mascara alone. The brush is straight which will explain the lack of curl and I think the formula may just be too heavy and wet to really add much volume without weighing down my lashes. I also tried to layer it over my tried and true Benefit They're Real and I was much more pleased with the result. This will definitely be how I use this mascara in the future. I will note that I wouldn't reach for this exact mascara during a long day at the salon or any other active event as I did find it to smudge as it wore throughout a long day..

My final thoughts?!? Glad you asked. I am thrilled to own this mascara and add it to my collection (THANKS INFLUENSTER) but I won't be spending my money on another tube until I hit it big. There are other less expensive mascaras that I prefer and unless you just want to own it for the sake of owning a YSL mascara and showcasing the beautiful packaging then I suggest you spend less money on another brand.

Until next time loves!
Nicci

Redefining GlamDazzleFetish

I was googling how to apologize for the lack of attention and time I have dedicated to this blog the last few months in about 7 languages, but then I decided to just be forthright and honest. When I first started this journey I actually was going to start a YouTube channel, but many things including lack of confidence and social media knowledge held me back, Instead I decided to dip my foot in the water by beginning a beauty blog .... I'm an educated girl and I consider myself well spoken and somehow I've always been able to express myself through the written word with ease. Being a hair and makeup artist will make writing a beauty blog a piece of cake right? WRONG! You see there is this pesky thing called life that gets in the way. I tell myself that all of these reasons are excuses and I need to save my whining for when I'm ancient and people will care,  but truth is that my life just like millions of others is not exactly a cake walk. There are real obstacles like being a mother, a wife, holding down a full time job, anxiety, money stress, and sleep among others that I often allow to take precedence over writing for my minuscule amount of readers. OK so why are you back and why am I reading this right?!?! Someone may or may not have just had a big milestone birthday which led to some soul searching. I want to know who I am and I want to live with purpose. That is ultimately what everyone wants right? What the hello kitty does that have to do with a beauty blog?!? I have a talent and I have passion and giving in to those little devils sitting on my shoulder telling me that I should just give up is not living up to my potential. I want to help my readers. Even if it's just where you can laugh a couple of times at my mommy blunder rhetoric of trying to unsuccessfully put the lipstick my 3 year broke back together, I want to be there. I'm a real person and honestly that's enough... I don't have to pretend to know all the answers or have the self confidence or looks of a Victoria Secret model in order to be valid. With that being said we are going to redefine what glamdazzlefetish means. It isn't some unobtainable ideal of feminine perfection. It's striving to be the best version of you that you can be, and stumbling along the way but always always always picking yourself back up, shrugging the dirt off and applying a new coat of lipgloss. It is a lifestyle. The beauty world is obviously a very important aspect of it but so is sneaking in that 10 minute workout I found while occupying my 3 year old with some goldfish. It's about whether or not that 3 day cleanse I found on pinterest was a complete failure or I'm glad that I tried it. It's about the fact that I feel like a bad version of Joan Jett with this pixie I am currently growing out and what I'm trying in hopes my hair grows faster. There will be quick tips for those busy bees who need a speed read on their phone waiting in the school pickup line and of course there will be my famously wordy witty banter about the latest hollywood fad for those who like to grab the cheat snack sit down and ingest it to get a few laughs along with their dose of insight. I've decided to look at this as my second career. I'm not getting paid right now but that doesn't mean it is without reward. Please be on the lookout for 3 weekly posts and spread the word so that I can reach more readers, I'm wiping that dirt off and reaching for my buxom white russian :)

March IPSY Bag Love it or Leave it?

So let's just take a quick moment to talk about the bag.... I know it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but I for one applaud Ipsy for taking a step out of the box this month. The fab print is courtesy of Artist Klari Reis. She is known for her geography based art series which showcases San Francisco (home to IPSY headquarters). I think it is refreshing and different and love that there is a story behind it! This bag will probably make it's way out of the bottom of the drawer and into my actual purse or travel bag!

Bareminerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in GET READY 1.5g/0.05 oz.:

Retail Price: $18.00 for 3.5mL/0.12 oz.

This lipstick formula is wonderful! Not sure I could come up with a con on the formula if I tried because it is super creamy, opaque, and non-drying. It has a pretty good staying power and some substantial claims to it's ingredient list. In general the Bareminerals line is a reputable one that has provided few misses for me so I was happy to see this little gem included this month. IPSY is offering free shipping and and a Lash Domination Mascara Sample with an order which isn't bad at all if you are in the market for some of their products. The color is a pretty neutral "your lips but better" shade and I am going to be honest and say it's nothing fantastic that will have me constantly reaching for it but it has intrigued me about the other shade offerings from the line!

Nicole by OPI Roughles NailPolish in ON WHAT GROUNDS 15mL/Full Size

Retail Price: $6.99 -$7.99

In the bottle this color looks like a perfect Spring shade that I was immediately excited to try. I soon realized it was a textured polish that dried to a "sandy" consistency. I was a little less than thrilled. Usually I love this brand and I am not completely writing this one off as a loss. It's a fun departure from what I normally do and I probably wouldn't have tried it if I Ipsy didn't include it so I was thankful to review it but I most likely won't be repurchasing anything else from the Roughles line.

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer 12mL/0.4oz

Retail Price: $22.00 30mL/1.01 fl oz.

I am always excited to try out a new primer (alright let's be real I am excited about any new makeup item) and I actually am fairly new to the Pixi brand so that might have also helped my enthusiasm. This primer is a little different from the ones I am used to using, it has a sheen to it and is nice peachy hue to help cancel out imperfections. It sheers out and blends quite well and I didn't notice any interference with my regular foundation and powder routine. If I had oily or greasy skin I might steer clear of this one but the 25% discount that is offered through IPSY is a nice incentive to try this out even with it's pricepoint or pick out a couple of more items from the line.

Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow Quad in Bora Bora Full Size
Retail Price: $16.00
I discovered this cosmetics line through IPSY and I am quite happy that I did. They usually never fail to impress me with quality, the price point is very competitive without a discount but IPSY always offers one that makes me want to experiment some more! These colors are pigmented and can be blended easily with a little know how. They last fairly long on their own but add a primer and you are set for the day. I am glad that I get to add this quad to my collection and with that 40% discount and a free lip crayon I think I am going to pick up a blush that I missed out on a couple of bags back!

Overall this month's bag was well worth my $10. If you would like to sign up you can use my link below. I do not receive compensation or a discount if you do so only points! http://www.ipsy.com/r/1p20

Until next Time!
Nicci

Colgate Optic White Toothbrush with built in Whitening Pen

Thanks to Influenster I was able to receive and review the Colgate Optic White Toothbrush with built in Whitening Pen. Colgate has made a convert out of this gal for sure. I was never incredibly picky when it came to my toothbrush. I do have somewhat sensitive teeth so I've usually strayed away from all the traditional over the counter whitening products and just opted for a "whitening" toothpaste instead. First thing is first, with a $12.99 price tag I most likely would have picked this up anyway.... I already use the Optic White toothpaste and will continue to do so until something better emerges. I am a coffee drinker and not exactly 16 anymore so I definitely could use a little help in the whitening department. The toothbrush itself is very sleek to be packing a whitening pen. I expected some monster toothbrush that threatened my husband's toothbrush space in our shared cup but was pleasantly surprised to see that Colgate managed to make a design where the pen wasn't big or bulky and snapped securely into the bottom of the toothbrush. The toothbrush itself is awesome! it has rubberized bristles mixed in with the regular ones to safely scrub your teeth and is small enough to get into every nook and cranny. I am creature of habit so I was a bit worried that my daily routine was going to be disrupted by having to add the extra step of whitening gel, rinsing, and rebrushing but yet again Colgate has thought of the busy woman who cares about her oral hygiene. After brushing I simply removed the pen and apply to clicks to my top teeth and 2 click to my bottom teeth. After that I was my face and by the time I'm done the gel has dried and I'm ready to move on with my routine. Probably my favorite part of this method of whitening is that it is pain free. I didn't experience any sensitivity and there was no taste that threatened to make me gag.

 There is quite a bit of product in the whitening pen and once it's time to toss my toothbrush in about 3 months it would be a perfect time to get a new one and start to whiten again since it gives me a little break from the product! I have been using the toothbrush along with the Optic White toothpaste for about 2 1/2 weeks and I have noticed about a 2-3 shade difference in my teeth with no added staining due to my daily coffee habit. At the risk of sounding like a bad commercial (truly I am not, because these are my personal thoughts and opinions and not being compensated for) I highly encourage all my readers to try this product. It is about $5-$7 more than you spend on a toothbrush anyway and a lot less if you are currently using a high priced whitening product!
Love ya
Nicci

My Dermatology Journey Part 2

I would love to be able to tell all of you that when I walked into the dermatologist’s office that the heavens opened up and rained down magical pixie dust that gave me the complexion of an European model but it didn't quite happen like that.  I did however think that my first visit was very informative and I am content with the knowledge that my dermatologist has a definite plan for my skincare.
My main concern with my skin is acne. I feel like my face (especially my jawline) could give the movie set of the moon a run for its money when comparing crater sizes.  The first thing my doctor did was made me feel completely comfortable and reassured me that my case was very common, but nonetheless she took my concerns seriously because it is obviously an issue for me. After discussing my skin history and overall health she concurred with me that the culprit of my acne was most likely hormones.  Unlucky for me I am allergic to penicillin and it just so happens the leading topical medication for acne contains just that ingredient since acne is bacterial. She explained to me that we could still achieve results but that we were indeed about to begin a journey together. Since we would have to experiment until we found the medication that would best work for my skin it would take trial and error which could mean 3 months or it could mean up to a year.
I had of course also mentioned those pesky lines that set up camp on the outer corners of my eyes.  My doctor seems to think that I am on some heavy hallucinogens because she is certain they are not as noticeable as I am positive that they are but we talked about the best course of action that I could take to prevent further aging. Retin A is the medication that she wants to prescribe me in order to address both my skin concerns as well as unwanted aging. In order for me to get to the point that I can take the Retin A I need to start with my skin in a somewhat clear state. I left the office with instructions that the only products I was to use were Cetaphil Cleanser (the gentle version since I tend to get dry), The prescription for Erythrimicin 2% topical solution, and then the Cetaphil Cream moisturizer.  She warned me that my skin may get worse before it gets better since there are impurities deep in there that need to come out before my skin clears up completely.  I have an appointment in 3 weeks to reassess my skin and either switch to something that will work better for me or to begin Retin A.
I have a dirty little secret.  I may or may not squeeze….. there I said it. (kind of) I think the best thing that I could have walked away from my appointment with is better knowledge of what my habits can cause and why I should stop.  My Dr. explained to me that a dermatologist can give solutions to acne, redness, and inflammation but that there is no solution short of cosmetic procedures for acne scarring. Squeezing causes scarring and can also make an innocent whiteheads appearance become a long nasty visit on my face due to my interference. If I get to a place where I am not fighting the acne battle I do not want to replace my insecurity with scarring that can be easily prevented by a little self-control.
That was the bulk of my visit and I have a very good feeling that I found the doctor who is going to help me achieve the skin that I have wanted so badly for a while now. Of course she told me the basics like drinking plenty of water and washing 2x a day (the tried and true) but overall she simply explained to me the medications that she thought I should use and the science behind them. I can wear makeup again HALLEJUAH!! And with a little self control and some medical intervention my canvas will be tip top in a few months!
Until Next time my Glammies!
<3 Nicci