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

Battling the Beast that is my Skin; My Dermatologist Journey

Being the shimmery awesomeness that is the face behind Glam Dazzle Fetish requires me to maintain a certain level of not only knowledge but also appearance. I get asked so many times about my experience in cosmetology and I always say that is boils down to one thing PASSION. A monkey with not one creative bone in its body can be taught the steps to a long layered haircut, but it takes passion to perfect that haircut over and over again and then to seek out new ways and better technique instead of becoming complacent. That is what separates cosmetologists from hair artists. It is also what separates a woman with a hobby from a beauty guru. I can sit behind a computer and copy and paste the same rhetorical beauty advice that has been recycled time and time again in magazines, blogs, and on some YouTube channels or I can explore, use, and create and then turn around and share my findings with you. I can also feign an interest in beauty and walk around with less than desirable skin, absolutely no makeup and my hair in a ponytail and you would be none the wiser, but I have a passion to be better, to feel better, and to look better. In the last few weeks it has become more and more apparent that I need to seek out advice and become better educated about my skin which leads me to my first rendezvous with a dermatologists. Get in, buckle up and put your listening ears on because I am bringing you along for the ride.

Some Background on my Skin and Why I Made the Appointment:
I am 25 forever, at least that is what my husband thinks, but in the real world where I am not a unicorn riding mermaid with multicolored hair I may be about 4 years past that exact age. I have never had a reason to pay much attention to my skin except for a quick wash in the morning and an appropriate concealer included in my makeup routine. As a teen I was blessed with only mild breakouts and had no clue how great and dewy my skin actually was or I would have stared at myself a few more times in the mirror with remarkable admiration. In my early 20's, much like many of my peers, I was under the ill educated notion that I looked much better with a fresh brown kiss from the sun and I just may have used that coffin like contraption to attain said tan. I am naturally pretty fair (MAC NW 20) but I can catch a tan without burning. Let's just say that I did my research and realized that what I was doing caused way more damage than it was worth and have since boycotted the coffin. I started to get serious about skincare about 3 years ago and have experimented with many serums, moisturizers, and cleansers. I would say that if I had to classify my skin from the ages of 18-27 it would be normal with a sprinkle of oily TZone in the late afternoons. I had it fairly easy. Well that was then but....... dun dun DUN..... after the birth of my last son on July 18, 2011, I have taken a downward spiral of sorts. It started out as bad breakouts and blackheads right around the same time each month when my hormones happened to go into spastic fits. Then my skin started to have concentrated breakouts along my jaw line. Some of these breakouts would be painful and cystic like. Now it has morphed into a mostly dry textured feel along my entire face with breakouts lasting the entire month on my jawline and down my neck. I have tried different things to no avail. I know these products are great products (Cetaphil, LUSH scrubs, GlamGlow to name a few) but I think I just need more education on what and how to use products as well as diet and actual facts behind the problem. Also I am not exactly a spring chicken anymore but I want to look like one for a very long time. When I started to notice little lines by my eyes (I refuse to use the word that starts with the name of a black bird and ends with the bodily anatomy attached to the bottom of our legs) I knew that I needed to find out what I can do to negate any further lines or damage in general to my skin. I look at my face (skin) as a canvas and if the art that I want to portray to the world is going to be inspiring and beautiful then I cannot have canvas that is not properly maintained nor ready to be turned into a masterpiece.

Tips on Choosing the Dermatologist and Questions to ask:
The very first thing that I did was log onto my insurance companies' website and searched for in-network dermatologists. I would always recommend doing this because it will be the most cost effective. If you do not have health coverage or it isn't a factor then I would do an online search and look for the next things that I am about to talk about. There are 2 types of dermatologists, general and cosmetic, the main difference is that a cosmetic dermatologist are more ideal to deal with issues that require injections, peels, and lasers and not ideal when looking for a diagnosis or advice. In my case I want a general dermatologist who can diagnosis my acne and aging issues. The web is plethora of information and most doctor offices now offer websites that include bios of their practitioners. I checked for a Board Certification from the American  Academy of Dermatology because quite frankly I am not looking for advice on my skin from someone who studied orthopedics in a third world country. I called the office and talked to the receptionist in order to make my appointment. She was very knowledgeable and seemed to have a pleasant disposition which is important to me. She asked what my concern(s) were and assured me that the doctor I chose dealt with cases like mine. She advised me that I should stop now using any and all products on my skin (including makeup which I was extremely bummed about) so that the doctor could examine the true nature of my skin. This is pretty standard advice and I would do this even if you are not directed to do so. My appointment is next Tuesday and I am excited to learn and have a better complexion. I wanted to be prepared so I researched some common questions and tips that should know before your visit;

• Know what your specific concerns are and be prepared to explain them and then listen to what the doctor recommends without interrupting with what you have researched
• Know what you have been using on your skin as far as products (including supplements, makeup, lotions, cleansers, masks, and anything else that you put on topically)
• if any lasers or injections are recommended make sure the doctor is doing them and not simply supervising 
• What is my skin type?
• If medication is prescribed what are the possible side effects?
• How soon should I start to see improvement in my skin?
• What if I do not see any improvement or my skin gets even worse?
• Are there any self-care tips that I should be practicing to improve the quality of my skin?
• Are there any changes to my diet that you recommend?
• Are there any changes to the over the counter products (crams, lotions, cleansers) that you recommend? and which are best for my skin type
• What is the best sunscreen to use for aging?
• If you are curious about Botox this is your chance to ask an expert
• What causes my acne?
• If you are worried about any moles this is also the time to ask about them
• How often should I exfoliate and do you have any recommendations?
• Are self tanners really safe?
• Are there supplements such as Biotin that can improve my skin and do you recommend them?

These are the questions that I plan on asking and I am also bringing along a notepad and pen to write down all the advice that I receive so it is fresh and accurate. I am truly excited to go to this visit and of course I will be back to tell you what I find out and update you on my journey. Until next time I am going to go try to enjoy my lazy makeup free weekend where I hide in my home and snuggle with my husband while watching Dexter!

- Nicci

December IPSY Hot or Not?

I finally crawled out from the rock I was under and joined the fabulous world of the IPSY bag . In case you are like me, a creatively brilliant mermaid who rides a unicorn for fun but masquerades as a mommy in sweatpants to keep a low profile, I'll explain just a little more about the inner workings of the IPSY subscription service. Michelle Phan of YouTube fame is the creator of IPSY and it is a $10/month beauty subscription service that offers 5-6 sample or full size products inside a makeup bag with the brand logo. The website itself offers makeup tutorials as well as reviews and discounts for the brands that are featured. Usually there is a wait list, and I myself was tortured for a generous 2 months before December's shiny pink envelope arrived in my mailbox. If you would like to join or check it out please use my link here and for the sake of full disclosure I receive nothing but "ipsy points" if you decide to use my link. Now onward to all my twinkles and treasure that I discovered in December!

The IPSY makeup bag itself this month is a real gem. Shiny black diamond embossed material that seems very well constructed. The inside material is red and easy to clean. Honestly upon first seeing it I immediately thought score! This bag is sleek and sophisticated enough to throw my cards, keys and a lip gloss in for those quick trips. It is also contemporary and neutral enough to be my everyday makeup bag that I carry with me no matter which purse I am currently rotating for the current season. If every bag continues to be like this then I will be stocked for not only myself but also for gifts for my family and friends.

The one item that I was probably the most excited to see was the Mirabella Eye Blender. I am on somewhat of a makeup brush kick lately and this brush was like a shining beacon screaming" look you wanted one of me and here I am!" This is my first impression with the brand Mirabella and upon inspection it appears to be a quality brush. It is reminiscent of my MAC 224 brush, but it's slightly less stiff. I am not too sure about the brushed aluminum ferrel and handle though, since I am constantly using and washing my makeup brushes. The brush sells for $27.00 on www.mirabellabeauty.com and I paid $34.00 for my MAC 224 so the price point is not horrendous. The brand is offering a 30% discount to all subscribers this month which makes it completely worth it to invest in other brushes.

The POP Beauty Bright Up Your Life eyeshadow trio in Smokin' Hot was the next item I found in my bag this month. I couldn't find a source to buy this exact trio alone but single eyeshadows retail for $12 on www.popbeauty.co.uk  and the brand can also be found at Ulta. The quality of the POP brand reminds me of NYC and so does the packaging. This particular trio includes shades of silver/grey and charcoal to create a smoky eye. In all honesty I have several other similar shadows in better quality that I could use to achieve the same look. The 25% discount is enticing, but not so much so that I would purchase anything else.

There is something about wearing a nice pair of fake lashes that makes me feel flirty and fabulous. When I saw the Salon perfect Lashes in my bag I was pretty excited. I usually buy the Ardell brand but I have to say that the quality was very nice. When it comes to lashes I usually look for an inexpensive price tag on a pair with great quality. At Walmart these lashes retail for $2.98 which is awesome. They are reusable and I would say that I can get 2-3 actual uses from these lashes before they go to garbage land.

Red Lips are the perfect Christmastime accessory for your face. IPSY had me covered with  JCat The Big Lip Pencil in Red Rose. These lip crayon products are flooding the market at the moment and I have to admit they are some of my faves. There is a sweet caramel smell that I adore and the color stains my lips for a lasting effect. At $3.99 on the JCat website this pencil definitely gives you your money's worth. Add a 30% discount to the site and it makes it an easy decision to pick up a few more gems from this line.

One area of expertise that that I may be slightly lacking on is cream blush. I've been doing my research but I still needed to experiment with the actual product so it made me smile to see Be a Bombshell The one Stick in Sunset at the bottom of my IPSY bag. I have to say that the smell is a tad off-putting if I take the time to stick it close enough to my nose and inhale deeply, but unless I am going out of my way to do so then I do not foresee it being an issue. This stick says it can be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks but I am not convinced I would rock it on my eyelids. It does blend beautifully on the cheeks and gives a good wash of color on the lips as well. This retails for $16 on www.beabombshellcosmetics.com which is a good price considering the generous size of the product. I certainly could never use this entire stick within the expiration time frame. The brand is offering a 40% discount and free blush to ipsy subscribers which makes it ever so hard to resist buying many products from the brand.

Until our next beauty adventure, Galaxy (my aforementioned unicorn) and I will be up to no good!
-Nicci

Sephora Favorites are Everyone's Favorites?

Is there such a thing as a holy grail lip product or are we always going to find something shinier and just all around better? As a self proclaimed lippie junkie I was elated that my hunk of a husband decided to feed my habit and gift me the Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip set for Christmas. This was a limited edition 6 piece set from Sephora and quickly sold out online. These are labeled as Sephora's Favorites which led me to wonder as these really some of the best lip products out there or they simply the cult items that make the $$$ for this franchise? Let's find out!

1. Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in the shade Dolly (Deluxe Sample Size 2mL/0.07 fl oz.)

Full Size retails for $19.00 and color is described as a shimmering muted plum.

I personally already own some of these glosses in other colors so obviously I like them. Presentation is important to me and I love the packaging. The brand claims to contain Vitamins A and E and to be formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates. It is a slightly sticky formulation but that adds to the long wearing capability!  It smells heavenly of vanilla and sugar and does tingle when first applied, but I personally do not find either the smell or the tingle sensation overwhelming. All in all my take on this "FAVORITE" is that the product itself is definitely on my list of top 5 glosses but I could take or leave the color Dolly. If you are in the market to try one out I suggest picking up Samantha, Princess, or Nicole instead!

2. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in the shade Bare Pink (Deluxe Sample Size 2.8g/0.1 oz)

Full Size retails for $24.00 and the color is described as a light pink. 

This is my first experience with any of the Laura Mercier lip products and I have to say the very first thing I noticed was the smell and not in a pleasant sense. It's almost like it's trying too hard to smell like vanilla in order to cover up the bad plasticky smell. I do have to say that the color (seems more like a true baby pink to me) is very pretty and the fact that it does not have a sticky feel and glides on is nice even if the lasting capability isn't all there. I'm wondering if I got an old one since I really dislike the smell but if not I wouldn't purchase this product on that fact alone and I am usually very easily pleased when it comes to smell. If mine truly is an oopsie then I would have to say at this price point and with it not being a super long lasting gloss then I would probably still not buy since there are comparable baby pink glosses flooding the market.

3. FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in the shade Rose (Deluxe Sample Size2.2g/0.08oz)

Full Size retails for $22.50 and the color is described as sheer berry rose in a pink case

 I was a FRESH virgin and this is my first experience with this product. WHAT?!?!? This is one bandwagon that I admittedly might have missed out on. I could tell you verbatim all of the claims that the brand says about this miracle stick but I'll just say it has all the awesome ingredients for your lips including SPF and doesn't have any of the bad junk like mineral oil or parabens. I feel like it truly makes my lips softer and the slight color is amazeballs. I always thought $22.50 was too steep for a glorified lip balm but I am here to admit that I would definitely and probably will buy it in one of the other deeper shades like passion or plum very soon, This made it on my favorite list and I applaud it for being in this set.

4. Tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster in the shade Glitzy (Full Size 3g/0.1 oz)

Retails for $24.00 and color is described as an antique pink luster.

I have tried one of these before that came in a set and it was pleasant. These are marketed as lip tints that are meant to give shine and that is exactly what it did. I like the crayon like packaging and the peppermint smell is very nice and refreshing! It is definitely a tint and doesn't give a full on dose of color but I can see myself wearing this as a topper to a lipstick and loving it. Not sure if there is a tiny glitter in this but I did feel a slight grit when I rubbed my lips together which I wasn't completely elated with. My verdict on these is that they are a nice product and if I bought them when they come in one of the Tarte gift sets it would be a steal but I wouldn't personally shell out the $24 to buy one on it's own.

5. NARS lip gloss in the shade Turkish Delight (Deluxe Sample Size 0.14oz)

Full Size retails for $25.00 and the color is described as a pink sorbet

This is THE cult followed NARS lip gloss made famous by the likes of Kim Kardashian herself. NARS says that it is a pigment dense lip gloss and I give it to them that is definitely is such. This shade is a milky baby pink color and I haven't quite found another lip gloss that is as opaque and milky in this baby pink shade before. Again the smell is straight up plastic but once it is on the lips it becomes less noticeable. I am happy that this was included in this set so I could see the hype for myself and it definitely has its redeeming qualities but I would have to say that its not something I would rush out and spend $25 on especially with some of the ingredients that it uses to acquire that attractiveness that it bestows.

6. BITE Beauty Matte Lip Pencil in the shade Rhubarb (Deluxe Sample Size 1.48g/0.05 oz)

Full Size retails for $24.00 and the color is described as plum rose

From what I know about Bite Beauty it is a great brand that doesn't use harsh ingredients and is cruelty free if that is important to you. This matte pencil is great quality and I love pencil lipsticks because they are so easy to apply. There is no discernible smell that I can make out and it is quite long lasting. Rhubarb is one of those shades though that doesn't quite do anything for my teeth or my complexion. There isn't anything WOW about it! The product itself is nice and I love the fact that it is antiaging and contains resveratrol. My take on this is that I am glad the line offers a variety of shades. Violet and Corvina look like they would be amazing spring and summer shades but leave good ole Rhubarb on the 

shelf!