Most Wanted Beauty: Urban Decay, Soap and Glory, Too Faced, and More!

Here's a list of the Muse's Most Wanted Beauty items at the moment!


Check 'em below and feel free to add your most wanted bits in the comment box below!

Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection is totally making me wish for Fall in a hurry! Please come soon cold weather. I hate nudes and naturals but this palette looks ideal for brightening up my eye with an elegant twist of nude! Sadly, it was in my cart and before I could hit submit, bam out of stock! Sniff..


Soap and Glory The Wizard of Flaws proves too expensive for me. $15.99 is a tiny bit much to indulge when I can get a brand name for a few dollars more but that doesn't stop me from wanting to try this out. Could it be a holy grail concealer!?


I normally avoid Boots No7 like the plague aside from LE items however the Boots No7 Mineral Blush in Soft Pink and brush does appeal!


Sonia Kashuk How To Palettes look too yummy! Available in Smoky, Spring, and Natural these palettes are $19.99 each and contain shades and a tutorial for creating a perfect eye look!


It's been discussed a plenty but I'm yearning for both the new Urban Decay Facial Primers. Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion Brightening is definitely on top of my list with Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion Pore Perfecting coming in a close second!



These are just a few of my most wanted beauty items of the moment!

What are some of yours?

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

DHC Rose Beauty Gel Foundation Review

It's such a terrible shame we aren't privy to some of the DHC cosmetics that are offered in Japan. I spoke to you briefly about the DHC Rose Beauty Collection that was released some time ago in Japan and even reviewed the DHC Rose Beauty Shiny Color Base for you in a prior post.

Today I thought I'd haul out my DHC Rose Beauty Gel Foundation which I'm loving all over at the moment and give you a brief review!




Jump ahead for it!

As pretty and romantic as I found the DHC Rose Beauty Collection, I admit that many of the products were a fail with me including the base which turned out to be just another meh product. However, bless be that the DHC Rose Beauty Gel Foundation was such a winner for me.






Available for almost retail at Imomoko, DHC Rose Beauty Gel Foundation is a thick, creamy, heavily pigmented foundation that creates a beautiful flawless finish to skin. The foundation comes housed in a sweet little pink pot with a rose top and a spatula for spooning out the foundation (so your hands are digging around in the jar).










Although gel is in the name I wouldn't say it was gel-like in consistency. It's more of a heavy, moisturizing foundation. A little goes a very long way at prepping face for makeup. I'd say the coverage is medium but can be pressed to full coverage if you layer it well. It covers flaws, minor imperfections, dullness, and uneven skin tone quite well with a nice dewy finish. I don't know if I'd recommend this for oily skin as it's quite heavy and moisturizing. Dry skin and possibly combination skin types should be in heaven with the blend (particularly those with dry skin). The foundation applies beautifully well without oxidizing on the skin after a few hours of wear. My foundation is known for oxidizing but this stays true and wears well for at least 5-6 hours.

I ended up with the lightest shade, I believe there are three shades total. I should have gotten the middle shade as the lighter of the three is just a bit too porcelain but after I have my full makeup on it looks quite nice. Possibly the only thing I'd change about the foundation is the size. It's rather huge for the price and I worry I won't get through it before it goes bad as that's a whole LOT of foundation especially considering it's quite pigmented so a drop is all you need.






Overall, I'd say DHC Gel Foundation is a winner! Quite nice but I believe it's LE which is rather sad as it's a great product.

Nice one!

Loves it!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Beauty News: Stila Pulls Out Of Japan

We were discussing Stila's demise in Europe and Asia a few weeks ago and it's finally confirmed that Stila is now out of Japan as well!

My good friend Iris reports that Stila will be completely pulled from Japan by the end of August. I'm shocked to hear this as Stila does very well in Asian countries. It's quite sad!

The good news is Stila is working on gaining ground again in the cosmetic world so just be patient and I'm sure you'll see Stila back in your country again soon!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Beauty News: Lancôme Pout-à-Porter Lipstick Collection is Back

Lancôme Pout-à-Porter Lipstick Collection is Back! It's rather thrilling to hear this as I was one of those dopes that missed these shades. The last collection featured collaborations with celebrated designers such as Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som and Thakoon.

All four of the lipsticks sold out and Proenza Pink Lipstick even sold on evil bay for $122.50. That was probably the one I was bidding on!

Jump for more beauty news on Lancome Pout-a-Porter's return!

For Spring 2010 Lancome is collaborating with emerging designer Chris Benz. The newest shade in the Pout-a-Porter Lipstick will be inspired by Chris Benz's Spring 2010 Collection and will be worn on the models at his show in September during Fashion Week.

Lancome is doing a lipstick naming contest to name the new shade. Winners will receive five of the lipsticks plus a $500 Lancome gift certificate. All you have to do is sign up for Chris' FaceBook Fan page and post a suggestion based on what you know about Chris and his fashion personality (Helpful Hint).

The deadline for submissions is July 12th. You can become a fan and start suggesting by visiting Chris' Facebook Fan Page.

Good luck!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Musings of the Day: MAC Colour Craft

Tis coming lovies!

Coming fast now! MAC Colour Craft releases July 9th (and is already released in a few places such as Singapore) with a big hooray from this Muse. The collection looks astounding and I'm wanting much of it!


Which brings me to today's Musings! What are you wanting to haul from MAC Colour Craft?

Tell it and jump ahead for my lems!

Let's see...I want alot but not too much....if it was up to me I'd haul it all but I'm trying to be good!

What my haul will probably include:

MAC Mineralized Blushes

• Improvise
• Hand-finish
• Style Demon

MAC MSF

• Sunny By Nature
• Cheeky Bronze
• Triple Fusion
• Smooth Merge
• Warm Blend

MAC Brushes

• 131

I think I'll skip on the shadows and not sure on the lipglosses and lipsticks. The shadows look pretty but I think they'd be a pain to apply as they are split into four shades in one tiny pan or maybe that's me feeling that way?

All in all it looks like plenty of beautiful items and I look forward to having a peek shortly!

How about you?

What are you haulin'?

Tell the Muse!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Light, Flawless Summer Foundation: Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Review

Have I told you lately how much I hate silicon? Ugh! The primer world is taken over with silicon bases and now suddenly foundations are popping up left and right with a silicon base. No please, no! I truly hate silicon in my face products. It feels terrible on my face and on a rare occasion I've been to known to break out because of it.


That's why I was ever so shocked when I got my hands on Giorgio Armani Face Fabric a few months ago and fell in love!

With it's base of silicon I was sure I'd hate the feel of Giorgio Armani Face Fabric but turns out I love it, especially now that the weather is warmer!




If you like your foundation extremely light, subtle, sheer, and flawless you should indulge in a tube of this. The foundation is a unique silicone based formula that's neither oily, sticky, or uncomfortable to wear. I normally feel like I'm wearing a mask when I indulge in silicon based primers or foundations but this gives my skin plenty of breathing room with very light coverage.

The product is ideal for mattifying as I can get good continuous wear out of it for about 7 hours without having to blot or reapply. The finish is dewy and evens out skin tone creating a brilliant canvas for makeup. It is advertised as a "tint" so it can't be called a foundation however it feels like a cross between a primer, foundation, and a tinted moisturizer all in one to me.




I'd recommend this if you like lighter coverage in the warmer weather. It's particularly fantastic at holding in for longer periods at a time where as many tinted moisturizers and foundations melt away quickly in warmer weather. It looks so natural and pretty on that it's perfect for a natural, fresher makeup look. The product contains an SPF of 12 so you'll want to add a bit of your own sunblock for extra protection.

All in all Giorgio Armani Face Fabric is one of my must have makeup items for the Summer. Muse Approved for purchased for sure!



Who might like it?

• Anyone who wants a lighter foundation product for Summer.
• Those who want a long wearing tint that evens out skin tone and creates a fresh, natural finish.
• Anyone who likes their makeup simple and fresh.

Anyone a lover?

Tell the Muse about your experiences with Face Fabric!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Hot Summer Fragrance: Summer by Kenzo Eau de Parfume Review

Bring a little touch of sun to your fragrance with Summer by Kenzo Eau de Parfume. With notes of bergamot and citron this fragrance will surely please for daytime wear all through the Summer heat!

Jump ahead to hear the review!

The Muse finds many of Kenzo's blends a bit overly floral and quite powerful. My sister is a huge lover of all of Kenzo's blends and can't rave them enough however for myself some are a tad too strong. However, I recently found love with one of the Kenzo Eau de Fleur fragrances and now with Summer by Kenzo.




With a burst of warm, slightly sweet floral Summer by Kenzo is a sultry fragrance that captures the spirit of the season. Notes include bergamot and citron with a warm powder dry down and touches of amber, almond milk and mimosa. Summer by Kenzo is a complex warm blend that's sure to bring a touch of warmth to your Summer fragrance regime. The golden lines of it's leaf-shaped bottle is a sunny piece elegance for your vanity.

Capture the warmth and sizzle of the season with Summer By Kenzo, one of my favorite blends for Summer so far!

Worthy of a sniff!

Anyone try?

Loves it?

Tell the Muse!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Beauty Discovery: Phoenix Cosmetics

I just discovered Phoenix Cosmetics today. Never heard of the brand prior to this but it looks promising!

Jump for it!

At 21 years old Phoenix Renata has done what many of us dream about doing, she created her own cosmetic range and owns two boutique stores in Auckland.

Although the line is not incredibly extensive what I did see looked promising. Packaging wise it's very standard but products seem pigmented and if Phoenix's makeup is anything to go by (above photo) I could get on board with such a fresh, fun look.

One item in particular that caught my eye was the Phoenix Cosmetics Pixie Shimmer Powder available in 7 shades looks like it will make a rather nice blusher!

Although not available globally, Phoenix promises that it could happen soon according to her interview at Mind Food. I'm waiting when it does...!

Image Source

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

This or That: Cheap Cosmetic Alternatives

Check out a few ways to save a buck with some cheaper cosmetic alternatives!

Your wallet will thank you.

Check 'em after the jump!


You could indulge in a gorgeous tube of Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy Body Shimmer Lotion for $28 bucks.

Or you can cheap it up a bit by buying an inexpensive large body lotion at your local drugstore and mixing it with a little bit of Ben Nye Lumiere Luxe Loose Powder. Total cost, around $14 bucks or less.

You could indulge in the new Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick for $22


Or you can cheap it up a bit and get a $6 buck Avon Ideal Shade Concealer Stick!



$24 bucks gets you a 5oz bottle of Shu Depsea Water Facial Mist....


$12 bucks snags you a 6.3oz bottle of C.O. Bigelow Vitamin Boost Mist....you do the math!


By Terry Baume de Rose is so luscious but $60 could prove too much to indulge for some!



Try Smith's Rosebud Salve for $6 bucks and save yourself $54 bucks!

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Beauty Babblings: Sephora France Shampooing Shampoo

Ha and you thought that Sephora US had some stupid offerings! Check out Sephora France's Shampooing Shampoo.

It's a shampooing shampoo which basically means it's a shampoo you can shampoo with. Cool right?

Um clearance rack anyone?

Jump for it!

Available in 14 scents this is a mild shampoo from Sephora France.

Ok, ok I admit that I'm eager to start shampooing my hair with shampoo that has scents like Chocolate Praline and Vanilla Creme Brulee. Maybe Sephora France does have the upper hand here.

Want it?

Can't have it, exclusive to Sephora France sadly.

No worries maybe the shampooing craze will catch on and Sephora US will start carrying these and we can all indulge when they hit the clearance rack for a buck.

Likey!

What do you think about Sephora releasing shampoos?

Yay or Nay?

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Beauty News: Crabtree & Evelyn Files Files For Bankruptcy

Crabtree & Evelyn filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday making it the latest to succumb to the poor economy.

Read ahead for the details!

The company currently operates 126 stores in 24 states and employs around 950 people. Although they are filing bankruptcy they are not going completely out of business but will be reorganizing the way they do business which will include closing several stores.

Crabtree & Evelyn is a specialty shop and with larger offerings from stores such as Bath and Body Works offering items at a cheap price it must be difficult to keep business up. I'm saddened to hear this news and have hopes with time the company will prosper once again.

Source

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

Beauty Most Unusual: Horny Remover

The Muse has confessed on occasion her elbows do indeed get dry and rough however she's unsure if she's up for removing that roughness with a...horny remover?

This simple tool will get rid of all that horny on your elbows. Ah the joys of Asian beauty tools!


Possibly multitasking for the hub or the boyfriend on nights you have a headache...."here honey use the horny remover!" See? Relationship help and a beauty tool all in one wonder!


Source

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!

As Seen By the Muse: Honey Lee At A Neutrogena Fan Signing

Good morning lovies!

How was everyone's weekend? Hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend and got in plenty of good times in.

To start the morning off right how about a sighting of Honey Lee as seen by the Muse. The former Miss Korea was recently spotted at a promotional fan signing to promote Neutrogena's newest sun block. Honey Lee is the Neutrogena Spokeswoman in Korea.

Jump ahead for the pics!

She's looking incredibly flawless and beautiful! Look at that skin!




Source

• Click here to view more photos and read the rest of the review!