Posts From February 2008
My Bobbi Brown post on the new Pink Raspberry Collection got a few comments about colors so I thought I’d do another Bobbi FOTD today! You can read more of my review on this collection by clicking here if you missed it!
Super simple one as I was rushed yet again today! I LOVE LOVE Bobbi Brown Rouge in Raspberry! When I’m in the sun for a short period a time, prior to browning up like a sausage, I tend to get a highlight of yummie pink on each of my cheekbones and this mimics that to a tee without the gross “tan”, “bronze” look I get when I’m outside too long minus sunblock!
And anything bad I ever said about the lip crayons I totally take back! They give my lips such pop plus they taste like peppermint! Rock on!
I used one of the single eyeshadows from Maquillage. For some reason there has been a frenzy for Maquillage lately hehe! So I thought I’d display some of the shadows in action! They are silky and lovely but a bit sheer but definately lovely if you like a less bold look!
What I used:
Face
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips and Cheeks in Raspberry
Eyes
KATE Gel Mascara Spring Edition (Click here for my review)
Victoria’s Secret Sexy Little Things Please Dazzle Me Mascara Glitter Topcoat in Pink Platinum
KATE Gel Liner in Metallic Gold
Maquillage Eyeshadow in PK222
Lips
Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon in Wild Raspberry
Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicon
Of course I couldn’t wait to long before digging into GR741 from MJ’s Spring Collection! You can read my review of the Collection by clicking here if you missed it!
Sadly I rushed while doing this morning and I mucked it up badly 
However, I think it deserves a re-mention that GR741 is probably the most pigmented Majolook palette I have ever come across and it’s quickly becoming a fav for me!
This should definately be in your Spring shopping cart! It’s worth picking up before it disappears for good!
What I Used:
Eyes
Majolook Trick On Palette in GR741
Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Neo Mascara (aka MJ Lash Extender)
Lips
Stila Lipglaze in Raspberry
Face
Jill Stuart Blush in Aurora Rose
This is probably my most exciting entry to date in my Japanese Spring Collection review! It’s the Majolica Majorca Spring Collection for 2008 and boy am I excited to tell you about it!
I’ve noticed I have quite a few new readers lately so I’ll briefly explain that MJ (or MM to some folk) aka Majolica Majorca is a smaller branch of Shiseido. It’s an inexpensive brand that can be found in drugstores in Japan. Although it originates in Japan it does find it’s way across the board into China, Taiwan, Singapore, Etc…..although sadly never the US.
The Spring Collection brings us three new palettes that are entitled Majolook Trick On Palettes. The palettes are a bit different from the standard Majolook Palettes and are quite interesting to say the least.
Where as the regular Majolook palettes come with a combination of powder eyeshadow and cream liner or powder eyeshadow and cream highlighter these palettes are a quad of powder shadows minus the cream liner or cream highlighter.
The palette is actually broken down as follows:
2 Powder Eyeshadows
1 Powder Eyeliner (Can be used as an eyeshadow as well if you’re inclined)
1 “Trick” On Powder
The Trick On powder is an interesting texture in comparison to the other shadows in the palette. It’s a light shimmering powder that can used as a highlighter or on top of the darkest eyeshadow shade. It’s a lighter formula when compared to the other shadows in the palette. I used it as a highbrow highlighter and in the inner corner of my eyes for a bit of pop!
Of the three palettes introduced only GR741 (The aqua variation) is limited edition. All of the shades are definately worth picking up in my humble opinion as you can create some rather beautiful looks using these.
As I’ve said in previous posts these aren’t super duper pigmented however with a bit of work you can create beautiful eye looks with them. This morning I used the GR741 and I created a rather nice look that I’ll be uploading later today! It’s probably the most pigmented Majolook palette I own! The deep greenish aqua shade is gorgeous and very beautiful! It’s definately my favorite of the three released and if you get nothing else this is well worth your cash if you love bold shades of eyeshadow!
GR741
As you can see GR741 is beautiful! Starting from the bottom left hand side is the highlighter color in a soft iridescent baby blue color, next to that is the deep aqua green liner, above that is the cream colored “Trick On” color, and next to that the base color in a lighter beautiful greenish aqua color! I created a rushed look with this today and it came out ok but I’m looking forward to taking my time next run with it and seeing what I can create! As I said above it’s quite possibly the most pigmented Majolook palette I own!
PK740
This is my 2nd favorite color combination of the three palettes released. It contains a beautiful array of browns and pinks which I find I really love lately! Starting at the left hand side we have a beautiful cream color sparkle to use as a highlighter, next to that a lovely chocolate liner, on top of that the “Trick On” powder is a shimmering bluish white, and next to that the main base color is a lovely pink!
BR742
Out of all three palettes, BR742 is the one I liked the least but it does have some redeeming factors. The browns and greens are surprisely reminding me of Spring. Starting at the bottom left hand side we have iridescent bluish white shade, next to that a really deep dark brown, on top of that an iridescent pale green, and next to that a beige brown! Even though it’s not my favorite I definately see the potential to create a rather nice greenish look for Spring with this palette!
A new lash extender was released with the Collection and I’m sure as you already know from reading my past posts I’m a big lover and supporter of MJ Mascara. This particular release is rather good and I’m glad I didn’t pass on it. It feels very natural on and doesn’t make my lashes stiff at all.
It feels like I have some sort of Lash Conditioner on and the formula is very interesting in comparison to past releases for that reason! According to Iris at Rouge Deluxe the new formula contains “gloss oil” which in my humblest opinion can definately be felt when it’s on. I found this a very interesting release as it’ll be beautifully light during the Spring and Summer! Who wants stiff, dark lashes in warmer months right? Something light and natural is perfect and this new formula definately accomplishes that! A hearty rave for this! And of course as with all releases it’s long wearing and smudge proof!
The other items released in the collection that I skipped on were Honey Balm Swirl Lipglosses. These weren’t so appealing to me as I already own some of the Honey Plump Balms.
The Majolook palettes are 1575 yen each and the new Lash Extender is 1260 yen. Sadly expect to pay a huge jack in price if you’re shopping non-retail. A few shops have jacked the price up considerably. Although it deserves to be sad the palettes are worth the price increase!
Overall, the new Spring Collection from MJ most definately gets a YAY from me and a Muse Approved sticker!
Maybe I’m bias and just a lover of MJ in general but this is most definately a favorite for me this Spring!
Want it?
Have it already?
Loving it?
Speak to the Muse!
Watch some MuseTV featuring a Spotlight on MJ! Click!
Click here to read about the MJ Website update for Spring!
Click here to see my impressions and review of the MJ Holiday Collection!
Happy Reading!
Demeter is busy getting ready for Valentine’s Day it appears! They’ve released three new Cologne Sprays inspired by Sweettarts Candy!
Each 1oz bottle is $20 USD each and the scents are available in body lotion, shower gel, etc…if you’re wanting to layer!
As cute as these are I doubt I’ll be indulging! Descriptions for the scents was taken from the Demeter website.
Call Me
An unusual combination of lemon zest, jasmine, honeysuckle, water lotus and white rose, this scent is simply irresistible to anyone who comes in contact with it.
Love Me
The most delicate of the Necco Sweethearts, this is a transparent and light fruity floral containing orange, lemon, bergamot, peach, white rose, ylang, subtle skin musk and soft vanilla, to be shared, but only up close and personal.
Be My Valentine
A unique, sparkling scent with peach skin, strawberry leaf, caramelized sugar and ylang ylang that captures the magic of Valentine’s Day itself in a bottle, all year around.
I’ve found myself deeply in lust with Stila Lipglaze lately so when I came across a trio for $20 at Ulta I knew they’d soon end up in my cart!
You seriously can’t go wrong for $20 bucks! Three lipglazes in various shades of gorgeous! Two sets are available and you know the Muse wants both!
I find these pigmented enough to wear on their own or over lipstick plus they are less tacky then a MAC Lipglass!
Wish List anyone?
This thing scares me.
I’ve run across scrubs for my lips before but never a scrub that was disguised as a lipstick. Is it me or does it scare you too?
I’m imagining it’s quite like applying lipstick with a razor blade. Seriously who buys this? I get really chapped lips in the winter that are red and flaky but I haven’t reached the point of desperation that I’m reaching for my tube of “lip scrub”.
I’m just scared.
Someone hold me.
Another pointless product brought to you by the Muse!
As promised from yesterday’s post, an FOTD using some of the Glitter Collection goodies I got!
Click here for my original review on Ettusais Spring Collection!
What I Used:
Face
Jill Stuart Blush in Aurora Rose
Eyes
Awake Stardom Star Gloss Eyeshadow in 02 Topaz
Ettusais Glitter Eyeliner in Pink
Lips
Ettusais Swirl Lipgloss in Pink
I’ve never been entirely sure if Goldie is distributed by Bath and Body Works, or labeled and owned by Bath and Body Works.
The packaging is ultra cute and girlish and every single time I’m in Bath and Body Works I always wonder over to the display to look at the items they have.
For some odd reason or another I’ve never purchased any of it. Maybe I’ve been burned too many times with cute items that don’t work which accounts for me not shelling out the bucks for some of the goods!
I’ve no idea really why it’s never ended up in my cart. Even during the semi-annual when they are giving stuff away for practically free none of the Goldie line makes it’s way into my cart!
Anyway!
The moral of today’s story is Goldie has some rather cute exclusive items out that are Disney themed! So if you happen to adore Tinkerbell or Alice and Wonderland you might want to check out some of Goldie’s new line at Bath and Body Works!
Some of the items are a bit too childish to appreciate but some are redeemable and usable if you fancy Disney!
I’ve no idea on the quality of these cosmetics but I think it’s safe to say it’s cute packaging alone minus good content. But I could be wrong! You never know! My prediction is they’ll end up on sale at the end of Spring or Summer for 2 for $5 or some other obscenely low price! Count the Muse a skeptic! Even cute can’t sway me sometimes!
The Tinkerbelle Collection consists of the following items:
Tinkerbell Beauty Box $25 USD (Includes 5 Lipcreams and 4 eyeshadows)
Tinkerbell Lip and Nail Kit $30 USD (Includes Makeup Bag, Lipgloss, and Nail Varnish)
Tinker Bell Shimmer Powder Box $22 USD
Tinkerbell Nail Varnish $8 USD (Available in 4 shades)
Tinker Bell Shimmering Lipgloss $10 USD (Available in 4 Shades)
The Alice in Wonderland Collection consists of:
Alice in Wonderland Tinited Lip Balm $12 USD (Available in 4 Shades)
Alice in Wonderland Lipgloss $10 USD (Available in 9 Shades)
Alice in Wonderland Lip Condition $15 USD (3 Shades Available)
Alice in Wonderland Vanity Face Palette $35 USD (Includes 20 items to make up face, lips, and eyes!)
Alice in Wonderland Nail Varnish $7 USD (7 Shades Available)
Alice in Wonderland Lip Palette $15 USD
What are your thoughts?
Love this Collection?
Want it?
Hit or Miss for you?
Tell the Muse!
Yay! It’s Monday! Who would think Monday would be so exciting right!? It’s exciting because I have some new goodies to show you as Japanese Spring Collection Week continues from last week!
This morning I wanted to show you Ettusais’s Glitter Princess Collection with an FOTD however the FOTD part is a bit late coming so I’ll upload it later today!
However, I can show you the small haul I got from this collection now!
A few other Spring Collections made a dent in my wallet but Ettusais Collection I sorta skipped on! As cute as it was I didn’t get too crazy in my selections and only ended up hauling two glosses and an eyeliner from the items that were released.
The collection consists of 5 Glitter Eyeliners and 3 Lipglosses, you can see my original post about the collection by clicking here.
The liner I got was the pink one. I decided on the pink because I truly don’t have too many pink liners in my collection and I thought it would look great with gold shadows and such. The other liners were tempting but I was trying to practice some sort of willpower as I purchased the entire lot of MJ Jeweling Eye Pencils this Fall and I was thinking to myself do I really need the entire 5 color selection of Ettusais Glitter Pencils? I think not. Best stick with one!
Yay for me keeping my word and getting only one!
The color is actually very nice and as predicted goes well with gold as I used it this morning to create a beautiful gold and pink look. The amount of glitter in the pencil is ok. Not really good or great but just ok. The pencil is at first a bit difficult to apply as the texture is hard but it warms up quick enough and slides on pretty well with minimal tugging. The liner color is a deep funky pink while the glitter within is silver.
In all honesty the color reminds me of a lipliner rather then an eyeliner pencil but it’s still a really cool color to have in my beauty arsenal!
Overall, it’s rather an inexpensive yet nice pencil at 1050 Yen (about $10 or less USD). You’re not blowing a whole lot of cash on it and it has some pretty good sparkle and color pay off. I’m just not sure I liked the texture though as it went on rather cakey but it is a nice color as I said and does have a good amount of sparkle to it!
I’d say skip it if you can’t get it retail! If you have the means of getting it at cost then pick up one or two colors to try it out for yourself!
The other two items that I ended up with were the pink and red lipglosses. These I’m very happy with aside from some minor ranting which I’ll get to shortly.
Each has a nice, healthy dose of shimmer to them and the applicator is your standard spatula style which I love as you can really load up on gloss with this style of applicator (gotta love the Japanese!).
The swirls in the gloss are actually not for design only. You have two styles of swirl in the gloss one of which is a pigmented lipshade. If the applicator happens to hit it you’ll get a nice tint of colors to your lips as well as gloss! The other swirl is a dose of glitter and again if the applicator happens to hit it you’ll get a bit of a silver tinge to the your lips when applied!
The formula is highly glossy, shiny, and very water based for a moisturizing, beautiful finish to your lips. If you love glosses that feel wet all day this be the gloss for you!
Minor rants.
The pretty swirls will get messed up after dipping in a few times with the applicator *sniff*! That stinks but what can you do?
And my biggest rant of all would be the lack of flavor to the gloss. Sigh. Why oh why don’t the Japanese flavor glosses? It’s rare I’ve run across a gloss that was flavored Japan side! Why!? I really miss the flavor but I guess it prevents me from chewing the gloss off! I’m sure I’ve ingested my fair share of gloss to last me this lifetime so I guess the lack of flavor is a good thing right?
The glosses are worth picking up if you have the means of getting them at retail which is 1575 yen (about $15 USD) if not I’d say they are safe to skip! As nice as they are paying jacked up costs for them isn’t worth it!
This mini collection form Ettusais is quite a nice selection of goodies but not one of the best I’ve run across this Spring so I’ll have to refrain from sticking a Muse Approval Seal on it!
Love this?
Have it?
Want it?
Speak to the Muse!
Kesalan Patharan website has been updated with the newest Spring Collection and it looks very promising which means I’ll definately be bugging friends to get me some of this!
The base creator looks very nice which consists of a Nuance Color, Highlight Color, Cheek Color, and Shading Color. Knowing me I’d just dip my entire fluff brush in it and just smooth it over my face to lighten and freshen up my look!
Two selections are available for the Base Creator which are the Orange and Pink. Both shades are LE and 4200 yen each.
Three lipglosses have been introduced as well which are LE and 2300 yen each. They all look super nice! The colors are very vibrant and bold! I’m loving these and particularly liking the darkest shade of pink.
Lipgloss Color Selections:
Other items available are new colors of the Facecolor N palettes in a brown and blue selection:
They also happened to update with some new brow powders and such but these don’t really hold much interest to me!
The real star of the show are the gorgeous, bold, vibrant glosses! At least for me these are definately appealing!
Overall, it’s a very nice set of goodies!
Want any of this for your very own?
Love it?
Tell the Muse!
Gransenbon has updated it’s site with a very tiny Spring Collection! From what I’ve seen they are only introducing three new colors in the Grand Eye Eyeshadow Palettes.
I don’t think these are LE so no use going crazy trying to locate them! Appears they may become part of the general catalog but sadly I’m not completely sure.
The new palettes are Apricot Chai, Lady Grace, and Mermaid Tiara.
To be honest I’m not jumping around in excitement as these look like palettes I already have in the series so I may safely skip!
For your viewing pleasure some of the Grand Eye Eyeshadow Palettes from my personal collection:
On your wish list?
Love ‘em?
Tell the Muse!
It’s sadly the end of the week and I have to bring a close to Japanese Spring Collection Week!
*sniff*
I wish I had more time on the weekend to update but I find I get too busy to blog during the weekends so you guys will have to wait until Monday for more goodies!
The wait will be worth it! I promise sweet treats for next week’s entries!
Sneak Peek for next week:
Majolica Majorca’s Spring Collection
KATE’s Spring Collection
Ablion Epirse Spring Collection
Ettusais Glitter Princess Collection (Click here for details)
And much, much more!
If you missed any of my posts this week here’s a break down of what I’ve covered so far:
Click here to see KATE’s New Gel Mascara Reviewed!
Click here to read about Lavshuca’s Spring Collection!
Click here to see the Kiss Chocolatier Spring Collection with an FOTD!
Click here to see Lavshuca’s new Noble On palettes in action!
Click here and here to see some of the new Magie Deco, Jill Stuart, and Lunasol Palettes from the Muse’s mate and reader, Betsy!
If you’d like to discuss any of these brands, have any questions, or anything else do post ‘em here! The Muse is all ears!
Guess what?
Sephora’s updated it’s site with it’s newest Spring Catalog!
The theme this year is “Beauty as Art” and I’m not particularly loving the cover art! However, model images on the inside definately look promising!
Sadly, the catalog for me is a disappointment which is no great surprise I guess. Most of what is featured we pretty much already know about and plus they have the standard stuff that they pimp constantly in the catalog like Benefit’s Bad Gal Mascara (Worst freaking mascara in the world!), Lash Injection (another loser!), and of course little bits of Sephora stuff is littered through (It’s their catalog so I guess they have to pimp some of their own line right?) like lipsticks, shadows, the brush selection etc…..
It’s a snore for me which is good news as I’ve dropped plenty on Japanese Spring Collections this Season so money saved!
Check out the catalog yourself by clicking here!
Loving the newest Catalog?
As bored and snored as the Muse?
See something you want?
Discuss!
Click here to enjoy my musings about the Sephora Holiday 2007 Collection!
Click here to read about the Sephora Summer Catalog from last year!
Click here to read about the Sephora Fall Catalog 2007!
Hey Guys!
One of my readers, Millie, asked very sweetly for a Tutorial using the Lavshuca Winter Make Palette in 01, which is the Berry Mix, and of course I’d be happy to do it for her (I’m flattered she asked!)!
I’m crap at Tutorials but I hope this helps somehow Millie!
Keep in mind Millie is Asian and sadly my eyes are nowhere (as you know they are rather large and buggy) near Asian in appearance so this might not be of help to some of you or Poor Millie for that matter!
This is really simple one but I think it has the potential to look very natural, elegant, and pretty!
One of the main colors in the palette is a very pale, light shade of pink and I find that the pink actually contrasts beautifully with the dark purplish liner in the palette. The funny thing about the liner is when it’s on your eye it reflects off of the rather washed out pink color and makes it appear a berry purple color.
Before I start the tutorial I thought I’d post the promo images so you can see the shadow in action on Puffy!
Our model on the left hand side is wearing the palette I’ll be using! The thing that I love about Lavshuca is that the models don’t appear heavily made up nor do they appear to be wearing something that isn’t in the palette that they are advertising. The look doesn’t appear to be too difficult to create or leave you with a feeling of how in the world can I create this using just this palette!
The only thing I did notice about the models is that they may be wearing a bit of a heavier liner on the lower and possibly the upper lash lines! Aside from that the colors are identical to what is in the palette!
I buy tons of cosmetics and I always see promo images with models wearing the makeup and it influences me to purchase a particular shade or palette and of course when I get home the colors never work together or I’m unable to recreate the same look as the model because obviously the colors weren’t used on the model or they photo shopped the hell out of the image! It deserves to be said this happens mostly with western brands I’ve noticed!
I babbled enough! On with the tutorial!
Here’s what I created using my Winter Make palette! I took two sets of photos, one set consists of me using only the lipcream and glitter top gloss on my lips. After I completed my look I just felt my lips weren’t “popping” enough so I added some Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicon on top! My face appears super duper white in the images! Apologies but the flash from my camera was reflecting off my shirt and giving me the look of a ghost!
What I Used:
Eyes:
Lavshuca Winter Make Palette in 01
Lips:
Lavshuca Winter Make Palette
Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicon
Face:
NARS Blush in Angelika
Without Gloss:
With Gloss:
Ok now that I’ve exhausted you with babblings and pictures I’ll get on with the tutorial!
I started by taking the lightest cream shade on the left hand side of the palette and worked it from my highbrow all the way to my crease. Use the applicator the palette came with! The sponge applicator is the perfect way to pack on the color and especially handy since the colors are so light! I need alot of the color but if you’re Asian one nice coat of the cream shade should do it, if not pick up more color and work it in.
After giving my highbrow and crease a wash of color with the cream I took the pink shade (middle color) and worked it onto my lid. I dipped about three times into the palette to build up the pink as it’s such a light color. Again, if you’re Asian you might not need as much as it might cake. My eyes dominate my face and I have ALOT of eye area to cover so three times is about the right amount for me.
Millie said she was having a difficult time with the liner palette and wondering if she should line her upper and lower line. I personally opped to line my lower lash line and as you can see the models also sport the liner on the bottom lash line however Millie had expressed she felt it looked weird on! You can always just use the pale pink on your lower lash line instead and it’ll brighten the look up!
In order to achieve the “smoke” of the look I drew a large line onto my eye using the last color in the palette. I proceeded to use a smudge eye brush (if you don’t have one just use a small eyeshadow brush) to blend the color into my lash line and “smoke” it out so to speak. I know from prior use that the purple black of the color looked a tad weird on my bottom lash line as well so before applying I take a bit of the pink and line with that and I proceed to take whatever remains on my applicator from my upper lining (don’t dip again you’ll have plenty on the applicator left over from prior application on your upper lashline) and line my lower eye! If you find that you don’t have enough of the color to line the lower lash line very lightly re-dip and proceed to line a bit more. Don’t over do it. It’s a very strange purple color so use a tiny bit and you’ll find you get just the look you want!
After that I used the lipcream, applied the glitter top gloss and done! I found that the color was too matte for me so I used a bit of gloss to spice it up!
And Bob’s your uncle! You’ve got a killer look using the Winter Make Tutorial!
I know I don’t have a ton of pics to accompany the tutorial but I did this prior to work this morning as I just got Millie’s comment this morning!
Hope it helps Millie!!!!!!!
Maybe you’ll send some pics so we can see what you create!
Hugs!
Click here to read my first impressions of the Lavshuca Winter Make Collection!
My obsession with Bobbi continues as I prepared for work this morning out came my gel liner and behold this is what I created:
The Muse used:
Eyes
Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Duh! (Clickie for my review)
Excel Mascara (Clickie some more for my review)
KATE Metallic Gel Liner in GD-1 (It’s part of the new Spring Collection and I promise you’ll hear me rave about it soon!)
Tiffa Wink Glitter Shadow Duo
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Polyester Bride
Face
Shu Uemura Blush in P Orange 58D
Lips
MAC Lipstick in Strapless
Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicon
BONUS Geeky Shots:
*Mwah*
Oooo!
I think this was the shot I was trying to hit that very difficult tenth note! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Whateverz!
Retake: Whateverssss!
OMGBBQWTF!!!!1111 (My geeks get it!)
I wish someone would pay me to be an idiot 
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