My post on Korean brands was very popular and it inspired me to do more posts about brands that can be found abroad!
I thought I’d branch out and do a few posts like this and will be bringing you a few brands from all around the world that might interest you!
Here at Musings I have quite a range of readers from all over the world so why not do a bit of a spotlight on different brands found in different countries!
I find these posts particularly enjoyable and I think that you as a reader might as well! Being overly exposed to many brands here in the US I get tired of seeing the same things over and over again and being the cosmetic junkie I am I love the thrill of a new brand that’s unattainable here in the US.
Today I thought I’d focus on Indonesian Cosmetic Brands. Indonesia has the standard line of cosmetics that you can pretty much find here in the US but they also have a few interesting brands that I’ve been privy too and find interesting one of which is PAC Beauty.
PAC Beauty is a lovely brand that has a wide selection of interesting colors and products to choose from!
The Spring release entitled Glitz and Gold looks particularly interesting!
The selection available is vast but it holds little appeal to me due to it’s rather boring packaging although the eyeshadow stackables are interesting enough and similar in style to MAC pigments only smaller in size!
Stackable Loose Eyeshadows
Some color selections available in the loose shadow catalog!
Lip Rouge
Lipglosses
Eyeshadow Palettes
Makeup Artist Kit
Out of the entire line what I enjoyed most is the adverts and interesting face charts they have created using the color combos available in there catalog! I actually find the advertisement for the collection much more attractive and appealing then I do the actually cosmetics. Again this could be do to packaging but it looks a tad on the cheap side however if I can create some of the looks below I’d say it’s well worth my hard earned cash!
A particular favorite advert of mine! I love the contrast of the black and white photo and beautiful green shadow on her eyes!
The goddess series adverts are amazingly well done as well! There are four total rotating and each is more dramatic then the last!
I’ve never tried anything in the line aside from two loose eyeshadows which were both highly pigmented aside from that I’ve never been curious enough to dive into anything else they offer! Although the advertising is beautiful, packaging always sells the cosmetic to me and this sadly fails in that department!
Sariayu is another brand available within Indonesia. Sadly, the brand is also equally as boring packaging wise as Pac Beauty although they do incorporate some fun colors into the packaging!
Sariayu carries a range of cosmetics as well as haircare, skin and body care, and herbal supplements which translates as it’s your one stop shop for beautifying your entire self inside and out!
Although the line has a wide range of colors available the product list is small and only includes some lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadow, and blush for the point makeup. This basically consists of very simple eyeshadow palettes and nothing too elaborate.
Lipsticks
Eyeshadow Palette
Blush Palette
Even though the packaging fails to wow me it deserves to be mentioned that the shades are very flattering and in complimenting with the modern Indonesian girl’s coloring and skintone in mind! For example see below adverts from the past and how gorgeous the cosmetics look on the models skintone and type!
These particular adverts are about 10 years old but notice the beautiful juicy red lips and lovely greens and golds that compliment the look of the model perfectly! I truly love these looks and wish I could pull off a similar style!
All and all I don’t particularly like the style of packaging and feel it needs a bit of a revamp however the line is interesting if nothing else!
Finally last on my hit list for Indonesia is Caring Colours. Caring Colours is really a tiny line as far as I know (do correct me if I’m wrong). They carry the typical point and base makeup products but the colors combinations are nothing wow aspiring and the catalog is very basic with little frills!
Blush Compact
I do love the eyeshadow trios available though as they come in some wonderful color combos that compliment each shade in the palette perfectly!
Caring Colours Eyeshadow Trio
Indonesia has the promise of some interesting brand but fails the Muse with it’s poor packaging options!
However, the uniqueness and different products carried throughout each line definately holds some appeal!
Indonesia carries standard drugstore brands as well such as L’oreal, Revlon, Etc..however the true promise lays in what is exclusively available to it’s country alone and these are some brands you might find in your local Indonesian drugstore!
Anyone from Indonesia?
Interested in these brands?
Curious to hear more Beauty Abroad posts?
Speak to the Muse!
You might have missed my post on Korean brands if so have a click over here to catch up and read all about it!
I’m debating with myself on ordering two DVD’s so I thought I’d ask you lovely ladies to see if you’ve seen them yet.
First one is Virgin Snow.
I heart Lee Jun Ki in a major way. He’s so bloody cute and all that emo crying in My Girl just makes me want him more! I really should feel like biatch slapping him after all that sniffling but it just made me sit there with a box of tissues while yelling at the telly screen “Pick me damnit! Pick me!”
I admit the fact that the cover art displays his hair all chopped off is slightly turning me off but he did look kinda sorta hot with it cut short in Time Between Dog and Wolf BUT even though it was short it still had the fem edge too it. Seriously obviously Lee Jun Ki is hot because he got a major bish?nen vibe going on. Don’t even deny you don’t think he’s hot because of that! I’ll call your lie out if you do!
The Muse no likey short hair!
Ahhh much better! The Muse likey alot! Why oh why did he chop it all off?
Anyway!
Who’s seen Virgin Snow? And is it worth buying?
Second on my list is Country Princess.
Obvious reasons why I want this. Shin Sung Woo.
But I dunno I’m not so into the story line!? Seems to typically K-Drama for me.
Anyone see it?
Comment box is open! I could sure use the recommendations as I don’t wanna splurge out $70 for a new K-Drama that’s going to put me to sleep and as for Virgin Snow it’s not so expensive but I’m in high debate if I want it. I could always turn the volume off and just stare at the screen drooling but then it’d cost me $20 to do that!
So give me recs!
Thank ye!
The Muse loves you with all her heart!
PS JUST THESE TWO! Please don’t hang out in my comment box being evil and recommending me K-Drama’s left and right otherwise I won’t likes you any more! You know how I am when it comes to this stuff and if you start rec’ing me titles I’m going to end up with a cart full of 24 episode Korean Dramas! Be nice to the Muse she hasn’t even watched the last one’s you recommended her!
I’m kidding of course I love when you guys rec me stuff but be gentle as I’m picturing the comments flying now about what I should or shouldn’t be watching and my cart getting bigger and bigger and bigger as I trust your opinions on this serious, serious matter hehe!
Visee doesn’t get nearly enough love on my blog. It’s one of my very favorite brands from Kose and available within Japan only sadly!
I’ll be reviewing Visee Spring Collection shortly but today I’m doing a review on my favorite product offered from Visee which is the Aqua Shining Cream Eyeshadow.
If you read my blog often enough you’ve come to realize how much I detest cream shadows with a passion however Visee Aqua Shining Eyes is a favorite cream shadow of mine and it gets my highest seal of approval!
PK 801
BL 901
These come in a beautiful array of colors which is a key selling point for me! They also pack an extreme bit of sparkle and shimmer which, as you know, the Muse adores.
PU 100
PK 800
These blend beautifully! Three little dots on your lid and a quick swipe of your finger and you’ll have beautiful sparkling eyes!
Pigmentation is excellent and the formula is so good that the color lasts all day!
A key selling point on these for me is the sparkle and shimmer I’ve never run across a cream shadow that packed so much beautiful glitter!
WT 001
One con is the price and the size of the product. Although you need very little of the shadow to get a beautiful eye look the size of the tube seems uber small and it feels like not alot of product is inside for the price of 1,890 yen per a shadow.
GR 700
BL 900
Aside from that very minor rant Aqua Shining Eyes are definately a go for me and I adore them and can’t help but recommend them to you!
GD002
BE 301
BE 300
They are definately worth trying out for yourself! If you’re a big fan of creams these will surely appeal!
GY 003
Visee’s Aqua Shining Eyes are most definately Muse Approved for purchase!
The Muse sporting Visee Aqua Shining Eyes in GD 002 (Click for more pictures of this color!)
Have these?
Love ‘em?
Tell the Muse!
Click here to check out my MuseTV video that features a spotlight of Visee Cosmetics!
Click here to read about the Visee Spring Collection which I’ll be reviewing shortly!
I could have predicted that the Smashbox Tokidoki Collection would someday end up on clearance. It deserves to be mentioned that the Muse happens to love Tokidoki and indulged in the collection when it popped up last year however after trying it out all of it went back save the all over powder blush and brush! It was utter and complete rubbish! A really great waste of cash!
However, if you happen to lem it you can nab it now on sale from Smashbox and a few other bits and bobs are available to satisfy your need for savings!
Tokidoki Lipgloss $13.50 USD
Tokodoki Eyeshadow Quads $22.50 USD
Vanity Brush Set $112 USD (Did I mention this is on my Wish List?)
Smokebox Palette $28.50 USD
And much, much more available at the Smashbox website! Click on over!
I think it’s about time that Majolica Marjorca Mascara had a review of it’s own don’t you? I get tons and tons and tons of questions, e-mails, comments, and general chitter about MJ (MJ is just short for Majolica Marjorca) mascara daily. Readers ask me about it constantly and I’m here to finally give a proper review of it because it’s my personal choice for favorite mascara! I use many different mascaras but MJ remains forever after my favorite mascara! I recommend this as if I have an endorsement plan with Shiseido!
I wish I could say MJ was readily available at your local drugstore but, sadly, it’s not. MJ entire line is exclusive to Japan however the Muse highly recommends searching the internet and scoring yourself some because MJ’s mascara comes with my highest seal of approval!
I haven’t run across a mascara better then the Majolica Majorca’s Lash Expander or as I deemed it Lash Extender. The name changes all the time as new versions are released but always, aside from small differences, the formula remains the same great mascara.
Each Season a new version is released of this fine Mascara and each Season it gets better and better and better.
There are two versions available of the mascara one of which is what I personally prefer using. That version is the Majolica Majorca Lash Expander. The other version is the Lash Enamel Glamour.
Hmmm so what’s the difference anyway?
Lash Enamel Glamour promises volume where as Lash Expander lengthens.
I find that Majolica Majorca’s Lash Enamel Glamour does a crummy job with volume and extending lashes. For me the formula feels different compared to the expander. Whenever I use it my lashes clump, appear spiky, and my overall look is normally ruined! Thus I’m not a fan or supporter of Lash Enamel!
However, The Lash Expander is a different story altogether. Each versions promises new lengths for your lashes which always makes me giggle but it’s all rather true sort of. The versions keep going higher and higher with the lengths you can achieve on your lashes. 10x’s, 20x’s, etc…etc…
Honestly, the claims are somewhat true. You can lengthen your lashes a whole hell of alot using this. My lashes are full already but this makes them look amazingly longer, fuller, and beautiful! Almost as if I am sporting falsies however the look remains much more natural!
The formula doesn’t smudge, flake, or cause general raccoon eye drama! It lasts all day and into the night (Yes, it’s waterproof!)! It keeps curl beautifully in my opinion and my lashes don’t feel heavy when on! The newest edition actually has some sort of conditioning oils in the formula which makes my lashes feel very soft.
I can’t rave enough about this. It’s honestly the best mascara I’ve come across and believe you me I’ve tried plenty. The applicator is a comb style which enables you to comb on the mascara. Yes, this might be scary to a few of you and some that just hate applicators like this but for me it does an amazing job of combing out my lashes, lengthening, and keeping the curl all day! I feel like the comb works well at disturbing the product and brushing it on and I believe it’s completely responsible for the building up the length of your lashes.
Last Fall MJ introduced a primer to go along with it’s mascara. I wasn’t particularly thrilled with the primer as it had way too many fibers and it didn’t appear to do much. In all honestly I don’t feel like I need to prime when using MJ mascara as it does the job well enough minus primer. I felt like the release of the primer was somewhat useless and turns out, for me, it is. I don’t like fiber mascaras in all honesty and I felt like the primer was fiber rich which caused me to feel like I had little hairs in my eye or something. It deserves to be mentioned that although MJ mascara is advertised as a fiber mascara at times it does not contain fibers that I’ve noticed in the formula! The formula quite reminds me of black ink! It has the exact same texture ink would! Sounds weird I know but I promise it works amazingly well!
Majolica Majorca Lash Base
As I had mentioned earlier each Season MJ releases a new formula of the mascara. Some Seasons the releases are colored or glittery. Last Summer they released a blue version of the mascara which got a total rave from me! And this Christmas they released a silver glittery overcoat which got another HOORAY! from the Muse!
Majolica Majorca Glitter Topcoat
Majolica Majorca Blue Mascara
The Early Summer release brings us a new and exciting color! I’m very eager to lay my hands on the new mascara as it’s being released in a very beautiful burnt orange color!
No matter the formula or the color Majolica Majorca definately gets a Muse Seal of Approval for purchase!
I should start off this review by saying I HATE NUDES!
Now that I’ve ranted a bit allow me to rave. I’ve been somewhat curious about Mally Beauty lately. I’ve only tried a few of her items and after being wow’ed by her neat little concealer last week I’m happy to report that I was able to test drive a few of her kits this week, the first of which I’m about to review for you.
This morning I was doing a very calm, neutral look. Yes, it’s April Fools Day and No, I’m not kidding around I really did a nude, natural look this morning, honest. Well, as nude as the Muse goes in terms of cosmetics.
First of all I should say how cute is Mally? I find her fascinating to watch on QVC. She’s so excited about cosmetics and passionate about what she does. Dontcha love that? I really dig her voice too for some reason!
Is she cute or what?
My review today is about the CityChick Nude Kit which comes in an ultra cute pink case! I love pretty things and this is most definately pretty. The kit comes with this uber cute metallic pink case that houses a gloss and a dual end liner pencil. The kit retails for $22.80 USD on QVC.com (Item Number A73014). The price is right as the quality is excellent. It evens out to about $11.40 USD per an item not including the bag which is seriously not a bad deal at all in my humble opinion. The kit is available in two shades which are nude deep and nude light. I tested out nude deep. As I said in the beginning of this review I hate nudes. I’m already sporting a very full face and I feel like nudes make my face appear even rounder however I’m happy to report that this actually worked well for me and I actually felt kind of sexy with the lip I created using this little kit! My lips looked very full and juicy after using it as well and mind you it’s NOT a plumping gloss!
The gloss itself is a very intense liquid formula that really packs a punch. The formula is very thick but that doesn’t make it tacky or sticky. It feels very natural on and gives you a feeling of not even wearing gloss at all! The Muse likey that! The color is a cross between nude, beige, and a bit of brown thrown in. Not very exciting but once it’s on WAHOOOO very sexy! It also happens to come with a brush applicator which the Muse Approves of in a major way as I hate sponge applicators for glosses!
The dual end liner is very, very interesting! One side sports a primer while the other side has a natural almost berry chocolate colored liner. Now the primer I was wary of at first. I don’t normally prime my lips but I decided to get the full experience and try this out. I’m really excited about the primer simply because it does exactly what it’s supposed to do and more! The primer offers full coverage of your lips and intensifies the gloss by 100%! It’s very melty so you have to be careful with how much you use and how you use it. The packaging suggests sticking it in the fridge for a bit to harden. It offers more coverage then normal foundation or even MAC lip primer for that matter. It really, really does a super job of nuding out your lips completely and making your gloss or lipstick intensify in color! I used this with the included gloss and also with a lipstick but I felt like it worked better with my lipstick then with the gloss! It really made my lipstick pop and it’s turned me on to priming my lips as it’s not a normal practice of mine!
The liner is a beautiful shade of chocolate with a hint of berry to it and it compliments the nude shade of gloss beautifully. I don’t normally line my lips but again I wanted to go for the full experience when testing this so I lined up. I must say that it made my lips appear fuller by lining pre-gloss which was a curious feeling looking at myself. I felt like Angelina Jolie for a second there. Wide lips, full pout. So yum!
I actually love this kit. It’s sincerely an interesting little combo of goodies that creates a very interesting look! For me it’s a different look which may be why I’m loving it! I don’t normally veer away from my bold looks so this was definately an interesting experience!
The Muse sporting some kissable lips after using the Nude Lip Kit! All in all I’d say the CityChick Nude Lip Kit is Muse Approved for purchase. The Muse likey and thinks you will too!
I love when you guys rec me stuff but be gentle as I’m picturing the comments flying now about what I should or shouldn’t be watching and my cart getting bigger and bigger and bigger as I trust your opinions on this serious, serious matter hehe!
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