Musings of a Muse

It’s that special time of the year again kids!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

Wahoo!

That means you can head into your local Nordies starting July 18th to nab yourself some seriously awesome, unique beauty finds!

Over 100 brands are participating this year including MAC, NARS, Juicy Couture, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Philosophy, and many more!

These brands all offer up some Nordstrom Exclusive beauty finds that won’t be available elsewhere so it’s a perfect time to nab yourself a unique beauty find and some are even a Steal and a Deal!

Here’s some items that caught my eye that I might be indulging in this Thursday (you could have begun pre-booking these items as early as June 23rd but I normally like to wander into Nordies and see them for myself on the date of release!):

Bobbi Brown Cocoa Mauve Collection

A really fab collection of awesome Bobbi Brown finds can be found within the Cocoa Mauve Collection that is exclusive to Nordstrom. This kit is $65 USD and comes with a Travel Case, Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Cocoa Mauve Ink, Creamy Lip Color in Berry Mauve, Metallic Eye Shadow in Iced Mauve, and Blush in Sand Pink.

The total cost is a considerable discount from what you’d pay by purchasing each item separately as Bobbi Brown is far from inexpensive!

As you can see below the model is sporting the entire look and looking very posh! I particularly like this collection as the look created is very similar to what you can get using the Bobbi Brown Mauve Face palette I recently review. At $55 USD it’s a bit pricey for the palette so this is rather a nice deal at $65 USD where you get quite a good deal more to do a complete look including a gel liner!

This one is on my wish list!

Dior has released a special limited edition palette for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which is entitled Dior Gaucho. I’ve VERY tempted by this but I have so many Dior palettes in my beauty arsenal collecting dust it would be a shame to indulge my inner demon of need. However, I am tempted. The colors are simply yummie for the upcoming Fall and at $55 USD the price is not bad at all!

Dior Gaucho Palette

If you’re wanting the palette I’d highly recommend doing your ordering from Nordstrom as you can get a free deluxe sample of Dior Black Out Mascara with your $50 purchase!

Now here’s one we have all been waiting on! Nordstrom’s Exclusive MAC Collection entitled Color Forms! Don’t lie to your Muse and say you aren’t excited about this collection because I’ll call your bluff! Ok, ok maybe it’s not THAT exciting! I’m actually kinda sorta excited about it. I’m very interested in the eye palettes as they are a design we haven’t yet seen from MAC and I’m intrigued by the lipstick as well! And I do so admit that the piggies get me hyper enough to warrant the use of a paper bag to catch back my breath after have a mild case of hyperventilation. It’s definately unique and I’m positive I’ll score a few items from this release!

As always this is a great time to nab some killer deals on brushes! I’ve always raved about how fab the brush sets are and now is a good time as any to nab some fine brushes at 75% off the original prices. Yes, some people do rant that the mini size aren’t as great as the full size but the Muse says don’t listen! The smaller size is just as good as the full size plus it’ll only cost you about $10 USD per a brush in these kits! That’s a sweet steal and a deal in my opinion!

Spoiler:

The Muse says don’t feel too special when you pick up MAC Colour Forms for yourself. Although it’s advertised as a Nordstrom Exclusive it does make its way across the board and ends up in Singapore, Japan, and other locations outside of the US so definately don’t buy into the “exclusive” keyword with this collection.

I spy with my little eye a giant bottle of Philosophy Purity! My all time favorite size of Philosophy Purity is making it’s way to Nordstrom!

This little guy (I use the term little loosely) was only every available from QVC and sadly for the longest time it’s been MIA but now Nordstrom has gone and slapped an exclusive on it, jacked up the price by $10 USD or so dollars, and has made the Muse a happy Muse! I love this size. I go through gallons of this stuff anyway so why not grab the 32oz size! Hey, the economy isn’t doing so well right now why not indulge in a larger size cleanser right?

Philosophy Purity: The Massive Size

Wish list anyone?

Bare Escentuals never fails to make me gasp in absolute horror lately at it’s jacked up prices. But hey it’s the brand that I love to hate (price wise only of course). I love BE like I would a younger sibling, I like to talk down to it but that doesn’t mean I don’t care very deeply for it! Bare Escentuals In Fashion Nordstrom Exclusive is by far the most overpriced set I’ve seen to date from BE at $75 USD. I’m truly shocked. The price tag makes me cry out in pain however it doesn’t stop me from saying “ohhhhh look at the pretty colors” as drool drips from my mouth! The set looks quite breathtaking! This is an 8 piece set that includes Radiance All Over Face Color, Eye Shadow in Bahamas, Liner Shadow in Caviar, Blush in Escape, Lipcolor in Bavarian Cream, a Flawless Radiance Brush, Double Ended Precious Eye Brush, and a gorgeous clutch bag to store it all in!

Bare Escentuals In Fashion 8 Piece Set

Got $10 bucks? Nab a cool steal with the Evian Facial Water Spray Set! Get 1 Full Size Evian Facial Water Spray and a second mini travel size one for $10 USD!

Evian Facial Water Spray Set

The Muse likes the price! Definately on the wish list!

All in all I see some really great buys from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and plenty of ways to get more for less! I’ll be indulging this Thursday when all of these items hit stores (do check with your counter as they may already be available)!

Click on over and have a look at items that I didn’t mention in my post available during the sale!

Are you shopping for Nordies Exlusives?

What are you hoarding, hauling, and stashing away?

Excited about MAC?

Loving the Bobbi Brown set?

Wanting something I didn’t mention here?

Tell the Muse!

MAC New View is near and dear to my heart right now as I am absolutely adoring the MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Duo which contains a shimmering side and a matte side! Obviously, I don’t have to explain why I love this now do I?

A few people e-mailed and commented asking what brush should they use with the MSF and I thought I’d do a quickie post showing what I personally use with mine.

If you have a spare chunk of change I highly recommend purchasing the Limited Edition Brush that released with New View which is the 189 Face Brush. It’s a fabulously dense brush that’s perfect for picking up a light dusting of powder and apply in select locations on your face without giving you a chalky, powder, made up look! This brush is particularly good if you sculpt and contour your face. I’m seriously lemming it just for using with my powders to give me light, natural coverage. However, the 189 is $40 USD and although I have a funny feeling I’ll be heading to MAC very soon to indulge my whim for an expensive brush there are alternatives.

I’m currently using the 190SE which is a similiar brush in style to the 189 but is much softer, less dense, and flatter rather than rounder. It’s truly great for picking up a bit of powder and blending onto face for natural, flawless, even coverage. This brush is actually a foundation brush but I have a second one I do use for my foundation and this one I use for placing powder just where I want it. It gives me a sheer amount of product that I can build up with ease while not appearing as if I’m wearing two tons of powder. It fits my under eye contour perfectly as well and works particularly great with Laura Mercier’s Secret Brightening Powder (Which I’m kinda liking lately!).

This brush is particularly a great mention since MAC is introducing the Nordstrom Exclusive Colour Forms collection shortly and the Basic Brush Set for $49.50 USD contains 5 brushes including the 190SE! That evens out to $10 USD per a brush where as you’d spend $40 USD and upwards for the full you can nab the mini version for way less!

I also use the mini kabuki which is not available at the moment from MAC but if ye seek ye shall find it on E-bay for $10 USD or so. It’s a mini version of the full size that is released with MAC Sonic Chic and I actually prefer this size to the larger as I feel I have more control on how much product I pick up! It’s ideal for buffing MSF onto the skin and creating a perfect canvas for makeup! Although it doesn’t offer as light a coverage as the 190SE does it works well at building coverage up and covering flaws and larger pores.

Both brushes are great for use with your MSF in the Muse’s opinion! Do look out for the 190SE in the new brush packs and check out E-bay to grab yourself the mini kabuki! Both work fabulously in conjunction with your MSF to create flawless, even, beautiful skin!

What do you use with your MSF?

Tell the Muse!

Behold! Shu Uemura Brightening Cleansing Oil!

The power of Shu compels you! Or at least it compels me.

I want a cleansing oil that brightens my tired, dull skin! This brand new cleansing oil was developed to prepare skin for a radiant, translucent finish every time you use it! Holy cow I wants it now! Dullness and dark spots appear to vanish too! We all needs it now!

I’ve used whitening, brightening products before that haven’t totally worked however I think I trust Shu enough to do the job!

I’ll be definately adding this to my cart and reviewing soon! Click for further info on Shu’s new brightening cleansing oil!

Want it?

Tell the Muse!

Get your Shu on with some of my past reviews and posts!

Did you miss my review on Shu Uemura’s Fleur de Source Eyeshadow Palette? Click!

Shu Uemura wants your lashes to be pretty! Here’s how……

Shu Uemura’s Mini Lash Curler got the Muse Approval slapped on it! Read my review by clicking here!

Raves for Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine over here!

I indulged in Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara soon after blogging about it a few weeks ago and I’m just now getting a second to sit down and write about it. Ahh the busy life of a cosmetic junkie!

This is quite an interesting mascara but I’m not entirely sure if I’m smitten with it. At $16 USD it’s probably not the cheapest mascara in the world and if you think awful hard about it, as the Muse sometimes tends to use alot of brain power on cosmetics, it’s actually kind of pricey for a store brand. If you tack a few dollars on or even at the same price you can end up with a designer brand.

The applicator is the new style applicator that all drugstore mascaras are favoring lately. It’s plastic with small spiked ridges surrounding it. This alone put me off since I’ve had little success with this style of applicator however I was determined to love this and felt like the applicator was a tad chunkier than I’ve used prior to this so that alone would successfully make my lashes awesome.

Mmmm…not so much sadly.

It doesn’t clump thankfully however it doesn’t really offer major volume either. The formula is very good in that it doesn’t smudge or flake however I wasn’t really loving it all that much. It fattens my lashes up very nicely and I do get considerable length when using it.

I think I’m not in love with it simply because I feel like the applicator can be so much better. Although it does an ok job of application it’s also a tedious task applying as you have to do so very slowly or you’ll end up with a gob of black mascara on your lashes since the applicator picks up so much product. It also takes a few solid strokes to get it all evenly onto your lashes and of course if you’re not taking your time while applying you may end up with clumps that you’ll be combing out with a brush!

The applicator is virtually useless on lower lashes and fails at grabbing them at all. It does apply a smidge of a product to the lower lash line but not enough so again you’ll be wasting time on simple mascara application by reaching for another brand to do your lower lashes with.

After application I was pleased with the results as I did have a nice amount of volume plus my lashes appeared thicker. However, I’m not sure I’d recommend this for purchase. It’s a personal choice really and it may likely work for you if you like this style of applicator!

I wasn’t really thrilled with it. Head on into the store to check it out for yourself is my suggestion as I think actually seeing it in person may make or break the deal to buy it!

All in all the Muse has seen better!

Want this?

Tried it already?

Loved it?

Tell the Muse!

Budget your mascara purchases with my review on Maybelline’s Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara!

Read my ranty review on L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara!

Check out my ravings for the SpinLash that makes mascara application a unique experience!

Click here to read the hot mess of Bourjois Paris Volume Clubbing!

Remove and review all your mascara with Too Faced Lash Injection Antidote Makeup Remover!

Click here to read my review on the Majorca Majolica Summer Collection featuring Lash Heat Metallic Mascara!

I’m not sure if I should be relieved or disappointed that most of the Japanese Fall Collections are turning out to be a snore this year.

One collection in particular that’s a devastating disappointment is Lavshuca’s Fall Collection. Yet again Lavshuca decided to revamp it’s eye shadow palettes with an array of rather boring shades. I thought I had all I could take with the Lavshuca Noble On palettes released for Spring but now I have another weak assemble of strange duo shadow palettes to contend with.

I feel like Lavshuca is trying just a little too hard lately. The original palettes released were such a gorgeous array of shimmering shades that just worked but lately each new design and color releases seem to be rushed with little thought. The only redeeming collection from Lavshuca in a while now would be the Summer palettes which I will be reviewing shortly.

These shades just look strange to my eye and I’m debating with myself fiercely whether I should be indulging or not. Sometimes cosmetics remind me of a great author. I’m a big reader and I love many fine authors. I find myself buying a new book release from an author that I know has long since lost it in the hopes of gathering that special feeling I felt the first time I read a book by that writer. And so it goes for cosmetics as well! For the sake of collecting I find myself picking up various pieces from collections even though I know they won’t be as great as they were the first time I was lured in by their brilliance.

Evolution of the Lavshuca Palette

Original Lavshuca Palette

Newer Palette Design

Newest Palette Design

In this case I’m wondering if I’ve learned my lessons when I purchased all the Lavshuca Noble On palette releases!

These could very well turn out to be amazingly good but for once I think I’ll sit back and wait for a review prior to being the “first kid on the block” to purchase them!

I’ll keep hope alive that the Lavshuca Winter/Holiday releases hold a special magic that the Fall releases have failed to give me!

Want these?

Hopeful they’ll be great?

Skipping completely?

What are your favorite Lavshuca items?

Tell the Muse!

Click here to view my review on the Lavshuca Spring 2008 Collection featuring the Noble On palettes!

Get a sneak peek of the Lavshuca Summer 2008 palettes that I’ll be reviewing soon!

Check out the Lavshuca Winter Make palettes from the Holiday Collection!

Kick back and watch some MuseTV with a Spotlight on Lavshuca Cosmetics!