Posts From July 2008
By the Muse on July 29, 2008
I swear I must be the only girl alive that loves wandering down the aisles of Staples and thinking up strange and unusual ways to use office supplies for beauty storage purposes. At the moment I’m using various desk top organizers that I purchased online and in office shops as storage for cosmetics (I happen to do the same thing with kitchen draw organizers too!). Oh well I never claimed to be normal!
I needed a few items for my office this week so I hurried down to Staples in excitement in what I’d find in the Back to School aisle that I could use for beauty purposes. I love Back to School! It’s the best time of the year for locating little pencil boxes, small plastic bins, and other awesome little compartments and boxes that I can use for stowing away lipsticks, shadows, and the likes!
Sadly, I didn’t find too much in Staples Back to School aisle aside from three kids bawling there eyes out and one frantic mum trying to quiet them. I suspect they didn’t like the idea of shopping for school supplies in July but that’s just my theory of course.
However, I did find one cheap and cheesy find that I am loving for travel storage! A rather cute plastic pencil case that snaps open to reveal a little pull out draw. Obviously it’s used for stowing away pencils and such but I find it particularly nice for stowing brushes when I’m traveling!
Great idea right?
It has enough room to hold a ton of your eye brushes and you can neatly hold at least five or six face brushes inside maybe more if you don’t mind them being squished up.
At 79 cents I’d say it’s a steal and a deal plus convenient! The Muse highly recommends heading down to your local office supply store and looking at Back to School pencil boxes in a new light! Consider your makeup collection inside instead of a buncha pencils, pens, and erasers.
Simple ideas from your silly, old Muse!
How the Muse stores her stash!
Sephora Metro Traincase
Lori Griener Cosmetic Storage Solutions
Kawaii Storage
MuseTV: Revisiting My Storage Solutions
By the Muse on July 29, 2008
It’s so ironic that Kevyn Aucoin’s Makeup Collection has just recently been added to Sephora’s website for purchase.
You see I just purchased Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer while I was in Atlantic City a few weeks ago! Pretty funny that not even a day later Sephora pops me a newsletter to tell me that the line is now being sold through them!
I’ve been waiting to try out The Sensual Skin Enhancer for a while now after my friend and reader, Taryn, had mentioned it. For one reason or another I never got around to purchasing it and I really should have brought it as soon as she recommended it as she has excellent taste in cosmetics.
Turns out this is amazing stuff and finally, after much searching, I’ve located the perfect all in one product to replace quite a few items that I use daily.
The process of looking flawless does take a considerable array of products as I’m sure most of you already know. Good concealer, good powder, good foundation, etc….etc….. The road to a flawless face is a long, painstaking, and time consuming task.
Although I slather myself in SPF come the Summer I still find that I do get a shade darker than I would like when I am outside for long periods of time. That’s just the way my skin is I guess and even an SPF of 20 doesn’t protect me from developing a brown luster to my skin.
Normally when this occurs I feel like my complexion takes a nose dive for the worst and my skin begins to look dull and loses the sign of that healthy glow I normally sport. Lately I’ve been experiencing major dull skin days. It could be due to any number of reasons really. Too much sun, too little sleep, not drinking enough water, etc….
But yes indeed it’s dull.
Since it’s decided to become rather dull-like I’ve found myself hunting through various foundations to regain complexion perfection. I’ve experienced some relief with a few foundations I’ve tried but not total nirvana until I finally took the $45 USD plunge and purchased Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
$45 USD is an obscene amount of money to spend on a tiny jar that promises to deliver me into breathtaking beautiful skin. The pot is 0.63oz in size which accumulates to about the size of a small lip gloss pot. Think small. Think really small. You know me I’ve spent far more on product than that but this stuff is tiny!
Turns out $45 USD isn’t too bad a price and 0.63 oz is actually bigger than I realized. Why? You only need a smidge of the product to gain pure skin perfection. A tiny, tiny amount smaller than a pea will cover your entire face and create the most gorgeous canvas for your makeup.
The Sensual Skin Enhancer quite reminds me of a BB Cream without the huge hype of ingredients that BB Creams normally carry mind you. It performs just like a BB Cream would in the fact that it gives you a workable canvas for your blush, shadow, an d other makeup or you can easily wear it alone to cover up dull, uneven skin, problem skin, etc…. In a similar vein as BB Creams it replaces not only your foundation but also your concealer.
The Sensual Skin Enhancer multi-tasks its way onto your face by not only prepping your face for makeup but also doubling up as a concealer for your under eye area. Dark circles, fine lines, dry skin, all disappear with a tiny amount patted gently under your eyes.
Simply an amazing product! It’s probably the holy grail product each of us have been searching for our entire lives! I’ve never run across a more pigmented foundation product, if it can even be called foundation, that’s beautifully light, long wearing, and natural with amazing concealing power.
Considering the product is so pigmented I did fear that it would feel heavy on and you’d notice right away that I was wearing a heavier product. Not the case at all. It’s light, not greasy, and blends beautifully with your skin. It feels like I have virtually nothing on at all.
When it comes to foundation I don’t follow the conventional rule of shades. I normally take a shade or two lighter than my normal skin tone and although I get strange, puzzled, and horrified looks from various Makeup Artists when I purchase a foundation in a lighter shade I know for myself that’s how I prefer wearing my makeup. It could be completely wrong but I don’t think it’s done me bad yet and I blend it well enough that you’d never notice my coverage wasn’t my natural shade of skin!
I’m mentioning this because I did have a minor problem when selecting the color for The Sensual Skin Enhancer. I was going for the lightest shade available when I swatched on my arm it appeared just right however the MA from the Cos Bar, which is where I purchased this, quickly said it was absolutely the wrong shade for me. I got a tad bit peeved as I always get that snotty “That’s NOT your shade” whenever I am purchasing a lighter foundation. However, I was in no mood to bicker about it and I calmly told her I preferred a lighter shade. She nicely explained that the best shade for me would be SX5 and I was quick to disagree however turns out she was very right. SX5 was the most flattering of the several shades and she was indeed spot on with the color. I am curious what the lightest shade would look like on but she did assure me that it was very, very pale so I think I’m quite happy with SX5 as it kept my skin nice and pale plus it looked natural so no sense complaining right?
The texture and formula is a very heavy creamy base so a little definately goes a long way at concealing dark circles, skin imperfections, redness, etc….If you happen to sport dry skin this will likely be ideal for your skin type. If you’re skin is oily I think a little amount followed up with powder should work beautifully as well. As per the Kevyn Aucuin’s website and the product’s packaging you can also mix a tiny amount with your moisturizer to create a beautifully light foundation. One key advantage to using this was a I noticed that it not only had very long wear but it didn’t go ashy or gray on me.
All in all this is a rather highly priced item and a great indulgence but I don’t mind paying $45 USD for a pot that will last me ages (a little goes along way) plus something that works truly well!
For me, makeup like this, is priceless! Alot of hype surrounds Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer and his makeup line in general. The Muse is here to say the hype is all true. It’s quality makeup that delivers on it’s promises in full!
I give it my highest Muse Approval for purchase! Definitely grab a pot! Your face will thank you for it!
If you’re not loving the idea of $45 USD makeup you might want to stay tuned for the Muse’s upcoming review on Jelly Pong Pong’s Nicola Roberts Dainty Doll Foundation which is nearly half the price as Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer but is it as good? We’ll have to find out! Review Coming Soon….
Find out about other products for creating flawless skin by clicking through some past reviews!
Tarte Peaches and Cream Oil Free Powder Foundation Review
Prescriptives All Mineral Makeup Review
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Duo Review
Bourjois Paris 10 Hour Sleep Effect Review
Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Primer Review
See an FOTD of the Muse wearing Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
By the Muse on July 29, 2008
I admit that I’m easily jaded when it comes to new collections, cosmetics, makeup, skincare, etc..lately. It’s difficult to impress me more and more. I try so many new and exciting items and many disappoint however I have come across a product that has the greatness to become an absolute cult favorite in my humblest opinion.
As part of it’s exciting Fall Collection Urban Decay has released a concealer pencil entitled 24/7 Concealer Pencil. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about this product. I was a bit disappointed with the Too Faced Mineral Water pencil I recently tried so when I heard about Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil I expected much of the same outcome when testing it out. Most of these pencil style concealers are difficult to blend, feel waxy and hard, and just aren’t pigmented enough to cover up problem areas, etc….
Not the case for 24/7 Concealer Pencil.
Wow, simply wow.
Get one. Immediately. You need this product in your beauty arsenal. It’s absolutely essential you have one!
First off the name is completely fitting with the product. Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liners are extremely popular with the masses due to their creamy consistency and effortless glide across the eye. It just so happens that the 24/7 Concealer Pencil has an identical soft, creamy formula as the eye pencils!
Urban Decay’s Potion Primer has become a staple and essential cult item with many makeup fans and I think this new concealer has the potential for that greatness! First of all the general idea of fitting a moist, creamy, blendable concealer into a pencil is absolutely awesome. Have you ever successfully used a concealer pencil that contained a formula with all those key benefits? I haven’t.
The color I got was CIA which is the lightest shade available. It might have been a bit too light but I don’t mind as I liked the way it brightened my eye area up and created a nice awake look to my eyes.
The product is richly pigmented and will cover up any and all problems in particular dark circles under your eyes. It’s advertised as a concealer for blemishes, under eye circles, redness, etc….I’ve used mine for only my eye area and I’m impressed with the results. It woke up my tired eyes and offered excellent coverage for dark circles and the extra luggage I sometimes sport around my eye area.
The texture is a soft, creamy moisturizing concealer that blends with little effort. The idea of not having to dip into a pot for my concealer or squeeze a mess of liquid out of a tube totally pleases me to no end. Just swipe and go. Easy. Simplicity like this is worth the price! The formula is not drying nor does it settle into fine lines. It smooths beautifully under the eye covering up problems while creating a matte, flawless finish.
The product sports a dose of Vitamin E and also contains a new ingredient called Microsponge which absorbs excess oil and prevents further breakouts and clogged pores. The absorbing excess oil is pretty exciting for those that sport oily lids. A bit of this will be a wonderful prep to mattify your lids in preparation for your eye makeup.
I’m also loving this for after eye makeup touch ups. I get major fall out and I find that after I apply my shadow, pigments, etc…if I swipe a bit of this under my eyes and blend it gets rid of my fall out mess and gives me a fresh under eye area minus chunks of shimmer and glitter from my shadow.
The portability of the product is a major plus. Tuck it in your purse for quick touch ups on the go! Perfection!
For some reason the finish, texture, and formula quite reminds me of YSL’s popular Touche Eclat Radiant. The only difference being Urban Decay sports a pencil design and is heaps cheaper! It’s safe to say that this can easily be used as a quick highlighter as well for quick touch ups to your face. Smooth a little down the sides of your nose and blend outwards for a fresh face.
The pencil is available in four shades and comes with it’s own sharpener for $16 USD. It’s available for sale now from both Urban Decay and Sephora.
This comes with my highest rating of Muse Approval and I recommend going out and grabbing one as quickly as you can! It’s truly an outstanding product and a must have item! Urban Decay has a winner on it’s hands here and I predict it’ll be extremely popular once the word gets out!
Want to try this?
Already have?
Love Urban Decay?
Tell the Muse!
Too Faced Mineral Water Review
Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen versus Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant
By the Muse on July 29, 2008
The beautiful Jamie from The Beauty of Life recently blogged about a website called Hautelook. As soon as I seen her post I get terribly hyper about it.
Why, Muse, Why!?
Basically Hautelook allows you to score some serious deals on hot couture, accessories, and best of all cosmetics!
Basically you sign up to become a member (this is a free membership) and soon after you’ll start receiving alerts in your inbox letting you know about a sale that HauteLook is having. Hautelook proceeds to place a certain number of items up for a certain amount of time at a super great price. You have until the sale is over (start and end dates of the sale will be included in the alert e-mail) or until someone else nabs the deal to grab up some seriously killer items at rates up to 75% off retail!
Now don’t get me wrong the fashion and accessory aspect is awesome however the really great part is the cosmetics. I’ve been a member for about two months or so now and I’ve seen Stila on sale, Smashbox Tokidoki items, and most recently Jouer. Sephora had stopped carrying Jouer Cosmetics a while back ago and Jouer’s website has been down for ages now. Here in laid a perfect excuse for the Muse to stock up on Jouer at prices under ten bucks!
GASP! Jouer at seriously low prices!
The Muse likey cheap designer cosmetics!
Anyway!
The moral of the story is you should sign up at Hautelook to nab yourself a steal and a deal! Clickie here to join up!
Already a member?
Loving the sales?
Hauled anything?
Tell the Muse!
By the Muse on July 29, 2008
Sometimes the simple products work the best.
You may have read in my past posts or in my most recent review that my hair is silicon free. My hair for the most part is free of silicons thanks to Lush hair care. Although Lush does an AMAZING job of keeping my hair clean, beautiful, and bad hair day free I do occasionally want to be extra gentle to my locks while adding in a bit of silicon as sometimes my hair craves that extra weight and moisture that silicon products provide. That’s when I reach for a simple product that won’t break the bank, works really well, and doesn’t load my hair up with a ton of build up!
My god, what is this amazing product that keeps your hair gorgeous Muse?
Baby Shampoo.
It’s cheap, it smells beautiful, and it’ll give you some sincerely great hair days.
Serious.
Since most brands of kids and baby shampoo hair care are made extra gentle and do not contain as many silicons and harsh ingredients as regular shampoo does it’s the perfect solution for getting your hair super clean, gives great condition and moisture, and is super gentle on your locks without causing serious build up.
Since babies and kids have such fine hair they need something gentle to take care of their hair without causing breakage and buildup thus many brands including the popular Johnson & Johnson line create various hair care solutions that are catered towards children.
Although I’m sure I’ll get hell for this from everyone I do admit to washing my hair every single day. Yes, I do. I just don’t feel clean if I haven’t scrubbed my hair up. My hair always behaves amazingly well thanks to a combination of using Lush and baby shampoo.
At the moment my must have kids shampoo is L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2 in 1 Kangaroo’s Mangoroo Shampoo. Hey…sue me..I like Dr. Seuss what can I say?
In all seriousness I really dig the smell. It’s a sweet, fruity scent that’s really lingers well so much so that people next to me will ask what I washed my hair with or what am I wearing. The formula is super gentle and moisturizing even for someone like me with wavy, curly hair that’s extremely long.
I switch my Lush shampoos and conditioners for this twice a week and my hair always seems to thank me for adding it into the mix of things. I find I have less frizz, better manageability, a beautiful scent, plus my hair fairly squeaks it’s so clean!
So the Muse’s moral of this story is that baby and kids shampoo is super cheap and works super well at keeping your hair in beautiful condition!
Head on down the baby aisle and score yourself a few bottles. This particular bottle that I am raving about cost me $1.79 USD! Go firgure!
Awesome hair days await you for under $2 bucks!
The Muse Approves baby shampoo for use!
Release your inner child and start walking down the path to softer hair, less frizz, and better hair days!
P.S. Yes I’m dead serious in case you’re sitting there scratching your head over this post! Go get some baby shampoo and stop reading this!
Beauty on a Budget: L’Oreal Studio Perfect Fix and Studio Smoothness Smoothing Cream Review
Detox your hair with a Lush Big Shampoo and Lush Retread Conditioner Review
Find out how you can customize your haircare with great etailer options!
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