Posts From July 2008
By the Muse on July 18, 2008
Grrr I’m so peeved with myself! Last night as soon as I got off work I picked up my best mate Jai and we took our fabulous selves off to Nordies to get the low down on the Nordstrom Exclusive MAC Colour Forms Collection (plus see the other exclusive bits and bobs)!
When we got there we headed to the MAC counter first and I was told that the pressed powder was sold out! UGH! I was so disappointed as this was the item I was the most excited about! My MA told me virtually everything was gone aside from two or so each of the new pigment shades, a few palettes, three shades of the highlighters (the rest were gone, gone, gone!) and the brush sets. Can you believe it? Who knew it would go this quickly!!!!!!!
I normally pre-book everything in advance but since I’m always seen these exclusives pop up at my local CCO a few months later at killer deals I was playing it safe by waiting until the date of release but sadly I got turned out in the cold! Can you believe it? The Muse missing out on MAC! Don’t they know who I am?
It’s not all bad as I can get it online but still! Damnit!
On top of that horror story I thought that the new green pigment was a re-promote of “Golders Green” so I skipped it…I got home and realized it’s called Glided Green! Someone shoot me please?
So the Muse is only bringing you part of my haul and the rest will come next week after my order ships from Nordies website!
Jai ended up with zero which is very unlike him as he’s like me and collects all the palettes. He was either suffering from some unknown disease last night or he just wasn’t too thrilled with MAC Color Forms. I can’t blame him too much as it really wasn’t too much to get excited about.
Do not get me wrong. There are some sincerely beautiful things in this collection but I just felt a little tiny bit meh about it. I ended up hauling one palette (very unlike me), one lipstick, and three piggies! $126 USD later I left swinging my bag and humming a happy tune!
Again, very unlike me but I only picked up one of the two palettes. I’d normally grab both but the Cool Eye palette was just blah. Not great colors at all! However, the Warm Eye palette was simply divine and well worth grabbing. It’s a perfect selection of great Fall colors plus it’s a design I haven’t personally seen from MAC before so that alone makes it unique!
The compact design is pretty much identical to last year’s Novel Twist. It’s a solid rectangle box with a flip lid, magnetic closure, and fabric cover. Aside from it’s bright green material cover it’s virtually the same exact compact style as last year’s design. Unlike last year’s five shadow line up this is a tiny bit different. Yes, it does contain five shadow shades but instead of a straight line placement they now have three shadows facing the standard upwards position and two shades that are laying on the side.
It’s an interesting set up for the palette and as I said I’ve never seen MAC do a palette like this. They choose to make the two shadows on the left hand side bigger sizes or at least they look bigger to me. The two lightest shades that you’d use as a base and highlighter are the shades that they give you more of (or it appears to be more but it could be just the set up!).
The color selection is pretty much a very nice array of Fall colors. Granted it’s probably very similar to past MAC palettes but I really like it anyway. I might be bias because I just enjoy MAC palettes but this seems really pretty to me.
MAC Colour Forms Warm Eye Palette versus Novel Twist Warm Eye Palette
Colors included are:
Chillproof-Creamy white comparable MAC Eyeshadow in Mylar or Nyon
Tancentric- Pale Rose
Rolled Gold-Smoky Khaki Green
Rustic-Cranberryish Shade comparable to MAC Eyeshadow in Cranberry
Fertile-Matte Chocolate Brown
Personally I like the palette and I think it’s worth picking up! It has a nice healthy array of Fall colors plus if you’re a collector you’re going to want one!
The lipsticks released with MAC Colour Forms are unique and again, not something I have seen from MAC prior to this. They contain a lip color that surrounds a core pearl finished core. Let me tell you it looks really pretty but it does nothing. The color I selected was Rose Go Around and it’s a gorgeous maroon red while the inside houses a peachy, gold shimmering core. It’s lovely, truly it is but that core doesn’t really do much that I see? Once I apply I just get beautiful, pigmented off red lips. I’m not really noticing any gold shimmer to my lips….I’m not even noticing that the lipstick applies easier or has some sort of moisturizing benefits due to the new core. Nada. Very nice to look at and definately worth picking up as the shades available are very nice but don’t get it because you’re thinking that the core will give your lips a slick look. That’s not the case, it applies as any other MAC lipstick would.
And finally, something I think everyone always gets excited about, the piggies! It’s always very exciting when MAC does some new pigments. It’s not something they do often and I think it makes everyone very happy when they do release new shades! I had two of the shades already so I ended up with three total and a fourth that I thought I had as I mentioned but didn’t get. Damnit! Review for that one later.
Repromotes are Steel Blue and Jardin Aires. Steel Blue shouldn’t even be a repromote actually..I believe Pro sales it or at the very least MAC’s website carries it or stores. Unsure but it’s definately available around somewhere! Jardin Aires was released with a collection that the name escapes me at the moment but it’s a color you’ll definately want to grab up if you missed it the first time around. It’s a creamy beige, peachy shade!
Now new colors that have never been released prior to Colour Forms are Royal Flush, Tea Time, and Circa Plum. Get all three if you have the spare cash as they are very nice shades for Fall. They aren’t very Muse-like but they are very pretty especially Royal Flush which is kinda like a lighter shade of MAC Cranberry in pigment form! Cool!
Royal Flush-Cranberry Shade
Tea Time-Simply a light brown
Circa Plum-Plummy purple
I guess that’s pretty much it! All in all it’s a pretty nice selection of items from MAC. I’m not really jumping around doing cartwheels over it but I think it’s worth checking out for yourself because there are a few items in the collection that you might want to see, swatch, or buy! And as always I highly recommend the brush sets, these are such a killer deal and it works out to like $10 USD per a brush if you do indulge! Good one!
Head on into Nordstrom to check out MAC Colour Forms for yourself or click on over to Nordies site and see it for yourself!
Expect a review of the highlighter/blush powders and Glided Green pigment shortly!
Here’s a simple Face of the Day using MAC Colour Forms Warm Eye Palette. I used Chillproof as a highlighter, Tancentric all over the and creaase, Rustic on the crease and V, and finished off with Rolled Gold on the lower lash line. On my lips I’m wearing the MAC Color Forms Lipstick in Rose Go Around.
So tell me…….
What did you haul?
What did you stash? What did you trash?
Love MAC Color Forms?
Not for you?
Tell the Muse!
Get your MAC cravings filled by clicking through past posts!
Check out what I hauled from Nordstrom’s Exclusive MAC Collection Novel Twist from last year!
MAC Sonic Chic Review
MAC Neo Sci-Fi Review
MAC Dazzleglass Review
MAC Naughty Nauticals Review
MAC Dress Camp Review
Fafi for MAC Review
MAC C-Shock Review
By the Muse on July 18, 2008
Mmmmm look what I found hanging out at my local Nordies:
By the Muse on July 18, 2008
Gosh Cosmetics has been on my hit list for a while. I read about it everywhere and I’ve seen some raving reviews. It’s a Denmark brand that recently hit our shores and is available for purchase online.
Gosh Cosmetics has tempted me for so long and I think I’m going to finally indulge in a few purchases to see if it lives up to all the hype I hear. The Fall Collection looks stunning in particular the eyeshadow trios!
See of yourself if you don’t believe me:
That cranberry pink trio shall be mine! Hmmmm…expect a review soon! The collection consists of four new Effects colors (these are loose shimmering pigments), four new shades of eyeshadow trios, two new colors of shimmering of the eyeshadow stick, and three new shades of eye liner.
Find out more about the Fall Collection by clicking here!
Have you tried Gosh?
Love it?
Want to try it out?
Tell the Muse!
Get your Beauty Abroad fill by clicking through some past posts!
Indonesian Cosmetic Brands
Korean Cosmetic Brands
An Introduction to Japanese Cosmetic Brands
Purchase your Dior abroad!
By the Muse on July 18, 2008
How awesome is this?
This kit contains an array of various mascaras so you can test them out prior to committing to a full size. $28 USD nabs you seven designer brand mascaras!
I think this is simply awesome. I hate purchasing mascara and later finding out it’s rubbish this allows you to try it out prior to buying the full size to see if it’s really something worth purchasing! So cool!
It works out to about $4 USD per a sample size of each mascara and that’s not really alot since you’ll probably get more than a months use out of each sample. Plus they are the perfect size for travel!
The kit includes all of the following:
Benefit BADgal
Blinc Kiss Me Mascara
Lorac Publicity Stunt Lashes
Smashbox Bionic Mascara
Stila Multi-Effect Mascara
Sephora Brand Lash Plumper
Too Faced Lash Injection
Even though I normally wear Japanese brand mascara only I think the kit is a genius idea!
Props to Sephora for this one!
Sephora Atomic Maximum Volume Mascara Review
Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara Review
L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara Review
Urban Decay “Color” Big Fatty Mascara Review
Spinlash Review
Bourjois Paris Clubbing Mascara Review
Majolica Majorca Mascara Review
KATE Gel Mascara Review
By the Muse on July 17, 2008
Have you ever successfully completed a tube of lipstick? Am I the only one in the world that has the hardest time in the world using one up?
If you have this problem too you might be interested in trying out Pop Beauty’s new Lip Lust Lipstick! These tiny tubes house a hydrating, moisturizing lipstick that’s sheer and natural with a beautiful glossy finish.
I tested out Dewy Toffee which is a nude peach. The color gave me a beautiful, natural look that went beautifully with my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpange. I’m particularly smitten with the glossy finish on these and I love how they simply glide onto my lips not to mention give my lips much needed moisture on hot days.
The packaging is simply sweet! Since this isn’t a full size lipstick you can easily slip it into your makeup bag for touch ups without taking a ton of room. The size makes it equally charming for the simple fact you can actually get through the entire tube where as with full size lipsticks I’m normally ditching them because I can’t get through them within a year or two and by that time they are long since old, dry, gross, and germ ridden! If you’re familiar with Lavshuca’s Jewel Lips Mini the Pout Beauty Lip Lust is comparable in size to this.
All in all it’s a rather great Summer lip stick as it offers a beautiful glossy finish plus plenty of moisturizing benefits to keep your lips shiny and hydrated in the hot sun!
The Muse digs it!
Check it out at Sephora!
Tried it?
Can you get through an entire tube of lipstick?
Love Pout?
Tell the Muse!
Pop Smokey Rose Palette Review
Pop Day to Play Palette Review
Pop Rose Belle Blush Palette Review
Pop Lid Neon Palette Review
Pop Eye Cake Review
By the Muse on July 17, 2008
Our friend Kodi Kumi is back in full swing advertising Visee’s Fall Collection. After a rough patch of publicity it’s nice to see her back in the promo for Fall!
A few items are being released with Visee’s Fall Collection but of course the item that really jumps up at me is the new Glam Hunt Eye Palettes. Visee makes a great eye palette as you may have guessed from my previous raves. These are a revamp from the last few releases and the colors are very suitable for the cooler weather that will be upon is soon!
The palettes come in five styles and include five shades of shadow plus a brush for application. I see at least three color combos I want but I may just indulge in all five.
Each palette is 1890 yen but it’ll probably be a bit cheaper due to various drugstore discounts in Japan.
Expect a review on these shortly!
Want ‘em?
Love Visee?
Tell the Muse!
Get your Visee on with some past posts!
Visee Spring Collection 2008 Review
Visee Aqua Shining Eyes Review
What’s up with Kodi Kumi? Find out here!
MuseTV Presents: A Spotlight on Visee Cosmetics
By the Muse on July 17, 2008
Lush Cosmetics has a special knack for discontinuing some of my very favorite products. Lush normally runs through items that aren’t selling well at year’s end and they end up axing them and putting out a fresh new line in the place of some old favorites.
Most Lush addicts fail to understand they mystery of the dreaded discontinue list as many of the items seem to be selling great so why stop making them? No items are immune when it comes time to chop the line up and do away with the old and bring in the new! Bad news for Lush lovers everywhere when that happens!
But I do have good news! Phew!
Lush UK has been running something called Retro Lush for the past few months now which brings back old favorites. This first began as a series of races and those items ordered enough from the site would be made up and brought back for purchase. Soon after these “races” they decided to just bring back all the old favorites and sell them as regular items! Yay! The Muse did indulge in ordering from Lush UK and stashing away large quantities of bath bombs, shampoo, and other yummie items!
But the good news is if you fear the scary airmail prices from UK to US you can now get Retro Lush from the Lush US site! Wahoo!
Do click on over to begin the shopping frenzy!
If you need help making your selections from Retro Lush or you’d just like further information my comment box is open!
I lurve me some Lush and have tried everything in the store!
Happy Shopping!
Check out my Latest Lush UK Haul
Lush Big Shampoo and Lush Retread Conditioner Review
Lush Easter Egg Haul
Lush Solid Perfume Review
Lush King of Mods Hair Gel Review
Check out the Retro Lush Hatbox I got from Lush UK!
Lush Ghost Shower Gel Review
Lush Shampoo Bar Review
By the Muse on July 17, 2008
We interrupt your normally scheduled blog posts to bring you a word from our sponsor…..
Totally random but are you LOVING my new Sketchers?
Pink and floral oh my! I’m so in love at the moment!
Ok, Ok…back to your regularly scheduled beauty babblings from your dear, old Muse!
By the Muse on July 16, 2008
Hello pretties!
How are you today? It’s been a rather nutty, busy day today for me so reviews are kinda slowing come. I normally have plenty scheduled in advance but this week I’m a tiny bit behind! Sorry about that! I also have some comments to get through, I’m working on ‘em 
Anyway!
I really like Philosophy Purity. It’s part of my daily skin care routine to remove my makeup and such. It works really well at getting pretty much all my makeup off and does so without drying my skin out which is a fantastic! I do have one minor rant when it comes to Purity, I hate when they advertise it as a remove all cleanser. Get waterproof mascara off, get hardcore eye makeup off…Um no….
Don’t get me wrong it works really well at removing standard makeup but give me a break this stuff is NOT removing waterproof mascara! They advertise it like it’ll be the only product you’ll ever need to take your makeup off…Not!
Anyway, minor rant on my part.
On to the rave……….!
Since I heart Purity so much of course I was happy to see a foaming version of it available and I ran as fast as my little legs (my long super model legs in my minds eye of course!) would carry me to the nearest Sephora to nab me some! And the verdict is in…..I like it…alot…but I don’t love it.
It deserves to be mentioned that I love me some Kose Airy Whip. If you know anything at all about your Muse you realize that she stashes Airy Whip away in large quantities so the idea of Purity coming out with a foaming that was readily available within the states really had me tickled. Shipping Airy Whip via airmail in large quantities is costly so here in was my solution! I’d be able to get a Purity in a foam….it’d be like Airy Whip…kinda…sorta….
Actually…
When you think about it the cost of shipping a single bottle of Airy Whip over from say Japan or Singapore still works out cheaper than purchasing a bottle of Philosophy Purity Foaming Cleanser. $21.50 USD is the smaller size and $34.50 USD is the larger size, not really cheap but that’s around the same price as the regular Purity so no big deal right? Right.
Philosophy is obviously very on top of the game because the bottle was very well thought in my opinion. It has an applicator that slants upwards so once you press it the product easily slips into your hand without making a mess. This is also particularly good when your hands are wet. No grabbing the bottle to tip it downwards. Just pump it and go!
The formula is good. I like working with foam! It must be my inner kid but I love that awesome feeling when pumping some into my hand and feeling it squish around. I won’t admit to painting a beard on my face with the foam, I’d never do that, I’m a mature adult of course. The foam suds up as you circle it around your face and it whisks away makeup gently without drying your skin out.
After use I didn’t feel entirely clean so I proceeded to use my regular Purity. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. For some reason I just didn’t feel like it did that great a job taking off everything where as when I use the regular Purity or Kose Airy Whip I feel like my skin is squeaky clean. However, after a few days of use I realized that feeling might very well be in my head but I need to test it further before making my final decision.
I’m entirely sure why I don’t love this. I like it alot but that “can’t live without it” feeling just isn’t there. If you already own Purity I’d say stick with that no sense picking this up.
It’s a nice product and it works pretty ok but I’m not as excited as I was after trying it out!
The Muse has to do further analysis on Philosophy Purity Foaming Cleanser……..!
Tried this?
Love it?
Love the regular Purity?
What’s your skin care routine?
Tell the Muse!
Want more skin care posts? Seek and ye shall find below!
Lush Tea Tree Water Review: AWAY with that Oily Skin!
Mario Badescu Silver Powder Review: Wash those Blackheads right outta your hair…err…I mean nose!
I’ll have the super size please. Philosophy 32oz @ QVC
Scurb a dub, dub with Philosophy’s Microdelivery Wash.
Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Primer Review
By the Muse on July 16, 2008
While most Japanese brands are busy releasing and selling Fall Collections, Canmake’s released a late Summer Collection entitled Sunset Beauty. I recently reviewed Canmake’s Spring Collection and wasn’t too pleased with the eye quads I had purchased so I think I’ll be steering clear of this collection.
Canmake has taken a note from Lavshuca and has yet again revamped it’s eye shadow packaging. They are taking the quad business very seriously lately and have released three new multitasking eye shadow palettes with the collection entitled Color Stripe Palette. I was delighted to see that the applicator is a dual end which has a brush on one side and a sponge applicator on the other side. Hey, sue me, I get excited about the little stuff in life! The palettes do sport a bronze look to them but you can easily take these looks well into the Fall season with you. As you may have noticed I mentioned these were multitasking that’s because you can use each quad as an eyeshadow, highlighter, and blusher.
Although I won’t be indulging in these palettes since I was burned with the Spring Collection my eye did roam over to the new Pop n’ Jelly Gloss shades. I generally like Canmake’s glosses plus the price is nice as well!
I know many of you have expressed a keen disdain for Canmake but I normally like many of the items in the catalog as the price is really nice and the quality isn’t too bad. I could see myself indulging in the glosses but I think the quads are a no go!
The Color Stripe Palettes are 880 yen each and the glosses are 540 yen.
Want the collection?
Love it?
Not much of a Canmake fan?
Tell the Muse!
Check out my review of the Canmake Spring Collection by clicking here featuring the Four Shiny Eye Palettes!
By the Muse on July 15, 2008
Although I’ve bid Bourjois Paris a farewell recently when it went on sale at Sephora it doesn’t keep me from bringing good news of new releases from the line!
Bourjois has released a new eye shadow in several countries outside the US called Ombre Stretch. Unlike it’s traditional baked eye shadows this appears to be a shimmering shadow in a more traditional compact size!
Very cute in my humble opinion!
I’m doubting these will make it to our shores but expect a review from the Muse shortly anyway as I’m definately lemming these!
Love ‘em?
Want some for yourself?
Scored any Bourjois Paris sales at your local Sephora?
Tell the Muse!
Click here to discover the Bourjois Paris eye shadows that made it onto my Ghosts of Christmas Past Collection post!
Click here to see my review of Bourjois Paris Eau de Gloss!
Click here to find out why Bourjois Paris Volume Clubbing Mascara is on my “DO NOT WANT” list!
Click here to discovery Bourjois Paris Minis for those that seek a beauty budget finds!
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