Posts From December 2008
By the Muse on December 17, 2008
Someone said it’s the most wonderful time of the year, the Muse thinks it was Andy Williams.
The Muse thinks Andy Williams is the best thing since toast and tea although she also thinks they may only tug him out of the closet when they need a little Christmas. You ever notice he pops up in the weirdest places? This year he was dancing around 34th Street during the Thanksgiving Day Parade! Yup…they def take him down, dust him off, and use him when they need a little Christmas around! Afterward they tuck him safely back in the closet until next year! They do the same for Dick Clark during the New Year you know!
Dontcha just want to go into your closet right now and search out your bestest Christmas sweater after viewing that pic? I know I do!
Well anyway the moral of today’s story is that the Muse thinks Andy Williams does a fine job of making it the most wonderful time of the year but she also thinks that Lush Snow Fairy lends a special helping of Holiday cheer to my shower, bath, and hair, making it a truly wonderful time of the year!
It’s a sad state of affairs that Lush Snow Fairy is only around once a year and like Andy Williams it gets tucked away and doesn’t come back until next Christmas so now would be a good time to stock up on as many bottles as your bathroom cupboard can hold because you don’t want to be without Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel this entire year do you?
What Lush has to say about Snow Fairy:
Sparkly pink, sweet-as-sugar shower gel for fluffy, fruity fairies
We thought that this cotton-candy scented, sparkly gel would be just the sweet surprise for small girls who like wearing party dresses and waving wands. Amazed we were when we found fully grown hairy men using it too. (They send other people off to buy it for them, but we know!) It’s a Christmas best seller and you know best! So she’s back. Stock up before she flits off to Fairyland again.
What the Muse says:
If you love sweet scents that are girlish and pretty this would be one to grab. It’s difficult to describe Snow Fairy and although it’s been compared to cotton-candy the Muse thinks it’s so much more! It has a bit of vanilla, a bit of a wicked fruitiness, and just the right touches of pink. The Muse concludes that if pink smelled it would have the scent of Snow Fairy attached to it! Sadly, I cannot say more about it because it’s difficult to put into words exactly what it smells like but rest easy as the Muse absolutely adores it and thinks you will too!
Snow Fairy is bubblegum pink with a bit of shiny gold glitter but don’t worry the glitter washes off easily! You can use this in your shower or to lather up your hair (oh my nothing like Snow Fairy scented hair) or if you so please a little squirt in the tub will give you tons of moisturizing, sweetly scented bubbles!
The Muse is telling you all about the virtues of Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel today because she thinks your holiday will be a bit more wonderful if you snag some of this great shower gel! Just like Snowcake it’s Muse Approved for purchase and well worth getting a few to last you and keep you sweet smelling all year long!
What’s your favorite Lush Christmas product?
Tell the Muse!
Lush Tea Tree Toner Tab Review
Lush Comforter Shower Gel
Lush Chocolate Santa Bath Bomb Review
Lush Paradise Regained Facial Moisturizer Review
Lush Christmas Cake Soap Review
By the Muse on December 16, 2008
Some people collect stamps. Other collect stickers. Some folks like to collect designer bags or shoes. While still others collect figurines or action figures. The Muse happens to collect cosmetics (and old books but that’s not part of this story).
As per a reader’s request I’ve taken a picture of my large stash of Majolica Majorca Eyeshadow Singles. Now the Muse values Majolica Majorca Eyeshadow Singles more than she does life itself…ok I exaggerated a little bit there…she does however hold these in higher value than say her MAC stash of shadows.
I can’t say I went to a ton of trouble to get my singles because I honestly didn’t however my good friend Iris went to a heck of a lot of insanity to grab me singles that were both new and discontinued by searching around Tokyo drugstores about a year and a half ago. Lucky enough Iris scored some great shades that were long since gone from the regular catalog of single shadows. It saddens me that Majolica Majorca Single Eyeshadows get so little love due to the fact that the palettes are the star of many eyes in the cosmetic world. It’s actually really upsetting considering that most addicts would agree the singles are actually much better pigmented and better quality when compared to the palettes that MJ has out at the moment.
The singles come housed in a little slide draw that sports the MJ golden emblem on top as a pull. Pull back and the draw reveals gorgeous, silky, pigmented MJ eyeshadow. The shadows can be removed from these draws and placed in palettes however the Muse loves the packaging style so much she never really had the heart to depot any of her singles. A few years back MJ had compacts out which would house either four shadows, two shadows and one blush, or two blushes. I can’t say for sure but I think these are long past gone and I don’t think MJ actually carries them anymore or I could be wrong and they axed the dual compact which housed one blush or two shadows. Either way the compacts were quite gorgeous with a gold layered plate on top, a mirror inside, and the words “Fulfills All Your Wishes” in lovely script on the gold plate. I really should get around to actually depotting my singles and putting them in these pretty compacts but I just never had the heart to do so and my stash currently resides in a pink box and the compacts are tucked into another box.
The Muse’s MJ stash tucked safely away in a pretty box!
The singles run around $3-$5 USD and are a great deal to say the least so if you happen to be wandering around Tokyo one day and come across these wonderful singles the Muse says pick ‘em up as the are Muse Approved for purchase!
You can snag ‘em up and around the Internet as well just have a read of my Japanese Cosmetic Buying Guide to see where the best deals are!
I’ll be documenting all the shades that I have stashed away shortly so stay tuned for that post!
Majolica Majorca Holiday Collection 2007 Review
Majolica Majorca Holiday Collection 2008 I Am Gorgeous
Majolica Majorca Summer Collection 2007 Review
Majolica Majorca Mascara Review
By the Muse on December 16, 2008
Tuck a cute little something extra into your favorite makeup junkie’s stocking this season with Too Faced Glamour To Go Pocket Palette! Although it’s possibly the cutest stocking stuffer ever it would also make a fine inexpensive gift for a friend, family member, or an office Secret Santa. At $19.50 USD you can’t go wrong by hauling yourself a few of these as gifts! The palette is about the size of a credit card and contains eight eyeshadows, four lipglosses, and one blush!
The palette contains an array of lovely shadows which are nicely pigmented. Considering it has 8 shadows you can get at the least 8 looks but of course combine a few for something new! At $19.50 USD for more than eight looks it’s a steal! The palette also includes four glosses which have quite a nice metallic almost frost-like finish. The Muse felt like these weren’t too glossy however they do nicely with a bit of clear gloss on top! And finally you’ll get a brownish, natural blush. This wasn’t pigmented enough to work on it’s own and appears a tad bit muddy on my cheeks so I used it in conjunction with my own blush to add a bit more pop to my looks. It works well as almost a finishing type of powder.
The shadows range from cool to warm shades and you’ll see basic shades like green, light pink, yellow, and brown. The glosses are all pretty cool pinks aside from one golden beige shade with hints of brown and peach.
The goods come housed in a chic little palette which contain the shadows on the top part with a mirror and a pull out draw which has the four glosses and blush on the bottom half. I’m not a fan of the fact that the blush and glosses are together considering the blush powder dusts off into the glosses! Yak! Mess anyone? Aside from that I like the general idea of the palette as it’s small, easy for travel, and quick looks. You can’t get an amazing look out of the palette but you can get some very nice, fuss-free looks which are quite nice for daily day to day wear. It’s particular convenient for stashing away on trips as the airport is so very strict about the contents of one’s train case nowadays.
Here’s two separate looks I created with the palette. The first image I’m using the blush from the palette as you can see it is somewhat dull looking. I didn’t really like it and it wasn’t pigmented enough to work on it’s own.
If you’re shopping around at the moment searching for a perfect yet inexpensive beauty palette for someone I do recommend checking this little guy out! The price is appealing at under $20 bucks plus you’re getting a nice bit of product for your dollar.
The Muse thinks your stocking will look a bit brighter if you tuck a Too Faced Glamour To Go Pocket Palette in it!
Anyone try this?
Love it?
Want it for your Christmas pressie?
Tell the Muse!
Too Faced Starry-Eyed Mini Glitter Eyeliner Gift Set Review
Too Faced Smurfette Collection
Too Faced Holiday Collection 2008
Too Faced Mineral Water Review
Too Faced Smoky Eye Palette Review
By the Muse on December 16, 2008
Whoa it’s a MAC kinda day isn’t it? MAC Chill Collection is available online! CLICK!
I honestly love this collection as I’m a cool kinda girl! My eye is on the MAC Eyeshadow in Wintersky! The rest of the collection is a tad bit ho-hum but I have to see it in person before deciding! It’ll probably be live on counters on Thursday so the Muse will investigate more then!
What are you thinking about MAC Chill?
Love it?
Not so much?
Tell the Muse!
MAC Neo Sci-Fi Review
MAC Monogram Collection
MAC Sheer Minerals Collection: The Return of Petticoat
MAC Overrich Pigments Review & Swatches
By the Muse on December 16, 2008
Specktra has the latest on the MAC Dame Edna Collection and the Muse must say she’s feeling all that purple when compared to the MAC Hello Kitty Collection that I’ve been ranting about today!
Behold:
Source
I kinda dig all the lilac packaging but I’m not particularly thrilled by the trio…kinda a rehash of MAC Heatherette shades but hey I’m still all about the purple!
What do you think?
Tell the Muse!
MAC Hello Kitty Collection
Manish Arora for MAC Review
MAC Heatherette Review
Fafi for MAC Review
By the Muse on December 16, 2008
The Muse has a special knack for feeding into the frenzy of a hyped up products. She can successfully purchase said hyped product and convince herself how truly wonderful it is when in fact it’s utter garbage. For the past few days she’s been trying to convince herself how awesome Art Deco Eyeshadow Base is and failing miserably.
After careful thought and consideration she’s decided it was about time to admit to herself that truly this stuff was absolute rubbish. How sad.
After hearing the hype, reading the hype, and being fed the frenzy of all the amazing benefits and virtues of Art Deco Eyeshadow Base, the Muse decided she needed some for her very self. After all, according to makeup gurus far and wide, this stuff was ambrosia from the Gods above.
Umm…not so much.
Art Deco Eyeshadow Base is around $9-$10 USD and comes in a rather cute little jar a la MAC Paint Pots. The packaging could likely get you so hyper that you’ll forget what a crap product is actually inside. The Muse has fallen victim to such cases in the past but with this particular product she actually did admit to herself that indeed Art Deco Eyeshadow Base needs alot of work to hit the right note.
Aside from it’s cute jar style packaging it doesn’t have too much going for it. The base is a creamy beige shade which applies transparent to the lid of the eye even though swatched it has a bit of a pearl almost iridescent finish. It does successfully deepen some shadows while doing nothing for others. Why this is, the Muse may never know, chalk it up as another makeup mystery of the world. After four uses with four different styles of shadow I found new love and respect for my Urban Decay Primer Potion. Art Deco Eyeshadow Primer does not hold my shadow all day, does not make a perfect base for shadows but it does successfully crease my shadow, make it melt off in cakey gobs, and successfully creates a very real mess.
The product blends beautifully well and it does make applying my shadows a bit easier especially shimmery ones where fall out is a problem however it doesn’t do much for making my shadow last longer. The somewhat good news is that the base does successfully hold the shadow for a few hours however creasing begins quite quickly which leads up to your shadow becoming a cakey mess and finally ending with no shadow at all as it migrates all over the place. I wouldn’t say the product makes my lids oily however the base does turn into a bit of an oily mess which is where the creasing problems stem from I think. It applies quite well however after a few hours you’ll end up with a serious mess.
After 3 hours…hello hot mess!
I wanted to love this one and I had some seriously high hopes for it. Sadly, it has little to redeem it and just didn’t work well for this Muse. I’m unsure if I was just my dislike of the product or I’m overacting as it does seriously sport some great reviews up and around makeup forums. Personally, big waste of money for me…I’ll continue trying to use it and see if it gets better but for now it’s a bit thumbs down for this Muse!
Tried Art Deco Eyeshadow Base?
Do you love it?
Hating it?
Tell the Muse!
If anyone is interested I do have an extra, brand new in the box pot that I’m selling for $12 USD! E-mail me if you’d like to take it off my hands and see if it lives up to all the hype!
Benefit Lemon Aid Review
Making the Most of Urban Decay Primer
Art Deco Holiday Collection 2008
By the Muse on December 16, 2008
The Muse’s friends at Kiss and Makeup have scooped the tale and have images available from the new MAC Hello Kitty Collection!
Exciting but still not capturing my interest le sigh! The Muse changed things around a bit and gave her impression of how she thinks the MAC Hello Kitty Collection should go down!
First off the Muse feels that they should have recruited her favorite coplayer Arisa Mizuhara. She’d have made thee perfect model for the MAC Hello Kitty Collection. Arisa, Hello Kitty, MAC…yes I’m thinking I like this union. Alot.
MAC’s Version
The Muse’s Version
We need the perfect outfit for Arisa so I’m thinking we need to head over to Lawrara and pick out one for her!
Maybe this?
or this?
Source
As you already know from reading my previous impression of MAC Hello Kitty I wasn’t so into all the black packaging! The Muse thinks that needs to be revamped as well.
MAC’s Version
The Muse is thinking lots and lots of pink and maybe Jill Stuart like packaging thrown around for good measure!
Nothing like the classic feel of Hello Kitty to get a girl excited!
How great would it be if we can have rhinestones and pretty pink compacts?
Pretty princess-like packaging a la Jill Stuart Cosmetics!
If the Muse had her way this is how MAC Hello Kitty would go down! Pretty, pink, and very kawaii is what Hello Kitty is all about!
How about you?
What would you change about the MAC Hello Kitty Collection?
How would you make it better?
Are you loving what you’ve seen of it so far?
Not so much?
Who would be your Muse (or model) for the collection?
Tell the Muse!
By the Muse on December 15, 2008
Does it freak anyone out that MAC is offering 25% Off a majority of it’s Holiday Collection? It kinda scares me a bit that the economy is taking such a slugger that even cosmetics are becoming discounted.
Hey, nice time for hauling but scary none the less!
Get 25% Off MAC Holiday 2008…Start shopping now!
MAC Adoring Carmine Gift Sets are down to $26.88 USD from $34.50 and MAC Passions of Red Palettes are down to $28.50 USD from $38
The only thing that remains untouched are the MAC Red She Said Color Story and the MAC Passionately Red Lip Palettes…..
I find it interesting that MAC is discounting. In all my years collecting this is truly a first!
Well…get hauling!
Disturbing or Awesome?
Tell the Muse!
Hmmm can we see some of this love directed at the MAC Monogram Collection? The Muse won’t protest too much!
MAC Passions of Red Review: Comparisons to MAC Royal Assets
MAC Passions of Red Devoted Poppy Lip Palette Review, Swatches, and FOTD
MAC Adoring Carmine Face Brush Set Review
MAC Little Darlings Softsparkle Eye Pencil Set Review and Swatches
By the Muse on December 15, 2008
By now you’ve all heard the good word on Covergirl Outlast Lipstains (the Muse will be bringing a review of these to you soon)!
The sad news is they are not yet available in drugstores! However, the good news is that NYLON has the good word where you can nab before they are even out in stores!
By the Muse on December 15, 2008
Another day, another giveaway!
Have you entered my Vera Wang giveaway yet? Sure hope you have! If you win you’ll receive a bottle of Vera Wang Look signed by Vera Wang! Ahhhh! Coolness right?
Clickie to enter!
Today you’ll be entering for your chance to win the Bobbi Brown Manual that the Muse recently reviewed! Enter your name in the comment field for your chance to snag this great read! The contest is open to US and International readers!
You can double your chances of winning by subscribing to my feed:
The winner will be announced this coming Friday so be sure to check back on Friday, December 19th to see if it’s you!
Good Luck!
By the Muse on December 15, 2008
With all the new plastic applicators coming out all over the mascara world sometimes you might want kick it old school with a simple, mess-free, easy to apply brush applicator.
Ahhh remember the days of old when brushes were so hip and everyone was using ‘em? The mascara world is slowly being dominated by combs, plastic brushes, and other interesting gadgetry to bring tech and awesomeness to mascaras far and wide!
Now the Muse loves all the high tech mascaras currently available on the market today but if you’re wanting to keep to the basics, you might want to try out Prescriptives False Eyeslashes Mascara. Prescriptives keeps it simple with a standard, large brush applicator that’s meant to give the appearance of false lashes. Aside from the otherworldly appearance of the mascara packaging there isn’t much in the ways of bells and whistles when it comes to this particular Prescriptives mascara and sadly I wasn’t treated to the appearance of falsies after using it however it does stand up there on it’s own and delivers length and volume to lashes.
If you’re looking for a standard mascara that’s pretty much mess-free without the drama or learning curve of a brand new, high tech applicator this is for you. The Muse doesn’t prefer something with a bit more kick but she recommends this one if you’re looking for simplicity!
Prescriptives currently has this in a kit which also includes a basecoat and eye makeup remover! The entire kit is $26 USD and is tucked in a cute silver makeup pouch! So if you’re wanting to try this out you might want to snag the kit and save a few bucks plus get some other nice goodies to try out!
Click to shop for the Prescriptives Absolute Eyes Gift Set!
I’m not Muse Approving this for purchase simply because it’s a pretty basic mascara and the Muse kinda digs new and exciting applicators however I did think it was well worth a mention for those who are a tad bit scared of the new applicators out on the market today or those who aren’t so fab at mascara application. This is a nice, basic, mess-free mascara that offers good volume and length to lashes without all the who-ha that comes attached to newer mascaras.
Prescriptives Calyx Review
Prescriptives AGLOW Look
Prescriptives Winter Reflections Cool Eye Color Quad Review & Swatches
Prescriptives Fall Dimensions Eye Color Quad Review
By the Muse on December 15, 2008
Take your best gloss and your greatest lipstick, combine and you’ll have Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick. Shiny, glossy lips with gorgeous color makes lips gleam and sparkle for the Holiday Season!
The formula of Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick is a beautifully emollient, moisturizing lipstick that has a gorgeous shimmering finish to add the festive pop and sparkle to lips. Seeking the perfect nude pink? Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick in Nude Shine is a pinky beige tone that gives lips a hint of sparkling color that’s understated yet refined for an elegant, sparkling lip look.
This is truly one of those outstanding lipsticks that you want to stash away as it has a gorgeous formula that’s buttery soft which glides on like gloss leaving behind good, lasting color. This particular version is all decked out for the holidays sporting a purple case with the fireworks theme for the Givenchy Holiday Collection 2008 and a light purple pull on the handle. It’s both fun, practical, and quite a nice piece for cosmetic collectors and junkies alike!
Create a light, fresh, shimmering pink look for the Holidays by combing Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick in Nude Shine with Givenchy Pop Gloss in Crystal Rose and finishing your look by brushing on Givenchy Blush Quartet in Glowing Rose!
The Muse was truly impressed with the formula and loved the flattering, slightly mod look Nude Shine created on my lips! It paired up wonderfully well with other items from the Givenchy Collection to create a really fresh look for the season!
Sportin’ Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick in Nude Shine
This one is definitely Muse Approved for purchase!
Snag your own (because the Muse isn’t letting go of hers) at Sephora or visit www.givenchy.com
Likey! Alot.
Tried it?
Own it already?
Tell the Muse!
Givenchy Pop Gloss in Crystal Rose Review
Givenchy Mister Bright Review
Givenchy Blush Quartet in Glow Rose Review
By the Muse on December 15, 2008
Morning…errr…it’s afternoon already isn’t it? Happy Monday! Quickie post telling you that Bath and Body Works is offering 20% Off your total plus guaranteed Christmas delivery so if you’re doing any last minute shopping or just want to score a little something for yourself now would be a great time to do so at a discount!
Yay!
How’s everyone’s Monday going? I just realized that I somehow let Christmas get away from me this year! 10 days left and aside from having my tree and decorations done super, super early everything else is piling up waiting to be done!
Oh the stress! I know I’ve had an epic fail this year in regards to gift idea posts and such! Sorry about that guys! Life has a way of catching up with me and sometimes it’s not always Musings times!
I’ll be back on track soon! Just hang tight!
Love you all and hope your heart is filled with the season!
By the Muse on December 12, 2008
Ahh the Muse has gone so natural and neutral lately hasn’t she? But she can’t help herself when Bobbi Brown keeps introducing awesome palettes! The new Limited Edition Bobbi Brown Lip and Eye Palette contains an array of naturally beautiful shades for creating that perfect party look with a tiny bit of pop and a whole lot of elegance.
The palette contains four Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Colors and four Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyes Shadows in a slick, black compact. I loved the design of the palette as it has the lip colors on top with a pull out draw housing the shadows so everything is kept nice and tidy. The draw designed to hold the shadows pulls out easily and houses the shadows nice and tight.
The shadows are all gorgeous colors with a nice metallic almost shimmery like finish. The shades are all very use friendly and aren’t in the least bit bold or scary so you’ll be getting a soft, natural look from each shade. I wouldn’t say the shadows are necessarily the same in color but I do feel like you can’t combine them to create different looks. The shadows each have an individual color and combining them does nothing but create muddy shades so I would suggest using each shade individually. The $60 USD price tag may be a bit discouraging when faced with only four looks that can be arranged from the four included colors however I took all this into consideration and still felt like it was well worth the price since the looks you can create are truly lovely.
I was a bit put off by the lip colors as I was expecting the same soft, buttery formula that I was recently treated to when I purchased the Bobbi Brown Pink Satin Collection. However, the formula on these was a bit hard and the colors weren’t too pigmented. They weren’t particularly easy to apply and didn’t feel as soft as the ones I originally tried. I was a bit let down by this but after applying and playing around a bit I was happy with how they looked on so I decided to disregard the crummy formula.
The palette contains a lip brush and a shadow brush. Both of which are mini size and fabulous in my opinion. Be it large or small I’m always very impressed with Bobbi Brown Makeup Brushes. I’m particularly a big fan of her lip brushes! Both brushes make applying everything a snap and it doesn’t take a ton of skill or drama to achieve a soft, flattering, work friendly look using the brushes, shadows, and lip colors!
The shadows included in the palette are:
- Champagne Quartz (Shimmering beige with touches of pink)
- Gold Dust (Shimmering Gold)
- Golden Bronze (Shimmering fleshy peach)
- Galaxy (Shimmering gray with a touch of a black)
The lip colors included in the palette are:
- Berry Mauve (Berry Pink)
- Pink Sequin (Sheer Peach)
- Dusty Mauve (Mauve with a heavy dose of brown)
- Ruby (Off Red almost maroon)
I’ve reviewed the Metallic Eye Shadows prior to this and it deserves to be mentioned again how great the formula is. For one of my looks below I actually decided to apply wet and I have to say I love how it intensifies the color and gives a foil finish when the shadow is applied this way.
I honestly can’t begin to tell you about my lips. All my looks below are created using everything in the palette but I mixed, combined, and cocktailed all the colors together to create the shades hehe so I’m unsure what I’m wearing! I think that mixing them all together kinda creates some rather nice shades rather than wearing them alone.
Gold Dust applied wet
Galaxy
Golden Bronze
All in all I absolutely loved this palette! It’s not loud or bold or vibrant but it does create some very soft, flattering looks that are ideal for work or a Holiday party! If you’re scared of bolder shades this will be a perfect pick for creating natural, elegant looks for the season! This one gets a big Muse Approval for purchase! Very worth it and a truly great palette, possibly my favorite of all the Bobbi Brown palettes I’ve tried as of late!
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Palette Review
Free Bobbi Brown Holiday Makeup Lessons
Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Gloss Review
Bobbi Brown Party Collection
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