Posts From December 2008
By the Muse on December 9, 2008
I lurve me some shimmer. As if we hadn’t already established that already! Remember last year when Guerlain released a gold, shimmering radiant powder with it’s Holiday Collection? Oh the love….I felt the shimmery, gorgeous golden love!
Now…as gorgeous as it was we have and had obstacles. It was $78 USD which for any diseased, cosmetic junkie was well worth it but honestly I do so admit that might have been a bit of an overkill price wise. If I had to do it all over again I’d still buy it anyway! The second obstacle is the fact that it’s long gone and probably never to be seen again unless you’re willing to swap a kidney on MUA or sell a heart on E-bay!
But…have no fear…the Muse is here to save the day!
So you want a budget version of Guerlain Gold Radiant Powder? Check it:
This be Bath & Body Works Limited Edition Radiant Powder and it’s just as awesome as Guerlain plus it’s heaps cheaper! Now Bath & Body Works Radiant Powder is not new by any means however it does have incredible new packaging as you can see above which just totally sells the product to me.
Bath and Body Works Radiant Powder vs. Guerlain Radiant Powder
The powder comes in a vanity worthy Victorian style perfume bottle with ball depressor. Simply squeeze and you’ll get a burst of gorgeous scented shimmering gold powder anywhere you please. I think that Bath & Body Works aimed to design this for your body however I’ve been using it in my hair, on my face, along my shoulders and arms, across my chest. It be crazy shimmer time kids! Not only do you get gorgeous golden sparkle here and there but you also get a rather nice, lingering scent as the powder is available in three different scents. I dunno how…I dunno why…but the scent does linger for a considerable amount of time on the skin. I was just under the assumption that the scent would fade right away but it actually sticks around quite a fair bit. Golden shimmer and scented? I’m loving it!
As I mentioned above it is available in three scents which are Vanilla Noir, Warm Vanilla Sugar, and Japanese Cherry Blossom. The vanilla scents are my favorite as they each hold a certain warmth that I associate with the Holiday Season. Vanilla Noir is pretty much straight warm vanilla where as Vanilla Sugar has a subtle bite of spiciness and deeper warmth. Japanese Cherry Blossom is equally as gorgeous however the softer floral doesn’t give me as much as a festive feel as the other two scents, I’m sure I’ll feel more love for this during the Spring then right now in the Winter! I’m kinda sorta hopeful that Bath & Body Works might consider doing these again next year but in scents like Twisted Peppermint and maybe make it pink shimmering goodness?
Each powder is $24.50 USD and comes in a nice elegant box perfect for gift giving! At the moment they are offering a buy two get one free on these so you might want to head online or in store to nab a few for gifts or just to stock up for yourself as they are LE.
All in all I can’t say enough good things about these and believe they are well worth their tiny price tag for such a lovely little package of golden shimmer! They’ll look beautiful on your vanity plus they make rather awesome gifts in my humble opinion! If you’re still kicking yourself for missing out on Guerlain’s Holiday Collection 2007 you can stop and just head into Bath & Body Works! Treat yourself for some golden radiant powder for $24 bucks and call it a day! Totally Muse Approved for purchase and well worth checking out for yourself especially since they are on sale this week!
Check out more about Bath and Body Works Radiant Powder by clicking here!
Want ‘em?
Tried ‘em already?
Tell the Muse!
By the Muse on December 9, 2008
Last week I was excited about the prospect of 24K Gold in my lipstick! This morning I’m excited that I get diamonds in my lipstick too……
Damn, life is good.
I got alot of requests for Beauty Budget finds and I hope so far I’ve given you what you want. Look at your Muse giving you gold and diamonds at a budget price….doesn’t it make you love her more than evers before? Avon Glazewear Diamond Lipstick is $8 USD and delivers a dazzling diamond finish with a moisturizing, pigmented formula.
As much as I loved the new Avon 24K Gold Lipstick I have to say that the formula of the Avon Glazewear Diamond Lipstick is positively dreamy and creamy when compared with it. The formula is so buttery smooth and just glides on beautifully. The finish is so glossy smooth and gorgeous that gloss is completely optional. The color I tried was Ruby Slippers which is a peachy pink shade that makes my skin absolutely glow. The finish has a hint of silver diamond-like shimmer but nothing overly done, it’s a barely noticable shimmer. For the most part I felt like the finish was that of a gloss rather than a lipstick. I can’t say enough good things about the wonderful formula. Color payoff is equally excellant and the product is nicely pigmented.
If you’re looking for a nice inexpensive lipstick with a glossy finish, a touch of shimmer, and great color pay off I highly recommend nabbing one of Avon Glazewear Diamond Lipsticks for yourself! The Muse Approves ‘em and thinks they are a rather great find.
Click for color selection!
Avon 24K Gold Lipstick Review, Swatches, and FOTD
Avon Pro-to-Go Lipstick Review
Cynthia Rowley for Avon Collection Review
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
Hey Guys!
If you haven’t already gotten this e-mail you can click and print it out to get 20% Off your total purchase in store at Victoria’s Secret! This is good till December 14th so Happy Shopping!
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
It’s about that time of the year now that my skin goes on protest and boycotts everything and anything I put on it to ease the tight, dry, flakiness caused by the cold Winter. A majority of the time dry skin just takes residence on my face and sits out the long Winter there and when I try to moisture or exfoliate it away I normally just get the rebel yell from it, “Hell No! We Won’t Go!”
Lucky enough I have found a few select products that do the job or at least aid me in ridding myself of flakes of dry skin. Soooo gross! Ew!
Today I realized I was pretty much down to the last of my Philosophy Microdelivery Wash so tonight when I got home I had absolutely nothing to use to exfoliate…ahhhh! Nightmare! But have no fear, Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub to the rescue! Yeah well the Muse does so admit that sometimes she has to remind herself that inexpensive skincare is around, alive, and kicking! I can’t recall the last time I used Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub but that’s a good thing because tonight I got a chance to remind myself how truly good it is.
Grounded almonds, oats, and pecans are blended with rose petals, orange, and grapefruit oils to create a gorgeous facial scrub for all skin types. The product contains no parabens and many natural ingredients. Looks can be deceiving as the scrub isn’t the prettiest around. It’s poop brown (yes I did say poop you may laugh now!) with little scrubby bits and bobs. The good news is it doesn’t smell like poop…hehe…it’s quite a gorgeous scent of oranges with hints of rose and almond…rather relaxing and herbal like almost. Scoop some out…a small amount will do…and combine with water….slowly scrub around your face avoiding your eyes….rinse…and you’re left with super soft skin and a fresh scent that lingers for a bit! It doesn’t dry my skin out which is a plus as it does contain glycerin which moisturizes and softens my skin as I scrub. It says it’s gentle enough for daily use but I personal limit myself to twice a week as I could easily strip my face using it daily.
Sadly, it’s not comparable to Philosophy Microdelivery Wash for me as it’s much more harsher. The ground almonds, oats, and other bits and bobs could prove quite nasty to sensitive skin types in my opinion but personally if you’re suffering from dry, tight skin you’ll be thankful for such a good scrub as it’ll strip off the dry layer and leave behind a softer layer of skin.
Honestly, for $8 USD you simply can’t go wrong especially if you’re currently taking a step back and looking to budget your beauty care at the moment. All of Burt’s Bees products are 99% natural so if you’re seeking organic and inexpensive Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub and anything else from Burt’s has you covered!
I do recommend trying it out for yourself as you may find it’s exactly what you’re looking for this harsh Winter season! The Muse likey! Check out more from Burt’s at www.burtsbees.com
MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Review
NeoCeuticals Problem Dry Skin Gel Review
Philosophy Microdelivery Wash Review
Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask Review
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
Say Hello to my wake me up before I go, go fragrance!
Oh my god can I tell you my sister and I missed the boat with George Michael! We so didn’t know he was gay until around 2000…what the hell? I attract gay men like a magnet why didn’t I know about this? I think it was that Father Figure video that fooled us! All that sex couldn’t be acted! Turns out it could be….darn….I can’t lie and say we weren’t disappointed (this was at the point where George Michael was hot sex on wheels of course) however it does open a new door for me as now I so want to be BFF’s with George Michael! I know he’d just love my taste in fragrance…and cosmetics….and we could wear each others fabulous clothes, actually I could wear his fabulous clothes…I’m unsure if my closet holds anything fabulous….
Anyway….
I was about to tell you all about my new love, Prescriptives Calyx! Oh my god such a refreshing, tart, gorgeous wake me up scent! I haven’t really been in touch with Prescriptives fragrances since Flirt! Remember Flirt? It was my favorite perfume evers way back in the day but it can easily be replaced by Prescriptives Calyx…way betters people!
The exhilarating tangy, tartness of Calyx totally appeals and is exactly what I’ve been searching for in a fragrance forever. Something fun, upbeat, really refreshing, with just the right amount of pop! The notes include a blend of grapefruit (very dominant note), mandarin, tropical passion fruits, mango, papaya, and guave. Fruitylicious! I think the grapefruit successfully dominates the other notes in the blend to create a really refreshing fragrance that has a huge twang to it! Other notes include florals such as rose, lily, jasmin, and marigold and base notes of oakmoss, sandalwood, and vertiver. Personally I get a dominant note of grapefruit with a hints of lily and a shot of vetiver which makes this very tart.
I simply love this one and can’t say enough good things about it! I highly recommend trying it out for yourself if you like tart, fruity blends with a tiny hint of floral. Sounds weird combining lily with grapefruit but I promise it creates an interesting blend that’s sure to please!
I’m telling you about Prescriptives Calyx today because Prescriptives currently has some great gifts available and Calyx happens to make a guest starring appearance in one of the gifts being offered!
The Prescriptives Calyx Collection is $47.50 USD and includes the following:
Full Size Calyx
Travel Size Calyx Body Lotion
Travel Siz Calyx Purse Spray
and a silver Perscriptives bag with all of your Calyx goodies tucked inside!
The set is available for a limited time so you might want to grab it for yourself or as a gift while the getting is good as I’m sure it won’t be around after the Holidays! I’m thinking of grabbing one for my friend Jenn since we are scent twins! Snag yours by visiting the Prescriptives website!
This one is very Muse Approved! I think you’ll love it if you’re seeking out that wake me up before you go, go blend! And I promise George would so love it!
That wavy, mullet really did it for me 20 year’s ago!
Jill Stuart Perfume Review
Harajuku Lovers G Review
Clean Winter Review
Ralph Lauren Notorious Review
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
The Muse has tricked herself into believing that Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads actually do something for her skin!
Ha!
Don’t you dare sit there and not admit that sometimes you have a product that you know doesn’t work but you use it anyway because you’ve somehow convinced yourself it’s the awesome! Don’t lie…I’ll know if you’re lying….I’m the Muse after all! In this case I’ve convinced myself that Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads are the the bee’s knees…..but deep down inside I know they are junk…but I like to illusion myself since I have a big old jar full that I really want to get through! By the way I didn’t even know bee’s had knees! Awesome! Anyway what was I
saying…..
Oh yea…so I replaced my Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads with L’Oreal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes…why does this stuff have to have such a freaking long name…god….
Anyway……for a week I switched over to L’Oreal Skin Genesis Towelettes and I gotta say I’m kinda digging them! Ok first off…they do only an ok job of removing makeup so don’t get too excited. They remove makeup quite well but my mascara not so much or my heavy duty eye makeup…but the good news is I’m not interested in using these to remove my makeup anyway!
Now what I really like about these is the smoothing technique. Each towelette is quilted, pre-moistened, and quite a nice, large size. In the morning I use these to tone my face and resurface. They work fantastic at softening my dry skin, removing flaky skin, and creating a nice, moist surface for my makeup. Lucky enough they aren’t sticky and so far they haven’t dried my skin out plus they are heaps cheaper than Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads.
If you’re looking for something you can use to prime your face prior to makeup while resurfacing your skin and creating a nice, dewy finish you might want to check these out! I’m kinda digging them and think I’ll repurchase them again after I’m through with the 25 pack I have!
Mary-Kate and Ashley Blush on the Go Make Up Sheets Review
Covergirl TRUblend Whipped Foundation Review
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Review
L’Oreal Studio Perfect Fix and L’Oreal Smoothing Cream Review
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
If anyone is interested Kiss My Face is having 50% Off of everything online starting tomorrow for a 24 hour time frame using code KMF09.
I seen a few cute gift sets they had so if you’re wanting to budget a bit you might want to check them out for a secret Santa at your office or perhaps as a gift for your mail person or postal worker. They have a few themed scents such as Vanilla Sugar and Cranberry Spice…Mmm yums!
Visit www.kissmyface.com
Happy Hauling!
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
The Muse has a soft spot in her heart for Crabtree & Evelyn goodies so when she got her hands on a new Crabtree & Evelyn Aromatherapy Distillations Conditioning Body Lotion she couldn’t help but feel a bit excited!
The new Crabtree & Evelyn Aromatherapy Distillations line up combines the benefits of 100% essential oils and natural ingredients to create a relaxing blend for both your skin and your senses. The body lotion I received carries the tart scent of lemons with a heavy twang of coriander for a sensory wake you up scent! I actually wish this was a hand lotion as the scent would be ideal for my hands or even for hair. It’s quite invigorating and fresh smelling. You’ll be happy to know that this contains no parabens, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance and many other additives that most body lotions include in their formulas. The lotion glides on well and absorbs beautifully leaving behind the tart sweetness of lemons with just the right amount of coriander. You might think coriander in a body lotion is a bit strange but it goes very well with the lemons creating a rather nice vibrant blend.
Crabtree & Evelyn Aromatherapy Distillations comes in three formulas, Relaxation, Revitalize, and Purify. So far the Revitalize scent is really something I enjoyed trying out…I think I’ll head into the store to try the other blends and see what else is available in the Revitalize range!
Crabtree & Evelyn Aromatherapy Distillations are worth checking out for yourself! So far I’m really enjoying the body lotion! Check out www.crabtree-evelyn.com for further info about this new collection!
Anyone try these?
Love ‘em?
Any favorites from Crabtree & Evelyn?
Tell the Muse!
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Be Weil Collection Review
Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Body Lotion Review
Bath and Body Works Sleep Aromatherapy Collection Review
Beauty on a Budget: Caress Exotic Oil Infusion Cream Oil Body Wash Review
By the Muse on December 8, 2008
Morning guys!
I’m having a super busy Monday morning and everything that can go wrong…Murphy’s Law… is going wrong.
I’m quite happy that I had such a ridiculously lazy day yesterday which made me nice and well rested to deal with my nutty Monday! It’s been a while since I slept in so I did just that and enjoyed re-watching some of Sweet 18 on DVD and just generally vegetating. I can’t remember the last time I just stayed home on a Sunday and lazed!
How was your weekend?
I’ll be posting up new reviews shortly but I’m a little behind getting to them! Keep your eyes peeled though as they’ll be here soon. I’m very backed up with e-mail so if you e-mailed I do apologize if I haven’t replied. I have about 800 some odd e-mails in my box at the moment and catching up is a nightmare to say the least. If you need an answer right away to whatever you may have e-mailed just comment and I’ll reply quicker or twitter me! I also have a few comments to get to from last week and this weekend, I’ll get to those soon!
Just wanted to update you for today and hope you aren’t missing your daily dose of Musings too much!
Much love and hugs from your Muse!
Happy Monday!
By the Muse on December 5, 2008
Remember the Avon Color Rich 24K Gold Lipstick I was telling you about? Turns out it’s something rather special! I do so highly suggest checking these out for yourself from Avon as they are truly good and inexpensive to boot!
Each tube is $4.99 USD and contains a beautiful sparkling shade of highly moisturizing and pigmented lip color. Who can’t love that price? The shades all contain a healthy dose of gold shimmering flecks which ends up intensifying the color of the lipstick and making your lips gleam and shine! Gorgeous!
I tried two shades but I’m heading back for more shortly as truly they are gorgeous. The two colors I tried were Ruby in Gold and Golden Wine. Ruby in Gold is a beautiful deep peach a la my favorite MAC Lipglass Pink Grapefruit (I know, I know you’re tiring of hearing about Pink Grapefruit already!). Now Gold Wine had me terrified when I first seen it! The shade takes vampy up a few notches to say the least. In the tube it’s a deep, dark almost black cherry shade….terrifying….but it applies maroon with tiny flecks of gold! Gorgeous! If you ask which shade I like more I couldn’t possibly say as they are both beautiful.
For the price and the great quality I’m slapping a Muse Approved sticker on ‘em! I loves ‘em and thinks you will to!
If you’re looking for that perfect sparkling lippie for the Holiday Season with a nice price tag, look no further Avon Color Rich 24K Gold Lipstick has you covered!
Snag yours by clicking here! I still want to try out Golden Raisin, 24K, and Natural Gold for myself! How about you?
Tried these already?
Love ‘em!
Tell the Muse!
Avon Holiday Collection 2008: License to Shine
MAC Devoted Poppy Lip Palette Review, Swatches, and FOTD
Urban Decay Limited Edition Lipstick Case
Lavshuca Rouge Star Classic Lipstick Review, Swatches, and FOTD
By the Muse on December 4, 2008
As always we never get any of the cool stuff…..
Le sigh!
Take a gander at the awesome Sephora France Aristo Punk Collection:
Oh my god it’s so unfair Sephora on our side of the world doesn’t have these! They totally appeal to the Muse’s inner goth side!
The gloss is violet flavored and although it’s an outrageous purple it applies clear. The blush can double up as an eyeshadow if you so please! The gloss is 8,90€ and the blush is 12,90€ somewhat expensive so I won’t be bugging anyone to snag these for me in France but I can’t resist the cuteness! Although the Muse is simply TERRIFIED of spiders she loves collecting bits with them on it like jewelry, t-shirts, etc….hey I never said I was normal.
If you’re in France nab these are your local Sephora, if you’re in the US or anywhere else you’re plum out of luck! *Sniff!*
Darphin Paris Lipgloss Review
Beauty Abroad: Bourjois Paris Cream Blush
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