The Muse is feeling the sugar rush today and is bracing herself for the release of MAC SugarSweet tomorrow. I can barely wait as this collection is so me, the Muse happens to as sweet as sugar dontcha know!
Jump ahead for a teeny tiny preview of what’s ahead for MAC Sugarsweet tomorrow.
As I said I’m quite excited about this color story release so I’m all raved up and ready to go. I thought I’d give you a quickie sneaky peek at a few items I’ve already hauled…tomorrow I’ll be hauling more so expect a sequel post shortly.
Am I the only demented one that thinks with names like Dear Cupcake and Lemon Chiffon that this collection would be even better if the products were scented as such?
A few readers asked after this one and I had to stop, scratch my head, and wonder what you were all on about!
Click to Enlarge, you’ll be happy you did!
Ahh but now I see the excitement! Cargo Plant Love Green Goddess Palette is looking mighty sexy!
This pretty little palette contains all you need for creating a beautiful, natural look this Spring season!
Included inside you’ll get:
Cargo Plant Love Bamboo Eye Shadow (Golden Brown Shimmer)
Cargo Plant Love Thyme Eye Shadow (Golden Olive Shimmer)
Cargo Plant Love Beech Eye Shadow (Peach Shimmer)
Cargo Plant Love Lily Eye Shadow (Light Pink Shimmer)
Cargo Plant Love Blush in Peony Blush (Shimmering Apricot)
Cargo Plant Love Blush in Rose (Matte Rose)
Cargo Plant Love Green Goddess Collection Palette is an all natural selection of color housed in an eco-certified packaging. The entire Cargo Plant Love Collection is formulated with out parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances.
The palette looks darling and quite tempting. It’s $36 USD and available now from Sephora. The Muse thinks she needs one.
You know the Muse, she’s terribly addicted to concealers. I got many requests asking me to please review the Balm Time Balm Concealer for a while plus I got many recommendations from lovely readers who told me how great it was.
I decided it was about time that I try it out for myself to see if all the excitement that surrounds this particular concealer was living up with the Muse’s expectations.
It’s good. It’s not great and it’s not my holy grail concealer of choice but it’s not bad. the Balm Time Balm Concealer comes housed in a rather tiny little clear jar that’s about the size of what you’d get a pigment sample in. Although the packaging is tiny it houses plenty of concealer that should last well over a year. Also included is a tiny, circle sponge that blends the concealer in place.
Few fun facts about the concealer….
It’s not a moisturizing concealer in any way, shape, or form. If you’re older this is probably not one of the first concealers you’ll want to be reaching for simply because it takes a tiny bit of work to get it in place and blended in thus being older you aren’t going to want to do all that rubbing around the eye area so much (or even if you’re younger for that matter). The product is pigmented enough to hide up plenty of woes such as dark circles, puffy eyes, and fine lines. Although the concealer is more of “harder” texture than what I’d prefer it does cover up amazingly well.
I think the key to getting it blended correctly is using the small sponge it comes with. I twirl my finger in the top and dab a few spots under my eyes and proceed to pat on with the sponge. It seems to give a nice airbrushed look by applying this way but I do have to be careful with prepping correctly otherwise it creases and cakes terribly.
Coverage is good and the concealer performs pretty well all day without a touch up in between. I think if you prefer, for lack of a better word, a more dense concealer this would be something to consider. The texture is not creamy nor can it be compared to Benefit Boi-ing’s formula which also has a slightly “hard-like” texture. The feel of the product holds it’s own in the concealer department.
Overall, it a good concealer but I have doubts I’d repurchase if I ran out as I prefer a more moisturizing concealer. This would be a great one for those who prefer this style of texture in their concealers. Personally, at my age, I’m all about moisturizing concealers. This was nice and quite good but not on my to buy again list.
Since I’m such a Korres fan girl I’m all over the new Korres Face Primer. My ears perked when I heard “silicone-free”, oh I love you my little silicon free primer. Creates flawless skin sans silicone indeed I’m liking this more and more.
I hate silicon based primers with a passion as they make me itchy and they pill on my face. This formula is silicon-free and is a 99% natural formula that refines skin texture while minimizing fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.
I can’t believe I’m about to say this but this morning when I was test driving Stila Mango Crush I realized I was too pale to use it. Gasp! Outrageous right? Although it looks mighty nice on I think it’ll look way more flattering, gulp still can’t believe I’m saying this, on sunny skin. Obviously Stila’s intention was to make a shade that was flattering on tanned skin and in this case I’m in agreement with them.
You’ve been reading Musings long enough by now probably to realize what an advocate the Muse is when it comes to brightening, whitening, and remaining as pale as possible. I’m a medium fair skin and I do everything in my power to bring my skin down to, at the very least, a fair shade without looking too ghastly. I think I blend out well enough that you’d never realize my skin was a shade or two darker than it actually really is. This morning I was having a test run with Stila Mango Crush and I realized that it’ll actually be way more flattering if I simply sat in the sun for a while or used a tinted bronzer or bronzing powder prior to applying.
I’m loving the shade. It’s a gorgeous deep coral color that has a hint of a pearly shimmer that’s very pretty. It’s plenty pigmented to give a nice pop of peach to cheeks. I think the idea was for it to taste like mango as with the other stains in the line they taste and smell like their namesakes. However, I thought it tasted like cucumber and not mango.
The stain comes in a click style pen and with a brush applicator. Simply click for a squirt of color and brush on. A per my rantings in my prior reviews I’m not a fan of using the product on my lips and following up on my face so I’ve taken to simply wiping it clean with a MAC Cleansing Cloth after each use. My first venture with Stila Cherry Crush I ended up purchasing one for my lips and one for my cheeks but I’ve become economy friendly now and just wipe down the brush after use with the cloth and I’m good to rumble. I like the style of packaging as it’s travel friendly and mess, fuss-free.
As mentioned above it gives a rather lovely pop of peach to my cheeks but I think it would look even better on a tanned face. Tomorrow I’m going to try using a bit of a bronzing powder to see how it looks on. The shade is quite pigmented and should work well on most skin types however it may not be deep enough for a darker skin tone. It looks quite nice and natural on lips as well.
Overall, I really loved Stila Mango Crush and must say I love that they keep extending this line and growing it with new shades. It’s a wonderful color for Summer and it’ll work well into the Fall. The stain is long wearing with no touch ups between so it’s virtually sweat proof, rain proof, and sunny day proof. Even when the rest of your makeup has well worn away you’ll still be sporting a sunny shade of sunset on the apples of your cheeks!
Well done Stila! Keep crushing and the Muse will keep buying! Stila Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain is Muse Approved for purchase. This was a little sneak peek review so you’ll have to wait a little longer for Mango Crush, she’ll be available in May from Stila and Sephora. For now check out Cherry Crush and Pomegranate Crush for cure your lemmings!
Happiness is the new Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Sand & Sea Palette! Loves it!
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess has some particularly great items that were released with this very early Summer-like collection but the one I’m loving the best is undoubtedly the Sand & Sea Palette.
A little golden sand, a bit of the ocean, and the perfect blue sky and you’ll have an ideal palette for creating numerous Summer looks that are sure to please. The palette is made up pf six silky shimmering shades of color that range from aqua to gold and than some. Housed in a slick slim line case in a golden bronze shade that flips open to reveal a full size mirror, you’ll be wanting to tote this little guy along on your next tropical getaway!
The shadows are all silky smooth with a satin finish with the barest hint of shimmer. The colors have quite good color pay off and blend very well. Plenty of variety is housed in the palette and the colors fitting in with their name of “Sand and Sea”. You’ll get an aqua shade, a sky blue, a deep chocolate brown, a shimmering sunset gold, a light cream beige, and a subtle bronze. Contrasting aqua with the sandy, golden shades creates a rather interesting effect on lids that really brings out a bit of the Summer. The palette is a nice price at $38 USD which rounds out to around to $6 dollars per a shade of shadow. You’re getting quite a fair bit of product for the price. I’m a sucker for gorgeous palettes and this is really a nice one especially considering the variety you can get from all six shades. I created three separate looks for you with the palette but you can get any number of combinations from it.
For my look below I started out using the light blue shade all over my lid and crease. I followed up by using the deeper shade of aqua on my lid and blending slowly upwards. I finished the look by lining my lower lash line and my lower waterline with the Estee Lauder Duo-Tone Eye Pencil. You’ll also notice I used a tiny touch of the gold shade above my crease just blended upwards slightly for a hint of shimmer!
For my second look I started off by giving my entire eye a color wash using Tea Biscuit (light cream beige), I paid particularly close attention to my high brow area, highlighting with this shade. I followed up with Ginger Drop (subtle bronze shade) on my lid and completed the look by contrasting Ginger Drop with Gold Nugget (sunset gold shade) in my lid and blending upwards.
For my final look I used just about all the shades and the kitchen sink! Tea Biscuit was used as an all over color wash and followed up with Ginger Drop on my lid and contrasted with Gold Nugget on the outer v of my eye and blended into the crease. A tiny touch of Bronze Cube (chocolaty brown shade) on my crease blended upwards complete the upper part of my eye. For a bit of pop I added some aqua to my lower lash line and lined my lower waterline with the Estee Lauder Duo-Tone Eye Pencil.
Although this is a review of the Estee Lauder Sand & Sand Palette I also used the new Estee Lauder Duo-Tone Eye Pencil in my few of my looks which deserves a mention. This pencil is a dual sided liner that has two shades of color in one pencil. The Muse wishes that more brands would embrace this idea, I heart two shades of color for my dollar! This is worth a look and a buy if you’re a fan of aqua shades as this has two shades of brilliant aquas that are unique and pair well with the palette.
Overall, I’m really enjoying my adventures with the entire Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection. It’s Summer-friendly and has plenty of beautiful shades to last well into the Fall if you choose to haul the palette out when the cooler weather sets in (I know, I know! Spring isn’t hear yet and I’m on about Fall but hey makeup junkies must prepare ahead). The palette is a nice value for the price and offers plenty of color options for quite a few eye looks. If you’re looking for a warmer bronze palette to flatter your Summer tan look no further than the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Sand and Sea Palette, tis Muse Approved for purchase! Head on over to your counter for a swatch, the Muse guarantees you’ll fall in love with it.
See more of the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection by visiting www.esteelauder.com
I’ve Mused Bare Escentuals Glimmers and Eyeshadows but I never discussed Bare Escentuals Blushes. Secondary, on my list of favs from Bare Escentuals line would have to be their blushes.
Bare Escentuals has some great hidden gems in their blush collection that many people probably never took note of, one such shade would be Fruit Cocktail.
Doesn’t the name just make you happy?
The shade is a popping pink that kinda reminds me of fruit cocktail. Every eat fruit cocktail in the can? All that fruit and if you’re lucky a single cherry or two….I used to love the cherry when I was little, it was the highlight of the fruit cocktail! This blush reminds me of those days.
The color could be a bit loud for some but for my cheeks it’s very flattering. It has that just pinched look that I favor in my blushes and if I’m feeling frisky I can even use it as an all over color wash on my eyes!
Bare Escentuals Blush in Fruit Cocktail is one to watch, the Muse loves it!
Last week I featured a friendly, feminine beauty budget find from Lollia to moisturize your skin! This week I’ll feature a sweet little duo to cleanse hair and condition your hair that’s sure to please you packaging wise, cute wise, and price wise!
Lollia holds my heart when it comes to ultra cute, girlishly chic bits and bobs for body and hair care. Today I thought I’d bring you a review of Lollia Clover Blossom Shampoo and Lollia Bee Balm Conditioner in the scent Mint Julep.
These sweet petite treats are available from Lollia for $8 USD each and come housed in small little toothpaste style tubes that are practical yet have that hint of designer charm for displaying in your wash room or on top of your vanity.
Lollia Clover Blossom Shampoo is formulated with purifying clover blossom to protect tresses while wheat proteins build strength. This shampoo is light enough for daily use on all hair types without weighting it down! It’s lightly perfumed with Mint Julep which feels cooling and soothing on the scalp and scents your hair with a delicious blend of vanilla bean, shredded coconut, star anise, and crushed mint.
Lollia Clover Blossom Conditioner adds shine and flirt to hair. Keep hair calm and moisturized with milk and wheat and the cool scent of Mint Julep!
Both the shampoo and conditioner are very light formula so if your hair is color treated, dry, oily, or silicon free, like my own, you’ll be able to safely use this without weighting hair down or stripping color.
The scent is delicious and it lingers quite nicely in your hair so you’ll be smelling minty fresh all day long. Mint for your hair possibly sounds weird but the other notes of vanilla and coconut morph the mint into a gorgeous blend that’s sure to please.
Since these cute little treats are such a budget friendly price they are perfect for gift giving, stashing in your guest room, or most important, traveling with!
You can snag Lollia Shampoo and Conditioner by visiting www.lollialife.com
For today’s Stash Spotlight I thought I’d give you a peep at my stash of Morgen Schick Lip Shines!
Some of you may be privy to Morgen Schick’s cosmetic line and some of you may be scratching your head saying “who?” Morgen Schick does a line of cosmetics that premiered on HSN some years ago and she also has her own website where she sells the line. She really has some incredible cosmetics and I happen to be a huge fan, particularly, of her base makeup line, tis HG material for this Muse.
I’m also a huge fan of the Morgen Schick Lip Shines. Don’t ask me why as they really aren’t the best lipgloss around but I’m terribly addicted to the tasty mint flavor, the ridiculous amount of color variety, and the great long wear of the product. They aren’t richly pigmented but they do leave a nice hint of color on lips with a slightly shimmery finish that’s really quite nice. I’ve collected quite a few year since Morgen had sets of five available that would ship ever season or so…of course I was on that auto ship option!
Since than I’ve collected various ones from Evil-bay, or swapping, and purchasing on HSN. I highly suggest seeking at least one shade out for yourself as they are an interesting gloss to try!
Loves ‘em!
Without further babbling from me a few pics of my stash are below!
Brand new the Benefit Smokin’ Eyes Palette! Hi there.
Just noticed this little guy parading around on the Benefit site and now I feel a lemming coming on. I’m smoky eye disabled so this should be just the treat for me as I always screw up a perfect nice smoky eye with loads and loads…oh and loads of shimmer so I really could use a kit giving me the how to and low down on the perfect smoky eye! Kinda looks like the Too Faced Smoky Eye Palette but without alot of the fanfare!
This actually covers not only a smoky eye but also brows as well so you’re getting an all-in-one kit for lids and brows. Cool beans! The kit includes three shadows, a black eyeliner pencil, a brightener, 2 blushes, mini tweezers, and a complete lesson book for idiots like me who have a hard time getting that perfect smoked out eye look.
The question is, to order or not to order….hmmmm! Benefit still has 20% Off of an order of $50 USD or more so I should probably grab this and some Benefit Lemon Aid….whatta ya think?
With so many bloody finishes to choose from it’s hard to decide a favorite eye shadow finish isn’t it?
You probably already guessed mine but jump ahead for my answer!
But of course…let’s all yell it together now…SHIMMER! I love a shimmery shadow finish. Give me shimmer any day of the week but I do love me some metallic as well!
Least fav is of course matte!
What about you?
Vote and tell me which is your favorite finish!
Share it in the comment field too if you like.
Your fav finish not mentioned in the poll? Tell me about it anyway!
I’m blue today not literally just blue makeup…yeah, yeah I know it’s St. Paddy’s day but I was feeling blue…my the very my all this blue makes me want to break out in song!
Jump ahead to check out all that blue!
Clarins Spring Collection is feeling the love for blue with it’s two new limited edition shades of blue in the Clarins Eye Pencil and Clarins Wonder Volume Mascara.
I’ve reviewed Clarins Wonder Mascara prior to this but I did so have to come back and tell you it’s available in a limited edition shade entitled, what else, Wonder Blue! Who doesn’t need a blue mascara in their life? Clarins Wonder Mascara promotes fuller, longer lashes all while staining them the perfect shade of navy blue great for pairing up with a stunning blue eye look or pair it up with sparkling gold for a bit of pop! All that blue flatters any eye color but the Muse likes to think it looks the best with brown eyes!
Line and define eyes with the Clarins Eye Pencil in Ultramarine which pairs up beautifully with the mascara. The shade is the perfect ocean blue and brightens up eyes beautifully well for Spring. The formula is soft and smooth for easy lining and blending. The pencil is dual sided so it also includes a sponge smudger on the opposite end to blend out color and create a smoked out eye look if you desire.
Sportin’ Clarins Eye Pencil in Ultramarine on my bottom lash line and bottom water line and Clarins Wonder Lash Mascara in Wonder Blue
If you were craving blue, Clarins has all the blue you need! Hurry along to Clarins to snag them before they are gone for good!
Loving all that blue ba da dee!
I’m a little obsessed with blue at the moment!
How about you?
Which colors are reigning supreme in your cosmetic wardrobe this week?
Much to the Muse’s delight USD is holding it’s own against Yen for two whole weeks now. I’ve been following it closely and it’s been converting almost even for the past two weeks. I’m hopeful it’ll keep through the Summer so we can take advantage with not only Summer Collections but most important Fall Collections.
At the moment the conversation is equal to USD which isn’t particularly a great sign for the economy but is a nice relief from past conversions. I’ve been holding out on my Japanese Spring haul due to crummy conversion but now I can indulge!
Bless be!
The moral of the story is if you haven’t hauled Spring yet you may want to now with the conversion rate going as it is. It’s really anyone’s guess how long this will last so take advantage while you can.
Off the topic of Yen, Won is still converting wonderfully well too so if you’re wanting to haul from Korea now is a good time.
Friendly note from your resident currency converter and makeup junkie hehe!
The Muse has a badger in her purse and thinks you should too!
Oh, not a real badger of course but a tin of Badger Balm Lip and Skin Balm!
I’m still on my Badger Balm kick so you’ll have to listen to a few more raves about lovely badgers today. Ok? Ok.
In the Muse’s Purse is a tin of Badger Balm Lip and Body Balm in Tangerine Breeze. So yummie people and a budget friendly price tag too of $5.50 USD! Badger Balm Lip Balm is available in six yummie flavors, my fav happens to be Tangerine Breeze which kinda tastes like biting into an orange skin. You ever bite into the skin of an orange so you can start to peel it and get that slightly bitter sweet taste of the skin? That’s exactly what Tangerine Breeze tastes like! It’s a tiny bit bitter, a little bit sweet, and all about the citrus taste of a yummie Tangerine!
Badger Balm Lip Balm is a little multitasking demon as you can use it on lips and skin. I tote mine around to quench my lips with however if you want you can purchase an extra tin to use on rough elbows, knees, hands, cuticles, anywhere your skin needs a little extra moisture!
Made with virgin olive oil, beeswax, aloe vera, rosehip, and seabuckthorn, Badger Balms are certified Organic and good for you!
My lips are nice and soft after use and stay moist all day long when I’m feeling to lazy to reapply my gloss or lipstick. The tin is tiny but packs alot of product for the price. I have an extra tin of Tangerine Breeze that I use on my legs in the Summer to smooth them up and make them nice and short ready!
Badger Balm Lip Balms are Muse Approved for purchase as they contains good for you ingredients, plus they are tasty, and they have a great budget price tag. Likey!
The Muse imagines that if you can dial a phone you can probably dial a mascara…shrug…I dunno Avon told me I could so I believed it!
Dish out your $6 bucks so you can dial for a good time ladies! An Avon first it’s a mascara that offers up to 8 times the volume with an innovative dial that you can use to customize your lash volume!
Whoa.
Dial for less or dial for more it’s entirely up to you. Simply twist the bottom of the mascara for more or less lash volume. Gotta love that right? Ahhh the makeup world is so awesome sometimes isn’t it?!
Recent Comments