Musings of a Muse

MAC Fix+ Rose? So wants it!

As the release of MAC A Rose Romance nears the Muse can’t help but jump around in excitement over the MAC Fix + Rose! I have a thing for rose scented products so I’m all about a calming spritz filled with vitamins and minerals carrying the scent of 100% natural rose water.

My inner Victorian lady so needs a bottle or two or three….there’s something terribly ladylike about spritzing one self with rose scented fix!

What about you?

Is MAC Fix+ Rose calling your name?

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Why I’d spend over $14 USD for a drugstore finishing powder is seriously beyond me. My head is ready to explode thinking about it.

The Muse tries, she tries oh so hard.

Almay Pure Blends sounded like something the Muse needed to add to her line up of items to be reviewed. With cries of “please Muse more vegan friendly makeup…please more organic makeup reviews…”, the Muse was feeling rather pressured to embrace her green side. With the promise of a formula that 98.2% Natural, here in laid the perfect item to bring to my green friendly makeup users.

Um not so much.

The Muse is never shy to admit that she’s as shallow as they come and when cosmetic packaging is cute she can be swayed to buy it for that sole reason alone. Almay Pure Blends Loose Finishing Powder definitely has cute on it’s side. Housed in a sturdy pink and white box with a flip top lid the Muse was feeling the cuteness and mess free application. Likey! Aside from it’s cute packaging Almay Pure Blends Loose Finishing Powder doesn’t have a whole lot going for it.

I’m all about the shimmer so I got the shimmer finish on this powder. It’s supposed to be a translucent finish with a hint of shimmer but there is definitely color to the product which isn’t a bad thing, I don’t mind in the least however if you’re darker tone this could present a problem as you’ll look a bit chalky when it’s in place. The main problem for me with the powder is the fact that it really settles onto my face in a bad way. Yes, I do have dry skin at the moment but the powder shouldn’t lay on my face in such a strange way. It makes my skin quite flaky and dry looking, granted as I said my skin is already dry but it still shouldn’t settle this way. The powder is quite course and not exactly as silky as many of my other powders. The Muse loves shimmer but this powder is laden with it. I wouldn’t mind the shimmer so much if it wasn’t for the strange way the powder just lays on the skin. It gives me a bit of the disco ball effect which isn’t always a good thing.

As many raves as I had about the packaging and the mess free flip top lid I can’t help but feel it also hinders the use of the powder and makes it difficult to apply. As mentioned above the powder comes housed in a large box, once opened it has a flip top lid with sifter and a soft sponge for application. Although the flip top makes the product quite mess free it also makes for difficult application. I’m basically left tipping the powder upside down to shake some of the powder onto the puff since the sifter/opening isn’t large enough to fit the puff over it. I’m not sure why this annoys me but it does.

Honestly, at nearly $16 USD I’d go to MAC and buy some finishing powder because this is def not worth your cash. No likey. Cute packaging, nice green friendly concept, but the formula is just not so fabulous.

No go for this Muse. Skip it. If you’re simply too curious I’ve added my gently used Almay Pure Blends Loose Finishing Powder to my sale page.

Anyone try Almay Pure Blends yet?

Loving the line?

Do share!

Wouldn’t the new Limited Edition FlowerbyKenzo Spring Fragrance be the perfect mum’s day gift? The Muse’s thinks so. With it’s strong, vibrant notes it’s something my mum would totally love!

Jump ahead for a peep at the new FlowerbyKenzo.

As Spring becomes more and more noticeable here in the city I can’t help but be swept away and enjoy the warmer weather. Welcoming in Spring, FlowerbyKenzo is a Limited Edition fruity, floral blend that brings to life all the good things about Spring. With strong notes of mandarin and lychee the blend is vibrant and bold. Roaring full force ahead, this blend isn’t for the tame of heart.

This brand new fragrance comes in slim line frosted bottle that mimics that of a flower swaying in the breeze. Pretty!

Capture the essence of regrowth, life, and the aura of new beginnings with this brand new limited edition fragrance from Kenzo. Makes a rather brilliant Mother’s Day gift in the Muse’s opinion.

Any Kenzo fans?

Spill the good word.

Visit with Kenzo for great gift ideas for your mother!

Well hmmm! Count me disappointed. Rumor of Lavshuca Lipgloss and it’s Summer release has been afoot on the Internet for ages now but I thought perhaps we’d get a palette or two a la last year’s incredible release.

Think again!

Lavshuca has updated it’s website with the Summer Special section and it’s a pimp of old items and the brand new Lavshuca Lipgloss. Whoa. So that’s it?

Two looks, Clear Shiny and Clear Sweet, are shown on the site. Basically the looks are made up of old releases (blush, shadow, etc…) along with the new Lavshuca Lipgloss.

Well, I guess that means money saved this Summer. I can’t help but be slightly disappointed but what can you do? The Muse was under the impression maybe they’d extend further and slap us with a surprise palette or two. Doesn’t appear to be happening!

I’ll be bringing you a review of Lavshuca Lipgloss soon minus incredible, nonexistence palettes. Damn.

Majolica Majorca has updated it’s main portal with the brand new Summer Collection for ’09 entitled Innocent Pleasure. Although I can’t say I’m all that excited about Majolica Majorca Innocent Pleasure, I can’t deny that I always feel a certain hype about viewing the new items released.

Jump ahead for a peek!

In typical Majolica Majorca fashion you have to “find” the new items on the site. The theme of Innocent Pleasure is portrayed in an Adam and Eve-like fashion with a tree, a snake, and tempting goodies hidden within the three.

The collection does make me wired for the new palettes as this is quite a large Summer Collection especially when compared to last year’s extremely tiny release. A total of eight palettes are being introduced which is pretty huge for MJ. That’s a whole lot of palette. Although the release of eight palettes is very, very exciting, I personally can’t help but be disappointed by the same ho-hum color collection that’s typical to MJ and most every other Japanese brand. Sigh. Aside from RD784 I’m not feeling the love for any of the shade selections although I imagine I’ll indulge in a few if not all since I collect MJ palettes (diseased am I). GR780 should excite those who missed out on GR741 the limited edition palette from the Spring 2008 line up. It’s not a total dupe but it is fairly different for MJ to go with aquas/teals.

A brand new solid perfume is also released. I’m not sure as of yet what it smells like but it also looks a tad uneventful but of course, again, I’ll def indulge. And finally several new nail polishes.

All in all I find it very exciting that MJ released eight palettes but a bit crestfallen it’s the same old colors over and over. Many of the shades are quite similar to palettes I already have from the line. Oh well. One of my readers, Jenn from Japan, was nice enough to share her pamphlet she got while viewing Majolica Majorca at Welcia. Thanks Jenn! We heart you!

The Muse always feels the need for more shower gels. It just so happens that she stock piles shower gels like no one’s business. The bad news is, that if we run out of water she’s sure going to have a buncha useless bottles of gel but the good news is she smells really pretty in the morning.

If you’re feel the need for a unique showering experience in a jumbo size with a little price tag she says check out Pacifica for all your feel good shower experiences!

Pacifica Body Wash, like everything Pacifica, is available in a great size for a small price tag. $18 USD gets you 16 oz of uniquely scented shower gel! Likey!

Pacifica Body Wash is full of organic ingredients and natural essential oils that make indulging good for you. Formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, and Petro-Chemicals and Vegan friendly, these are sure to please the green friendly!

The body wash is nicely moisturizing and doesn’t dry my skin out. It creates mounds of foamy suds! Weee! They smell so good I used some in my hair as shampoo eep! Is that even allowed in the shower gel world? Oh wells!

I already own Pacifica Lotion in Lotus Garden and Bali Lime Papaya so I was delighted to add both scents to my collection in shower gel form! Good for layering.

Lotus Garden is turning out to be my absolute fav Pacifica scent lately and I can’t get enough of it. Lotus Garden has is a crisp, clean citrus. The citrus keeps the blend fruity but it’s quickly followed up with green notes and a strong underlay of lotus which gives a clean note to the fragrance. It’s quite unusual and very, very unique!

The other scent I have is Bali Lime Papaya which has notes of papaya but with just the right amount of lime to create a complexity that’s fruity and sweet! Likey! Perfect for Summer wear!

Any way you splice it Pacifica gets you alot of bang for your buck plus it’s vegan! Gotta loves it!

Total Muse Approval for purchase!

The entire Pacifica Collection is available from Sephora now! Check it at www.sephora.com

Have you tried Pacifica?

Loves it?

Tell the Muse!

Wanna Muse with me? I’m busy as all hades today but I sure do miss you guys. Since I’m busy missing you I thought we could Muse non cosmetic stuff today.

What? Cereal breaks up all the talk about cosmetics right? The Muse loves cereal, it brings out her inner child!

My fav cereal is Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch…I have a thing for pirates and the ocean….*shrug* I guess the Cap’n is the next best thing? Who knows but it sure is my fav cereal.

Coming up a close second would be Corn Pops…and maybe Sugar Smacks….I mean anything that has Sugar in the title has to be healthy right?

When I’m feeling adult I reach for the Raisin Bran….I’d never admit it but I do so love me some two scoops.

What’s your fav breakfast cereal?

Just like me, they long to be close to you…..! Shills longs to be Close to you dontcha know?

Jump ahead for a review on Shills Close to You because it’s longing to be close to the Muse and the Muse happens not to mind in the least.

Like most Asian cosmetics, Shills Close to You has it’s little gimmicky fix it all promise in a cute little pot. Hey, we love cosmetics that promise us perfection right, plus, better yet, in cute packaging. Score! Or in this case it promises to “keep fit of the skin”…that sounds really important, kinda, right?

Here’s the deal Shills Close to You is kinda sorta a foundation prep and prime. It’s supposed to fill fine lines, pores, and skin imperfections prior to foundation. The real deal is since it’s so moisturizing and creamy it’s probably not going to do much in the ways of priming your skin if you have woes such as large pores. The bad news is as a primer Close to You is a fail! But as a prep…as a prep we might have something here.

Think of this as a concealer for your face and you might have a win situation. Think of it as a light form of coverage for days you’re too lazy to apply a full face of makeup and again you have a win. Think of it as a spot treatment and yet again you’re winning. Or swipe a bit under your eyes and again you’re multitasking your way to a win.

If you drop the primer from the description you’ll have yourself a nice multitasking quick fix with a killer moisturizing formula that blends like a dream and leaves your face looking healthy and flawless. Likey. Win!

We could deem Shills Close to You as a bit of a gimmick considering it’s pratically an identical product to Shills Electric Eye Concealer. Honestly, I have no way of knowing if the formulas are the same but to me they appear the same, they feel the same….just come in different packaging shrug. But hey I can cope with two cute packages that supposedly perform two separate functions.

I use Shills Close to You as a light makeup coverage when I’m just running out the door for an errand or not wanting a full on makeup. It creates a nice even canvas for a bit of cheek stain and I’m ready to rumble. I don’t normally use a concealer on pimples but I rarely get pimples plus I don’t believe in covering them up anyway, let the bloody things breath and dry out is my solution. And I don’t really have pores or fine lines to hide away plus I’m thinking Close to You wouldn’t be much help anyway.

Solution?

If you’re wanting a quickie makeup for on the fly application and a nice smooth, fresh appearance or maybe a nice prep prior to foundation, Shills Close to You is the way to go. Disregard it’s Benefit dupe packaging and just enjoy the awesomeness that is Shills.

Likey possibly falls in the realms of loves it for this Muse!

Shills Close to You is exclusive to Taiwan but you can get it on Evil-bay if you’re so inclined. I paid retail which is around $4-5 USD, I’ve seen it on E-bay for around $12.99 USD so not too, too bad. It’s kinda worth checking out if you’re fair to medium skin as it’s a great little multitasking makeup item to stash in your purse.

If you’re a student and want to take advantage of 20% Off at Ulta skip ahead for the details!

Ulta obviously understands what it’s like being a student who’s strapped for cash! To help a friend in need they are offering 20% Skincare, Haircare, and Makeup every first Tuesday of the month.

Gee, I wish I was back in school to take advantage of this promo! No fair Ulta! Can we has a 20% off coupon code for the working class American too please? K, thanks! Love ya!

Learn more about the Ulta College Day Discount by visiting Ulta’s Facebook!

Now the Muse can’t speak for herself, as she’s practically perfect in every way al la Mary Poppins, but there happens to me a brand new facial filling serum from Avon that our mum’s can take advantage of!

What? I really am perfect in all ways that excludes wrinkles…well ok I admit maybe I have one two under my eyes……

Jump ahead for the deets on Avon Anew Clinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum….I dare you to say that three time’s really fast!

Avon steps up it’s game YET again in the skincare department with a brand new injectable-grade facial filler in serum form. Avon is all postal on the skincare world lately with all these interesting high tech wrinkle serums, lotions, and potions! Am I the only one that noticed this!? Yay revenge again the wrinkles!

This super concentrated serum has 3 times the level of an injectable-grade hyluronic acid for dramatic filling! Whoa dude. Erase those fine wrinkles and lines with this pistol! Oh by the way it’s not only good at filling lines but it comes in this sweet swirly design that’s kinda prettys.

Honestly, it’s a bit useless for me as I don’t have much in the way of deep lines to fill but I tried it out anyway. The formula is smooth and feels almost silicon-like. If nothing else it makes a fine prep and prime for makeup for me.

It promises that within 3 days you’ll see a visible reduction in deep folds and within two weeks a more youthful fullness to cheeks. And finally within four weeks you’ll see dramatically reduces the look of deep facial folds and hollowness.

Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by skin. It provides moisture and fullness but it’s production decreases with age which is where Avon Anew Clinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum comes into play. The serum is formulated to stimulate filling fiber and helps restore a youthful fullness to face.

Hopefully this is around when the Muse’s face starts to catch up to her age! For now you don’t have to take my word for it, check out the Avon site for the raving reviews from users! Click!

Avon Anew Clinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum is available now from shop.avon.com Check it our for your mum or yourself!

Tried it before?

Interested in trying it?

Tell the Muse!

Although the Muse is anything but a sun goddess she can’t help herself from falling helplessly in love and lust with the IsaDora early Summer release, IsaDora Bronzing Trend.

The Muse is loving the beautiful lips and eyes in this promo image. The sun kissed, bronzy lips are gorgeous and the seductive bronzes and golds on the eyes is truly a stunning look for Summer! These are the days I don’t mind all that tanned skin so much as it looks so yummy for the warm weather!

All of the details for the items releasing are in the promo image below:

The Muse is on board with that shadow palette, blushing bronzer, and gorgeous shade of lipgloss!

Likey!

IsaDora Bronzing Trend could get me on board with a tan yet! One never knows when presented with a collection like this.

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