January 26, 2012

A Brand New Musings of a Muse On the Way!

So…

A have a brand new Musings of a Muse on the way for you! I’m looking at a March/April launch for the new site. I’m tired of this old template and wanted a fresh new look.

Was there anything you’d like to see added into the site to make your user experience here more user friendly?

Do let me know!

Thanks!

84 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Karyn

    Drop down listing of categories rather then all on one page, saves scrolling forever please?

    Oh and if you can please keep the pink, I love it 😀

    • the Muse

      hey karyn…I was actually going to group the categories so they are better organized. does that sound ok? Not sure on color yet but I love pink too ;-D!

      • Butterdaisy

        Just wanted to second that anything to make navigating the categories list much easier would be greatly appreciated. 8)

  • Nana

    I’m not sure if this is possible, but perhaps an option where your readers can follow your blog?
    Or does that already exist and I’m just oblivious? XD

    • the Muse

      left side nana…I’m on twitter, facebook google plus, and you can follow via RSS and subscribe via email. This all available on the site already hun. the slider above also has options available for follows on twitter and subscription via email.

        • Nana

          also i think one of my comments got deleted about other people getting to visit each others blog through name link >.<

          • the Muse

            comments aren’t ever deleted unless they are rude nana. I probably haven’t approved/replied yet. visit each others blog through name link? let me find your other comment to see if I can clarify that.

  • Nana

    Oh and when readers comment and have a blog of their own, you can click on their name to look at their blog 😀 That would be awesomeeeeee!!

    • the Muse

      ah i did away with link backs nana b/c some people were abusing it to promote their avon.com pages. i don’t necessarily mind this if you’re an active reader here however it bugged me when someone who never commented before would randomly include a link to their store. Also sometimes spam sites get through and I end up with links to Viagra sites…I’ll think about bringing linkbacks backs as I’m adding a new comment plugin so we’ll see how it works out 🙂

  • tomate farcie

    when you return from the jumps, you end up on the same spot you left instead of scrolling all of the time…thank you

      • Tammie

        I think they mean that when you click on the “read more” sort of link to start it below where that is located at the post, rather than the top of the post.

          • Jes

            I think the original poster means, when you click on a link in one of your posts, and it navigates you to a new page, that if you hit the ‘back’ button in your browser, it returns you to the place you left off in the posting/article. So you don’t lose your place in the post/article you were reading in the first place. Does that make sense?

          • the Muse

            totes ;-D I have to see how I can figure out a work around on this jes ;D!

          • Chels

            I know what tomato is talking about and your website already does it…

            You know when you’ve scrolled halfway down on a page and then you click a link? Backspacing from that link you clicked, you want to be at the same place in that previous page without having to scroll. Comprende?

          • Rads

            Hehheee….when you are on the main landing page, it shows a lot of articles – just a snippet with a jump or read more option that you can click on to expand and read that particular post in its entirety if you want to. What Tammie was telling was (and I am guessing this :P) – click on the “read more’ button to expand the post – you get the new page with the entire post in it. Tammie doesn’t want to read the first part of the article again because that’s already been read in the snippet. Instead, the page should automatically scroll down to portion below the snippet that is the actual unread portion. Did that make any sense. Tammie doesn’t want to read the portion that was show in the snippet all over again…too much work….so instead of scrolling down to the portion that is not read, Tammie wants the page to automatically scroll down to the unread portion 😛 😛 😛 😛

          • the Muse

            I think I got it rads LOL! ;-D I’ll see about fixing the issue in the next template *crosses fingers I’ll work it out*

          • Tiffany C.

            maybe when you click on read more and…read more, LOL, then when you click on the back button you’re at the same spot instead of being pushed to the top and having to scroll down to find where you were before. i think they like that, and i do too.

          • Yesi

            Hi Muse,
            let’s say you’re in page 2 of the new reviews and you scroll mid-way down and decide to go into the tarte cheek stains review that you posted. Once you go to the review and press the back button to go back to page 2 it will send you to the very top of the page instead of sending you mid-way where you were already. I know I know we’re kind of spoiled but it’s super convenient if you could fix it. By the way i started using all the lush products because of you and they totally ROCK!!!!! Thanks.

          • the Muse

            I’ll try to get that working yesi 🙂 aw that’s great! Lush is so fab! Hope you’re enjoying them!!!!!!!!

  • Kimryan8

    Hi Muse
    Can you have something where people can attach photos to comments? There have been times that I’ve tried things you’ve reviewed. Maybe it could help other readers to get their pictures.

    Though this could open the flood gates to obnoxiousness you are not looking for…

    • the Muse

      Hey Kim sounds fun but it would be pretty messy and scrolling could go on for ages 🙁

      • Butterdaisy

        How about, instead of in the comments, a separate section where The Muse fans show off looks they’ve tried using the products you review?

        • the Muse

          hi butterdaisy that’s a nice suggestion but a little hard to implement on wordpress. That’s more for a forum type setting.

          I’d need to give access to readers to my dashboard and set them up with user accounts if they wanted to upload photos, etc….they can always use something like photobucket but again they’ll need someway to post to my blog and that would make me a bit uncomfortable giving everyone access to the site like that could cause security issues.

          Plus I think readers like the comment suggestion. deleting it and replacing it with a place to upload photos probably wouldn’t be that popular as not everyone wants their personal photo on the web 🙂

  • Ruth

    WAHOO!! new pretties to look at! I’m with CJ, as long as you show up with your brand of silliness, then please do whatever makes you happy!

  • Rads

    And that is really the longest, narrowest comment I have ever posted anywhere 😀 😀 😀 😀 And also the most confusing I guess 😀 😀

  • Jess

    Don’t change it too much! I love it just the way it is! Facebook keeps changing and it’s driving me batty, makes me want to cancel my account!

  • Nikki

    Yipee!!! How exciting!! Can’t wait to see the new layout! By the way Muse, I’m officially addicted to your blog! I love your honest reviews and latest beauty news! Your awesome!

  • Stephanie C.

    It would be neat if the “As Seen By” photo shuffled randomly each reload 😀

    As for new layout, I really do like how pink this site is, so I hope that the new site will still have a pink theme somehow ^^!!

    • the Muse

      i love that idea stephanie let me see what I can do about that, cool! i def think I wanna keep pink too!

  • Tracy

    I like the pink too ! But I’m ok with any light color background with black writings. I CANNOT stand white letters on black backgrounds, it really hurts my eyes ! And I can’t do that to my eyes coz I’m on your site daily !

    • aquahartz

      I’m with u. Light colour background like lilac or violet or pink or coral will be nice. (sounds girly.. but girly I am) =)

  • Littlecreek

    A list of all Muse Approved products. Each item in the list could be a text link to your original review. And I have to second shortening list on the side, the scrolling is like the never ending story.

    • the Muse

      agreed sorry littlecreek ;-D I’m actually going to try and group things a bit better. hopefully it cuts down on the issues!

  • sataa

    I agree with Nana’s proposal i would love to follow your blog via GFC I like it that way.Muse I asked you some questions via Twitter I know you are very busy but I would really appreciate it if you would reply to them whenever you have some time.

    • the Muse

      sorry sataa I’m not sure what GFC is? I haven’t been on twitter in a few weeks, apologies, just been busy. My timeline is prob out of control but I def always reply. I’ll get to ’em soon 🙂

  • Daniela

    I’m so excited!!!!! You know that your website is the first I check everyday..I could honestly just make you my homepage:) I find your blog to be more user friendly than others do I say keep it up

  • monique

    I just love your website! I go on it everyday at least 3 times a day, I’m just happy that your still doing it, and posting it’s simply the best, I can’t wait to see the new site!

  • aquahartz

    Heyya Muse,
    I have this obsession of ready beauty webby that everyday I actually make an effort to visit at least 1-2. I sooo love ur beauty webbie that is the first one on the list of my MUST GO TO BEAUTY WEBBIES list. It might sound crazy but if I’m super busy, this webbie will be one that I dont want to miss.

    Reasons:
    – I like ur honest review on the products, not affected by ‘outside’ pressure, and u make a point if they are actually sponsored or not.
    – I like ur thorough review on these products, shows that you actually make an effort to try & test each one of them.
    – I like ur photos of the products. they give me almost a real experience of each, and most of the time they do influence me in my decision to get those items.
    – I totally love ur webbie layout: white, wide, no clutter, blissful to my eyes with the colour choice, and most importantly because of ur current layout it doesnt get stuck during the time internet plays up. (I liked the layout before this as well, but I think this one is better).
    – I like u making the effort to actually reply to comments despite ur busy daily life. Nonetheless if they r not replied on time, totally understandable.

    There my schpill on ur webbie.
    I love the current layout, but change is always fun. For ur next layout choice, is it okay to at least stay with the white background & non-clutter layout? Because, no matter how comprehensive & lotsa items reviewed on other websites, i think many will agree with me that non-clutter, happy website will make a loyal customer =)

    Take care Muse!

  • aquahartz

    Oh, btw, I noticed that u might have not reviewed Biotherm products. I’m interested to use some of their products, but not many review them. Is it coz there’s something fishy about their product or is it coz its difficult to find in the US?

    Thanks soo much for ur time. =)

    • the Muse

      hi aqua sorry, I just never got into the brand 🙂 I’ll have to check it out someday soon!

  • aquahartz

    Oh, I forgot. I dont know why today I suddenly shower u with all my comments!! Mebbie coz the thought that I might lose u with the change of the webbie is killing me.. ='( huhhhuhuhuhu.

    I like ur Muse Approved thing. I remember u used include:
    – “who might like it” list.
    – “who might not like it” list.
    – product in a nutshell.
    Can we bring these back?

    Ok, i promise, i wont mess ur comment box any more =P

    • the Muse

      hi aqua, yeah, I think maybe that list might come back 🙂 I’m glad you thought it was helpful! no worries I appreciate your feedback…don’t worry I’m not doing any major changes, I’m actually looking to decrease clutter and clean things up but not add a ton of features. I want it was simple as possible 🙂

  • Butterdaisy

    A site makeover….. Way cool!! How about a “I want it, I’ll pass, I bought it & love it, I bought it & hate it” poll on each product review page.

  • Majick

    Love your site the way it is. Having a poll for the products could be fun, that was a neat suggestion.

    Keeping it simple certainly works for me. I can’t stand sites that keep you jumping all over the place or have too busy a background or bright colors.

    Good luck with the transition and I look forward to enjoying the changes. (at least thats one ‘change’ I don’t mind LOL)

    p.s. I was curious – how do some folks get a picture as their avatar?

    • the Muse

      gravatar majick 😀 You can set one up on their site! and thank YOU so much!

  • Susan K

    It’s perfect the way it is. I love the layout; clean, simple, so easy to find what one is looking for. I like the alpha order on left and the “you might also like” boxes that pop up. I’ve discovered many new (to me) products that way that I would have never known about. It’s the easiest site to navigate that I visit, beauty or otherwise. Are you going to do a “best of 2010?” Those are fun!

  • Michelle

    This really doesn’t count as something to CHANGE per se but it’s positive feedback. I LOVE your tutorials on Asian makeup…the brands, where to buy, the types, etc. I’m not interested in buying it myself b/c it’s too much of a hassle for me but WOW what a gold mine for the makeup addicts out there who needed help buying Asian and had nowhere to turn. You really helped a lot of people with your expertise. I would definitely keep writing about hard-to-find foreign brands (now you have me ADDICTED to finding Dianne Brill makeup thanks to your great reviews!) and share as much as you know b/c there’s a great big world of makeup out there outside of the US. For example, I just heard about a great Mexican mascara called “Apple” (Google it) that’s less than $3/tube and the reviews I’ve read have been great.

    Anyway, IMHO the best way you can improve your blog is keep writing about your passion for makeup and I’d love to learn more about those foreign brands you discover, even if I never end up buying any myself! 🙂

  • dangster

    I like to open all of your posts of the day into their own separate browser tabs, all at once. Normally this isn’t an issue on my home computers (which have up-to-date hardware), but on my crappy work computer, they freeze up my browser (firefox). Even one tab from your blog slows down the performance of the browser. This doesn’t happen with other websites 🙁

    So perhaps something that is less resource-intensive would be nice.

    • the Muse

      weird sorry dangster! I’ll see what’s going on with that!!!!!!!!!! 🙁

  • Emily

    I’d love a mobile version of your site if it is not too hard to do. I like to be able to check my favorite beauty blogs when I’m out shopping and run across products I might want to buy.

  • Nicole

    new site AWESOME, i know this is little an dum but can you put next page, I know at the bottom of the site it say 1 2 3 4 etc but I always go to the end thinking it’s next page lol

  • E.

    I think the site is OK the way it is, and enjoy visiting…

    But I’m assuming you use some kind of plug-in for the “related links” at the end of each post. Because many of the products you cover on your site are available for just a few months, a review of something from Spring 2008 is kind of a pointless link. That wouldn’t be a problem if these posts only turned up once in a while, but they usually comprise the majority of the links that are offered at the end of a post.

    The biggest suggestion I have for an overhaul is to try to find some way to limit the related links to more current, relevant posts.

  • Makedonka

    I would love to see the posts tagged with the date, Muse … 🙂 I tried going back to read posts I missed from certain date and found your archives but they are by month only.