Musings of a Muse

I have a serious disease when it comes to collecting, hoarding, and stashing away crazy amounts of Majolica Majorca Majolook Palettes.

Even the ones that suck somehow end up in my arsenal of insanity. Is it a sin to collect palettes I don’t even use? Am I going to hell?

I think I pretty much have ever Majolica Majorca Majolook Palette released over the course of the past few years. Many people will beg to to say that Majolook palettes aren’t as good as Majorca Majolica singles or not as great as many other releases but honestly about 85% of the ones I have, I absolutely adore.

The colors always work well together, the liner that comes with some of them is pretty decent quality, and I kinda dig the compact palettes!

Hope you enjoy the photos of my sickness! I even included some of the Majolica Majorca Majewel Palettes, my flavorites!

How about you?

Love MJ?

Love the palettes?

Tell the Muse!

Are you tired of powder washes yet? The Muse has featured three already in review and today she’ll bore you further with her very favorite powder wash.

Now do keep in mind the only reason she loves this one is because it’s called Happy Syu Wa Wa, seriously does the name not alone make you giddy or is it only me?

Happy Syu Wa Wa is created by B&C and runs around $4-$5 USD or sometimes higher depending on where you purchase. It’s a basic powder wash for removing makeup, simply add a small amount to water, rub together and wash your face.

One good plus side of this particular powder was is it produces a rather rich, almost carbonated lather that looks like a foam and really does a good job of moisturizing my face as well as removing my makeup.

It boasts that it can boost blood circulation for softer, smoother skin but count me not believing that much, let’s not get crazy now!

It’s perfectly good for all skin types as it doesn’t strip skin or leave it dry plus if you happen to have oily skin it does a good job of mattifying skin but no fear for dry skin types as you won’t experience dryness. It’s completely unscented so if you like your cleansers sans scent you’ll be all the happier with this.

For the price it’s a rather good, basic powder wash without any bells or whistles. I’m a particular fan of the foaming action which is why I tend to buy it when I run low but aside from that it doesn’t have anything huge going for it that makes me want to urge you to go out and grab it for yourself.

If you can find it cheap I highly recommend trying it out as it’s a nice basic powder plus who can’t love that name, Happy Syu Wa Wa, makes me want to dance!

Questions?

Comments?

Leave ‘em below!

As per my original post about how I was cleaning up my washroom and coming across all sorts of cleansers, creams, potions, and lotions from various Asian brands.

Today I’ll be reviewing Kose Softymo Powder Wash Whitening Formula. Did I just hear a yay for whitening? The Muse is all about whitening agents although a majority of them don’t work so well but hey it’s worth a try!

Does Kose Softymo Powder Wash Whitening Formula really whiten?

We’ll see…jump ahead to hear the word!

Kose Softymo Powder Wash is a typical powder wash which comes in a fine powder formula that you add water to in order to develop a sudsy wash for whisking away dirt, oil, and other nasties from your face. It’s one of my favorite powder washes mainly because it’s dead cheap at around $3-$6 USD so really who can’t love that?

I also happen to love it because it’s particularly good at washing away makeup (not eye makeup obviously) without drying out my skin. It contains Aloe Vera which could account for why my skin feels quite nice and moist after use.

Supposedly it clears away dead skin cells while preventing dull skin and offering a “whiten”, “renewed” skin. Sorry, have to disappoint here, but I didn’t experience much in the way of renewal to be honest or whitening of any kind.

Honestly, it’s a great, inexpensive budget powder wash that works great at getting my face clean without investing a ton of cash plus no tightness or dryness after use but that’s about it. Don’t expect bells and whistles as there aren’t any here.

The one plus side of the whitening formula is it doesn’t retain the strange sour milk smell that a majority of Softymo Powder Washes are legendary for. This is an upside for me as I really get a tiny bit turned off by that stench of the other powder washes even though it goes away almost instantly.

All in all if you can find it cheap it’s well worth picking up especially if you like powder washes!

Majolica Majorca Girly Erotica is up and active on the MJ website!

I LOVE the new story! The goth element plus the little spider made me giddy! I think it’s one of the simpler stories they have done on the site as there is nothing to “find” and everything is right there to click on, open, and view.

Nice!

I also noticed they now have a great option as soon as the first page loads which allows you to click a link and this opens the entire general catalog of items available. Great feature.

Love the goth element, love the spider, but the collection is meh at best! Pretty disappointed about the lack of items available but I’ll survive.

GWP? Cutes! Love me some spiders!

Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus is the brand new mascara releasing for Spring which I will pick up for sure.

Also available are two new Majolica Majorca Honey Plump Glosses and finally Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover Face Powder.

Spidey nails!

So you can obviously why I’m lacking excitement. I’ll be snatching up the mascara and I’m debating on the powder as I have several powders from MJ already and I’ll def skip the Honey Plump Glosses as I have at least six to get through already. Very disappointed at the lack of palettes or lack of virtually anything for the eyes aside from the mascara.

It’s really a bare minimal collection and I’m a tiny bit shocked they didn’t go further with it.

Economy do you think?

Hmmmm…the Muse is sad. I need a hug!

If you’re interested in reading the story you can check back to see if the Singapore site updates as that will be in English. At the moment the I am Gorgeous promo is still live so you’ll have to see in a few weeks if it changes.

One item the Muse truly misses is Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood Cheek and Lip Stain.

Take a blast to the past with the Muse to hear why she misses Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood Cheek and Lip Stain!

Sigh…dontcha just hate when your fav products get up, walk away, and never return? So be the case with the limited edition run of Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood.

These fabulous little tubes of color were available in four shades, were cheap as day old chips, and nicely pigmented! Many stains are too red or too pink but Flesh & Blood managed to captured a true blush of color and added a beautiful finish to lips and cheeks. The gel formula was easy to blend and melted into the skin leaving behind moist, dewy color that was both natural and flattering.

I sure do miss these and wish that Majolica Majorca would bring them back or at least do a similar release! For now I’m forced to blast into my past with the two remaining tubes I do have stashed away and I’ll mourn the day they are gone!

Have you every tried Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood?

Have a few stashed away for a rainy day?

Tell the Muse about your Beauty Blast from the Past holdings!

I’ve previously reviewed Majolica Majorca Gorgeous Wing mascara and hated it but I am a glutton for punishment so when I seen that MJ was releasing a brand new version of Lash Gorgeous Wing along with the Holiday Collection I quickly decided I had to have it!

Purchasing a new version of Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing was a no brainer for me considering that I fell in love with the promo image and of course had the desire to “dupe” the look of the model. The original release of Gorgeous Wing Mascara is a black version and what was released with the Majolica Majorca Holiday Collection was a limited edition golden brown version. I really found the effect interesting and unique on the model’s eyes and even though I hate fiber mascaras with a passion I quickly decided I had to try it for myself.

The bad and not so surprisingly news is Gorgeous Wing Mascara is just as crappy as the original release. I really can’t stand how this mascara feels on my lashes! Honestly, it’s so irritating as I go through the entire day feeling like I have an eyelash in my eye! ugh! The fibers get somehow trapped under my upper waterline and make me feel like I have something in my eye which makes for a rather long day of trying not to rub my eyes.

It’s understandable why the mascara is so popular with the Asian market though as it does “feather” lashes as it promises. I think this appeals as many Asian girls have shorter, stubbier lashes and they desire more length and volume, it can’t be denied that this gives both but I’m not too big a fan of the fluffy, feather like feel of my lashes. It’s rather unusual but it feels like I’m wearing a really soft, soft pair of false lashes after use.

Now the entire “golden brown” effect doesn’t entirely work and you’ll have to look rather closely at my lashes to see anything golden or brown about them. This doesn’t really disappoint and I’m not ranting simply because many colored mascaras fail to work very well. Even Urban Decay Big Fatty Color doesn’t really do much for turning your lashes completely a different color. So really it doesn’t bug me very much as I’m not really surprised at the lack of pigmentation of the formula but I did have hopes as the model in the promotional images does have rather nice golden brown lashes.

Overall, I think I’m just generally pissy about the fact that I simply don’t like fiber mascaras and the irritating feeling that I have something in my eye!

I actually will say it’s probably worth checking out if you a. love fiber mascaras or b. have shorter, stubbier lashes.

Personally it’s a losing situation and I’ve learned that twice is plenty enough to try this out so if anymore versions are released I best keep away! Can someone write this down and remind me of it when the next MJ promo goes live and introduces some new style of Gorgeous Wing? K, thanks. I just need to be reminded in the future how much I truly dislike this one!

Lover of Gorgeous Wing?

Hater?

Lover of fiber mascaras?

Hates ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

Just a friendly note from your Muse about Asian Spring Collections, currency, and other general babblings about saving your money.

I know quite a few of you have recently e-mailed me about how exciting you’re finding the Lunasol Spring Collection and I totally agree it’s very, very nice. I have my eye on a few items from Lunasol at the moment, Jill Stuart, and a few other high street Japanese brands however I am playing it safe at the moment as the yen is very strong.

At the moment a palette of 5,600 yen will be jacked up at nearly $10 with the current conversion rate. Wince. It’s not only USD that’s feeling the brunt, if you’re converting from Singaporean dollar or sterling at the moment it comes to almost the same amount only off by a mere $1 USD and some change. I do urge you to wait if you’re purchasing items that aren’t LE at the moment as the conversion rate really does drain the pockets.

This is of course in terms of direct purchasing from Japan and not going through a secondary online shopping party. I noticed that palettes are racing up to $75 USD at certain online shops which I really find intense and a tiny bit absurd. The Muse loves herself some makeup but $75 per a palette…that’s a bit much.

Korean Won looks particularly gloomy as well but remains at a 100% return on the US dollar which is perfectly fine in my opinion however I do expect a tiny bit more on my dollar when converting and became a bit spoiled with that aspect but at least I’m not losing money during the conversion which is always a plus.

TWD, SGD, and Sterling are iffy at best. Particularly sterling, as always, converts like rubbish but not too severe.

Well anyway I can go on and on I fear but the moral of the story is at the moment if you’re shopping Spring Collections abroad do take into consideration your current conversion rate, stop, think, and ask yourself if you really need it right now or if it can wait until currency conversions are looking a tiny bit better. If it’s LE I do suggest snapping it up but if it’ll be around you can always wait a bit and get it later on.

Of course, I should take my own advice in this but the Muse is known for wanting instant gratification when it comes to makeup and she fears she’ll give in to her urges prior to thinking about it which will bite into a large chunk of her Spring Collection budget! Yak! Groan!

How’s your currency converting at the moment?

Yay or Nay?

Tell the Muse!

Lavshuca has updated it’s website with the new Spring Collection but the Muse is sadly confused considering she can’t navigate it too well at the moment.

Most of the collection is hid away somewhere deep in the website and I don’t have the time or the patience to look through it however the Muse highly suggests visiting with Kanebo directly to see what the deets are or seeing my other post about Lavshuca Spring 2009.

I did want to mention that the puffy girls are looking quite fluffy today..or is it me? I like the straightened hair but I’m unsure if this is the look for this particularly promo.

Hmmmm oh well random Musings from a Muse!

As I mentioned in my previous post I’ll probably avoid a majority of what is being released aside from one of the new palettes. I honestly fail to feel any excitement for Lavshuca lately as it’s too much of a rerun.

I keep hope that Summer will bring something exciting enough to keep me pacified enough to stop ranting about the lack of imagination lately with Lavshuca’s releases.

How about you?

Hauling any of it for yourself?

Tell the Muse!

Wanna steal some Majolica Majorca Trick On Palettes?

Get ‘em for $13.80 USD at Sasa.com plus Free Shipping on orders over $75

Sweet!

That price is a lower than Japanese retail so I’d jump on board if I were you. They only have two shade selections available but if you’ve been wanting to try ‘em for a while and didn’t want to shell out the jacked up prices on evil-bay and online shops, this is a great way to get them at a good cost!

See my review of Majolica Majorca Trick On Palettes

Want ‘em?

Go get ‘em!

The amount of stupidity that the Muse buys into does so boggle her little mind. Take for example her love affair with B&C Ultra Skin Make Up Base which promises to clear away dull, dark circles and make the Muse fresh, awake, and gorgeous.

Well….I like to think it’s working….*shrug*

B&C are those friendly people that bring you the cosmetic line Love Clover although that particular branch of B&C is more geared towards the kawaii theme of things.

B&C also makes a range of primers, concealers, and other bits and bobs that you’ll run across within Japanese drugstores. Today I’ll be bringing you a review of the B&C Ultra Skin Makeup Base for the Eyes which I’ve convinced myself is almost as important as the coming of the Messiah.

You do realize that this is one of those products that excels at doing absolutely nothing but that the Muse has absolutely, positively tricked herself into believing she’s seen amazing results after use. Don’t sit there and act like you don’t know what I’m talking about! You’ve done it before too!

What is it? It’s a makeup base for your eyes that basically preps the eye area with a thick yellow base in a creamy formula prior to concealer. Supposedly the base lightens up the eye area and erases certain dullness and possibly even dark circles from under your eyes. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s my imagination or not but it makes one hell of a primer for concealer. It doesn’t cover dark circles but it does lighten a tad bit and it makes a very nice prep for concealer as it moistens up the eye area fairly well and considering my eyes can use all the moisture they can get that’s a plus.

I’m not sure why they advertise it as being a concealer for under eye circles because if you had plans for a night out on the town using this only best forget it. Unless you’re blessed with very light dark circles that are barely noticeable chances are you’ll never be able to use this as your sole concealer. The product is a base after all and being deemed and labeled as such I take it for what it’s worth which would be a prep treatment prior to my concealer.

Now the Muse may have just convinced herself that this does work but I honestly couldn’t do without it because I generally like it as a primer and for it’s slight whitening effect.


Seriously my arm looks a bit lighter right!?

I do admit that the guy on the package scares me…what the hell is he doing with his mouth wide open like that anyway? Blowing into her eye??? So scary. Who is that dude and can we replace him with some hot Japanese dude? Is Gackt to busy to advertise for B&C because I honestly wouldn’t mind him blowing in my eye.

Who needs it?

• It’s cheap so the Muse thinks everyone needs it ($4-$5 USD)!
• Those who want a bit of a moist prep prior to concealer (although don’t think it fills lines because it does not)
• Anyone who wants a tad bit of a whitening moisturizing treatment prior to applying concealer
• Girls who buy into the frenzy of possibly stupid, useless products!

All in all I’ll continue buying this each and every time I run out. I’m either a glutton for punishment or this stuff actually works. Who knows?

Tell the Muse some of your favorite, useless beauty finds!

She’s listening!

Some of my very favorite facial cleaners are disturbed by Kose under a sub-brand entitled Softymo. After seeing the words “softymo” pop on the screen you may very well associate it with the Muse’s all time favorite cleanser, Kose Airy Whip. Indeed, any company that brings out something as amazing as Airy Whip should have an incredible line up of other amazing goodies.

Since I promised myself that I’d get around to reviewing everything and the bathroom sink that I have laying around my washroom vanity I firgure I might as well dive in with a review of Softymo Q10 Face Cleansing Powder Wash.

It’s honestly not the best powder wash around the Asian market but it is cheap and the Muse figures she keeps buying it out of habit because it bears the Softymo name on it.

You may not be so familiar with powder washes as they aren’t really something you’d come across within a US or European drugstore, or at least it’s not something I’ve seen outside of Asian drugstores. Allow the Muse to briefly explain how to use one if you’re wondering about them. It’s pretty self explanatory I suppose. Simply wet face, shake a small amount of powder into wet hands, run a bit of water under the powder, rub hands together to form a foam, and whisk across face. Simple. Cleans your face in one simple move.

I’m actually using the wrong formula for my own face as the Softymo Q10 line specializes in sebum which is not something I have a problem with however it does also do a good job of washing away light makeup, promises to deep clean pores, and whisk away impurities. Who knows if it really does all that….I honestly buy it because it’s cheap (around $4-$5 in an Asian drugstore), easily accessible, and it’s good for the lazy days that I don’t want to bother with my full on remove my face cleaning routine. If you do purchase be prepared as the smell isn’t terribly pleasant. It has an unusual sour like smell that takes a bit getting used too. Granted the scent isn’t really overpowering but it is there.

Honestly, I’ve seen it ranging for close to $10 USD on the Internet and I personally think it’s not worth that at all so you can probably avoid it and indulge in a better powder wash as their are quite a few the Muse likes much better then this one.

As much as I adore Softymo I think it’s safe to say you can skip Softymo Q10 Powdering Wash. Yes, it’s convenient to have around but you can honestly find better for the price.

The Muse will bring you more powder wash reviews soon so stay tuned!

Questions?

Comments?

Leave ‘em below! I’m listening!

Happy New Year to us all! Let’s hope is shiny, new, and gives us all hope for the best things to come! I’m a bit late with this post but it’s here now.

If you read my blog daily you probably remember last year when I did a round up of allllllllllllllllll my very favorite bits and bobs that I loved over the course of the year. Honestly it’s difficult for me to pick and choose favorite items and do Beauty Award style posts because I have way too many favorite items that I love. For me it’s best to round up items that I’ve used all year and have grown to love. Considering the Muse’s “favorites” change so often it’s hard to nail down exactly what sort of products I’ve come to love over the course of the year.

Being the Muse means that products come and go out of my life at a rather constant and alarming speed. Makeup is like crack and what once got me high an hour ago probably isn’t giving me the same high in this present hour.

Alas you can see the dilemma of creating a list of items that I would award the best of it’s kind. However, instead of rounding up a massive amount of product the way I did last year (damn straight I was excited about alot of crap last year!), I decided to give myself a tiny bit of breathing room. I stepped back, I contemplated, I thought (don’t worry the thought process didn’t blow out any light bulbs or cause any world crisis that I know of. No that wasn’t me that caused the stock market crash!) and I decided that a few things have become really favorite items of mine. These favorite items are what I’ll share with you today!

I hope you enjoy this look at some of the Muse’s very favorite items of the year. These items aren’t necessarily released in 2008 but they are just generally awesome items that I either use daily or have used many a time that they are now considered a favorite.

I hope after you’ve read my favorites you’ll share some of your own with me!

Happy Reading!

Favorite Cosmetic Collection of the Year

There have been SO many collections released over the course of the year but none have thrilled me more than the inexpensive Spring Collection from Etude House entitled Lovely Face aka “Peach” Makeup Collection.

The collection consisted of some of my very favorite items released thus far from Etude House such as the amazing Pore Erasing Peach Base! Truly this was love! This collection makes a daily appearance in my looks especially the pressed powder and base.

My raves and excitement were so loud they reached the ears of Etude House and the Muse was featured on Etude House’s official blog and later featured in the Etude House Newsletter which is given out at Etude House stores in Korea. You can imagine my excitement over this! The Muse felt like she made a guest starring appearance in the New York Times on the front cover or something! For her appearing in this newsletter was actually better!

Upon reading her review you can obviously see why this Muse was so excited about this collection and deems it her very favorite of the year! Cheers Etude House! The Muse is looking forward the Spring 2009!

Favorite Blush

I won’t deny that it hurts me so many people thought that NARS Blush in Super Orgasm was a let down. I sob in agony when I hear a bad word against it. It was my ideal image of what I wanted the original orgasm to be and upon it’s release I couldn’t sit still as I wriggled in excitement at the prospect of chunks of golden glitter and a peach sheen! Understandably all that glitter is what makes it my favorite however I find once it’s blended the glitter goes away and a deeper color is revealed that is, in my opinion, perfect and a favorite. NARS Blush in Super Orgasm is definitely a Muse fav (#1)!

Honorable Mention

2. Pop Rose Belle Blush Palette
3. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips and Cheeks in Raspberry
4. Sugar Cosmetics Sweet Cheeks in Gingerbread
5. Lola Blush in Mistress
6. and 7. Jillian Dempsey for Avon Horizon Blush

Favorite Face Powder/Highlighter

Seems like just yesterday that I was ohhhhh’ing and ahhhh’ing over Benefit Thrrob! Almost a year later and it still tops my favorite list but I have a feeling it won’t remain there long as it’ll be quickly replaced by Benefit Coralista soon I’m sure! For now though Benefit Thrrob (#3) is a Muse fav!

Honorable Mention
1. Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder
2. Lancome Elephant Bronzer Powder

Favorite Single Eyeshadow

Lord knows last year I had a slew of shadows that were my favorite! This year I cut back drastically simply because I had fewer favorites plus I found one that I really loved so much that nothing else came close to topping it!

Now it may be unfair to deem it a single shadow since it’s actually two shadows in one but the Muse thinks that Jelly Pong Pong Venus Magical Pearls in Worship (#2) is absolutely the best shadow she’s used all year long! Shimmering golds mixed with copper created a stunning Summer look that the Muse favored well into the months of Fall and beyond!

Honorable Mention

Although Jelly Pong Pong Venus Magical Pearls in Worship are my very favorite I had a few shadows that I reach for almost all the time and they are truly worth mentioning for this round up!

1. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Kiddie Pool
3. Milani Wet/Dry Sparkling Eyeshadow in Beach Sand
4. MAC Eyeshadow in Antique Pink
5. Bare Escentuals Glimmer in Azure

Favorite Eyeshadow Palette

Lord knows I have a serious addiction when it comes to palettes. Would you believe at one time in my life I was only ever collecting single shadows? I avoided palettes like the plague simply because I was at a lost how to best use all the shades! Later in life I realized the joy I was missing and started to stash every palette I came across. A hundred years later and I’m the proud owner of one too many palettes and possibly out a year’s tuition of my future unborn child’s education.

Although the formula isn’t particularly amazing I name the DuWop Crush Trio my very favorite of the year (#1)! I’m still puzzling over how three simple shades can make any number of different, stunning, unique looks! It was my total go to palette for sizzling Summer eye looks and worked well into the cooler weather for a perfect sparkling Autumn look! It was a hard choice to deem this as my favorite considering it was up against my all time biggest crush, KATE Glamtrick Palette in GN1 but the Muse decided that she had a tiny bit of extra love for DuWop and thus it became her favorite.

Honorable Mention

2. Laneige Darling Big Eyes! Trio
3. KATE Dual Carat Eye Duo in GD-2
4. Clarins Colour Quartet in So Chic
5. KATE Glamtrick Palette in GN1
6. Lunasol Geminate Eyes Palette 01

Favorite Liquid and Cream Eyeshadow

I didn’t think anything could take away from my deep love and appreciation for Visee Aqua Shining Eyes. After all these were the liquid shadow that single handedly changed my mind about liquid and cream shadows! But after trying out Coffret D’Or Fluffy Shine Eyes (#1) my emotions turned and soon all that love and admiration was being poured all over Coffret D’Or for creating such an a gorgeous, shimmering shadow that this Muse thinks of as a fond favorite!

Honorable Mention

2. Visee Aqua Shining Eyes

Favorite Lipgloss

You already know what the Muse’s favorite gloss is dontcha? I’ve mentioned about 5 billion times since picking it up with the MAC Neo Sci-Fi Collection….yes….you got it….MAC Lipglass in Pink Grapefruit!!!!!!! Although MAC Lipglass isn’t really a favorite gloss of mine I can’t deny that it has incredible staying power, is nicely pigmented, and wears well however MAC Lipglass in Pink Grapefruit is possibly my most favorite lipgloss shade EVER! Peachy, Orangy, glorious! It is, was, and shall remain a personal favorite!

Honorable Mention

2. Stila Lipglaze
3.Lipstick Queen Sinner Shine Hardcore Gloss
4. MAC Lipglass in Cult of the Cherry
5. NARS Lipgloss in Orgasm
6. Majorca Majolica Rouge majex in PK338
7. Love Clover PopChu Gloss
8. Too Faced Mirror Mirror Lipgloss

Favorite Lipstick

Without question I was thrilled to pieces with the release of MAC Lipstick in Kiss Manish (#1) which went perfectly well with my MAC Lipglass in Pink Grapefruit! Obviously it’s not hard to see why I choose it as my favorite lipstick this year!

Honorable Mention

2. Urban Decay Lipsticks
3. Fafi for MAC Lipstick in Flash n Dash
4. Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Charmed Rose
5. Armani Lip Wax

Favorite Cheek and Lip Stains

The Muse is a big lover of cheek and lip stains! Anything to make her look flatteringly flushed is always good in her book. One of her very favorites of the year was of course Benefit Posietint(#1)! Fancy, flattering pink to make her flush a pretty pink shade was the order of business with the release of Posietint! Truly a favorite this year.

Honorable Mention

2. Missha Tinted Lip Markers
3. Etude House 55 Kissful Tint Chou

Favorite Eyeliner

Without a doubt my discovery of Bobbi Brown Gel liner(#1) was instant love! It applies beautifully well the first time, every time! The Muse thinks it’s well worth your time and it’s her favorite of the year!

Honorable Mention

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner Pencils

Favorite Eyeshadow Primer

There isn’t any doubt in my mind that my favorite primer is, will be, and shall remain Urban Decay Primer Potion (#1). The Muse is doubtful she’ll ever find a better primer that keeps her shadow fresh and long wearing all day and well into the night!

Honorable Mention

2. MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ocher
3. Benefit Lemon Aid

Favorite Eyeshadow Palette

It’s difficult deciding on just one palette but the Muse was quite pleased with Prescriptives Fall Dimensions Eye Color Quad (#1)! Creating two unique looks using this palette made it a fond favorite for the Fall and well into the Winter!

Honorable Mention

2. Bobbi Brown Holiday Lip and Eye Palette
3. Bobbi Brown Shimmering Nudes Palette

Favorite Mascara

It never really changes and this year remains the same, my favorite mascara that is. My absolutely fav mascara for a few years now is Majolica Majorca Lash Extender (#1). Any formula and this Muse is all over it for fatter, longer, and prettier lashes!

Honorable Mention

2. Lorac Visual Effects Mascara
3. Givenchy Phenonmen Eyes Mascara

Favorite Face Primer

I’m run across some great primers this year but I truly adored and favored Make Up For Ever HD Perfecting Primer (#1). Available in a wide variety of formulas and shades for correcting skin tone while priming, the Muse thought this was one hell of a primer!

Honorable Mention

2. Tricia Sawyer Skin Balancing Water Primer
3. Lavshuca Perfect Base Moist

Favorite Concealers

Without a doubt the most reached for concealer of the year for this Muse was the Bobbi Brown Concealer palette…it took a while for me to love it but when I finally did fall in love it was for keeps! Bobbi Brown Concealer Palette (#1) tops this Muse’s list as a fav!

Honorable Mention

2. Laura Mercier Undercover Concealer Pot Duo
3. Benefit Boi-ing
4. Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil
5. Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer

Favorite Beauty Tools

The Muse thinks nothing can top the simplicity of a sponge applicator (#1) for packing on color, blending color, and creating a great eye look! Cheap as day old chips, sponge applicators are a top favorite with the Muse!

Honorable Mention

2. Bare Escentuals Eye Buki Brush
3. MAC 183
4. MAC Baby Buki
5. Bobbi Brown Mini Blush Brush
6. Smashbox #60
7. Aromaleigh Fiber Optic Blush Brush
8. Bare Escentuals Dual End Smudge Brush

Favorite Foundation

The Muse has stashed away quite a few foundations as of late but she must say that this year she was pretty happy with Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation (#1). Instant Smooth was like no other foundation product I’ve tried and it became a fast favorite this year for beautifully perfect skin!

Honorable Mention

2. Lavshuca Creamy Liquid Foundation
3. Lancome Absolute Makeup
4. Etude House BB Magic Cream
5. Giorgio Armani Face Fabric
6. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enchancer
7. Benefit Playsticks

Favorite Facial Moisturizers

The Muse was quite happy with the newest facial moisturizers released from Lush this year and she was absolutely thrilled with Lush Vanishing Cream (# 1). Vanishing Cream was this Muse’s ideal moisturizer for soothing her skin while offering a light formula that was easily absorbed into skin! Brilliant and a favorite!

Honorable Mention

2. Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough
3. Lush Skin Nanny
4. Lush Paradise Regained

Favorite Facial Scrubs

The Muse is a big lover of Lush Ocean Salt but she does so admit that after trying MAC’s amazing Volcanic Ash Exfoliant (#1) she was convinced it was her new favorite! Volcanic Ash played an important part is scrubbing away old dry skin and revealing softer, fresher skin! A true fav!

Honorable Mention

2. Lush Ocean Salt

Best Makeup Removers

The Muse has been known to brag about how much she simply adores Kose Airy Whip (#1) but she’ll keep this one short and say after all that bragging it remains a tried and true favorite for whisking away all the Muse’s makeup in one gentle wash without drying out my skin! Perfection!

Honorable Mention

2. Lush Ultra Bland
3. Mandom Cleansing Express
4. Jill Stuart Cleansing Oil

Favorite Toners

The Muse wasn’t really thrilled with the Etude House Aqua Sherbet Skincare line but one favorite did come out of it! Etude House Aqua Sherbet Ice Toner became an instant classic (and favorite) this Summer! Icy, cool, and refreshing it toned the Muse’s skin with a burst of coolness while prepping her face for foundation! T’was love!

Honorable Mention

2. Lush Breath of Fresh Air

2008 was a fabulous year for makeup, skincare, and general beauty bits and bobs and the Muse had a fab time discovering new products. She hopes that 2009 brings a slew of new options to adventure into and with it a new favorite list will be born.

Please enjoy her favorites list from 2007 as well to see what came back this year as a favorite and what made the list last year!

Do drop a comment below and tell the Muse what your favorites of the year were! She’d love to hear all about them!

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for being apart of my life the last year!

Kanebo’s main portal has been updated with the Lavshuca Spring Collection for 2009. Although the Lavshuca main site has yet to reflect these changes we can at least get a bit of a sneak peek at what Lavshuca has to offer for Spring!

Sometimes the Muse wonders if she should be grateful or saddened over the fact that Lavshuca has hit an all time low in regards to repetition. The new eye palettes are simply the same o’, same o’ item that keeps popping up in a new design. Your Muse longs for the days when Lavshuca was keen on introducing aquas and bright pinks as opposed to the new standard of brown, brown, a bit of pink and brown, and more brown.

Sigh.

About the only color that appeals at the moment is the GN-1 variation which I don’t believe I’ve seen from Lavshuca as of yet. Considering my grave love affair with KATE Glamtrick GN1 and the Visee Glam Hunt palette in the same color selection I do so wonder if I really need to add this to my stash? But ado it calls to me so try it I must!

As we already seen with past releases, Lavshuca is fully embracing it’s new aubergine packaging and slowly phasing out anything and everything that carried the old style packaging. The latest item to take the hit is the Lavshuca loose powder which now comes with a round aubergine screw top and about zero of the fanfare and beauty of the old style packaging. I’m somewhat disappointed as I love my girlish packaging from the old power…le sigh…..I may indulge in the new powder out of curiosity since it appears to be a new formulation.

We also have two new mascaras to look forward although I can safely skip both as I’m not a huge fan of Lavshuca mascara plus I have a few on my hit list already for Spring so these are just a filler I really don’t need. It’s rare they release mascara so it may be something you’ll be wanting to jump on board with!

I enjoyed the Lavshuca Foundation released this Fall immensely so I was excited to see a new base that’s matching with the packaging of my foundation! Weee! I want to try out the moist version and see how it is!

There are also some lippies and I believe a concealer but again all safely off my wish list! At the moment one palette, the base, and possibly the powder is looking good to me but I have to see a few more collections on my list and budget out what Spring will cost prior to deciding on these as they aren’t top priority for me at the moment but we shall see as I do feel a little twinge of temptation for the GN-1 palette!

How about you?

As disappointed as the Muse?

Love the collection?

Not so much?

Tell the Muse!

Although KATE’s main site has not been updated Kanebo’s portal site is showing up with the brand new additions for KATE Spring 2008.

I’m quite excited about the KATE Spring Collection and I’ll be picking up quite a few of the items released…..

Read on for what the Muse is hauling!

I normally adore almost all of the releases that KATE puts out and I’m particularly thrilled with the new Diamond Cut Eyes Palettes. These appear to be typical Spicy line range palettes however they have a silver and gold diamond powder which I’m assuming you use to finish your eye look. I’ll be purchasing all four of the shades released as the Muse is all about diamond like sparkle! Each palette retails for 1,690 yen but will have have the standard 20% drugstore discount.

Also released is a brand new shade of KATE Gradical Eyes Palette in an aqua variation. The color appeals completely to me but I own a majority of the Gradical Eyes Palettes and I make little to no use of them as is since they aren’t as shimmery as other KATE palettes I own. I’m not huge on the formula and I’ve seen way better releases in the line so I think I can safely skip this.

A new color of KATE Deep Trap Eyes Palette is also releasing but considering I haven’t indulged in any last season I probably will safely pass again considering my interest is caught and help by the Diamond Cut palettes.

One other item I do have my eye on is the latest release of KATE Gel Mascara….at first try I wasn’t a huge fan of this mascara but it’s become a staple and I think I’ll purchase the new variation to see what’s different and it’s about time I threw out my old version anyway as it’s near 8 months old.

All in all a rather nice selection of items from the KATE Spring Collection. I’ll be hauling those Diamond Cut Eyes Palettes as quickly as I can as they look stunning!

What about you?

Does any of KATE’s Spring Collection hold your interest?

Tell the Muse!

This Muse is still in Holiday mode! How about you? Doesn’t it kinda sorta feel like it’s still the holiday?

Feels like it to me…which is why I am still diving into my Holiday stash to bring you some more Holiday Collection reviews. You don’t mind if I get my Christmasy grove on tonight with a partial review of the Majolica Majorica I Am Gorgeous Holiday Collection do you?

*wink* I knew you wouldn’t mind!

Allow me, if I may, to introduce you to the Majolica Majorca Majolumina Powder in a Puff.

Sweet right?

Well….good news and bad news….

Good news first!

The good news is these are definitely cute. No denying that. The packaging is simply adorable, the design is fantastic, and just the general idea of the product is rather brilliant and sweet. The cannisters are quite a nice size and are decorated with a slightly vintage flair featuring cute little fairies and elegant script. Inside you’ll find a puff that’s full of shimmer and sparkle for face, body, cheeks, or wherever you want to add a bit of glittery goodness. The general idea of the product is super and I hate to break into the bad news and the poor part of my review but that I must do sadly.

You’ve heard all the good…here’s the bad…..

First problem is the packaging. I was very disappointed that the canisters are made out of flimsy thin paper…sheesh couldn’t MJ splurge for some heavy duty cardboard? I have to be super careful where I store these or what I store on top of them for that matter as they are extremely delicate and will crush easily and I’m sure, given time, they will begin to show signs of wear and tear. How sad.

Now the idea of a puff that has powder in it isn’t my fav type of product in the world. Remember Benefit Kitten Goes to Paris Powder Puff? I just generally hate products like this because they are used up so easily without the product ever touching the skin. What I mean is the shimmer falls off the puff, ends up in the bottom of the packaging, etc…it’s sorta wasted…Now the puff is darling but it’s actually quite small. Although the canister is a generous side the actual puff is about half the size or less when compared to it’s housing. I dunno why but this disappoints me. I wanted the puff to be a half way decent size and this just seems sorta puny. I will say that the puff is nice, thick and quite soft and it’s attached ribbon is very cute but it’s size leaves a bit to be desired.

More ranting ahead….

After applying the powder to the back of my arm I was pretty disappointed that it gave only a tad bit of sparkle. I guess this could be considered good for the shimmer haters but I love shimmer and I expected a bit of a better finish. The puff comes in a silver and gold version and I will say that the gold had alot more going for it than the silver. The overall finish of the gold was nice and shimmery and not as dull as the silver version.

After all is said and done I do think that these are worth picking up if you’re a collector of Majolica Majorca. I love all the releases and I admit to a rant here and there but I don’t regret adding them to my collection. Unfortunately I do question whether or not the 1,365 yen per pot was really worth it. Honestly, the cost is way high due to the flimsy packaging and disappointing quality overall of the product.

Stay tuned….I’ll be bringing you a review of the rest of the Majolica Majorca I Am Gorgeous Collection soon!