Musings of a Muse

Avon is keeping it cheap and cute with it’s new Avon Color Trend Lip Duo Lipstick & Lip Gloss. This dual sided lip gadget has a lipstick on end and a gloss on the other, sweet the Muse loves techy beauty finds!

Click ahead to hear my thoughts.

This little guy is available in four separate shades for a mere $3.25 each. These aren’t a big size but they have just enough product for toting around with you for quickie touch ups. The novelty is the dual-end design which lets you smooth on a nourishing lip color and top it with a shiny gloss.

The lipstick side of the product is quite sheer and subtle where as the gloss is decently pigmented. You’d think this would be reversed with the lipstick sporting the richer pigmentation but it does manage to work as the lipstick acts more as a balm and a prep for lips prior to gloss application.

The color I tried Pink Fizz Duo which has a gloss that’s lilac pink is color and a frosty baby pink shade of lipstick.

Neither product is flavored so those who aren’t a fan of scented, flavored lip products will be relieved. The texture of both the gloss and the lipstick is nicely moisturizing for it’s beauty budget price tag.

Overall, Avon Color Trend Lip Duo Lipstick & Lip Gloss is a rather cute, inexpensive beauty find for throwing into your bag for touch ups on the go or if you have a bit of an oral fixation and always find yourself applying and reapplying balms or gloss this should appeal.

Likey!

Available now from Avon.

So I’m a complete an idiot when it comes to liquid liner. I’m ok with pencils and I’m alright with potted liners but really I’m pressing it to say I’m good with either. As hard as I try getting a single straight line proves impossible sometimes.

Now liquid liner that’s just a big mess waiting to happen as far as I’m concerned. I tried one or two here and there but I honestly do not have that steady of a hand to take full advantage. For the most part liquid liner is most definitely off my must have list.

Until now….

The Muse could possibly change her tune especially when it’s made this easy with the new Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner.

Check it after the jump!

Well wow, there may be hope for me still. Milani has introduced a brand new liquid eye liner to their line up and with it’s inexpensive price and precise point I could still yet become some sort of master wizard eye liner wielding pro.

Count me impressed and that’s saying something as I suck with liquid liner. I’m talking hot mess all over my eye. I really don’t know why I can’t get it on right but it just ends up turning into one big disaster anytime I try. I remember in high school being terribly jealous of this girl in my first period class, Angela, who had this incredible cat eye she wore each and every day but of course the Muse could not begin to dupe such a look. I’ve tried with cheap and I’ve tried with expensive but to no avail has lining my eyes with liquid ever become some easy task.

Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner is an absolute gem of a product. With a sharp, thin pen point this is a quick stroke and go liner. Your first line will be your last as there isn’t any tugging or relining required. The product is pigmented enough to work with a single stroke to get an even, flawless line across your lash line minus any drama. Part of it’s appeal is the precise point which gives an even, straight line with each and every use, no skipping at all!

The formula is waterproof and smudge proof for long wear even in the heat and sun. The small size makes it ideal to tote around for touch ups or to thicken the line for evening wear after work.

It’s probably one of the best liquid liners I’ve come across to date and makes me quite happy that I can finally attempt to use one without the normal chaos that comes along with liquids. Yay for the endless cat eyes I’ll be attempting this Fall, thanks Milani.

Loving you Milani Eye Tech Liquid Liner.

Total Muse Approval for purchase.

Milani Eye Tech Liquid Liner is available in three shades at your local CVS or online at www.milanicosmetics.com

Easier lining experience ever!

I’m almost positive L’oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara isn’t going to change my cosmetic life any time soon but it’s decent enough for a $6.99 mascara…likey budget right?

Check it after the review!

Many of my friends aren’t as heavily into makeup as I am and some that do like (but not love) makeup think that a throw away drugstore mascara is the ideal solution to not spending $20-$30 on a high street brand. It’s understandable especially if you’re as anal as I am about germs. I won’t touch mascara after 3 to 4 months simply because I’m worried about what’s breeding inside the tube so it seems sensible to head to the drugstore to score mascara as that way we aren’t shelling out ridiculous amounts of cash for something we’ll toss out anyway within in a few months.

I’m not of the mentality that cheaper is better even in cases of mascara. I do so love a good brand name mascara that sets me back $20 or more dollars as I see good, solid results with said product. Am I alone? Maybe.

If you happen to fall into the “I don’t want to spend more than $10 bucks on a mascara” group you can try out L’Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara for around $7 bucks and call it a day. Like I said it’s not going to change your cosmetic life but it’s inexpensive and it does what it says to some extent.

The plus side of the formula is it’s richly pigmented and truly black. I love mascara that’s really rich and deep black it’s the perfect companion to a smoky eye. This sells me right off the bat in regards to that. It promises 12x’s your normal lash length…ummm not really. It does a decent job of lengthening but nothing that has me jumping up and down shouting, “Yes!” while doing a fist pump. For the most part the finished results are very natural, softer, fuller curls. If that’s your look you’ll love this. The brush applicator makes mascara application a snap as it glides on to lashes perfectly while lengthening and plumping. I don’t see dramatic curl results with this but it does wear well without smudging or flaking.

Overall, it’s noting I got too hyped over but it’s decent enough for the price. I’m not a fan of the “natural” lash look and prefer a more dramatic look so that could be one reason I’m not thrilled. If you like your lashes to look fuller and longer while still remaining very natural this might very well be a great one to try. For the price it really can’t break the bank to give it a whirl.

Have you tried L’Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara?

Loves it?

Leaves it?

Tell the Muse!

Gosh I imagine some of you are preparing to head back to school soon or will be shortly! Lucky you. I remember my days at school quite fondly, fun, fun. As you begin preparations to pack up for college you’ll notice plenty of cosmetics, hair and skin care goodies launching new lines to tempt and tease you at check out. You obviously need to wash your hair while away at school…ok, I’ll be fair…some of us don’t bother washing while we’re at school especially laundry nor do we sleep or eat anything that doesn’t come from a vending machine, it’s cool, we’ve all been there. However, budget friendly options are available so at the very least let’s try to keep our hair squeaky clean.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Collection is a new line of products designed to work together to achieve a touchable tousled look. Believe me I TRY so hard to gain this look it’s not even funny. Stiff, crunchy hair is OUT, soft, tousled locks are so IN.

Check out the brand new Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Collect below (it’s budget friendly too).

If you’re a fan of Herbal Essences you’ll be happy to know the entire line is quite budget friendly with a $2.99 price tag (aside from the finishing cream marked at a reasonable $5.49 for a large jar). So if you’re looking to snag some hair care to tote away with you to school or you’re in need of soft, tousled curls that aren’t going to cost you a ton of cash check out some of these options!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Shampoo and Conditioner $2.99
Cleanses hair without stripping and smells super fresh and pretty too!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Mousse $2.99
A lightweight mousse to hold curls without that icky stuff, crunchy feel!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Hair Spray $2.99
Keeps hair in place minus stickiness!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Spray Gel $2.99
Perfect for styling damp hair to set a style in a snap.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Finishing Cream $5.49
My favorite of the products. This is a soft conditioning cream for wet hair that makes your tresses oh so soft and scented pretty.

You know the Muse, she’s normally a Lush fan for life but I can be occasionally tempted to the dark side to indulge in cheap drugstore hair care goodies. Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Collection is particularly good for someone like me who avoids hair dryers like the plague. The products can all be used on my wet hair to create soft, frizz-free curls that are gently tousled and pretty. For $2.99 it’s not going to change your hair’s life but it sure will attempt to!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Collection is available now at your local drugstore.

Stay tuned for more back to school beauty buys in upcoming posts.

Mmmm hate to disappoint you but the Muse is going cheap again, can’t resist the charm of cool products that cost me under $3 bucks and are actually pretty decent. N.Y.C. New York City Color Cosmetics has two new lipsticks out for Summer that are $2.49 each at your local drugstore. I highly suggest snagging these as they are ideal for funky, fresh Summer Lips!

Check ‘em after the jump!

These two lippies are part of a very tiny Summer Collection from N.Y.C. Color. Honestly, from the lot of items I thought these were the best. I’m not normally one for indulging in overly cheap cosmetics you know my feelings already about that sort of thing but these were shouting at me from the display as the colors are truly lovely for Summer especially if you like a sizzling lip look for the warmer weather.

I think it’s four shade’s altogether in the release but I purchased only two that I thought stood out. The lipsticks are entitled Special FX Lipstick but I’m unsure if that’s part of the regular line from N.Y.C. or just something newly introduced since I’m not all that familiar with the regular catalog of items.

The two shades I got were Hot Tamale and Sun Kissed. Hot Tamale is my favorite of the two and is a crisp, burned red shot through with a heavy dose of orange. Sun Kissed is metallic burnt orange. The finishes of each are metallic but can easily be toned down by topping with gloss plus it appears after two or three uses the metallic overcoat on the lipsticks wears done so the finish is sheer. The lipsticks are richly pigmented which was pretty interesting consider their cheap price tag. They apply smoothly and evenly leaving behind nice color pay off. I don’t think there is anything particularly special about the lipstick formula but it’s decent enough. I did find it slightly drying on it’s own minus gloss so I do recommend a touch of gloss as it not only livens the shades up further but keeps color moist on your lips.

If you’re not up for spending $15-$20 on a brand new lipstick for hot Summer lips I highly suggest nabbing these two shades from N.Y.C. Color. The inexpensive price tag, fantastic pigmentation, and HOT Summer shades are pleasing this Muse!

Loves ‘em!

Total Muse Approval for purchase!

Anyone haul these?

What do you think?

Tell the Muse!