Musings of a Muse

The Muse so needs to try out Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Concealer!

Have you see these? Check it!

I rarely get excited about drugstore cosmetics but this looks promising to say the least. When I was purchasing my cheese mascara at Walgreens I ran across a display of these but sadly all the lighter shades were sold out.

I’m generally curious about the product as it reminds me of Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown’s dual concealers which has the creamy concealer on top and a silky white setting powder on the bottom. I’m not sure but that Flickr photo says $12.79 USD and don’t quote me but I could have sworn it was $8.99 USD around these parts.

Must. have. it. now.

Honestly, it seems promising to say the least and hopefully I can locate it as I’m highly curious if it’s worth the splurge! You know me, concealer gets me happy!

Anyone try?

Do share!

Ha who would think that mascara that costs $3.79 USD would actually work? Count the Muse amused, delighted, and surprised at how well her testing with Wet n’ Wild Lash Intense Mascara went!

Read ahead to find out the deets!

I ran across Wet n’ Wild Lash Intense Mascara recently while I was at Walgreens and I must say it actually works quite well. Last Intense makes the standard round of promises such as fuller, thicker lashes but at $3.79 USD my dubious nature set in. Seriously, mascara that’s under $4 USD…..doesn’t the idea of the price tag alone scare the beegees out of you?

Turns out you can have thicker, longer, and fatter lashes for under $4 USD. Ha, who would guessed?

Wet n’ Wild Lash Intense Mascara sports the plastic applicator that’s taken the drugstore world by storm lately. Everywhere you look plastic applicators are popping up! What do you think of plastic applicators? I find in some cases that they work rather well but in others not so great. In this case the applicator is the key to creating beautifully long, thick lashes and works quite well. The applicator has no curve and is straight in style with longer bristles on one side and shorter on the other. The best way to apply the mascara is to use the longer bristles to brush a few coats of mascara on and use the shorter end to work product through your lashes while curling them upwards. It does a take a little bit of work to get the knack of using it without creating a mess but a few tries later and I had quite nice results.

Results are pretty amazing! My lashes were considerably thicker, longer, and full of volume. Likey! It wears well through the day without smudging, flaking, or smearing. The cute portable size and purple packaging appeals although it is a tiny bit cheap looking but hey the product works, that counts for something!

What’s not to like? If you’re on a budget and looking for a cheap mascara that gives longer, fuller lashes this is well worth a try! I didn’t LOVE it but I definitely liked it!

Anyone try out Wet n’ Wild Lash Intense Mascara?

What did you think?

What are your fav budget mascara scores?

Tell the Muse!

Last week could possibly fall into the “end of the world as we know it” category considering that the Muse ran out of Labello Lipbalm.

Seriously.

The Muse takes these things uber serious and when she realized she was down to the last tiny drop of her Labello Lipbalm in Cherry she took herself off to her storage closet and proceeded to look for a new one.

GASP!

None left.

Oh.
My.
God.

Talk about panic attack.

But Muse couldn’t you go to the store and get some Chapstick?

Hells no! Chapstick is so NOT a Labello!

Jump ahead to read why the Muse adores Labello.

You may or may not be privy to the brand Labello here in the US, it’s basically a glorified Chapstick. That’s the key word, glorified…as it in glorious…as in it’s a glorious lip treatment that make your lips feel happy!

I discovered Labello years ago in Amsterdam and ever since that faithful day I am never without at least 4-5 tubes that I stash in my bathroom, my desk draw, my beside table, and even one in my kitchen. The moral of the story is YOU need Labello Lipbalm and shouldn’t be without it.

But why Muse?

If you’re a Chapstick lover (do Chapstick lovers exist?) or just a general lover of tasty lip balms, I’ll kindly remind you that Labello makes the best around. Not only does Labello make a wide variety of flavors and formulas, it also happens to be an extremely moisturizing, shiny, glossy, tasty treat for the lips! The formula is highly emollient and leaves lips with a wet, shiny, glossy look while offering moisture, a tiny hint of color, and in some formulas, SPF.

Who doesn’t need a great lip treatment for the cold harsh weather? This is ideal for preventing or curing chapped, dried lips while offering a beautiful glossy finish and a kiss of a fruity taste! Yums! Labello manages to keep a girl happy with over 25 different formulas and flavors of balm and is every introducing new flavors, new formulas, and new products (selections vary from country to country). Who doesn’t love variety?

Labello is available within Europe but you can find a few online shops that sell the line and also Evil-bay has a few sellers. I normally have a friend in Amsterdam who airmails about ten or so when I need them and it lasts me for quite a while and I find it cheaper ordering it in bulk however if you’re just wanting to try it out I do suggest nabbing one online if you have no other option.

Labello is 100 years old and quite fond of telling the world that Nobody Kisses Better…this Muse couldn’t agree more which is why she Muse Approves Labello Lipcare with a big hearty YAY!

The Muse thinks you needs some, the sooner, the better.

Love Labello?

Which are your fav flavors?

Fav formulas?

Tell the Muse!

The Muse thought she’d cheap it up today and break open her bottle of Avon Skin So Soft Fusions Soft & Replenish Dual Softening Body Wash.

I know, I know, it’s not everyday you see your Muse going the cheap route but hey desperate times calls for desperate deals right? I’m on my search for the best beauty budget finds and this happens to be one!

Read on to learn more!

At $3.99 USD for a 6.7oz bottle, Avon Skin So Soft Fusions Soft & Replenish Dual Softening Body Wash is a value for your buck. This mutitasking body wash cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes. See? I told you it was a deal.

The product contains a dual chamber which houses one side of a moisturizing lotion like shower gel and another which contains an exfoliating gel treatment. Squeeze a small amount into a shower puff, sponge, or your hand and the two formulas combine to create a creamy, bead infused shower gel. Small beads massage and exfoliate skin while the creamy base of the product offers moisture. The gel smells fresh and clean and leaves skin soft and silky smooth!

Skin So Soft is an extremely popular line from Avon and extending the line to include these new body washes is truly a good thing. The Muse likes the price and the way her skin feels gorgeous after use. Can’t beat the price either.

Avon Skin So Soft Fusions Soft & Replenish Dual Softening Body Wash is a fab Beauty on a Budget score.

Nab some for yourself at shop.avon.com

Since it’s debut on my blog a year or so ago, Fairy Drops Mascara (Fairy Drops Mascara Review)is the source of much e-mail to my inbox. The Muse likes to think she’s the one who created it’s cult following among follow diseased Asian cosmetic collectors like herself but she knows she’s not that important.

Recently a reader asked me to review Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara because she felt it was so very similiar in style to Fairy Drops Mascara and easier to obtain. Far be it for the Muse to say no to such a sweetly asked favor.

So here is my review of Rimmel Sexy Curve Mascara……

Before I begin my review it deserves to be mentioned I haven’t exactly seen this available outside the British market as of yet. I don’t follow Rimmel that closely but I honestly haven’t noticed Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara in any of my local drugstores. I have mine for about a month or so now? Maybe less? My best friend Lib who lives in London sent over a box of items for me for Christmas with her husband who was here visiting last month and inside was this mascara.

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara is a good dupe for Fairy Drops Mascara in applicator design as it has the same shape and style. The applicator is plastic and has three curved layers meant for pulling the lashes out and upwards for a “sexy” curl. It does give volume, does curl, and does offer nice length so it succeeds in just about everything it promises.

When compared to Fairy Drops the “curves” of the applicator are not nearly as large and I felt like I obtained a more natural look with it where as with Rimmel Sexy Curves my look was more of a false lash look. The formula is thick but it also manages to feel light once it’s on so it isn’t weighting my lashes down. I honestly won’t say if it kept my curl all day but I will say a majority of the day it looked lovely on.

I was surprised to hear the reviews on MUA as it was quite wrongfully thrashed in my opinion and only 3.2 out of 5 stars was a surprise and shock to me as I didn’t think it was half bad for Rimmel. The formula isn’t waterproof so much ranting was made about how it flaked and smudged but I didn’t experience either thankfully. I’m quite used to wearing waterproof mascara so I always expect the worst with non waterproof formulas but this wore well all day without raccoon eyes popping up!

I’d personally purchase it again once I was out as it is indeed a solid dupe of Fairy Drops Mascara, easier to obtain, and cheaper too (believe it runs around £3-£4).

I’m rubbish at before and after shots when it comes to mascara but this is the best I could do!

Before

After

And yes, before you ask, Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara is Muse Approved for purchase. It does what it promises for a value price. Can’t beat that!

Questions?

Comments?

Love it?

Tell the Muse!

mark is busy being romantic for the upcoming Valentine season as we can see from the updates on it’s site!

The Muse was browsing the site and noticed a few choice little kits that are sure to seduce, tempt, and make you flush with pleasure when you see them!

mark supposedly hearts these kits and really the Muse may feel the same. $20 USD snags you one of two kits for a bold or a demure look…the Muse isn’t picky she’ll take either.

Flirt 101 Kit Includes:

• i-mark Magaic and South Beach Eyeshadows
• mark Kissink in red siren
• mark Juice Gems in Juicy Cherry Pop

Love 4 Ever Kit Includes:

• i-mark in Cake and Luvstruck Eyeshadows
• mark Kissink in Berry Bitten
• mark Juicy Gems in Juicy Cassis

What’s not to love with these sweet little kits?

mark Candy Kisses Lip Glosses are $10 USD but you can snag ‘em for $6 USD if you purchase anything off the site. The kit includes three candy shaped compacts filled with deliciously scented and flavored gloss!

All in all a rather cute little selection of goodies for the upcoming Valentine Day season and of course Spring!

Want ‘em?

Love ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

The Muse thinks it’s ok to cheap it up sometimes. Hey, we’re living in hard times here! Cheap is obviously where it’s at!

When Superdrug had a sale on MeMeMe cosmetics the Muse decided to haul it for all it was worth and take advantage of the buy two get one free deal! I’m all about cheap and English makeup!

I recently reviewed MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek and Lip Stain for you and today I’m bringing you a review of MeMeMe Shimmy Simmers Pink Shimmer Highlighter.

Excited? Read on for more excitement….

If you have a certain love (or an addiction) for Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks but don’t enjoy the price you can cheap it up with MeMeMe Shimmy Shimmers. Virtually the same product but just heaps cheaper! We like that don’t we?

MeMeMe Shimmy Shimmers are a dual product for this Muse as it can easily work as both a blusher and a highlighter. It’s nicely pigmented to create a soft flush to cheeks while adding a hint of frosty shimmer to highlight the face. The palette is made up of five color variations most of which are deeper shades of rose and pink. Together the shades create a soft pink flush that’s quite natural and pretty.

The powder comes housed in a cute pink flip top cardboard box with a full size mirror inside. I like the packaging as it’s thin and compact which makes for easy travel and most important, easy storage. The formula is pretty silky and nice although it’s name “shimmer” is misleading as I think it gives a bit of a frosty finish. I actually feel that Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks have a frosty finish as well so the entire shimmer aspect seems somewhat pointless.

I think I love this so much because it works well as a blush and a highlighter which I can’t say for many Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. This particular color combination is quite like Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Peony which has long since been gone so if you’ve been lemming it you can replace it with MeMeMe Shimmy Shimmers!

Wearing MeMeMe Shimmy Shimmers as a blush and highlighter

All in all at £6.99 with a little bit tacked on for airmail charges I thought this was a rather nice little budget option! If you’re in England, lucky you, you can nab this at your local Superdrug! If you’re in the US head onto to your favorite forum and ask a nice Brit for a swap.

The Muse is all about approving this one for purchase!

Like it alot!

Don’t quote the Muse but she recently tried Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color and she had thought this was a new product for the Avon Holiday Collection (yeah, yeah I’m still in Holiday mode here, sue me!) but I think maybe that the color I tried might have been new for the collection and not the actual product. Ok anyway…little bit more info that you’d be interested to know there but I just wanted to clear that up before getting onto the review stage of this process.

Honestly, put diamonds and any cosmetic name after or before it and the Muse gets hyper…diamond lipstick, diamond gloss, diamond powder….I mean seriously doesn’t diamond just make everything look extra special? Dontcha just want it after you hear diamond attached to it?

So when I heard Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color I was all about it. Diamond? That had to mean it would shimmer and sparkle and shine! Oh yes I need diamonds to make all my holiday looks complete plus it’s cheap at $7 USD!

Umm I found out I really didn’t need diamonds after all sadly….

I tried out Avon Glazwear Diamonds Eye Color in Pure Silver and I must say the excitement and prospects of a silvery liquid color had my mind turning to mush and my heart throbbing in excitement. I think what really had me going was the chance that maybe Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color could be the next Visee Aqua Shining Eyes. I’m a self confessed hater of liquid and cream shadows but I do so admit that as of late I’ve given some a chance and really loved ones I’ve tried. I had pretty high hopes for this product as lately Avon hasn’t failed at really delighting me with some of it’s newest releases.

Sadly, all my hopes and dreams of an awesome liquid shadow were quickly dashed upon application. Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color may have the potential for greatness but somewhere along the line the formula fails miserably. I had to strain myself to build up color for decent coverage and even after several layers the shadow still looked sheer. The formula dries down considerably slower than normal liquid shadows which makes blending a real treat but that doesn’t excuse the lack of pigmentation nor does it make up for the fact that the final, finished dry down is a complete nightmare of a mess. Blending was a bit of a problem simply because the product streaks around the eye big time. The dry down is slow which makes blending easy however the streaking causes a problem of having to apply layer after endless layer to get a very sheer finish. Ugh! Frustrating! The finished results are more of problem as the product dries down to a flaky, cracking, creasing hot mess. Finished results looked like I had nothing on at all but upon closer inspection you can make out smears of shadow all over my eye that looks like I slapped it on without properly blending it when in fact I just spent the last 15 minutes applying one hundred layers of this stuff and blending until my little finger hurt.

Here I am wearing about five hundred layers of Avon Glazewear…mmmm..very sheer as you can see!

Anyway.

The moral of this story is the Muse can’t help but be let down by Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color. I was kinda sorta hoping for something special especially considering I’ve had such wonderful luck lately with Avon! Sadly, I really didn’t like this and I was somewhat shocked at all the raving, glowing reviews on the Avon site for the product because I honestly thought it wasn’t great at all.

This one the Muse isn’t feeling this one sadly but she still hearts other Avon goodies!

Contrary to popular belief not everything cosmetic in England is expensive. Truly. Honest. The Muse swears it’s true.

All our friends on the other side of the pond suffer from jacked up cosmetic prices and cry in agonizing woe at the deals we in the US are so very fond of and take for granted. Within the US we enjoy fantastic prices on brands like MAC, Urban Decay, Etc..but these prices aren’t customary in the UK and most times what we pay is 30 to 50% higher in the UK (and other countries of course).

But as I was saying you can find a few cheaper cosmetics that are well worth checking out! Budgeting your beauty in England? Why not!

If you’re not feeling Benefit Benetint’s £22.50 price tag or in our case $28 USD you can always head to your local Superdrug and snag some MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek and Lip Tint and call it a day. At £4.99 it’s a steal and a deal or so the Muse thinks.

Benefit might be pretty upset if they got their hands on a bottle of MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek and Lip Tint. The product is virtually an exact dupe of Benefit Benetint right down to the rose scent. Although MeMeMe’s version has many of the same characteristics as Benetint one thing remains very different, the price tag. At £4.99 compared to £22.50 you do the math.

MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek and Lip Tint is quite a nice little stain although some may complain that it’s a bit too red (this compliant is legendary in regards to Benetint as well) but personally I think it gives just the right touch of color to cheeks and lips. It sports the same water like consistency as Benetint and only gives a very subtle glow to cheeks, nothing too dramatic, just a very sheer touch of color to cheeks and lips. The similarity in packaging is quite obvious aside from the fact that MeMeMe’s version has a longer bottle where as Benetint is a chubbier bottle. The packaging sports the same nail polish design with brush applicator as well, just like Benetint.

For the most part I think MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek and Lip Tint is rather a nice little replacement for Benetint. At a great price it gives cheeks just the right amount of a natural flush!

Getting cheeky with the stain on my lips and cheeks!

As you can see above the stain is quite sheer and nothing too loud or outrageous just a very natural flush of color!

Yes, yes don’t worry the Muse hasn’t failed to mention that those of us in the US do not have Superdrug nor do we have access to MeMeMe products but the Muse does suggest cozying up to your favorite Brit and asking nicely if they’d buy one for you and send it on over! Plenty of MUA’ers are very helpful as well so do check around your local makeup forum haunts to see who in England is willing to fulfill your MeMeMe wishes!

I do think even with International shipping costs that MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek and Lip Tint is well worth checking out if you’re looking for a nice, natural flush but you’re not willing to shell out $28 USD for Benetint!

As for my UK’ers you’re lucky enough to wander down to your local Superdrug and nab some for yourself! Happy Hauling!

What about you?

Anyone tried this?

Love it?

What’s your favorite stains?

Tell the Muse!

Last week I was excited about the prospect of 24K Gold in my lipstick! This morning I’m excited that I get diamonds in my lipstick too……

Damn, life is good.

I got alot of requests for Beauty Budget finds and I hope so far I’ve given you what you want. Look at your Muse giving you gold and diamonds at a budget price….doesn’t it make you love her more than evers before? Avon Glazewear Diamond Lipstick is $8 USD and delivers a dazzling diamond finish with a moisturizing, pigmented formula.

As much as I loved the new Avon 24K Gold Lipstick I have to say that the formula of the Avon Glazewear Diamond Lipstick is positively dreamy and creamy when compared with it. The formula is so buttery smooth and just glides on beautifully. The finish is so glossy smooth and gorgeous that gloss is completely optional. The color I tried was Ruby Slippers which is a peachy pink shade that makes my skin absolutely glow. The finish has a hint of silver diamond-like shimmer but nothing overly done, it’s a barely noticable shimmer. For the most part I felt like the finish was that of a gloss rather than a lipstick. I can’t say enough good things about the wonderful formula. Color payoff is equally excellant and the product is nicely pigmented.

If you’re looking for a nice inexpensive lipstick with a glossy finish, a touch of shimmer, and great color pay off I highly recommend nabbing one of Avon Glazewear Diamond Lipsticks for yourself! The Muse Approves ‘em and thinks they are a rather great find.

Click for color selection!

Avon 24K Gold Lipstick Review, Swatches, and FOTD

Avon Pro-to-Go Lipstick Review

Cynthia Rowley for Avon Collection Review

It’s about that time of the year now that my skin goes on protest and boycotts everything and anything I put on it to ease the tight, dry, flakiness caused by the cold Winter. A majority of the time dry skin just takes residence on my face and sits out the long Winter there and when I try to moisture or exfoliate it away I normally just get the rebel yell from it, “Hell No! We Won’t Go!”

Lucky enough I have found a few select products that do the job or at least aid me in ridding myself of flakes of dry skin. Soooo gross! Ew!

Today I realized I was pretty much down to the last of my Philosophy Microdelivery Wash so tonight when I got home I had absolutely nothing to use to exfoliate…ahhhh! Nightmare! But have no fear, Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub to the rescue! Yeah well the Muse does so admit that sometimes she has to remind herself that inexpensive skincare is around, alive, and kicking! I can’t recall the last time I used Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub but that’s a good thing because tonight I got a chance to remind myself how truly good it is.

Grounded almonds, oats, and pecans are blended with rose petals, orange, and grapefruit oils to create a gorgeous facial scrub for all skin types. The product contains no parabens and many natural ingredients. Looks can be deceiving as the scrub isn’t the prettiest around. It’s poop brown (yes I did say poop you may laugh now!) with little scrubby bits and bobs. The good news is it doesn’t smell like poop…hehe…it’s quite a gorgeous scent of oranges with hints of rose and almond…rather relaxing and herbal like almost. Scoop some out…a small amount will do…and combine with water….slowly scrub around your face avoiding your eyes….rinse…and you’re left with super soft skin and a fresh scent that lingers for a bit! It doesn’t dry my skin out which is a plus as it does contain glycerin which moisturizes and softens my skin as I scrub. It says it’s gentle enough for daily use but I personal limit myself to twice a week as I could easily strip my face using it daily.

Sadly, it’s not comparable to Philosophy Microdelivery Wash for me as it’s much more harsher. The ground almonds, oats, and other bits and bobs could prove quite nasty to sensitive skin types in my opinion but personally if you’re suffering from dry, tight skin you’ll be thankful for such a good scrub as it’ll strip off the dry layer and leave behind a softer layer of skin.

Honestly, for $8 USD you simply can’t go wrong especially if you’re currently taking a step back and looking to budget your beauty care at the moment. All of Burt’s Bees products are 99% natural so if you’re seeking organic and inexpensive Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub and anything else from Burt’s has you covered!

I do recommend trying it out for yourself as you may find it’s exactly what you’re looking for this harsh Winter season! The Muse likey! Check out more from Burt’s at www.burtsbees.com

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Review

NeoCeuticals Problem Dry Skin Gel Review

Philosophy Microdelivery Wash Review

Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask Review