Musings of a Muse

I can’t believe Summer is almost over. In some ways it lasted for ages and in others it feels like it flew by. Did you enjoy your Summer so far? Do anything special?

As Summer draws to a close, I’ll be reviewing the last of the Summer items I have stashed away and start to concentrate more on Fall and Holiday 2010. It’s quite an exciting time as I simply adore Holiday Collections!

Until we get deeper into Fall and Holiday we might as well enjoy the last days of Summer the best we can right? Here are some great posts from Summer 2010 that you may have missed!

NARS Skin Smoothing Face Prep released this Summer and it wasn’t exactly what I had hoped it would be. Some people loved it, alot of people hated it, and I gotta admit mine fell deep into the Makeup Graveyard!

MAC’s Marine Life Powder is still sitting untouched in my beauty vault, right next to Stereo Rose. It was Summer’s must have item and a hot commodity at MAC counters who got as little as five compacts in stock! Beauty junkies who scored it, struck gold, literally!

I had my Summer crush on the new Stila Raspberry Lip and Cheek Lip Stain!

Hard Candy had a really late Spring release, that turned more into a Summer one for me and one thing that happened to be a must have item was the new Hard Candy Moon Glow, loved it!

Too Faced Lip Insurance Lip Primer turned into a solid gold beauty product as it held my gloss on tight all day long!

The Bath and Body Works Summer Vanillas are still haunting stores after an early Summer release and all these months later!

Lancome took me right to the Riviera with their Summer 2010 Collection!

I was almost a cave dweller with Gloss Fluo De Chanel Brilliant Lip Shine as my guiding light!

The Target Look Book for Spring and Summer 2010 enthralled many of us!

Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams made a major splash with many of us!

I’m still not sure which I loved more this Summer, Lorac’s Hollywood Hot List…..

Or Lorac’s Little Black Palette….!

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Collection was the bestest beauty budget purchase evers!

I loved it so much I decided to convince everyone they NEEDED the DuWop Flight Stick!

Avon’s Sunset Glow Bronzer wasn’t only beautiful, it was an affordable Summer makeup find as well!

Essence Surfer Babe Collection hit Ulta as the first limited edition collection from the brand within the US and boy are we so hopeful it won’t be the last!

Urban Decay Urban Defense defended my Summer skin against the sun and made it look super flawless!

Too bad Stila’s Pro Artist Palette was such a snore!

I hit the Beach Club with Bobbi Brown!

Maybelline created some sizzling Salsa Sun Lipsticks!

These are just some of the happenings on Musings this Summer. Check the archives for more!

Happy readin’!

And feel free to comment about makeup or beauty finds that stood out for YOU this Summer!

Any favs?

Anything you missed?

Share ‘em!

Step back in time with the Muse and re-visit with some of what was happening in Summer 2008.

Bobbi Brown taught this Muse a thing or two about the benefits of combining pink with beautiful bronzes to create a killer Summer look! Check out the Muse’s review of the Bobbi Brown Bronzed Pink Collection from 2008.

Much excitement was afoot when the Muse discovered the new Stila Kitten goodies but sadly they did so disappointed. Gather round and listen to a tale of Stila Kitten Silk Shimmer Gloss and Stila Kitten Silk Eye Shadow Wash.

MAC Solar Bits were somehow easy to forget after the Muse originally purchased them and you’ll understand why after reading my review!

What was the deal with Too Faced Mineral Water? Find out by reading my review.

Bless Be! The KATE Summer Collection 2008 was absolutely a joy for this Muse! She was partial to her favorite shadows being released in three new shades. Japan never looked so good.

Urban Decay taught the Muse how to love bronzer! Check out her review of the Urban Decay Summer Collection 2008 after this jump.

Please MAC won’t your bring back Volcanic Ash this Summer?

Small but lovely was the Majorca Majolica Summer Collection 2008.

Vincent Long Liquid Shadow had a Muse crying nay! Check out her review on these shadows introduced in the Summer of ’08.

Addict? Sure definately an addiction when it comes to the Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect shades that were released last year. Loves ‘em!

Cooling off with Etude House Aqua Sherbet Skincare was easy especially since it smelled so pretty and looked equally gorgeous.

Hope you had fun clicking through some of Summer 2008. Maybe you came across a few reviews you missed from last year or discovered something new.

The Muse is a wonderin’…..

What’s your favorite releases from last Summer?

Share ‘em with me!

The Muse rounded up some great past Bath and Shower posts special for you! Jump ahead to splish splash through some past posts.

Me! Bath Ice Cream keeps turns your bath into something sweet!

Me! Bath Ice Cream Review

Philosophy Red Licorice Shower Gel is a Muse favorite!

Philosophy Red Licorice 3-in-1 Shower Gel Review

Tis Spring now but we can bring back a little bit of Winter with Frothy the Snowman!

Lush Frothy the Snowman Review

A little bit of a gourmet in your bath is always in order!

Delish Gourmet Bath Bakery Cupcake Review

Easter is this Sunday! Revisit Lush Easter Eggs from last year!

Lush Easter Eggs Review

Bath and Body Works Sassy Strawberry Shower Gel wasn’t doing it for me but it’s rather fun looking back on the review!

Bath and Body Works Sassy Strawberry Shower Gel Review

Cheap Lush? Or a bad copycat? Read about Basin and tell me what you think!

Basin Review

Memories of Bath and Body Works Fall/Winter Collection 2007? The Muse has you covered!

Bath and Body Works Fall/Winter Collection

Cool, crisp, sweet, tart, refreshing Pink Lemonade!

Philosophy Pink Lemonade Review

Hope you have fun clicking through some of these past bath and shower posts.

Share your favorite bath goodies in my comment box!

The Muse knows she’s not alone in thinking that their is something so very wonderful about lipgloss!

Go on now, you know you simply adore it.

Jump ahead to reflect on some reviews that’s are all about the lips!

The Muse thinks kawaii and gloss is a marriage most divine so of course she was all about Love Clover PopChu Lipgloss from Japan.

Love Clover PopChu Lipgloss Review

Christmas was extra special when the Muse discovered that diamonds and gloss could come together in a gorgeous piece of bling!

Isadora Diamond Gloss Ring Review

From Korea (and Etude House) with Love, the Muse was all about the newest Etude House plumping gloss!

Etude House Plumping Lip Tint Review

The gods graced the Muse (and makeup junkies everywhere) with the awesomeness of Too Faced Mirror Mirror Gloss this past Fall! Bless be!

Too Faced Mirror Mirror Gloss

Only the good die young so might as well sin with Lipstick Queen!

Lipstick Queen Sinner Shine Hardcore LipGloss Review

Why choose when you can have a slew of variety? Smashbox Rapture Lipgloss set was all about choices!

Smashbox Rapture Lipgloss Gift Set Review

Rule the recession with budget friendly gloss from Mark!

Mark Glossblossom Lipgloss Review

Part two of my Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick Review is upcoming so best get cracking and start reflecting on part one!

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick Review and Swatches

The Muse finally admits that every cosmetic purchase she makes from Japan isn’t always a great one!

Shiseido Maquillage Diamond Tear Gloss Review

The Muse couldn’t pull off MAC Binge Slimshine but she found an alternative that worked well!

NARS Lipgloss in Revolt Review

Armani and the Muse are BFF’s especially when she was loving all over lip wax a few months ago!

Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Wax Review

It’s not always about gloss! How about Lip Stain too?

Pixi Lip Blush Review

Hope you enjoyed reflecting on lip products today!

Tell the Muse some of your fav lip products!

She’s listening!

The Muse has been busy as a little bee pumping out plenty of wonderful Spring Collection reviews for you!

She has a slew more to go and they’ll keep coming until Spring actually hits, it’s still cold as all hells around here so Spring seems ages away.

For now let’s reflect on some of what she’s reviewed so far for you!

Possibly one of my favorite items this Spring would be Benefit Coralista! Truly a star for Spring (and Summer for that matter!)

Benefit Coralista Review

Prescriptives Flawless Face Primer is brand new and holding it’s own against my other face primers and winning a coveted position in my daily use pile!

Prescriptives Flawless Face Primer Review

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick has this Muse’s heart! Amazing formula, pigmented, and did I mention tasty?

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick

The Givenchy Spring Collection is ridiculously awesome as far as this Muse is concerned!

Givenchy Rouge Interdit Lipstick Review

Givenchy Sari Glittering Eyeshadow Review

Givenchy Sari Glow Blush Review

The Muse has been erasing all her worries with Tarte The Eraser Concealer!

Tarte The Eraser Concealer Review

Preppin’ and Primin’ comes easy with Guerlain Eyeshadow Primer!

Guerlain Eyeshadow Primer Review

The Muse got her Smurf on with the Too Faced Smurfette Collection!

Too Faced Smurfette Collection Review

Men dressed as dames? It happens. Dame Edna happens to be a male, happens to dress up like a woman, happens to be a dame, and most important, happens to have his…errr her own MAC Collection!

MAC Dame Edna Collection Review

Obsessed much? The Muse is with Clarins Instant Gloss!

Clarins Instant Gloss Review

Valentine’s is way over but Philosophy Cinnamon Hot Dots Shower Gel is still guest starring in the Muse’s Shower!

Philosophy Cinnamon Hot Dots Shower Gel Review

Creating a masterpiece was easy especially when the Muse had Smashbox Muse Blush Rush in Masterpiece available!

Smashbox Muse Blush Rush in Masterpiece Review

What have you tested, tried, and purchased from the upcoming Spring Collections so far?

Busy waiting for Summer?

Tell the Muse!

Step through the Muse’s past posts and check out some of her bolder, vibrant FOTD’s from looks she created in the past!

Today I thought I’d look back on some older looks I created and bring my favorites out to play! These may be posts you’ve already seen or maybe they’ll be a new discovery for you. Please join me in visiting and enjoying some past FOTD’s (Face of the Day pictures). Considering the Muse has revamped a tiny bit and gone very soft looking lately she thought you’d enjoy her wilder days!

With the release of the MAC Naughty Nauticals Color Story the Muse was really feeling all those blues! She was particularly happy with Mutiny Pigment as she recalls! Check out these two FOTD’s from that collection!

Naughty Nauticals & DazzleGlass Meet Up!

Trying my hand at a Naughty Nauticals Face Chart

The Muse simply adored the Fafi for MAC Collection, do check out her rather outrageous and dramatic Fafinette FOTD to feel the love!

The Muse adores purple. She associates it with her inner goth side! Of course, many of her FOTD’s last year were inspired by some purple element. Check out this Reader’s Request Purple FOTD.

Enchanted by fairies? Indeed. See the Enchanted Fairy inspired look the Muse duped after falling in love with one of Sephora’s Holiday Catalogs.

Ahhh rejoice in MAC Eyeshadow in Big T again which is and shall remain the Muse’s favorite shadow!

Trying to recreate Anna Sui’s Royal Romp look from Fall ’07 proved difficult but try it the Muse did. Check out her version of the Royal Romp promo!

I hope you enjoyed some of these fun looks that the Muse created in the past. I know over the last year or so my tastes have evolved some and I rarely do bold looks anymore but I must say I still love them every more and shall try to incorporate them into my daily looks more often so I can start posting about them again here on Musings.

Tell me about some of your favorite shades you use for a bolder, vibrant eye look or send me your favorite popping FOTD and I’ll share it here.

It feels like the year virtually flew by doesn’t it? It’s been a great year for makeup that’s for sure! My year end favorite post is upcoming shortly but I thought we could reflect on a few things first!

Some of the questions I asked myself as I was reflecting were the following:

The Muse will place her answers here and you can answer, if you like, in the comment field below! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this!

I think I have to take myself all the way back to Spring 2008 to get a good idea of my very favorite collection of the year. The Etude House My Lovely Face Collection (aka Peach Collection) was my absolute favorite of the year! And it’s no wonder with it’s great packaging, fresh peachy shades, and incredible Pore Erasing Peach Base! This was by far my fav of the year! Etude House Spring 2009 I Can’t Help Smiling is simply adorably but in the Muse’s opinion it isn’t nearly as kawaii as last year’s collection!

In reflecting on my tastes and whether they have changed or not from last year I’d have to say a loud YES! I embraced more natural looks this year, got really excited about nudes and neutrals, and just dramatically altered my normal bold looks to include some very mature ones! So yes indeed my tastes have changed a tad bit. This doesn’t mean I don’t still adore bold looks but I have to say I’ve surprised myself with the amount of natural makeup I’ve taken on lately!

Unquestionably my greatest cosmetic find of the year was NARS Blush in Super Orgasm! I’ve heard rants and I’ve heard hate but I simply adored it. For me it was pure perfection! Not that it tops Super Orgasm but discovering that Urban Decay Primer has a SLEW of product left in the bottle after slicing it open is definitely a highlight of my year as well!

I can’t say so much if I embraced any trends this year. I kinda march to the beat of my own drum and I’m not one for embracing a trend but more along the lines of doing my own thing! One trend I definitely couldn’t get a handle on, no mater how hard I tried, was the vampy lip! I tried with MAC Binge and tried again with the Lancome Piha Collection but it just didn’t work on this Muse!

I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t somewhat excited about the MAC Hello Kitty Collection! Although I made up my own little ideas about how this collection should look, I do find myself getting more and more antsy for it’s release as I am eager to see it in person for myself. Yes, I know I’ll be disappointed but I just can’t seem to shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it’ll be great! I’m also excited to see what the Summer has in store for us! Summer releases are a great time to stock up on bold shades so of course I look forward to what MAC, Urban Decay, and other brands have on the menu for the warmer weather!

Now it’s your turn…..

Tell the Muse all about what you loved and hated in 2008?

What your greatest find was?

What trends you embraced?

I’m listening!