Musings of a Muse

Here’s some popular keywords that brought readers to Musings last week. Check ‘em out.

Since LA Ink premiered the buzz around the Internet has brought many searches in for Kat Von D Concealer and how Kat Von D looks without her tats. The brand new Kat Von D Perfume has also caused a stir in my search box!

For some reason or another the Too Faced Smurfette Collection has generated quite a fair bit of incoming traffic lately. Everyone is searching up the smurfs…could it be we might see another smurfy collection soon or maybe it’s just about ready to hit the clearance bin!

Folks are obviously feeling the heat and humidity because searches for warm weather friendly makeup are abound like MAC Just a Pinch Blush, Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation, and Lush Tea Tree Water Toner.

Milani Runway Eyes Wet and Dry Eye Shadow in Beach has been named my fav a few times here at Musings and obviously it’s a fav this Summer as the searches are pouring in trying to find swatches for this great Summer shade!

The searches are also pouring in for Fall Makeup Collections 2009, Winter Collections 2009, and of course Holiday 2009. Obviously this heat doesn’t sway anyone from yearning for Fall and Holiday looks!

And that’s the top searches bringing people into Musings this week!

What are you searching for on my blog?

Do share, curious minds!

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!

Since I’ve been so busy scoring left and right with awesome eye makeup removers at my drugstore I thought, “heyz let’s go ahead and try something else new…” Pushing my luck I purchased Wet n’ Wild Beauty Benefits Beyond Eye Makeover Remover and proceeded to have my head examined.

I’m such a dope. I should know lightening never strikes twice. I was lucky with Clean & Clear and again lucky with L’Oreal but this…this is utter rubbish.

Le sigh.

Jump for it!

Wet n’ Wild is going all green and organic or whatever you want to call the current craze of hippie loving cosmetics out there (no offense green friendly peeps but the market is getting a little too saturated with this stuff that it’s getting on my nerves by now!).

Along with cosmetics in the new Wet n’ Wild Beauty Benefits Collection they released a $4.99, 3.8oz size of eye make remover. It claims to remove waterproof mascara but I don’t think so.

First off it burns like acid. OW! It hurts something fierce. It also has the consistency of water mixed with dish soap, not good, not good at all. Oh and it also smells like dish soap mixed with gasoline, pretties (insert sarcasm there).

Seriously though between the burning sensation, the gross smell, and the fact that it doesn’t do all that great a job removing my shadow never mind my waterproof mascara, this one is a very safe skip.

Stay clear people, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Final word, no likey, at all.

Why can’t I have a cosmetic line like that? Now you can…!

Jesse’s Girl cosmetics are sold in Duane Reade drugstores here in the NY area. Personally I’ve never seen them outside of Duane Reade but I’ll take your word for it if you have had the pleasure of seeing the line sold elsewhere.

Gratuity video of Rick Springfield looking all kinds of hot!

Duane Reade doesn’t carry a whole lot of the line, at least not in my experience, and only ever get a shadow set here and there but not much else.

The good news?

Buy Jesse’s Girl cosmetics online! They’ll ship it all over the world too!

Click it for some details, pictures, and some great prices on the line.

Best part about ordering from the site is the fact they bundle collections together. For example they have the Jesse’s Girl Color My World Eyeshadow for $17 as a set of four (normally these are $4.99 each) and also the Jesse’s Girl Startdust Powder Eye Shadow in a set of six for $24 (regular $4.49 each).

Of course if you’re not wanting to indulge in sets you can pick and choose single products as well. Much of the Jesse’s Girl line is quite good quality and pigmented for it’s inexpensive price tag.

The company offers a flat rate shipping in the US for $5.95 and flat worldwide shipping $8.95.

If you have a difficult time locating the line in your area this is a great way to indulge.

Visit www.jessesgirlcosmetics.com to shop it!

As per a reader’s request I snagged a bottle of L’Oreal Eye Makeup Remover for review. Um dear reader you owe me $8.99 dude (e-mail me I’ll tell you where to send the check! hehe). This stuff is expensive. 4oz for $9 bucks? Shut up!

I’m such a cheese that I totally can adjust to splurging $10 bucks on Sephora Waterproof Mascara in the same size but walk me into a drugstore and tell me to buy eye makeup remover for almost the same price and I’ll bulk, kick my feet up, and possibly throw myself on the floor in a tantrum. What? It’s been known to happen, I bet my best friend Jai has pictures of said events.

Important question here is the fact of whether it’s worth that price?

Click it for the review.

Poor Lancome so many brands adapting it’s dual phase remover and trying to dupe it, Clean & Clear comes close, watch your back Lancome. L’Oreal Eye Makeup Remover has been tried by the Muse…they have those two blue versions one for regular eye makeup and one for waterproof…no freaking likey. Hates both. Now we have this new version which is an oil free, dual phase remover a la the Clean & Clear I recently reviewed for you.

First off, hello expensive I’m so snubbing you for the price alone. $8.99 for 4oz is just too much. As always I have no problem shelling it out for a posh brand but drugstore..come on…9 bucks? Dude, for serious? You wound me. Ok, let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and say that the super store that shall not be named (Pssttt Walmart) probably has it cheaper. Soo…what are we looking at maybe $2 bucks off? $3 if I’m lucky. Brings it down to around $5.99 or $6 bucks…that price I can deal with and that’s about what it’s worth.

The formula…it works well. It works really well. I begrudgingly admit that it removes eye makeup including waterproof mascara very well. However, it does suffer the same problem as the Clean & Clear remover being that you really have to saturated the cotton pad to get everything off your eye. This isn’t like Lancome Bi-Facil, it’s not going to be one swipe and everything is gone. It’s more along the lines of a two to three cotton pad job.

Overall, the remover is quite good but I won’t recommend because of it’s price, it’s small size, and the fact that I’m using a ton of product to get all my makeup off (if I have to use a ton of product that’s not exactly saving myself money now is it?). Would I buy it again? Yes, for sure if it’s cheap or buy 1, get 1 50% off or some such deal arises. As with Clean & Clear it’s not going to take over my Sephora remover but it’s a hell of a good runner up. Good stuff but needs a few tweaks to make it perfect!

Anyone try?

Loves?

Leaves?

Tell it!

I’m not trying to get anyone’s hopes up and please don’t quote me on this but today I visited the Hard Candy site and came across this.

This could be one of two things. 1. It’s likely the URL was sold and a new site called “Hard Candy” is coming and maybe it will be nothing to do with makeup OR 2. (This is where you can get your hopes up) is Hard Candy coming back with a new line of cosmetics?

In this trying times one does doubt that they are redoing the entire line of cosmetics but how cool would it be if that was the case?

Here’s to hoping!

Takes alot to impress this girl when it comes to drugstore skincare but Clean & Clear has surprised me again and again the past week and half with a great release of products that bring plenty of quality to the table and an inexpensive price tag to boot.

New Clean & Clear Facial Cleansing Wipes, likey!

Click it for the review!

When I find makeup removing wipes that works it’s much like winning the lottery. Seriously how many wipes really work well out there? I can’t name a ton. If you’re looking for a cheap alternative to MAC Cleansing Wipes you’ll be happy to know Clean & Clean Make Up Dissolving Facial Cleansing Wipes are just as good and only run about $5-$6 bucks! Hello cheapness!

There isn’t much special about the swipes in regards to cloth or anything like that. It’s a pretty standard wipe as with any wipe. The difference between it and any other wipes is it’s ability to get the job done right. The wipes are saturated nicely with an oil-free remover and a fresh clean scent. They do a great job of quick clean up of eye makeup, waterproof mascara, and other gook that’s built up on your face.

First off, I’d honestly never use a wipe to clean my face every night. I reserve cleaning wipes for days I’m being a lazy bum and can’t be bothered to do my entire skincare cleaning regime, believe you me it’s a regime. These are rather fab for whisking away all my makeup in a quick swipe. Believe it or not they even do a damn good job on waterproof mascara. Mind you, I didn’t get it ALL off but I did get a majority of it off my lashes, nice job. They are on par with MAC wipes aside from the fact that they aren’t as thick but besides this minor detail I’d say they make a rather great budget dupe.

Overall, Clean & Clear has impressed me yet again and restored my faith that good skincare can be found at my local drugstore.

Total Muse Approve for purchase.

You’ll love ‘em!

I swear it’s been years since I’ve used Clean & Clear and I almost forgot how much I loved it when I was using it. The new Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser reminded me why it was my skincare regime way back when with it’s fresh scent and ability to get my skin sparkling clean, swing! Likey!

You know what to do for the review…!

Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser is a brand new oil-free foaming cleanser. It comes in a 6 oz pump for $5.99 (I seen it at Target for $5.49) and is a foaming cleanser. I seriously have an obsession with foaming cleansers, is it me or do you feel the same way?

A pump or two will do your entire face and it’s gentle enough not to dry out skin. It has a super fresh pleasant scent plus did I mention it’s a foam? Loves it! Supposedly it even removes waterproof mascara but I can’t say as I normally remove my mascara prior to washing my face, I never trust a cleanser do it not even my beloved Shu oil.

With it’s inexpensive price tag and rich lathering formula it’s a winner for me. Muse Approved for Purchase! Likes it alot.

If you’re looking for a cheap, inexpensive cleanser that won’t break the bank, cleans your face, smells fresh and clean, and doesn’t dry your skin out or clog pores I’d say grab yourself some Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser.

Good stuff, ’nuff said (and you know what a nit picker I am about skincare so this is def one to pick up!).

Be a part of center stage with Mabyelline New York and the cast of Broadway’s Chicago for a sensational event Thursday, July 30th!

Click for details below!

Professional makeup artists will be on hand to help women identify their perfect lip shades and offer on the spot mini lipcolor makeovers using Maybelline Color Sensational LipColor Lipstick at Rite-Aid in Grand Central between 8am-10am, 12pm-2pm, and 3-7pm also right outside of Grand Central from 3pm-7pm.

Love musical performances by the Chicago cast will also be happening from 3:30 to 4:30pm.

Enter for a chance to win free tickets to Broadway’s Chicago while you’re there as Maybelline will be giving away tickets every hour before 3-7pm plus coupons for Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor and 50% discounts for Chicago will be available on a first come, first served basis.

All activity except that at the Rite aid will be at the Taxi Stand located at 43rd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue just outside Grand Central Terminal. This is a one day event so be sure to be there!

Featured during this event will be Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor which is a unique pigmented lipstick for a crisp, high resolution color with a creamy formula. Available in 48 shades this budget friendly lipstick is sure to please. Compliment your lipcolor with liner and gloss from the Maybelline Color Sensation Collection.

I’m going to try stop by in the morning, hope to see you there, additionally I’ll be signing autographs…kidding, kidding! But do stop me and say hey if you see me would love to say hello!

Hello gorgeous where have you been all my life?

Clean & Clear has introduced a brand new oil-free makeup remover and it’s been around since, check this, March 2009. Why didn’t I know about it before this? Who’s in charge of the memo service? I didn’t get the memo telling me about cheap eye makeup remover…you know how obsessed I am with finding an inexpensive makeup remover! Heads will roll when I find out who messed up.

Teehee.

But for now I have in my possession a bottle of Clean & Clear Eye Make Up Remover and since I’m so in likey with it I’m in a forgiving mood!

Jump!

$5.95 nails you a 5.5oz a bottle of Clean & Clear Soothing Eye Make Up Remover…yes under $6 bucks and you can have a very good quality remover….thank you jebus, I prayed so hard but didn’t think it would ever happen.

I have one tiny rant but I’ll get to that in sec..

First off this is incredible stuff. This removes eye makeup in a snap plus it doesn’t contain oil so no cloudy, blurred, OMG! I can’t see! feeling. The formula is very much like simple water but it manages to do a very good job of removing waterproof mascara, pigmented eye shadow, etc……

I’m deeply impressed. It does have somewhat the same formula as Lancome Bi-Facil but it’s more watery. My only rant is you have to use alot. I had to do two cotton pads to get everything off my eyes….I wish I could have just did one swipe and be good but I did have to saturate two pads to remove everything. But…I do wear alot of eye makeup in it’s defense. I’m not upset in the least about this as it did a supreme job of getting my waterproof mascara off so I’m discoing!

That Bi-Facial feeling!

Fact is…it’s a killer deal and it works. It’s the best drugstore remover I’ve come across and well worth a pick up. I think it’ll replace…wait for it…my Sephora eye makeup remover. I have to test a bit more before I retire Sephora but it’s looking like Clean & Clear Make Up Remover is winning the coveted position of being the Muse’s eye makeup remover.

Likey!

Loves it and Muse Approves it for purchase.

Try it, I have a feeling you’ll like it as much as I do.

Anyone try yet?

Loves it?

Leaves it?

Tell the Muse!

This Summer you can go with any number of luxurious posh brands of eye shadow for a smoldering, sizzling Summer eye look. However, the economy may be preventing you from indulging in prices per shadow of $18 and upwards.

If you’re wanting to save a buck or two and still have a pretty sun kissed look this season jump ahead and join me on another Cheap Beauty Challenge!

This round of Cheap Beauty Challenge I’m spotlighting the new Maybelline Focus on Gold Collection. I hope everyone had a chance to sneak a peek at the shadows released in this collection as indeed they are golden, price wise and color.

This beauty challenge consists of a completed look using point products only which in this case would be eye shadows. Anything else such as blush, foundation, etc…is excluded from the total cost of the look. The challenge is to create a Summer friendly look for eyes without breaking the bank.

Of course you can go with any number of incredible brands this season for some seriously beautiful looks. Such as Clarins Instant Sun Light Shimmer Palette for Eyes ($36), any number of Urban Decay Eye Shadows such as Half Baked, Baked, and Twice Baked (all would make an incredible Summer look $16 each or $28 for a palette), or some of MAC Style Warrior Eye Shadows ($29 for 2 Shades).

If you’re not willing to dish out for any of the above do head to your local drugstore with a $10 dollar bill and snag yourself some of the new Maybelline Focus on Gold Expert Eye Shadows. I found these at Harmon’s Beauty Store for $2.92 each and they are truly a gem. Plenty cheap, plenty pigmented, and perfect for a Summer eye look!

The shades I got were Golden Rays (Golden Bronze), Pink Sunsation (Beige Pink), and Copper Coast (Copper Bronze. Each shade is silky smooth, blends lovely for a drugstore brand, and has plenty of pigment. The finish is velvet with a hint of sparkle.

The total cost for my Summer makeup look below was $5.84 as I used two of the shadows to create it. I used Golden Rays all over my lid and contrasted the shade with Copper Coast in the lid.

Honestly, if you’re not willing to dig in deep to your saving for a warm Summer look just head to the couch and dig around for some spare change (and stale cheetos if you get lucky!) and indulge in one or two of these shadows. Count me impressed for the price. Maybelline Focus On Gold is a great contender for this Cheap Beauty Challenge!

I guess sometimes it’s ok to be cheap but don’t tell anyone I said that!

Likey!

Anyone try haul these?

Share your thoughts!