Musings of a Muse

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?

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Tell the Muse!

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!

I’m quite sad over the fact that for the last year or so I wake up with tired, puffy eyes almost every single day. This could be old age creeping up on me or the lack of sleep. The Muse likes to think it’s lack of sleep rather than admit she’s getting old.

I’ve set out a quest for over a year to locate the perfect product to de-puff my tired eyes and wake them up again. Sadly, I’ve yet to find a single product that works and believe you me and tried ‘em all!

For the past few months I’ve been using Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller and I was kinda hopeful for a while that this would be my solution to my woes. I mean think about it…an anti-puffing agent at the local drugstore for a nice price…seems to good to be true right?

Well fact is that it is too good to be true because it doesn’t work at all. Period. The end. Sad sigh.

Why the Muse was tricked into believing that Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller was the solution to life, the universe, and everything is truly beyond her. I guess the Muse was just feeling hopeful that finally some drugstore brand product was finally released that would wow her but sadly as with all drugstore brands she was in for a sore disappointment.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller comes in a nifty little roller ball applicator and is a cooling liquid that contains a high dose of caffeine. As you may know, caffeine is supposedly a miracle agent for de-puffing your eyes. Personally the Muse has tried many caffeine laden products and none have worked. The Muse likes to think it’s a nice marketing strategy for making us all frenzied about how caffeine wakes up so it should likely do the same with our eyes…not.

Honestly, I should have known the product wouldn’t work from the get go considering that it not only promises to de-puff but also rid my eyes of dark circles. Anything that makes two big promises like that does make me wonder. I decided to try this for a few months before reviewing it so religiously, daily, I’d apply it prior to applying my eye cream. I applied it once in the AM and once in the PM and I almost had myself tricked that I noticed some difference in my eyes…but nope..truly this was a trick of my imagination because honestly the puffiness was still very there.

The product is absolutely ideal as it applies wonderfully well with the applicator. It’s also nice and cooling and has a nice fresh scent. I think the cooling sensation is much of where I got it into my head that the product was actually working however I honestly see absolutely no results in regards to either puffiness or dark circles.

All in all it’s pretty much well wasted but hey what do you expect from a company who makes haircare products right? I’d say stick with the hair products and leave the skincare to the experts.

This Muse is still trying to locate that perfect product to de-puff her tired eyes and she knows now, after many months of use, Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller isn’t it!

Skip it! Total trash as far as this Muse is concerned.

The Muse think that stocking stuffers are the order of business today! Is it me or are stockings stuffed with cute little gifts are what Christmas is all about? I freaking heart uber cute items to tuck into family and friends stockings!

The Muse wants to fill your stocking with joy this year so check out her review and giveaway of Yes to Carrots Frosty Loves C Lip Butters below!

If you’re anything like the Muse your lips might be suffering at the moment with the crazy cold weather we are having! Yuk!0

If you’re look for a nice, natural, paraben-free lip treatment you might want to try out Yes to Carrots Lip Butter. These are pretty much the same concept as your normal run of the mill chapstick but the formula is vastly different. It deserves to be mentioned I’m not a big fan of chapstick because I hate the waxy feel. The good news is that these have a superior formula to chapstick. They are soft, moisturizing, and glide nicely onto the lips protecting them from the harsh winter weather and preventing them chapping, drying out, and cracking. Of course the key selling point being the natural good for you ingredients and the paraben-free formula.

Now the Muse hates choosing so she’s happy she doesn’t have to choose with the Yes to Carrots Frosty Loves C Lip Butter Gift Set! The set includes three tasty selections to choose from. You’ll get Mint, Berry, and Carrot all tucked into a cute box decorated with a little snowman!



Cutes for your stocking right?

So allow this Muse to stuff your stocking with your own Yes to Carrots Frosty Loves C Lip Butter Gift Set! Just put your email address and name into the widget below for your chance to win! Good Luck! The contest is open to US and International readers.

 

By now you’ve all heard the good word on Covergirl Outlast Lipstains (the Muse will be bringing a review of these to you soon)!

The sad news is they are not yet available in drugstores! However, the good news is that NYLON has the good word where you can nab before they are even out in stores!

The Muse’s hands happen to be as soft as a baby’s behind but not in the Winter….ugh they get rough, dry, and I get gross hanging cuticles…all sorts of chaos going on when the colder weather sets in! Terrible! I literally have to stock up on masses of Hello Kitty bandages because I can’t resist the evil temptation of picking my cuticles!

The past few days instead of pouring gobs of moisturizer on my hands I decided to use Yes to Carrots Pampering Hand & Nail Spa. Prior to moisturizing my hands I use this and I’m back to having baby butt smooth hands and nails minus dryness and hang nails! I can even skip moisturizer if I want as the product moisturizes my hands wonderfully well.

Yes to Carrots Pampering Hand & Nail Spa is a paraben-free scrub made from sea salt, carrot seed oil, carrots, and pumpkin. The formula is oily and filled with large grains of scrubbing salt and resembles just about any body scrub you might be familiar with such as Philosophy scrubs. Honestly, if the title didn’t say hand and nail I’d have thought I could use it on my knees and elbows instead!

In order to use it you’ll simply scrub a small amount on wet hands and rinse! Presto! Smooth hands! The grains work at exfoliating your skin while the natural oils of the product moisturize your hands and nails. With ingredients such as pumpkin and carrot I was expecting this to smell as such however strangely enough it kind of has a soft floral scent which is interesting.

The Muse is open to just about anything that will relieve her dry skin in the Winter and she totally dug Yes to Carrots Pampering Hand & Nail Spa! The price is quite nice as it’s on sale at Walgreens at the moment for $12.74 USD plus you get a rather large jar. It exfoliates as well as moisturizes while spoiling your hands and nails with good for you ingredients all while keeping it’s formula paraben-free!

Sweet!

Likey!

The Muse thinks you should say Yes to Carrots and snag yourself some of this great stuff! It’s undoubtedly something your dry hands and nails will thank you for this Winter!

Learn more about Yes to Carrots by visiting www.yes-to-carrots.com

Find out where you can locate Yes to Carrots Pampering Hand & Nail Spa by clicking here!

How do you keep your hands moist during the cold weather?

Tell the Muse!

Keep your eyes open because next week you’ll have a chance to win your own tub of Yes to Carrots Pampering Hand & Nail Spa!

The Muse has tricked herself into believing that Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads actually do something for her skin!

Ha!

Don’t you dare sit there and not admit that sometimes you have a product that you know doesn’t work but you use it anyway because you’ve somehow convinced yourself it’s the awesome! Don’t lie…I’ll know if you’re lying….I’m the Muse after all! In this case I’ve convinced myself that Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads are the the bee’s knees…..but deep down inside I know they are junk…but I like to illusion myself since I have a big old jar full that I really want to get through! By the way I didn’t even know bee’s had knees! Awesome! Anyway what was I
saying…..

Oh yea…so I replaced my Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads with L’Oreal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes…why does this stuff have to have such a freaking long name…god….

Anyway……for a week I switched over to L’Oreal Skin Genesis Towelettes and I gotta say I’m kinda digging them! Ok first off…they do only an ok job of removing makeup so don’t get too excited. They remove makeup quite well but my mascara not so much or my heavy duty eye makeup…but the good news is I’m not interested in using these to remove my makeup anyway!

Now what I really like about these is the smoothing technique. Each towelette is quilted, pre-moistened, and quite a nice, large size. In the morning I use these to tone my face and resurface. They work fantastic at softening my dry skin, removing flaky skin, and creating a nice, moist surface for my makeup. Lucky enough they aren’t sticky and so far they haven’t dried my skin out plus they are heaps cheaper than Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads.

If you’re looking for something you can use to prime your face prior to makeup while resurfacing your skin and creating a nice, dewy finish you might want to check these out! I’m kinda digging them and think I’ll repurchase them again after I’m through with the 25 pack I have!

Mary-Kate and Ashley Blush on the Go Make Up Sheets Review

Covergirl TRUblend Whipped Foundation Review

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Review

L’Oreal Studio Perfect Fix and L’Oreal Smoothing Cream Review

The Muse admits that it’s been a while since she purchased a ChapStick, since like…say…grade school! Eep!

Recently I was watching Fringe….did you notice that Fringe is the awesome when it comes to commercials? I mean I barely have to fast forward through them as they are all of 60-90 seconds each…umm hello awesome!

Anyway…I guess I wasn’t paying attention enough and I got blinded by Walter’s wit and before you know it up pops a commercial for ChapStick True Shimmer! And suddenly it wasn’t Doctor Bishop’s wit that had me enthralled but the shimmery goodness of Chapstick True Shimmer! What’s this? A ChapStick with shimmer? The Muse must haves it now!

Sadly, after watching the ChapStick tubes get jiggy with it on the commercial in sparkling pinks and golds, I was unable to locate either. Turns out the pink is a berry flavor and the gold is a tropical flavor and of course neither was in Walgreens while I wandered around for the better part of half an hour marveling over the fact I was actually in a drugstore that was on US soil! Bless be! However, the good news is I did find ChapStick True Shimmer in Peppermint Rush which is pretty much better than not having a sparkling ChapStick at all right?

ChapStick vamped up and getting jiggy with it! Na na na na! Na na na na!

ChapStick True Shimmer is simply the same old, same old ChapStick from days of old with a touch of shimmer, scent, and the flavor of peppermint. Is it good? Yes, the Muse thinks so. For under $2 USD (ranging from $1.50-$2.50 USD depending where you buy it) you can nab yourself a rather cute little tube of shimmering ChapStick to stash away in your purse for quick touch ups on the go. I love the novelty but I also think it’s completely conventional considering it protect lips from the harsh weather plus it has awesome shimmer. Seriously what more could a girl want? I was particularly thrilled with the silver shimmer of my Peppermint Rush ChapStick so I’ll keep trying to search out the berry and tropical flavors as they look more up to my speed!

I can’t deny I like the idea of having a shimmering balm that’s inexpensive, protects my lips, and has a nice moisturizing finish with touches of sparkle so I’m Muse Approving it for purchase!

Inexpensive, shimmery, with a bit of a cute novelty too it? Yeah, the Muse likes it and she thinks you might too!

Aquafina Advanced Hydrating Facial Spray Review

Got 2B Cosmic Shimmering Serum Review

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes Review

Softlips Review

E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer Review

Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Pressed Powder Review

Avon Retro Charm Collection Review

Ok, ok I admit to being a mean, nasty, no good person. I’m positive that you’re vehemently disagreeing with me right now and saying, “No Muse! No! We love you and think you’re the sweetest thing since gumdrops and lollipops! Why would you say you’re a mean, nasty, no good person!?!? Not our Muse! Can’t be!” Ok, maybe I exaggerated a little bit there.

Well, I recently purchased E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer and I was kinda hopeful that I’d be able to body slam it around in a review. I know, I’m deeply ashamed of myself but I was kinda feeling the vibe to trash dollar makeup! I really can’t help myself.

Forgive me please!? I’m semi-ashamed of myself. Kinda, sorta.

Well….the bad news is I won’t be able to trash it for you! Damn it, I’m so bloody disappointed! I really was looking forward to doing this review and making all sorts of sarcastic, catty comments!

The good news is that you can actually get a decent Tinted Moisturizer for a buck…whoa…..

I decided to take the dive into cheap cosmetics when I seen E.L.F.’s rather hysterical promo comparing it’s newest tinted moisturizer to Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer. Umm…..major claim to leave up to as the Muse heart’s Laura’s version in a big way!

Well, E.L.F. kinda sorta made a big claim and honestly they have created a product that actually works as promised. I’m not sure I’d compare it to Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer as the products are quite different but I will say that it’s good with some minor problems here and there.

I purchased two shades of E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer, oh sorry it’s actually called E.l.F. Shielding Hydro-Tint, silly Muse! There are four shades available so I decided I’d buy Tone 1 and Tone 2 but honestly I should have just stuck with Tone 1 as that was exactly the right shade for me but hey it was only a buck, no pain, no gain! Ok, two major or minor complaints are the fact that this contains parabens and secondly the scent is really foul-tastic. I think they were going for a fresh scent but it comes across as really cheap, old cosmetic smell to me. It’s a cross between plastic and flower and so NOT pleasant. Guess what? That’s the only rants I have! GASP! SHOCK! Oh my!

Tone 1

Tone 2

Tone 2 and Tone 1

Tone 2 and Tone 1

Tone 2 and Tone 1

Honestly, the product is not bad at all and it works. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as tinted moisturizer though considering that it is pretty pigmented. Honestly, depending on how you see it that could be a good thing or a bad thing. The coverage is actually really good and falls into light coverage at the very least or even medium if I press the matter. The formula is good as well, not too thick, not to runny but nice and creamy with a certain thickness that feels quite nice on the skin. It absorbs well and leaves behind a nice canvas for makeup. It’s pretty long wearing too and during a full day will last about four hours before needing a bit of a refresher. Seriously, when have you seen tinted moisturizer last longer anyway right?

I think for the most part tinted moisturizers are just that, a moisturizer that’s tinted. When you’re looking for a good tinted moisturizer I think you’re seeking a sheer coverage plus added moisturize for your face which is why I don’t place E.L.F. Shielding Hydro-Tint in the tinted moisturizer category. I think E.L.F.’s version would probably fall more into the lines of a liquid foundation if anything else as the pigmentation is good enough to work as such. Granted if you have problem skin or you need more coverage this obviously won’t give that to you however in the long run if you’re just doing a quick look and running out the door this works a treat at creating a good finish to skin. Granted even though it does have good qualities it has a certain cheapness about it that I can’t explain or this may be accounted for the fact that I’m purely a snob about makeup.

Sportin’ Tone 1 and some Benefit Posietint

Overall E.l.F. Shielding Hydro-Tint does successfully what it promises. It honestly works well with a few minor rants that I mentioned above. I’m unsure if I’d repurchase it again myself but setting aside my bias opinions about cheap makeup, I will say it’s sorta worth checking out for yourself.

Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit Review Featuring Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Review

Covergirl Tru Blend Whipped Foundation Review

Lancome Absolue Makeup Review

Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation Review

Physicians Formula Pressed Powder Review

When it comes to recommending drugstore cosmetics I’m the last person in the world you want to take advice from. If you’re read my past posts you know most of my drugstore cosmetic purchases end up trashed, ripped into, and tossed aside rather quickly!

However……..

I do have a rather surprising, holy cow it can’t be true review about Covergirl TRUblend Whipped Foundation. I must be high because I’m about to rave about this stuff.

Now it deserves to be mentioned I haven’t used drugstore foundation (NOR do I recommend using it!) in years. I mean, YEARS! The last time I actually used anything by Covergirl was when I was possibly 14 or so. Needless to say my taste in makeup developed into the posh, expensive, and quality items you see posted here today on my blog and they rarely stray.

I’m particularly adamant when it comes to foundation and concealer and these two items are definately splurge material however for quite a while now I thought it was my business, as your Muse, to get out there and locate a particularly good drugstore foundation and bring it back here to review for you.

I’ve yet to find that perfect, holy grail foundation prior to this. I’ve run across bad, I’ve run across ok, and I’ve run across somewhat good however great was never located nor did I believe “great” was anywhere to be found in the drugstore foundation world.

Until now.

I discovered Covergirl TRUblend Whipped Foundation recently for a mere $8.54 USD (I actually heard someone on a forum ranting this was too much for a foundation to which I proceeded to think to myself, “are they nuts?”). Now I truly didn’t expect much but I was very impressed with the array, I mean ARRAY, of shades the foundation came in. If you can’t find your color in this selection something is seriously off with your tone! The shades range from uber light to super dark and everything in between so you’re guaranteed to locate at least one shade that’s entirely suitable and flattering to your skin tone, the Muse promises it’s true!

One of the main things that got me pumped about this particular product was the fact that Drew Barrymore is pretty much splashed all over every magazine I pick up looking seriously flawless. Granted, maybe it’s her or maybe it’s Covergirl (or was that maybe it’s Maybelline? The Muse forgets!) or maybe it’s that awesome geek guy (who could be cute ala Chuck!) that photoshopped the bejesus outta her face! Who really knows but the point is I was roped into the allure of perfect skin when I seen her promo images and decided I too, must try out TRUblend for my very self.

Thankfully my gut instincts paid off and in the end Covergirl TRUblend happens to be all that and a bag of chips (and a sandwich too!).

There are two available options for Covergirl TRUblend. You have the Whipped Foundation and you have the traditional pump style foundation. I purchased both but today I’m concentrating on reviewing the Whipped version, later this week I’ll bring you the pump version.

I know, I know, everyone is moaning about dipping their hands into a big old pot of foundation. I’m sorry and I feel your pain but get over the promise of bacteria and germs and listen to my rave before you rant!

The shade I choose for myself was 410 Classic Ivory. I choose this shade for a number of reasons but mainly because if my memory serves me correctly this was the shade I used to purchase in the Covergirl Powder compact about 100 years before when dinosaurs roamed the earth and the Muse was a mere girl of 14.

I’ll get all kinds of grief if I tried convincing a makeup artist that this was the shade I want as it’s rather light however, thankfully, no MA’s are to be found in drugstores thankfully and I safely scored the shade without hearing a big lecture about how this is SO NOT my shade! I felt semi-guilty I went so light but no one was around to witness my shame so I firgured what the hell!

Turns out 410 works a treat so nanner nanner!

Anyway.

The foundation is creamy, moisturizing, and blends like a dream while offering light, medium, or heavy coverage depending on what you deem suitable. I use a very tiny bit as the formula is extremely pigmented so this is obviously great to build color up as you see fit. I don’t recommend trying this if you’re skin is oily or you have clogged pores or pores that clog easy as the foundation is heavy in some aspects even when used sparsely.

Sporting 410 and looking wide awake!

As for me, my skin tends to be quite dry around this time of the year so it feels beautiful on and moisturizing. It blends in easily, leaving behind a dewy finish that’s flawless and natural. The lightweight texture of the foundation is particularly delightful as it feels like you have little to nothing on your face. The foundation has a darn good wear time of at least 7 hour maybe…maybe…8 if you’re lucky and set correctly with powder.

I heard a few rants about the foundation, mainly one of which was about it’s horrifying smell. Either my nose is not working correctly or everyone else is nuts because I didn’t notice a terrible smell. It actually kinda sorta smells like cherries or Jergens Almond Body Lotion.

It brightens up my dull spots, created a flawless finish for my makeup, and does a mighty find job of even concealing dark circles if I want it to act double duty as a concealer.

Fact of the matter is that Covergirl TRUBlend Whipped Foundation is pretty much as close as you’re going to get to holy grail foundation coverage in a drugstore.

I highly recommend trying it out for yourself! It’s well worth your $8 bucks and does a fine job of prepping your face for makeup!

The Muse loves it and recommends it big time!

Muse Approved for this bad boy!

Likey, likey, like!

Tried this?

Love it?

Got an HG drugstore foundation you love?

Tell the Muse!

I have a deep love for Urban Decay cosmetics and it was my staple brand for many, many years however I never quite felt the love for it’s sister company, Hard Candy.

I’ve done a bit of a purchase here and there of a few makeup items from Hard Candy’s line however nothing quite grabbed and held my attention like Urban Decay’s offerings. A few years back….maybe two years now or three….they released a product called Sweet Cheeks Liquid Blush and it quickly became one of my very favorite items that I reached for daily.

I’m telling you this now because at the moment Sephora’s website and certain Sephora stores are still stocking Hard Candy Sweet Cheeks Liquid Blush and it’s a ridiculously low price of $3.38 USD down from it’s original price tag of $13.50 USD.

I had two of the colors selections already which were Baby and Girlie however during a recent Sephora order I ended up purchasing the other two shades since the prices couldn’t be passed up.

If you love Benefit Benetint and Posietint these are something you might be interested in purchasing. Although vastly different in both texture and formula when compared to Benefit stains these are an interesting offering that are worthy of your attention, especially considering they are under $4 USD each!

Blended

The product comes in a nail polish style packaging with a brush applicator for application. Simply dot a few drops on your cheeks and blend and you’re left with glowing peachy cheeks that last for hours. The formula acts like a stain with it’s incredible long wearing time but feels, looks, and blends like a creamy liquid blush. The blush is a thick creamy liquid that’s pigmented and blends much easier than stain as it’s not busy dripping down your cheeks do to it’s thick consistency.

All of the shade selections available are peachy in color with no pinkish color choices but that doesn’t really bother me because they are all rather beautiful and give a great glow to your face. The effect of the blush not only gives warmth to cheeks but also a glow and highlighted look.

Girlie is my favorite as it’s a cross between pink and peach. It’s possibly the most pigmented and a little bit goes a very long way to create a rather fresh, natural glow to my cheeks.

Sugar is my second favorite and is considerably more peachy in color than Girlie.

Honey Bunny doesn’t offer as good a coverage as Sugar and Girlie and acts more like a highlighter for my cheeks than as a blush however this doesn’t prevent it from being a very nice shade. I actually like applying a bit of Sugar with Honey Bunny on top for a bit of shimmer! Baby is also not pigmented enough to work fully as a blush however it does well as a highlighter. Baby is lighter peach shade where as Honey Bunny is a bronzy honey shade.

These are truly cute little blushes and well worth stopping at your Sephora to see if any are around left for purchase. I know Sephora has restocked on these several times and currently has 2 of the 4 shades available but do keep your eyes peeled as I did see them restocked several times already. Get them while the getting is good because they’ll be long gone before you know it at this price!

Well worth your cash!

The Muse Approves these for purchase! A Steal, a Deal, and a great blush!

Did you haul these?

Want to?

Did you indulge in any Hard Candy now that it’s 75% off?

What did you get?

Tell the Muse!