Musings of a Muse

Ahhh eye shadow. Bless be the woman who created eye shadow! The Muse has plenty of shades she loves.

Find out 10 she possibly couldn’t live without by clicking below!

Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Maui Wowie and Midnight Cowboy, these are golden, they shimmer, they contain heaps and heaps of sparkle, and I love ‘em. Can’t do without, no way, no how.

MAC LoveStone long since gone but big enough to last me into my next life! Swirling shades of beautiful maroon, red, hints of shimmering orange and gold…you get the point? Love!

I’ve done an ode to MAC FireSpot prior to this but it’s worth speaking of my great love again. Bright pigmented fiery orange, indeed it’s love!

Milani Runway Eyes in Beach Sand is full of shimmery gold, I see a trend developing. Best shadow that Milani carries, hands down. It’s Summer right? So sportin’ this all through those long, hot days!

ALL of the Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadows are to die for but the soft pink allure and shimmer of Ballet holds the Muse’s heart.

I remember my rave about Napoleon Eye Patrol in Private Angel when my blog was still new, not alot has changed in regards to my feelings for this shadow. Again, another shimmering shade of gold and oh so pretty!

I’ve been known to get excited about Vincent Longo Wet Diamond Eye Shadow. Verite is my fav shade from the collection, believe me I have ‘em all! Deepest army green around with plenty of sparkle.

B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful in Burke is always my fav eye shadow wash. Shimmering white makes the perfect prep for my bolder shadow shades!

Mattese N.Y.C. Shadow Dust in Queen is not only cheap as day old chips but gorgeous. The deepest shade of turquoise this Muse has ever had the pleasure of owning!

Those are my 10 Eye Shadows I can’t leave without! What are some of yours?

Tell ‘em!

Hey girls!

Just repimpin’ my contest with N.Y.C. New York Color Cosmetics again! It’s getting close to ending on June 5th so if you haven’t already entered do click on over and enter to win!

Visit www.newyorkcolor.com/contests/muse for your chance to win!

We should all be worried about sun protection as the Summer approaches and the sun becomes stronger. Honestly, you should be worried about it 365 days of the year and obsess over it as much as the Muse does. Not only because you want to keep your skin looking beautiful but also because the harmful rays of the sun has the potential to cause some major havoc.

A kindly reader asked about inexpensive SPF and where she could get something that wouldn’t break her beauty budget bank. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, effective SPF for your face do check out Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun Block SPF 85+.

Jump it for the review!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun Block SPF 85+ manages to bundle together everything I want in an SPF into a cheap, inexpensive package. I’m reviewing this SPF as a facial SPF only, I’ll be doing a follow up post on SPF’s I use on my body sometime soon but today I am focusing on my face. My reader did state she was seeking something light with a high SPF for her face and I couldn’t think of a better SPF than this Neutrogena one as I’ve been using it a while now and really like it.

It deserves to be mentioned that I really love Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 but it’s $34 USD for 2 oz. Since I use SPF so often and I run out fairly quickly I was searching for something that could offer me the benefits of good sun protection with a cheap price check.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun Block has a high level of sun protection and offers protection from UVA and UVB rays. The formula is not greasy in the least thus it’s name “dry-touch”. It doesn’t sink in or absorb as quickly as I would like but I can’t deny that the formula is extremely good since it’s not greasy or oily on my skin and feels quite matte and nice. I can forsake a quick absorbing formula if it means the SPF won’t be oily and gross on my face as many SPF’s are. As you know by now my skin is dry but thankfully it doesn’t mind the dry feeling of this lotion. It has a nice floral scent (nothing overwhelming, don’t worry!) which adds to it’s appeal in my opinion.

Considering how widely available Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun Block SPF 85+ plus it’s inexpensive price tag I think it makes an ideal facial SPF for use everyday. This retails for $9.99 USD or less in drugstores.

If you’re looking for something cheap and effective I highly suggest snagging one! Muse Approval for purchase.

Hey chicas!

Are you a fan of New York Color? You know, that really cheap, budget friendly brand that you can find at your local drugstore.

The Muse is always on the look out for ways to cheap it up lately and N.Y.C. New York Color Cosmetics has quite a few items that are inexpensive and are pretty decent beauty finds!

If you’re a fan of the line jump ahead for a funky contest!

250 readers will each win 2 coupons worth $5 each for N.Y.C. New York Color Products good at participating retail stores by clicking here! The contest is running until June 5th so get over there and enter! Dude, that’s $10 bucks and you can so get an arsenal of makeup from N.Y.C. with that! For serious! The prices are super cheaps!

Good Luck!

If you win the Muse recommends checking out some of the N.Y.C. New York Color Pink Persuasion Collection. I brought the Mosaic Face Powder and gloss! Pretty nice for the price.

Chat with me!

What’s your fav bits from New York Color?

Anything I should be trying?

Loves it?

Leaves it?

Tell me!

Max Factor 2000 Calorie EXtreme Lash Plumper has a little yellow ticker on the front of the box that reads, “CAUTION: Causes Extreme Lash Plumping”. The Muse thinks it should read, “CAUTION: Extremely large applicator inside!” Holy jebus! These size of the applicator is like a club! You can kill somebody with this thing. It’s about twice the size of a normal wand and the applicator head is double the size too…sheesh who does Max Factor think is going to use this? A baby elephant?

Jump ahead for the deets on this brand new mascara from Max Factor!

Please if you’re clumsy with mascara do avoid this. I can just picture someone who isn’t too mascara suavy poking their eye out with this thing, hey it could happen.

The mascara promises fatter, thicker, more dramatic lashes. It performs well enough with lashes and creates a fuller lash look however it’s large brush applicator is terribly clumsy. Without careful application you could end up with a clumpy mess of mascara instead of longer lashes. I’m unsure what they were thinking when they created this as the applicator brush and just the handle is about three times the normal size of a regular mascara wand. It’s amazingly chunky and difficult to grasp and makes application a little tricky.

The finished results are nice but it isn’t anything I got too excited about in all honestly. I get fatter lashes but as far as length goes I don’t see too much of a difference, nothing dramatic that’s for sure.

Honestly, I’d probably not buy again if I ran out as there are much better options to choose from. The applicator is definitely a deal breaker for me but the formula and results were lacking as well.

No likey!

The Muse thinks you can safely skip it.

Tried it?

Love it?

Leave it?

Tell the Muse!

As Summer quickly approaches you may be on the look out for a beauty steal and deal here and there! A little cosmetic treasure that won’t break your piggie bank too much. Check out some cool buys for $10 bucks and under to add to your Summer time beauty regime!

Check outL.A. Girl Illuminating Blush in Just Pinched for a flush of pink to your cheeks. This nifty blush comes in a dual compartment compact with blush on top and applicator on the bottom plus a full size mirror for quick on the go touch ups. Best part of all? It’ll only set you back $6 bucks!

Score glossy, shiny lips with a trio of Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss Set for under $10 bucks! Likey!

A kiss of blush and a hint of bronze, Sonia Kashuk Crème Bronzer/ Blush Duo in Golden Crème gives you both for $8.99!

Treat lips so they are moist and shiny with the Muse’s personal favorites, Smith’s Rosebud Salve and Smith’s Strawberry Lipbalm. Only $5.59 each so even if you indulge in both you’re still keeping it at almost $10 bucks!

Did you know Girlactik Star Blush used to be sold at Sephora for more than the $3 bucks you can nab it for now? Check out shades Capri and Bora Bora for a slick way to amp up your Summer color wardrobe! Hey, get three and you’re still at your $10 threshold.

Pretty much a great dupe for MAC Tender Tones, L’Oreal HIP Jelly Balm are around, available, and under $10 bucks (unlike Tender Tones which are long since gone!)

It always amuses the Muse that there are indeed items from E.L.F. that cost more than a buck! E.L.F. Mineral Eye Shadows are $3 bucks and pack a nice hint of shimmer for a nice Summer eye look. Honest, the Muse has seen them up close and personal, not too bad a deal for these babies. Try out Celebrity or the new shade Golden.

Snag a two pack of Softlips with SPF 20 to keep your lips protected while you’re lazing poolside.

Get your glow on for $4 bucks with Bonnie Bell Blend N Glow Natural Blush!

Metallic strips of gold, bronze, and green are sure to keep your eyes looking fierce this Summer with Milani Runway Eyes Palette.

Not the biggest fan of Sephora makeup but not denying that the shimmering array of Sephora Colorful Strass Mono Eyeshadow for $10 bucks each is a killer deal. Try out #3 and #5 for that Sunset Eye Look you’ve been wanting to test drive.

NYX Cream Blush is a great one for the pool as it won’t easily rub off as a powder would plus sets you back $7 bucks…what’s not to love?

The Muse has a thing for mineral blushes especially ones that are $5 bucks, contain an SPF 15, and come in shades called Glistening Coral! Splash Mineral Blush has it going on.

Check out some of the above cosmetic goodies to keep your Summer budget on the low down. Your wallet will thank you I’m sure!