Musings of a Muse

Oh yea baby daily concealer post time!

I know, I know you’ve been waiting ALL day for this little entry haven’t you? I fear I’m boring you with my spotlight on concealers lately but hopefully you’ve found at least one out of the batch I’ve reviewed so far that works for you!

Today I’m reviewing Lancome’s Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer. That rolls right off the tongue doesn’t it? Is it bad to admit I have no idea how to properly pronounce Maquicomplet?

I noticed that I never really review concealer in the proper light. I don’t use concealer to cover pimples or problem skin. I’m too bloody old for acne and I don’t have anything that needs covering that my foundation doesn’t already do. I’m kinda disappointed in myself because I should really review it from all angles. But I only use concealer for under eye coverage plus even if I have a pimple pop up I think layering concealer or foundation on top of it is rather gross and causes me to break out further! Yak!

Anyway!

Apologies for never properly giving you the deets on covering up pimples or problem skin with concealer!

However, Lancome Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer does a mighty nice job of concealing my dark circles and extra baggage! Maquitcomplet comes in nine shades that pretty much suit all skin tones and while carrying the correct tints to neutralize problems like dark circles. For instance I have the most lightest shade available which has a perfect yellow base to conceal my dark circles.

The packaging is a wand style applicator which for me is just as great as a click pen. Smoothing and blending this on is simple and mess free with the provided sponge tip applicator. Stroke on, pat into place, and your dark circles are gone. The product is pigmented enough to conceal dark circles perfectly however my baggy eyes weren’t as fresh looking as I’d have liked after use but I still find the product offers excellent coverage for dark circles. The formula is a thin liquid however it is creamy and quite moisturizing. I had no problems with creasing under my eyes after blending and wear lasted for at least six hours before I needed to touch up.

The price might scare you at $27.50 USD however if you’re lemming this after my review you can head on over to Bergdorf Goodman and indulge in a gift with purchase!

Spend $35 USD and with any Lancome purchase you’ll recieve a chic grey and burgundy tote filled with gorgeous samples of Color Fever Gloss and Lipstick, an eyeshadow quad, blush, mascara, Bi-Facil, Absolute Premium BX Face and Night Cream, and a Three Piece Brush Set!

Plus Lancome is always giving away something so purchasing a concealer at $27.50 USD plus nabbing a great GWP is well worth it dontcha think?

I’m actually going to head to my Lancome counter to nab that bag of goodies! I’ll be purchasing the Maharani Jewels Quad…perfect excuse to splurge $40 on a palette when I’m getting such an awesome gift! Review to follow!

The Muse likes Lancome Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer and thinks it’s worth looking at to cover up your dark circle woes!

Check it out at Lancome or your nearest Lancome counter!

Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer Review

L’Oreal Visible Lift Concealer Review

Patricia Wexler, M.D. Instant Airbrush Concealer Pen Review

Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer Review

Physicians Formula Circle RX Concealer Review

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Review

Another week, another round up of new concealers for you! I’ve slowly been reviewing a concealer a day for the past week in keeping with my introduction article to Good, Bad, and Great Concealers and so far I’ve done reviews on good ones, a bad one, and some cheaper options! This week I’m going to try to focus on great concealers! Excited? Me too!

I’m really excited about today’s review because it’s a waterproof option that I feel extra confident recommending to all my lovely readers in Singapore (or those of you in similarly humid climates). I recently went on vacation and I reached for Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer to tote along with me because I know it would suffer through the humidity, the heat, and the blazing sun and come out none the worst for wear.

Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer promise of waterproof coverage is a promise kept. This concealer is my concealer of choice when I want my eyes to appear awake, refreshed, and dark circle free for long periods of time. It stays where you put it all day long until you’re ready to remove it which means it can suffer wonderfully well under hot humidity, heat, and if you so choose, a day at the beach or pool!

The formula is liquid and quite moisturizing. Although it comes in a liquid formula it’s quite dense so blending is simple without the mess. Pigmentation is wonderful and a little product goes a long way.

I have one minor rant about Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer and that would be the color. I have the lightest shade available and it still seems too dark for me and contains shades of beige which for me are extremely unflattering under the eye area. However, once blended well it does work out well and covers up my dark circles and any baggage I’m sporting.

Aside from my minor rant all else is wonderful on this front. The concealer wears long, doesn’t crease, fade, or cake under my eye nor does it dry my eye area out plus the formula is pure perfection for blending. What more could a girl want?

The price tag is hefty at $27.50 USD however since it promises waterproof coverage and delivers I’d say that isn’t too bad a price to pay!

This one gets a Muse Approval for purchase. The Muse likey and approves of products that promise and deliver! It’s not my holy grail concealer but it’s definately a runner up!

Loves it!

Have you tried Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer?

Loving it?

Love hearing about concealers? Got one in mind for a review?

Tell the Muse!

Check out what’s been covered in concealers so far by clicking through the Muse’s past reviews!

Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer Review

L’Oreal Visible Lift Concealer Review

Patricia Wexler, M.D. Instant Airbrush Concealer Pen Review

I feel like Lancome has come a long way recently. All the really interesting collections they have released as of late have been very unique! I don’t believe anyone can say no to really great packaging, unique design, and awesome product all combined in one.

All of these elements are combined into a great Fall Collection that Lancome has entitled Maharani Jewels. A Mah?r?ja is a great king in Indian culture where as Maharani is it’s equivalent female version which is the title given to the wife of the king or in certain cases a female ruler. Maharani Jewels is a wonderful name to behold on such a royal and elegant collection of cosmetics.

Obviously from first site you will notice that many of the colors in the collection are truly Fall inspired. Shimmering golds and browns compliment the warmth we associate with Fall colors. I headed to my local counter to have a peek at the collection but sadly it’s not yet available for sale and the SA I spoke to was a tad bit clueless about the set which was rather disappointing! Dontcha just hate when SA’s are not very knowledgeable about what they are selling! Perfect example is when I called the MAC store last week and asked if they had gotten in the three new collections…I had to wait on the line for 5-6 minutes while the MA on the other end ummmmm’ed her way into mind boggling confusion and finally responded with, “umm no I don’t think we got any of those!”….oh boy.

I was able to get a chance to test drive the new Elephant Bronzer powder and this was the item I was really lemming badly so it’s all good! I will however probably be bringing you the eyeshadow palette as well once I can get my greedy paws on it at my local counter!

The Elephant Bronzing Powder is one of those items you want to tuck securely away in your beauty vault because you’ll never want to use it and only take it out to pet it and tell it how beautiful it is. It’s one of those unique purchases that just triggers your protective instinct! I’ve had this feeling with several beauty compacts I own. Either I’m a sad, diseased cosmetic junkie or this is a common thing that all women experience with awesome makeup!

The palette consists of three separate colors which all blend together to create a rather beautiful peach, gold, bronze shimmer on cheeks and face. The main color is a typical bronze shimmering tan shade while the other colors in the palette are a pale pink and a bright orange that make up parts of the elephant. You honestly can’t tell the difference in the shades once you sweep your brush over it. All three shades just combine and create a unique glowing look on your face. If you desire you can take the compact a step further and use the pink and orange as an eyeshadow.

I was relieved and happy to notice that the gorgeous elephant print is deeply embedded into the powder so it won’t wear off too quickly as you use the power! The detail on the print is really lovely and unique.

I’ve done a 180 on my view of bronze powders lately and instead of running from them screaming bloody murder I actually find myself seeking them out. Shocking right? Although you too may hate bronzing powders I do urge you to try out this one out as you’ll be quite delighted with the soft glow of shimmering color it gives to cheeks. The color just works well and I really like the natural, healthy, unique look it gives to my face.

I think it’s safe to say the color should work for most any skin tone even lighter shades which will sometimes appear muddy or dirty when using a bronzing powder. I’m a medium fair and I felt like it worked great for me and I’d recommend trying it out for a shade or two lighter than my own tone. And of course darker skin tones it goes without saying how beautifully brilliant it’ll look on!

Sporting Lancome’s Elephant Bronzer Powder:

I think it deserves to be mentioned that the idea of releasing a bronzing powder for a Fall Collection seems a tad bit absurd. We are after all heading into a cooler season and bronzing is the last thing we are thinking about. However, it’s a total win for Lancome in my humblest opinion as the color just rather suits the warmer tones we associate with Fall such as golds, browns, etc…..so really bronzing powder in the Fall works well especially when paired up with the Maharani eye shadow quad. The quad contains really beautiful, sultry shades of browns, golds, and peach all in shimmering finish. Or of course pair the bronzer up with your own stash of dark shades that you may already have in your collection!

Aside from the eye quad and the bronzing powder a few other items were released with this collection. Complimenting lip glosses and eyeliner pencils are all available to make up the perfect sultry, smoky look for the Fall!

And of course one item many people are excited about is the new La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer. I’ve heard many an excited whisper about this new primer from Lancome and it’s made me curious enough to want it. Since the collection is currently up and available online I think I’ll be placing an order for both the primer and the eye quad shortly so expect reviews soon!

All in all a very promising collection from Lancome for the Fall! Definitely head in to your local counter towards the middle or end of this month to score some of these great items for yourself!

The Muse Approves it for purchase! Loves it!

Or buy it now at Lancome.com (Shipping is free this week)! See more of the Maharani Jewels Collection by clicking here!

Want any of this collection?

Love the bronzing powder?

Want the quad?

Dying for the primer?

What Fall Collections for 2008 have caught your eye?

Tell the Muse!

Check out my review of the Lancome’s Mystery Game Collection released last Fall!

The lovely people at Lancome Canada have kindly asked me to submit a link to my site for them! And of course the Muse loves Lancome so she wouldn’t mind linking to them at all!

Since I know some of my readers are in Canada this may be a helpful link for YOU!

Online since 2001, www.lancome.ca offers Canadian women the ability to browse, experience personalized makeup and skincare consultations, and keep abreast of the latest beauty trends 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

My eyes do spy a Free Gift with Purchase for my Canadian friends! Click on over and shop! If you spend $65 or more you’ll get quite a nice lot goodies!

The Muse’s mates from Kiss and Makeup featured these fine pencils about two weeks ago and I must say they sound intriguing to say the least!

The pencils are available in Silver, Emerald, and Sweet Quartz and every single one is on my wish list!

It’s all a matter of deciding whether I should wait for these to make a guest appearance at my local Cosmetics Company Store or getting them now at full price!

Choices, Choices!

I’m away this weekend but I do believe taking a second out of my busy schedule to type up this Weekend’s Steals and Deals is always in order!

Don’t you agree?

This weekend the Muse recommends heading over to Sasa for your beauty crack! Lots to be had on sale over at Sasa and Free Shipping too on orders of $50 or more!

Some of the Steals and Deals to be had at Sasa:

Bourjois Maxi Frange Maximum Length And Volume Mascara This mascara comes with the Muse’s highest recommendation and at $10.90 it also comes cheap! This retails for $19 at Sephora so you’ll be saving yourself $9! Yay!

Lavshuca Single Eyeshadows are $8.80

Majolica Majorca eyeshadows are available for $8 Sadly colors are extremely limited but if you have a hardcore lemming these are a pretty ok deal! They aren’t jacked up too much price wise compared to the original price of $5 or so each Japan side!

If I were you and I was in a bit of a shopping mood I’d click my mouse over to Drugstore.com and take advantage of the sale they have!

$5 off $30 plus free shipping

or

$10 off $50 plus free shipping

Drugstore.com is also having a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale which can be combined with the above deals (You’ll find a few goodies in this sale! Rimmel Mascara, Neutrogena Face Soap, Etc…)! Wahoooooo savings all around!

Might the Muse recommend THIS for your cart?

Macy’s likes us to be happy shoppers so they are offering a free deluxe sample of Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake 3 in 1 Shower Gel with a 2 product Philosophy purchase!

Since you’re at Macy’s anyway you might want to check out the Estee Lauder counter and score Free Shipping if you purchase $50 in products! Use coupon code LAUDERAUG to take advantage of Free Shipping!

If you’re lemming the Mystery Game Collection now might be a good time to get it and get something free! Lancome is offering a free sample duo with any purchase! The duo includes Definicils High Definition Mascara and Bi-facil Eye Makeup Remover (The Muse uses this and recommends it for eye makeup removal).

That’s it for this Weekend’s Beauty Steals and Deals! Enjoy your weekend! Happy Labor Day (and Happy Shopping at all the Labor Day Sales!)

Oh my the very my! The mail came on Saturday but I didn’t have a chance to open it till just this very second and to my delight what was in it? Lancome’s Mystery Game Collection!

I was quite excited to get my greedy, sweaty, eager little hands all over the Cube of of Destiny! I ripped open the package and behold:

I’m normally not a fan of Lancome’s general cosmetic line but this was too good to pass up! I’m actually quite happy I dove right in and purchased it because it’s quite a nice little conversation piece as well as usable (the sudden urge to wrap it in cotton, never use it, take it out for special occasions, pet it and tell it how pretty it is may strike at times but try to refrain and just use the damn thing! I should take my own advice shouldn’t I?).

The Destiny Cube comes in two color variations Deep Fascination and Charisma. At first I thought it was one color option but there are, in fact, two color options to choose from! I purchased the darker of the two (although the overwhelming urge to buy the two colors was hard to argue with!) which is Charisma. I think it’s a much better Fall look than Deep Fascination.

Deep Fascination

Charisma

I haven’t touched either shadows or glosses yet so I’m unsure of texture or pigment but I’ll be doing a deeper review of this later on! For now I’m just happy to take it out of it’s black velvet satchel and stroke it lovingly!

The face chart included with the Cube is a nice little extra but highly exaggerated in my humblest opinion! There is no way on God’s green little earth that you’ll be able to create these looks with this one Cube! The colors are just off completely! In the chart the model is wearing a very lovely pink shade and shaded in with the green as a smoky look! The green shade is quite spot on but the pinkish shade you see is no where near what is available in the cube! The color is a soft lilac color and not pink at all! I feel the lip creams are off mark as well! It’s a nice little item to include but the colors are way off base!

I also purchased Baume Baiser which is freaking amazing! This truly deserves a back-up! We need a case of these sent over as soon as possible! I originally read about this on the Make-Up Bag and the review was so outstanding that I had to nab this little guy for myself! This is part of the Mystery Game collection contrary to the fact that Lancome’s website doesn’t display it on the same pages as the Mystery Game! As Make-Up Bag said this is a highly addicting product! It contains a soft pillow of lip treatment that has a weird jello like texture and tastes like a dreamy, creamy, sweet marshmallow! It makes my lips feel absolutely soft and smooth! It’s quite like the box says…kiss a pillow! This balm is perfect for application all day, under lipstick or gloss, or just by itself! Truly money well spent! I need another one!

Finally I purchased Blush Subtil Shimmer in Shimmer Pool Pink! I unknowingly purchased this only to have it arrive and realize I had already purchased this same color AGES ago! This is just a repeat that they have included with the Mystery Game color story and no reason to pick it up! Don’t make the same mistake I did on this one!

Overall, Lancome’s outdone their selves with this nifty little collection! I’d love to see Lancome release some more of the fun items I’ve seen recently! This is truly something that has the avid cosmetic collector in mind when it was created! The entire collection is very usable but the Cube is a piece you’ll want to cherish!