By the Muse on June 22, 2009
Oh how I adore Nordstrom Exclusives! Plenty has captured my eye this year from Nordies but one item in particular stands out. I’m thinking that the Jane Iredale Sweet 15 Makeup Palette shall be mine, all mine, *insert evil laugh here*
Jump ahead for more deets!
This palette is a flip top double tray palette that’s filled with fifteen Jane Iredale PurePressed Eyeshadows on the upper tray and three Jane Iredale Purepressed Blushes on the bottom tray. If that wasn’t enough they also included three Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumpers. This is love for the Muse, she so wants this in her life.
$78 nails you the palette and a big smile on your face that says, “Yes it’s mine!”
Shadows include:
- Oyster
- Aquamarine
- Dark Suede
- Pink Cloud
- Petal Shimmer
- Bubbly
- Sparkle Dust
- Dark Suede
- Peach Sherbet
- Glimmer Gold
- Copper Brown
- Topaz Sparkle
- Taupe
- Supernova
- Silver
- Charcoal
Blushes Included:
- Cotton Candy
- Whisper
- Bronzer
Lip Plumpers Included:
This is available now for pre-order from Nordstrom.
By the Muse on June 22, 2009
I raved Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer Powder for you last week and I decided that since I already had added Antigua to my beauty arsenal it was about time I also hauled Maui.
So away I went to Nordies to nail myself thee most delightful shade of bronzer I ever did meet.
Click for it!
After testing out Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer Powder in Antigua and getting a few emails telling me how I had to haul Maui too I gave in and headed to Nordies to purchase myself a compact. Ever so happy I did! Thanks to everyone who rec’ed it as it’s delightful. I had it in my head for a while that I also wanted Maui but after the many raves I knew for sure it would be special. A simple glance at the display had me nodding and telling the sale associate, “Yes, please, ring that one up!”
If anything at all Maui is actually even more flattering than Antigua as it’s such a pretty shimmery golden pink. I can’t say enough good things about these shades that Bobbi added to her bronzer collection. Truly pink it’s so universally flattering and as a bronzer it’s just idiot proof to apply. A quick buff with a kabuki and you’re left with sunkissed pink cheeks that give off such a pretty shimmer of color.
Maui is considerably truer pink than Antigua is. Where as Antigua sports a slightly dusky, dirty rose shade, Maui is more a truer pink with hints of golden shimmer. Granted, I think both are killer shades but I’m ever so happy I hauled Maui as I seem to adore it even more. These are the only two pinks in the collection and I believe Maui was released last year where as Antigua is the LE shade for this year. I’m hopeful next year we’ll have another version of pink to choose from.
Nothing makes bronzer feel user friendly like a delightful shade of pink!
Loving you Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer Powder in Maui (and you too Antigua!).
Anyone own Maui?
How about Antigua?
Share it!
Sportin’ Maui!
By the Muse on June 22, 2009
My sister is a real fan of clean scents. Cotton, linen, etc….really appeal to her. I can’t really say the same as I’m more of a sweet, fruity type myself. Recently, I tested out Estee Lauder Pure White Linen Coral and was pleasantly surprised at what a fresh, clean scent it was.
Click it for the review.
Although fruity blends speak to me in the Summer I admit that the freshness and gentleness of Estee Lauder Pure White Linen Coral seems an ideal scent for warmer, humid weather. The fragrance has a certain contradiction of complexity and simplicity. With notes of Chinese Berry, Pink Peppercorns, Apple Blossoms, Waterfruits, and Cear Aldehydes it combines to create a fresh, floral, crisp, clean scent that’s sure to please anyone who can appreciate a softer fragrance.
Linen does come to mind when it hits my nose first spray. Inviting and soft like a towel from the dryer. Drown down is more of a crisp, floral that still manages to remain fresh with an every so slight sweetness.
Truly Estee Lauder Pure White Linen Pink Coral is something special. I’m really enjoying this one for warm Summer evenings.
Beautiful, simply beautiful.
Who might like this?
- Anyone who adores very fresh, clean scents.
- Anyone who enjoys a lighter scent for the warmer weather.
- Anyone who adores scents that are both fresh and floral.
Anyone smell this yet or buy?
Tell the Muse!
By the Muse on June 18, 2009
The Muse is busy exploring the world of bronzers this year and she still has reservations about it, especially dank, matte ones, but she’s found a few tips and tricks that work at making bronzer (even the matte ones) rather flattering and pretty on her face!
Jump ahead for a few tips for making your boring, blah bronzer POP and SIZZLE for Summer!
Try pairing a matte bronzer with cheek stain!
Application Tip:
Apply a dab of cheek stain on your cheeks and wait for it to dry. After dust on a bit of bronzer for a subtle sunkissed glow!
What the Muse says:
I absolutely love breaking bronzer up with a pinch of pink or red. Try using Benefit Posietint or Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Gel Stain in Baby Boo.
Matte bronzer is a tad boring for me but you can spice it up a bit by using a deeper pigmented powder blush on top.
Application Tip:
Buff your matte bronzer on, smile, locate the apples of your cheeks, brush on a light dusting of your favorite pigmented blush!
What the Muse says:
The final effect is a pretty sunny bronzed look! I love breaking up my matte bronzer with a touch of color as it looks more natural and pretty this way rather than a blah brown shade on my cheeks I can get a nice bronze finish with hints of pink or peach by using a richer blush color. Try it with MAC Mineralized Blushes as they are richly pigmented with plenty of pop!
A majority of bronzers are matte but shimmery ones are becoming more and more common. I actually prefer them with a heavy dose of shimmer as it breaks up all that heinous muddy brown! Try pairing your matte bronzers with a bit of shimmer to create a pretty glow on cheeks.
Application Tip:
Buff bronzer onto cheeks and apply a fine application of gold or pink shimmer!
What the Muse says:
Not many people like glittery, shimmery finishes but I happen to adore them. That’s how I like my makeup. It’s not for everyone but I do think that a tiny bit of shimmer breaks up a matte bronzer beautifully.
Urban Decay Baked Bronzer on it’s own is beautiful but also pairing it up with a cream blush is really a pretty effect. It adheres to skin better and gives a gorgeous flushed, sunny look!
Application Tip:
Apply a cream blush to cheeks, I suggest trying out
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, after brush on Urban Decay Baked Bronzer or the shimmery bronzer of your choice.
What the Muse Says:
I love the flush of pink contrasted with the deeper brush of golden shimmer that this gives to my cheeks. It’s as if my face was touched by the sun!
Using a fan brush or a skunk brush to apply bronzer is always great for a lighter, more subtle application. It’s easy to go overboard with bronzer during application and using these lighter, less dense brushes allows for a sheer layer of bronzer on your face!
Application Tip: Swirl your fan or skunk brush in your bronzer and sweep onto face and cheeks for a light application. Build up color as needed. Since the brushes only capture the smallest amount of powder you can build up color easily without over doing it!
What the Muse Says:
A skunk brush isn’t really meant for bronzers but I like using it to buff a bit of color on my cheeks. It works beautifully with shimmery bronzers in particular.
Bronzers are scary. I should know I’m deadly scared of ‘em! They just all look so terribly muddy. If you’re a bit fair of skin or just don’t find the typical brown bronze appealing try out a pink one!
Tip:
Pink bronzers have just the right contrast to give cheeks and face a touch of the sun while avoiding muddy brown shades. Try out
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Maui or Antigua.
What the Muse Says:
Nothing says bronzer like pink for me. Yes, you can look equally sunny with a hint of bronzy pink for cheeks and face! It doesn’t always have to be about brown!
As the economy continues to keep us awake at night maybe bronzers are the furthest thing from your mind. If you happen to have a MAC MSF stashed away somewhere you can recycle it as a killer a bronzer for cheeks!
Application Tip:
Try buffing some MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in a golden shade (I suggest Shimpagne) onto cheeks. Spice it up by applying
Stila Convertible Color underneath and a splash of your MSF on top for a sparkling, sunny look!
What the Muse Says:
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish are ideal as a bronzer since many are golden or bronze in color and have that pretty bronze look to them. Since many of us already have these in our stash you don’t have to spill out cash for a new bronzer, simply use what you already have!
When all else fails and you’re simply a bronzer dummy (like me!) you can turn to some great liquid bronzers to make application a breeze!
Tip: Liquid and cream bronzers are easy to smooth onto cheeks and create just a great a glow as powder. They also wear quite long too!
What the Muse Says:
Liquid bronzers are easier for me to apply as it’s a simple dab and blend technique. I love Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Liquid Bronzer for this reason. DuWop SunDrops are on my list for this reason! Ahh simple, blissfully easy bronzing at it’s best! I’m testing our Josie Maran Argan Bronzing Oil too at the moment, LOVE!
The Muse is no expert when it comes to bronzers but hopefully some of these tips and tricks help you to get the most of your bronzing experience. Breaking up bronzers and using different techniques for application and of course experimenting with other shades, colors, and products make the normal ho-drum bronzer into a new adventure!
Tell me some of your tips for the best bronzer application!
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