Musings of a Muse

I’m positive many of you will be hyper and happy about this entry as I know quite a majority of my readers are big Lavshuca fans (as am I!).

I was excited and disappointed with the Spring releases as the colors ended up being very dark and dull. My excitement at the release of new palettes was definately high however my first glimpse left me feeling rather crestfallen with the color selection being so very “un-Spring” like!

The current palettes, entitled Noble On Eyes, have evolved yet again and although they remain familiar in size they differ in small ways from the standard Grade Eye Select Palettes in the general catalog.

I was in high debate if I wanted any of this collection but as I am such a mush I gave into temptation and got all five palettes released and three of the new lipshades!

A few of the differences that I took note of were the fact that the palette now consists of three colors instead of the standard four shades, the applicator is no longer a dual tipped sponge, it now has a brush on one end and a sponge liner brush on the other side, and the packaging of the palette is slightly different in color and design. The new packaging carries a floral cut along the outer edge all the way around and the color went from pinkish purple to a dark purplish pink.

Evolution of the Lavshuca Palette

Most shocking is the fact that each of these palettes appear to carry all the same dark base colors while leaving us with one vibrant shade for our lid! Le Sigh! How very boring!

However, the good news is that each has a bit of a lighter or darker shade to it so really even though they appear the same they have little tiny differences! Still disappointing none the less but at least it’s not a total loss that I have five palettes with the exact same colors!

The palettes come in a pink, blue, green, orange, and tan variation. To create your look with these you’ll be using the lightest shade (on the bottom left corner) on your highbrow as a highlighter and also as a liner for your bottom lash line. You’ll use the middle color on your crease and the dark shade (upper right hand) as a liner. This is basically what I can glean from the diagram. Hmm. Sounds interesting!? I guess it’s best we use our imaginations while applying and see what we can do with such wonky colors!

From what I can see BR1 and BG1 carry the same base colors while the middle color is different! PK1 may look dark but actually the lower left hand corner color appears to be a very sandy pink color to my eyes! GN1′s lower color is a golden sheen while OR1 is a sandy beige.

The upper color is mostly the same in three out of five of the palettes. OR1, BG1, and BR1 appear the be the same while GN1 is a lighter variation and PK1 is the lightest in the lot!

So even though they appear to carry the same colors they are very slightly different from each other aside from BR1 and BG1.

The Spring Collection happened to bring a new color release for the Grade Color Select palettes which I didn’t get as it was blacks and grays and I have plenty of each. Sadly, no new colors for the Grade Eye Select which may mean they are phasing them out of the catalog. I hope not as they are actually my favorite! We shall see what Summer brings!

It deserves to be mentioned that color pay off is what you make of it. A lighter hand will get you a beautiful natural look while a heavier hand that’s packing on color with leave you with a more bolder, vibrant look. Lavshuca shadows have good pigment to them and with a little work you can create a lovely eye with them!

I used BG1 this morning and sadly it came out a complete mess to me. Working the darker browns with the lighter aqua shade in the palette was difficult at best. The completed look, to me, appears very washed out and just ugly. I’m really not loving how these combine! Although they look great on Puffy in the promo images I am unable to prefect the same look. Using the darkest shade to line the aqua just made it a mess so I ended up removing it and tried applying the darker shade to my lid while highlighting with the aqua, again I got crummy results. I somehow ended up with the lightest shade highlighting my highbrow, the aqua all over my crease and lid, and the darkest shade applied lightly on my lid and lining my upper lashline! After all this drama I think it came out crap! Maybe I was rushing too much this morning so I can’t give these a totally bad review yet! I have to test a bit more to make my final decision.

With the palettes they also introduced a brand new lipstick entitled Rouge Essence Bar. To me it’s basically the same old standard lipsticks but in keeping with the current theme they just packaged it different. However, the formula for these does appear creamier and less gritty then the original lipshades. I find the old lipshades had glitter in them and weren’t as flawless to apply as these are plus they had a bit of a gritty feel to them! These are very moisturizing and creamy and have excellent color payoff and indeed they do have a touch of shimmer! I think I may want a few more of these! I ended up purchasing three colors.

RS1, RD2, and RD1

Evolution of Lavshuca’s Lipstick

I’ll be uploading my FOTD later today so you can see one of the palettes in action! I’m not particularly thrilled with these to be honest and I think you can safely skip these if you’re unable to locate them at retail price. If you’re a collector or you can get these at retail they may very well be worth picking up. The lipsticks are a definite buy as I found them very good quality!

Overall, a little bit of a disappointing collection!

Got some of this?
Want it?
Loving the shades of the Noble Eye Palettes?
Not so much?

Discuss!

Many of you are already in the know about what’s coming up in the Spring but I thought I’d do a bit of a Spring Round Up of the Collections that are popping up with a little commentary about each!

Do share your own thoughts and tell me how you’re feeling about these collections!

NARS was one of the first Spring Collections I seen pop on the scene with it’s Shanghai Lily Collection. It also happens to have set the theme for this year’s Collections with it’s bold look. As beautiful as the collection is it leaves me with a bit of a question mark hanging over my head as it’s not in keeping with my general look of Spring! The colors are very bold and dark reminding me of a Fall Collection rather then the light feeling of Spring. The star of the collection for me would be the newest eyeshadow in Abyssina which is soft pearl shimmer.

Overall, I really do love the look of the collection but it loses some of it’s appeal when the weather begins to warm up and I’m looking for a softer look! If they released this for the Fall I’m positive I’d be all over it like white on rice however this fails to wow me at the moment! I’ll definately pick up Abyssina but the rest I can do without until the colder weather sets in and the feel of Spring has left the air!

Smashbox hits another foul ball with it’s Green Room Collection. It consists of tons of bronzey shades and again it appears they confused seasons here. This look reminds me of a more Summer feel with it’s warmer, golden colors! Last Spring we got a rather nice surprise with the Tokidoki Collection however this too wasn’t worth your time. Aside from the gorgeous Tokidoki themed packaging the actual product and colors were a bit too sheer for my lighting thus this year we ended up with another dud. The Green Room Collection fails on all accounts for me and I can’t pick out a single item out of the collection that intrigues me. This one is can be skipped on all accounts.

For the sake of being an avid collector I did indeed purchase some of the Givenchy Denim Collection this year just because I’m so diseased but I can’t help but feel ripped off. Again, we have really dark colors for the Spring! I’m starting to get confused what Season we are heading into here! The collection has absolutely nothing to redeem itself and it consists of all dark, deep colors that I can’t even associate a Season with! I hate to say these things as I’m such a collector and fan of Givenchy but this collection leaves no lasting impression on me! Saks also happened to pop up with a new Prismissime for the Eyes which consists of colors from the Sweet and Decandent Chocolate Prismissime. It’s quite lovely and has since made it’s starring appearance on Sephora however again another disappointment. I purchased this even thought I already own the Sweet and Decandent Chocolate Prismissime palettes separately but it’s not an absolutely have to have for a few reasons. One would be the fact that again the colors are completely off Season for me and secondly if you have the original palettes you really don’t need to shell out the cash for this new palette unless you’re as sick as I am! After some confusion it’s finally been cleared up that the blue-purplish blush you may have seen as part of the Collection is an Asian Exclusive, Japan to be exact I believe so of course we got ripped off on that. I debated myself for a while whether I should have my friend get me the blush but I’ve since decided I’ve overindulged in this collection and I really don’t need more items I probably won’t even use!

Overall, the Collection is interesting but it loses points for it’s dark colors! If you’re a collector I, of course, recommend it for purchase. If you’re not, it’s safe to skip it!

After much debate I decided to get a majority of the Lavshuca Spring Collection! In keeping with the current theme Lavshuca decided to take the Fall road as well and introduce a ton of palettes that contain some bronzey, brownish looking colors with one lighter shade. Again, I’m scratching my head in confusion! A good friend of mine, Mayu, lives in Japan and isn’t so busy at the moment so I’ve had her do the Spring Collection Shopping Spree for me and I ended up getting the new Noble On Eye Palettes. Just call me curious but I have to see for myself what the drama is with these palettes. They intrigue me to say the very least. The new slim style lipshades have also piqued my interest and I’ve decided I must try these as well but if you ask me they just look like the same standard Lavshuca lipstick in new packaging but we shall see!

Overall, this too seems to be a disappointment but I’m eagerly awaiting the package which should be here soon so I can review these!

Majolica Majorca has my heart this season with their newest Majolook palettes! I cannot wait to get my hands on these! At least the colors are reminding me of Spring here with beautiful pinks, aquas, and golds! Thank you Shiseido for having a heart and gifting us with true Spring palettes! Click here to read more about MJ’s newest Collection!

Much to my utter dismay Jill Stuart’s Seductive Eye Collection totally broke my heart. How do I dislike thee, let me count the ways! Matte shadows? My god the horror! Similar to every other JS Palette released? Check. More dark colors? Sheesh. I can’t believe I’m about to admit this but I skipped on all of the newest releases from JS this year and I plan on sticking to my word about purchasing these as they were just not interesting at all! Click here to read about the Seductive Eye Collection!

I believe I’ve bored you enough with my Musings about Spring Collections! I’ll be reviewing quite a few Spring Collections soon as I purchase them!

Click Here to Read about My Impressions of the Dior Spring Collection 2008

Many of the Japanese Spring Collections are popping up soon and if you’re a fan at all you’ve most definately been visiting with the Muse’s most gorgeous mate Iris. If not why are you still here reading this? Click here to see what juicy gossip Iris has on the Japanese Beauty front!

I see several collections I want something from but I’m pretty shocked that I don’t see more! I think I may be over-eating on the cosmetic front lately because I’ve been quite picky about what I purchase as of late.

Jill Stuart Spring Collection 2008
Click here for complete details on this collection!

My First Impression: Good news we don’t have to jump on this bandwagon to quickly as Iris reports the palettes are all permanent, no limited. My humblest opinion is the colors are staring to bore me. God I can’t believe I said that. I love JS as much as the next girl but why do they keep releasing similar shade palettes each collection!? They’ll be a matte version as well which is horrifying for me as I detest mattes with a passion! Facts are facts I’ll end up purchasing these because I’m a collector but I just want something new and exciting from the line and lately that hasn’t been happening!

How about you? Want any of this collection? Love it?

RMK Spring Collection 2008
Click here for complete details on this collection!

Now this interests me. It’s rather different for RMK and I’m already jumping around begging our mate Row from Mostly Makeup to purchase me some of this! The shadows remind me of Rimmel’s U Stir It Up Cream Eyeshadow except these are powder! I’m not too excited about the shadows those are kinda take it or leave it but I’m loving the blushes!

Paul and Joe Disney Collection
Click here and here for complete details on this collection!

Here’s another that I’m racing around in circles for! As soon as I seen this I was emailing Iris about it! I’m definately wanting a majority of the collection especially the face powders! How cute!

Visee Spring Collection 208
Click here for details!

Another I’m quite excited about! The Metallic Loose Powder is definitely on my wish list! And of course I’m wanting the new Jewel Crush Eye Palettes!

Lunasol Spring Collection 2008
Click here to read up on the new palettes being introduced!

I’m on the couch about these. They look nice enough but I’m not so thrilled! I know many of you are extreme followers of Lunasol and as much as I adore it I have to say a no on these possibly as I can think of a few other items I want far more!

Lavshuca Spring Collection 2008
Read more by clicking here!

Lavshuca has some interesting new eye palettes out that are shaped like our beloved Eye Color Select palettes. The difference? These colors are not particularly fabulous and are limited to three shades instead of four. These are entitled Noble On Color Eyes. Perhaps these are nicer upon viewing them in person but they all look the same aside from the middle color! So muddy and beige…not very spring like really. Hmmm. You know I’m a devotee of Lavshuca and of course these will be in my cart but I’m slightly worried how great they’ll actually be when I get my hands on ‘em!

KATE Spring Collection 2008
Click here!

I’m all Glam Tricked out so I can do without any of KATE’s new collection. Nothing even makes me blink an eye! Although I’ll be excited to see the new video on the site when it’s up! I love the KATE commercials Click here to visit with Eru to see some of KATE’s past commercials (The Muse finds Eru’s passion for all things kawaii quite enchanting)!

I believe that’s about it right now. As I said earlier I must be getting picky or the collections just aren’t that brilliant! I’d really kill for a little wow right now but the Japanese never fail me and I’m positive Summer will bring something amazing! Or I’ll change my mind once I have some of these items in my hands!

How about you?
What are you wanting from the Japanese Spring Collections?
What are you loving?
Hating?

Tell the Muse!

Click here to see my love of all good things Japanese!

The Muse has quite a large list of goodies on her wish list this Holiday Season! I already did a previous post about my Japanese Christmas Wish List which you can see by clicking here. This list is basically what I’m deciding on at the moment and wondering what I should and shouldn’t get!

Sooooooooo………here’s a few of the items I’m dying to get my greedy little hands on but I’m still trying to figure out what I need and what I HAVE to have!

MAC Stylistics Lipstick in Stylistic and The Scene

MAC Stylistics Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Stylistics Sheerspark Pressed Powders in Pave, Fashionette, Solitaire, and Warm Ice

MAC Stylistics Lipgloss in Witty and Tastemaker

MAC Finery Lip Bag Sets in Pink, Coral, Tan, and Plum Lips

MAC Metal X Glitter Eyeliners in Blitzed, Limedandy, Wonderwhite, Enbronze, and Pewterpink

YSL White Gold Eyeshadow Collection

YSL White Gold Celebration Palette

YSL White Gold Compact Powder

Anna Sui Christmas Collection

Excel’s Holiday Collection

Aube’s Jewelry Shower Eyes EX02

I think that covers what I am currently wanting at the moment!

You can see some of the Christmas Collections I’ve already got by clicking on the links below:

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Brown Quartz ShimmerBrick Click for my First Impression with Pictures

Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection Click for my First Impression with Pictures

NARS Night Series Palette Click for my First Impression with Pictures

Awake Limited Edition Stardom Palettes Click for my First Impression with Pictures

bareMinerals bareGold Luxury Color Collection Click for my First Impression with Pictures

Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes Click for my First Impression with Pictures

Stila’s “Asia” Only Exclusive Trios and Palettes Click for My First Impression with Pictures

MAC Royal Assets Holiday Collection Click for my First Impression with Pictures

MAC Antiquitease Color Click for my Review, Pictures, and Video

Guerlain Holiday Collection Click for my First Impression with Pictures

Givenchy’s Diamantismme Holiday Collection Click for my First Impression with Pictures

See my Christmas Past Collection by clicking here!

So what’s on your Christmas Wish List?
What collections have you already gotten?
Which are you really wanting?
What are you skipping?
What are you considering?
Your Muse’s ears are open! I want to hear all about it!

Yay! I got my Lavshuca Holiday Palettes today! These actually arrived I think Friday or Saturday but I was unable to collect them until today from the post office

They are now in my greedy, sweaty little hands and I couldn’t be more pleased!

Lavshuca Winter Make Palette in 01


Lavshuca Winter Make Palette in 02

The palettes came in the cutest little gift box and if you happen to have a Japanese cosmetic lover in your life these would be the perfect gift!

They come packaged in separate parts. One part is the empty compact and the second part is your lipgloss, eyeshadow, and applicators. I assume that they package the parts separately for beautiful display reasons, it also keeps things nice and tidy during shipping, and finally it’s just good, old plain fun to put it all together into the compact yourself!

The compact isn’t a hard shell it’s a durable cardboard which may sound worrying because you might be thinking this means it’s on the cheap and shoddy side. Fear not! The cardboard is quite sturdy and not cheap in the least. It’s covered in either a pink or gold foiling depending which color you end up purchasing with the lovely Lavshuca emblem on top.

Inside there are two separate spots for the sponge eyeshadow applicator and lipbrush on either side with the eyeshadow and gloss smack in the middle. The Lavshuca emblem again graces the inside top of the palette.

I haven’t yet tried any of the colors but from what I can see the strip of eyeshadows are quite shimmery and gorgeous and I’m hoping it isn’t a spray of glitter but a sparkle straight to the core. You’ll also receive a sparkling lipgloss and a matte lipcream.

The size of the shadow strip is a tiny bit disappointing because it’s really NOT a whole lot of product but if you generally collect tons of palettes and shadows you won’t mind too much because chances are you won’t go through this very quickly! However, if you don’t own a ton of different shadows and you’ll be using this daily chances are you’ll get through it very quickly as it’s not a whole lot of product!

I have to say that at the moment I find them both very pretty but I do favor the 02 palette better than the 01.

02 eyeshadows consist of a white shimmering gold color, a shimmering yellow gold, and a shimmering brown with gold specks. The gloss is a sparkling golden brown color while the lipcream is a orange brown. Layering the gloss and lipcream will surely make a striking combo!

01 is just as pretty and consists of a shimmering white with, it appears, to me, pink, a shimmering pink shade, and a darker purple. The gloss is a sparkling pinkish purple affair while the lipcream is rosebud pink.

Overall, I’d say they are most definately worth a pick up! The Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes are Muse Approved for purchase!

Do visit PJ to see A Touch of Blusher’s impression on these palettes you can also visit with RF at Make Up & Stuff and see some more about the Lavshuca’s Holiday Palettes!

Love ‘em?
Have ‘em?

Tell me!