Musings of a Muse

I was talking to a reader about Majolook Palettes so I decided to do an FOTD with one this morning!

What I Used:

Eyes
Majolook Palette in RD332
Maquillage Comb Mascara

Lips
Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Candi (I thought I’d haul this out as I was discussing it a few days ago!)

Face
MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Sweetness

Click here to see my FOTD using the new Spring “Trick On” Palettes from Majolica Majorca!

Click here to see my FOTD using the Holiday Collection Palette plus a tutorial for the look!

I think it’s about time that Majolica Marjorca Mascara had a review of it’s own don’t you? I get tons and tons and tons of questions, e-mails, comments, and general chitter about MJ (MJ is just short for Majolica Marjorca) mascara daily. Readers ask me about it constantly and I’m here to finally give a proper review of it because it’s my personal choice for favorite mascara! I use many different mascaras but MJ remains forever after my favorite mascara! I recommend this as if I have an endorsement plan with Shiseido!

I wish I could say MJ was readily available at your local drugstore but, sadly, it’s not. MJ entire line is exclusive to Japan however the Muse highly recommends searching the internet and scoring yourself some because MJ’s mascara comes with my highest seal of approval!

I haven’t run across a mascara better then the Majolica Majorca’s Lash Expander or as I deemed it Lash Extender. The name changes all the time as new versions are released but always, aside from small differences, the formula remains the same great mascara.

Each Season a new version is released of this fine Mascara and each Season it gets better and better and better.

There are two versions available of the mascara one of which is what I personally prefer using. That version is the Majolica Majorca Lash Expander. The other version is the Lash Enamel Glamour.

Hmmm so what’s the difference anyway?

Lash Enamel Glamour promises volume where as Lash Expander lengthens.

I find that Majolica Majorca’s Lash Enamel Glamour does a crummy job with volume and extending lashes. For me the formula feels different compared to the expander. Whenever I use it my lashes clump, appear spiky, and my overall look is normally ruined! Thus I’m not a fan or supporter of Lash Enamel!

However, The Lash Expander is a different story altogether. Each versions promises new lengths for your lashes which always makes me giggle but it’s all rather true sort of. The versions keep going higher and higher with the lengths you can achieve on your lashes. 10x’s, 20x’s, etc…etc…

Honestly, the claims are somewhat true. You can lengthen your lashes a whole hell of alot using this. My lashes are full already but this makes them look amazingly longer, fuller, and beautiful! Almost as if I am sporting falsies however the look remains much more natural!

The formula doesn’t smudge, flake, or cause general raccoon eye drama! It lasts all day and into the night (Yes, it’s waterproof!)! It keeps curl beautifully in my opinion and my lashes don’t feel heavy when on! The newest edition actually has some sort of conditioning oils in the formula which makes my lashes feel very soft.

I can’t rave enough about this. It’s honestly the best mascara I’ve come across and believe you me I’ve tried plenty. The applicator is a comb style which enables you to comb on the mascara. Yes, this might be scary to a few of you and some that just hate applicators like this but for me it does an amazing job of combing out my lashes, lengthening, and keeping the curl all day! I feel like the comb works well at disturbing the product and brushing it on and I believe it’s completely responsible for the building up the length of your lashes.

Last Fall MJ introduced a primer to go along with it’s mascara. I wasn’t particularly thrilled with the primer as it had way too many fibers and it didn’t appear to do much. In all honestly I don’t feel like I need to prime when using MJ mascara as it does the job well enough minus primer. I felt like the release of the primer was somewhat useless and turns out, for me, it is. I don’t like fiber mascaras in all honesty and I felt like the primer was fiber rich which caused me to feel like I had little hairs in my eye or something. It deserves to be mentioned that although MJ mascara is advertised as a fiber mascara at times it does not contain fibers that I’ve noticed in the formula! The formula quite reminds me of black ink! It has the exact same texture ink would! Sounds weird I know but I promise it works amazingly well!

Majolica Majorca Lash Base

As I had mentioned earlier each Season MJ releases a new formula of the mascara. Some Seasons the releases are colored or glittery. Last Summer they released a blue version of the mascara which got a total rave from me! And this Christmas they released a silver glittery overcoat which got another HOORAY! from the Muse!

Majolica Majorca Glitter Topcoat

Majolica Majorca Blue Mascara

The Early Summer release brings us a new and exciting color! I’m very eager to lay my hands on the new mascara as it’s being released in a very beautiful burnt orange color!

No matter the formula or the color Majolica Majorca definately gets a Muse Seal of Approval for purchase!

Love this mascara?

Love Majolica Majorca?

Tell the Muse!

This is probably my most exciting entry to date in my Japanese Spring Collection review! It’s the Majolica Majorca Spring Collection for 2008 and boy am I excited to tell you about it!

I’ve noticed I have quite a few new readers lately so I’ll briefly explain that MJ (or MM to some folk) aka Majolica Majorca is a smaller branch of Shiseido. It’s an inexpensive brand that can be found in drugstores in Japan. Although it originates in Japan it does find it’s way across the board into China, Taiwan, Singapore, Etc…..although sadly never the US.

The Spring Collection brings us three new palettes that are entitled Majolook Trick On Palettes. The palettes are a bit different from the standard Majolook Palettes and are quite interesting to say the least.

Where as the regular Majolook palettes come with a combination of powder eyeshadow and cream liner or powder eyeshadow and cream highlighter these palettes are a quad of powder shadows minus the cream liner or cream highlighter.

The palette is actually broken down as follows:

2 Powder Eyeshadows
1 Powder Eyeliner (Can be used as an eyeshadow as well if you’re inclined)
1 “Trick” On Powder

The Trick On powder is an interesting texture in comparison to the other shadows in the palette. It’s a light shimmering powder that can used as a highlighter or on top of the darkest eyeshadow shade. It’s a lighter formula when compared to the other shadows in the palette. I used it as a highbrow highlighter and in the inner corner of my eyes for a bit of pop!

Of the three palettes introduced only GR741 (The aqua variation) is limited edition. All of the shades are definately worth picking up in my humble opinion as you can create some rather beautiful looks using these.

As I’ve said in previous posts these aren’t super duper pigmented however with a bit of work you can create beautiful eye looks with them. This morning I used the GR741 and I created a rather nice look that I’ll be uploading later today! It’s probably the most pigmented Majolook palette I own! The deep greenish aqua shade is gorgeous and very beautiful! It’s definately my favorite of the three released and if you get nothing else this is well worth your cash if you love bold shades of eyeshadow!

GR741

As you can see GR741 is beautiful! Starting from the bottom left hand side is the highlighter color in a soft iridescent baby blue color, next to that is the deep aqua green liner, above that is the cream colored “Trick On” color, and next to that the base color in a lighter beautiful greenish aqua color! I created a rushed look with this today and it came out ok but I’m looking forward to taking my time next run with it and seeing what I can create! As I said above it’s quite possibly the most pigmented Majolook palette I own!

PK740

This is my 2nd favorite color combination of the three palettes released. It contains a beautiful array of browns and pinks which I find I really love lately! Starting at the left hand side we have a beautiful cream color sparkle to use as a highlighter, next to that a lovely chocolate liner, on top of that the “Trick On” powder is a shimmering bluish white, and next to that the main base color is a lovely pink!

BR742

Out of all three palettes, BR742 is the one I liked the least but it does have some redeeming factors. The browns and greens are surprisely reminding me of Spring. Starting at the bottom left hand side we have iridescent bluish white shade, next to that a really deep dark brown, on top of that an iridescent pale green, and next to that a beige brown! Even though it’s not my favorite I definately see the potential to create a rather nice greenish look for Spring with this palette!

A new lash extender was released with the Collection and I’m sure as you already know from reading my past posts I’m a big lover and supporter of MJ Mascara. This particular release is rather good and I’m glad I didn’t pass on it. It feels very natural on and doesn’t make my lashes stiff at all.

It feels like I have some sort of Lash Conditioner on and the formula is very interesting in comparison to past releases for that reason! According to Iris at Rouge Deluxe the new formula contains “gloss oil” which in my humblest opinion can definately be felt when it’s on. I found this a very interesting release as it’ll be beautifully light during the Spring and Summer! Who wants stiff, dark lashes in warmer months right? Something light and natural is perfect and this new formula definately accomplishes that! A hearty rave for this! And of course as with all releases it’s long wearing and smudge proof!

The other items released in the collection that I skipped on were Honey Balm Swirl Lipglosses. These weren’t so appealing to me as I already own some of the Honey Plump Balms.

The Majolook palettes are 1575 yen each and the new Lash Extender is 1260 yen. Sadly expect to pay a huge jack in price if you’re shopping non-retail. A few shops have jacked the price up considerably. Although it deserves to be sad the palettes are worth the price increase!

Overall, the new Spring Collection from MJ most definately gets a YAY from me and a Muse Approved sticker!

Maybe I’m bias and just a lover of MJ in general but this is most definately a favorite for me this Spring!

Want it?
Have it already?
Loving it?

Speak to the Muse!

Watch some MuseTV featuring a Spotlight on MJ! Click!

Click here to read about the MJ Website update for Spring!

Click here to see my impressions and review of the MJ Holiday Collection!

Happy Reading!

A reader located this gem!

Click!

The entry has swatches of the new MJ Palette plus an FOTD using the pink variation (PK740)! She’s created an outstanding look with the palette!

Check it out! I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of my MJ Spring palettes! I’ll definately post FOTD’s when I get ‘em!

Click here to read more about the MJ Spring Collection!

Click here to view my Holiday FOTD using one of the Winter MJ Palettes!

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

Finally!

Praise Jebus!

Majolica Majorca’s Website has been updated with the new Spring 2008 Collection!

This is something many of us have been waiting for very patiently with much anticipation (or is it only me?)!

The site is currently a bit slow as I’m sure it’s getting major traffic so I’ve taken a few screen shots for you!

In order to view the new Collection you have to “catch the butterflies”! So scroll around the page and you’ll locate a few little surprises!

The Spring Collection consists of:

3 New Majolica Majolook Trick On Palettes

These are slightly different from the standard Majolook Palettes as they don’t have a liner or a cream base! I think all the colors are powder! All the palettes will be part of the general catalog aside from one that’s LE which is the GR741 Variation and the most beautiful of the lot in my opinion!

3 Honey Balm Lipglosses

I’m not entirely interested in these to be honest as they are just a retake on the current glosses in the general catalog however you might want to pick them up as they are all LE!

And finally a new Lash Enamel was introduced as well!

This is your standard Lash Enamel! All the releases always seem the same with little differences but I still want it as I like trying each formula they release on the Enamel and the Extender!

I was happy to see the promo images were in English however the instructions for the palettes are in Japanese so we’ll have to wait for our little angel to translate it for us!

Overall, I’m impressed! I’m loving the palettes and want one of each plus the Lash Enamel! I’m skipping on the glosses as I’m not all that impressed with the regular Honey Plumping Glosses!

How about you?
Loving this collection?
Want it?

P.S. Remember to scroll around the site to locate all the little surprises! There are two very nice wallpapers available for download of the new promo images featuring the models!

I’m so utterly guilty of calling MJ Majorca Majolica sometimes! I utterly reverse the name! If you see me do that call me out on it as I’m bloody confused most days of my life!

Anyway!

I got my MJ haul a while ago and haven’t had a sec to blog about it. My most beautiful friend Iris has already gotten her haul from Japan and reviewed it. If you missed out click here to visit with Iris and read her impressions and review on the new Holiday set!

For me this is a must have set. It’s inexpensive plus it’s cute as a button so go you, now, get it!

First in the line up are the Limited Edition Majolook Eyeshadow Palettes in SV801 and PK122. Both are quite gorgeous!

SV801 and PK122

SV801 contains a shimmering white, a shimmering light silver, a darker silver, and an eyeliner. These are of medium pigmentation so really you can create a beautiful natural look with the palette but nothing too dramatic!

PK122 contains a shimmering cream white, a shimmering light pink, a shimmering darker pink, and an eyeliner. These colors are also of medium pigment and can create a very nice frosty winter look!

Both palettes are very pretty and I’m excited to try them out for a look!

Up next the MJ Snow Carat Powder which is very pretty! It’s a beautiful white sparkling powder that’s inexpensive and perfect for giving you a touch of sparkle on your cheeks and eyes! However, I’m not too thrilled that this has a rather large opening for distribution. It would be easier if it had a siffer style with tiny holes instead of a big large hole which will cause a ton of waste for me. I like to slowly build up sparkle not have a ton dumped on the puff! But overall it’s really cute and sweet! This quite reminds me of the Kesho Wakusei highlighter powder I got a few months ago! Click here to view the powder and compare!

Snow Carat Powder

And finally last but never least as this is my favorite item would be the MJ Lash Freeze. I was going to get two of these but decided one was plenty but now I’m wondering if I should have grabbed some more. This is a sparkling silver glitter base for your lashes. Apply your mascara as you normally would and add Lash Freeze on top to make your lashes sparkle and shimmer with little bits of Silver!

Lash Freeze

I really love Japanese overcoats and this is soon making an appearance on my favorite list as I love the easy comb applicator and the effect is brilliant! Quite an inexpensive version of Givenchy’s Lash Sparkles!

Overall, in my humblest opinion this is most definately a must have collection! It’s cheap, pigmented, and sweet! If you’re a grand collector of Japanese cosmetics you’re going to want all of this rather badly!

Got it already?
Want it?
Tell the Muse!

MJ’s website has been updated with the Holiday collection but no cool story *sniff*(not that the Muse can read the story but she likes the pretty flash that goes along with it!) to go with it…hmmm maybe they’ll update upon release! Cross your fingers!

Anyway the goodies are up with pictures!

If you want to see close up shots click here.

Everything looks great but I’d have liked some more then a Majolook palette. It’s very pretty but something special for the holidays would have been nicer!

The Muse wants it all with a few backups

How about you?

Does Iris EVER fail us?

The first high quality images that I’ve seen for Majorca Majolica’s Holiday Collection have been graciously shared with us by my most lovely mate Iris on Rouge Deluxe!

Head on over and have a tissue ready to catch the drool (or in my case I’m actually foaming at the mouth after seeing this collection!) that will dribble from your mouth!

The new Majolook palette looks amazing as does the Lash Freeze!

I’m thinking I need two Lash Freeze, one eye palette, and powders!

Start making your list and checking it twice as this collection will be out on November 21st (and it can’t come soon enough for eager Muses everywhere!)!

I’m loving that MJ is keeping with the diamond sparkle theme/trend of the season!

What do you want?

Tell the Muse!

I dunno whether to laugh or cry that Majorca Majolica already has news of it’s Spring Collection!

Jeez, Halloween hasn’t even past yet!

The good news is your number #1 source for all good things Japanese has posted the update about Majorca Majolica’s newest line up!

Click yourself over and visit with Iris and let her tell you all the delights that MJ has in store for us come January (Yes, I said January).

Here in the US we have our fair share of gorgeous cosmetics but you know that my heart always lays with the gorgeous collections that my most favorite Japanese brands put out for the Holiday season!

What better way to learn all about what’s coming out this season then visiting with the Muse’s very good mate Iris at Rouge Deluxe!

Iris has been making the Muse very happy with all her posts about the goodies that Lavshuca, MJ, Paul and Joe, Gransenbon, and many other brands have in store for us this Christmas Season!

Some of the items I am looking forward to this Holiday Season are included in this little blog entry!

The entire Majorca Majolica collection! Iris has just posted the details and the Muse is drooling in delight at what’s being offered!

Two (not one but two! Celebrate good times come on!) new Majolook Line Impact palettes! Oh my and one looks purple with shimmery bits and pieces! Go right ahead and count the Muse in as being excited about these! If you’d like a look at past Majolook palettes please see my prior blog Spolight on Majorca Majolica by clicking here.

Lash Freeze Glitter Mascara! OH.MY.GOD! You know I want this don’t you? Count me in for two of these please! I love the old glitter mascara they introduced and this is on my MUST MUST MUST HAVE TO HAVE OR DIE LIST! Oh sorry was I being a bit too dramatic? Glitter does that to me.

And finally Snow Carat Face Powder which sounds like something very yummie that I must have as well

MJ looks like it’s coming out with quite a gorgeous range for Christmas! You can see the pictures, prices, and first impressions from Iris by visiting her here.

Next up on the list is Lavshuca’s two new Holiday palettes! The packaging on these looks adorable! You can see both by clicking here and here. Puffy’s back as Lavshuca’s model for the palettes! Yes, I know I know everyone is groaning but the Muse likes Puffy! I’m not entirely sure I’m loving her hair in these promo images but I still think she looks gorgeous! Anyway enough babbling about Puffy back to the palettes! The palettes are a bit weird in color as these appear more Autumn than Winter however they both look quite nice and too good to use! Beauty Vault anyone? They consist of three strips of shadows and two lip creams! Yum the Muse is writing her Letter to Santa now!

Dear Santa,

Please bring me two each of the new Lavshuca palettes and I’ll be sure the cookies are extra good this year! Promise!

Much love, the Muse!

Sonia Rykiel has caught my eye with the sparkling face powders they are introducing for the season! You can click over here and see them. I’m thinking all three need to make an appearance under my Christmas tree!

Aube Christmas line looks pretty darn nice as well! The new Jewelry Shower eye palette has caught the Muse’s eye! If you’d like to see the past Jewelry Shower eyes click here.

My Japan/Asian wish list is growing quickly and I’m happy that most of my US shopping has been done (aside from the MAC bits that have to make an appearance). The Muse has to go count her pennies and see about making all these wonderful items her very own

Visit with Iris on Rouge Deluxe for your Japanese Beauty fix but don’t say I didn’t warn you! Japanese makeup makes you broke and poor kids! Don’t be annoyed when the Muse says “I told you so!” when she hears your wallet screaming in pain!

Look for these at your favorite Japanese online shops starting around the end of the month and the beginning of November!

I wannaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa here you guys talk! Comment! Tell me what you are getting this year from these lines or other Japanese lines!

New to Japanese cosmetics? Check out the Muse’s Spotlights on Japanese Brands to learn more! Got a question about Japanese Cosmetics? Ask away!