Musings of a Muse

Check it. I was just telling you how much I love lip stains with my Missha Tinted Lip Marker Review right?

So let me introduce you to another fine lip stain…might as well do two stains in one day! What the heck I feel like living dangerously today!

Tricia Sawyer Clearly Pretty Lipgloss has my heart at the moment as far as lip stains go! Loves it!

What is it? It’s a body heat-activated lip gloss that turns the perfect, customized shade of pink! Basically it enhances your own natural lip color flushing lips to a really intense pink that’s quite beautiful! I tried it and my sister tried it and we both got different results. Mine turned a rather dramatic fuchsia pink that I was absolutely loving and my sister it turned a rather dark red that was quite charming! I wouldn’t mind either shade in all honesty as they both were rocking as far as I’m concerned!

I’d call this a liquid stain considering that the formula isn’t quite intensely glossy. You can use a bit more gloss on top after application to get a fuller lip look. The formula does get super props for creating a rather sizzling shade of pink on my lips! It goes on clear but takes a mere second to turn into a brighter shade of pink or in my sister’s case red!

I thought it was rather interesting that it turned a delicate pink on my arm but on my lips it was a louder shade of pink! I guess the body temperature of my arm was a bit cooler than that of my lips.

If you adore the look of just kissed or just bitten lips you should try out Tricia Sawyer Clearly Pretty Lip Gloss! Good stuff! The Muse likey this one…alot!

Find it at Sephora or www.triciasawyer.com

Smashbox O-Gloss Review

Tricia Sawyer Skin Balancing Water Primer Review

A few years ago Bourjois Paris introduced Bons baisers de Paris (Kisses from Paris) which the Muse absolutely fell in love with. These cute little pens that looked like a marker were actually a stain that gave a blush of color to lips! I’ve used many lip and cheek stains in my time but none were every compared to these! The color was soft and not overpowering, they didn’t dry my lips out, the application was simple, and the packaging was ideal! Sadly, somewhere along the line Bourjois Paris diced Bons baisers de Paris from it’s line up and the Muse has never seen them again!

T’was a sad day indeed!

Until now.

I recently came across a similiar style of pen from a Korean brand entitled Missha. The Missha Tinted Lip Marker is pretty much a perfect duplicate of the Bourjois Paris version so the Muse of course needed to try them for herself! Turns out these little markers perform the same functions as the Bourjois Paris and are a perfect dupe plus accessible in the Missha main catalog! Joy! Bless be! The Muse’s excitement can be heard far and wide.

I recently asked a friend to pick me up the two available colors and I was so excited to finally get them I nearly cried…just nearly…

The only thing I could possibly rant about would be the lack of colors. Sadly the color selection is narrowed down to two shades where as the Bourjois Paris version had a total of four shades but aside from that they function pretty much the exact same way!

The colors available are a red pink and a pale pink which match perfectly with my lip shade. They don’t overpower my lips are making them look abnormal. The color is a simple, natural stain that adds a bit of pop to my normal, natural lip shade. I simply smooth onto my lips with the felt tip and I’m left with a beautiful flush of color. They don’t dry my lips out and they color literally lasts for hours at a time! With a bit of gloss I have a very natural looking lip that’s flattering and pretty!

I know of quite a few brands who have done a similar style stain such as mark, Pixie, Sephora, even Urban Decay and believe you me I’ve tried them all but none have successfully created such a great product as Missha and Bourjois Paris has! The lightness of the stain creates such a natural flush that’s not quite been duplicated by these other brands!

I paid retail for these so they cost around $8 USD or so but I have seen them on E-bay for about $12 USD or so and truly they are well worth it!

The Muse loves ‘em and approves ‘em for purchase! Try looking on E-bay or ask a mate in Korea to nab you some! Well worth your cash!

Muse Approved for purchase all the way!

How about you?

Love lip stains?

What do you use to stain your lips?

Tell the Muse!

Stila Step Out and Shine Review Featuring Stila Pomegranate Lip and Cheek Stain

Etude House Kissful Tint Chou Review

Pop Apple the Cheeks Lip and Cheek Stain Review

Tarte Berry Couture Giftset Review

Benefit Posietint Review

Rimmel Lip Bloomer Review

Japan’s Answer to Benetint

Albion Eprise Water Face Color Review

I think I missed the memo going around saying how freaking aweome Korres is. Um hello how did I not know about this?

Yeah well I’m thinking I didn’t get the memo because this guy is taking care of them!

Source

Anyway. Note to self: Korres is the awesome!

Ok, so now that we established that Korres is my new favorite brand of all time I can get on with my review of the Korres Sugar Plums Gift Set! Holy beautiful Batman! This set is too gorgeous for mere words and what’s inside…my the very my! It’s sincerely good stuff and you shouldn’t bother reading further just head to your nearest Sephora and snatch it up for yourself!

I think a few people had mentioned they were on the bubble about this Gift Set and honestly so was I. I’m guessing a few of your concerns were the fact that plum colored shadow is kinda iffy and you might have also been worried about the gloss not being up to par and the balm just being an add on that you really didn’t need. I know these are some things that entered my head while I was playing a game of tag with myself debating on purchasing the set. My main concern was that I don’t do plums or purples so well! As much as I love these shades I felt like they might make my dark circles prominent and my puffy eyes even worst looking then they already are!

However, I dove in and decided to purchase the Korres Sugar Plum Gift Set during Sephora’s Friends and Family event and I’m so happy I did because it’s a sincerely an awesome set and comes with my highest recommendation and Muse Approval for purchase!

The set includes Korres Eyeshadow in Plum, Korres Lip Butter in Plum, and Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss in Plum 27. All the items are highly pigmented which is thrilling as the an entire “All Natural” theme sometimes forsakes quality but not the case with these items! This is the first time I’ve tried anything by Korres and honestly the quality and inexpensive price tag should have me returning for much more!

Although all the items really impressed me I have to give major props to the Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss in Plum 27 . I’m unsure why they are calling this a lip gloss as it’s SO much more then merely a gloss! The color payoff is much like a lip cream and comparable (and possibly better then) to Laura Mercier’s Lip Velvet. They are glossy but not so much of a mirror shine more like a a semi-glossy, intensely pigmented lip color. Plum 27 is a plummy maroon with a deep red base that’s stunning when paired up with the shadow included in this gift set!

The Korres Eyeshadow in Plum was also richly pigmented and very easy to blend. As I mentioned above I was worried that such a deep shade of purple would make my eyes look quite tired while displaying my dark circles even more but turns out the color lends an aura of mystery and seduction to my eyes. I know, I know Muse and seduction should never be used in the same sentence but honestly the shadow just has a certain sexy, seductive feel that makes eyes literally pop! I used the shade on my own without anything else aside from some black liner on my lower water line and my eyes just sizzled! Truly a great shade and pairs up beautifully with the lip gloss in the kit!

Now the Korres Lip Butter in Plum was the item I was kinda meh about. I honestly don’t use balms aside from when I go to bed at night. I find them messy and feel they apply horribly which is why I stick to applying gobs of balm at night to my lips when no one is around to witness it dripping off my lips onto my chin. Korres may have single handedly turned my thoughts around about balm! Whoa! This too was an amazingly pigmented surprised! The butter smooths on lips like a lip cream and you’re left with a richly pigmented pout which you can top with a bit of gloss for a real smoking lip look!

For my look below I used everything included in the kit and just added my own mascara, a little blush from the Bobbi Brown Mauve Palette, and a bit of liner on my lower waterline!

All in all I’d say nab this set right away! It’s a limited edition set so who knows how long it’ll be around! I think the shades are simply gorgeous evening wear for the holiday or anytime really! The colors just work well together and create a very seductive finish! The price is fantastic at well which is $29.50 USD (I paid even less during Sephora’s FF!). This one is a must have in the Muse’s opinion and I highly recommend nabbing it!

Love it?

Want it for yourself?

Tried it already?

Tell the Muse!

Ahh variety, the spice of this Muse’s life.

No, not this spice!

Yeah, well you’re either a geek and totally laughed at that or you’re clueless (Helpful Hint)!

This spice:

It’s Friends and Family Discount time at Urban Decay! 30% Off your total purchase! Ahhh everyone run around in a frenzy and scream!

I know, I know tis exciting!

In honor of good times at Urban Decay the Muse brings you a review of the brand spanking new Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box! Now you can really run around in a frenzy and get excited!

This new palette contains ten delicious shades of Urban Decay shadow but that’s not all! You also get a mini Urban Decay Primer Potion as well! Ahhh life is good isn’t it?

The Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box contains all of the following shadows:

• YDK (Mocha with Gold Shimmer)
• Flipside (Teal)
• Grifter (Lilac with Silver Shimmer)
• Uzi (Metallic Silver)
• Twiced Baked (Dark Brown with Gold Shimmer)
• Midnight Cowboy Rides Again
• Flash (Bright Purple)
• Oil Slick (Black with Silver Shimmer)
• Kiddie Pool (Ocean Blue)
• Half Baked (Golden Bronze)

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The Muse was thinking she should contact Urban Decay and have this renamed to “The Muse’s Box of Favorite Shadows”….has a certain ring to it dontcha think? Most of the shades included in this palette are my top favs from Urban Decay so it’s super nice having them all tucked away in one palette! Great for travel! Likey!

The palette retails for $36 USD but since it’s 30% Off you’ll get it for $25 USD which is $2.50 USD per a shadow….um can you say super deal? If you’re new to Urban Decay eyeshadow here in lays a great excuse to try the shadows out! The shadows have always been a favorite of mine even way before I was a MAC junkie and they remain on the top of my Must Have At All Costs list (another words if I needed desert island essentials…Urban Decay Eyeshadow comes before food and water!). The shadows are pigmented and contain a super dose of wonderful shimmer!

The palette is carefully constructed to avoid a mess which I can appreciate. It has a slick and beautiful bamboo cover that slides upwards to reveal the shadows. Swatch, swipe, and apply with the included brush (although the brush is a tiny bit small so you might want to use your own brush) and simply slide the cover back into place for storage! The design on the cover is a beautiful floral with butterflies and the Urban Decay logo!

I created three separate looks using the palette but honestly you can get at least twenty separate looks or more if you’re creative!

Uzi and Kiddie Pool

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Half Baked and Twice Baked

Grifter and Flash

Honestly, the Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box is well worth checking out and Muse Approved for purchase! It’ll make an ideal gift for a makeup lover or seriously you know you so want it for yourself! Rather then purchase each shadow individually might as well indulge in this and get ten super shades plus a Urban Decay Primer Potion!

Sweet!

The Muse loves it and thinks you will too!

Want it?

Love Urban Decay palettes?

Tell the Muse!

Did you know the Muse likes a bit of sparkle, shimmer, and shine? Obviously right?

Put a tiny bit of sparkle into your looks with Eyeko Sparkle Powder! An ickle pink cardboard box holds a deliciously candy scented powder puff that’s loaded up with iridescent sparkling powder that can be used on face, cheeks, and if you so please puff some onto eyes!

I’ve been meaning to review this since I got my order late Summer sheesh can you see how behind I am with reviews? Bad Muse! But something good does come out of it considering that the holiday is upcoming and I think many of us like a bit of sparkle for this time of the year so here in is an ideal little solution.

The sparkle is in the puff so it’s pretty much mess free! Simply dab the puff onto the places where you’d like a bit of shimmer and you’re good to go! The scent is a vanilla cotton candy blend that’s quite pleasant and girlish!

I think for the most part the appeal is in the packaging in this case as the puff and little box is too adorable! I do think that the price tag is a bit expensive considering it’s price tag of £5. But hey I love shimmery bits and bobs so I’m happy to have this in my stash!

If you’re interesting in nabbing this you can get it now with Free Worldwide Shipping from Eyeko!

Eyeko Touch Up & Glow Highlighter Review

Eyeko Touch Up & Go Concealer Review

Eyeko Summer Collection 2008

Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder Review

Guerlain Midnight Butterfly Collection featuring a review of Guerlain Sublime Radiant Powder

Etude House Face Brightener Powder Review

Missha Shimmering Oven Blush Review

Aube Holiday Collection 2007 featuring a review of Aube Sparkling Color Powder

Aube Glamorous Jewel Powder Review

Oh how I love thee lipgloss let me count the ways!

You come in a wide variety of colors and flavors! You make my lips shiny, glossy, and sometimes even sparkly! You make my lips pop with life and make my teeth look white and bright!

Ahhh gloss…..tis the essence of a beauty junkies life!

That’s why it’s always so exciting when the Holidays roll around and gloss sets start popping up! Variety is the spice of life after all and what better way to get a slew of variety than picking up a gloss gift set from your favorite cosmetic brand!

The Muse was particularly excited about the yummie hues included in the Smashbox Rapture Lip Gloss Set! The set includes six shades of popping lipgloss for the upcoming Holiday season for $29 USD! That’s $4.80 USD per a gloss! Sweet deal right? Plus the shades are some of the best I’ve come across in the world of glossy gift sets!

The kit includes three of Smashbox’s best selling shades plus three holiday exclusive shades! Shades included are as follows:

Radiant (Shimmering Deep Rose)
Illume (Shimmering Beige Gold)
Candid (Shimmering Deep Coral Peach)
Ravishing (Bronze Brown with flecks of Gold)
Stunning (Rosy Fuschia)
Lovely (Pale Peachy Coral)

Although the glosses are super emoilent I do love the fact that are pigmented enough to wear without staining my lips prior. The finish has a slightly hint of shimmer but nothing to dramatic that you’re looking like a disco ball.

Sportin’ Smashbox Lipgloss in Lovely

Sportin’ Smashbox Lipgloss in Radiant

Sportin’ Smashbox Lipgloss in Ravishing

Sportin’ Smashbox Lipgloss in Candid

All in all the price is quite nice and the selection of colors are amazing which is pretty much what you drew me to the set to begin with. The shades all have a certain coolness about them but can easily be warmed up with a nice blush!

Smashbox Rapture Lipgloss Gift set is available now from www.smashbox.com plus you get Free Shipping on any order and samples! Do check out the rest of the Smashbox Rapture Holiday Collection as the Muse is loving it all!

Smashbox Holiday Collection 2008

Smashbox O-Plump

Smashbox Gift of Glow Review & Swatches