Musings of a Muse

Oh Urban Decay is so rocking holiday stockings this year for friends and family. I’m tucking in a few of the new Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner Sets and calling it a Happy Christmas for all.

I just got the Urban Decay Hi-Fi 24/7 Set myself a few days ago to test and play with and I likey so far. Last year, I hauled both sets as well and I must say they are every so delightful but this year even better as they contain exclusive shades not available in the general line!

Likey!

Take a peep of the swatches and more images after the jump!

Share on Tumblr

Benefit Bad Gal Brown Mascara entered my life a few days ago so I put it through the paces this morning and I’m actually loving it.

Check it after the jump!

Share on Tumblr

The Muse is a little obsessed with boxes, draws, and little storage units to tuck makeup in. She blames it on her pack rat behavior and OCD nature. Of course this has to be the reason why the new Urban Decay Smoke Out Kits totally chuff her silly. It’s all about little draws, nooks, and crannies where eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, and a little tutorial hangs out.

Click ahead to learn more about the Urban Decay Smoke Out Kit in Sweet Lucy.

Share on Tumblr

Cover FX Conceal FX Camouflage Concealer is one of the weirdest concealers I’ve had the pleasure of working with.  With a color match that was completely wrong on so many levels….hello gross orange shade….and a formula that’s all kinds of strangeness, it did so take me a second to get my kicks on with this guy.

Jump for the review.

Share on Tumblr

The Muse missed the boat on the Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick. I dunno I was kinda on the fence about a stick concealer so I didn’t bother indulging. I guess stick foundations kinda remind me of those old school lipstick style concealers with the hard texture and awful formula that makes blending into the art of scrubbing really hard. Applying concealer should not involve scrubbing to the point you’re yelling “out, out damn spot!”. You so know what I mean right? Lord knows they even still sell these lethal concealer lipstick thingys at your local drugstore.  In my humblest they should be outlawed.

Yes, so that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

However, Clarins Concealer Stick popped around for a visit today and I immediately raced to my mirror to try it out. I should have been feeling skeptical about it like most stick foundation but in my excitement I completely forget my unforgiving nature in regards to stick concealers.

Thank god I did as it’s special.

Jump for it.

Share on Tumblr

As you know already Urban Decay hit the scene early with their Holiday Collection. They are probably one of the first brands that have their Holiday stock up and available for retail on their site. Pretty exciting and impressive considering it seems like December is ages away but in reality it’s never to early to get shopping done early now is it?

I’ve already introduced you to all of the offerings from Urban Decay Holiday 2009 and today I’ll be bringing you some swatches and a review of one of their newest palettes for the season entitled Show Pony Shadow Box. It’s fierce peeps, you so needs one.

Take a look after the jump!

Share on Tumblr

So you’re not so hot in the eyeliner department eh? It’s ok, have no fear, the Muse here to save the day.

I’m not a fabulous eye liner queen me self in all honesty. Liquid I’m rubbish with, gel I’m ok with, and pencil I’m decent with. Lining my eyes isn’t my strongest point and I normal over do it unless my eye look is simple since I always look overly made up with say aqua eye shadow on and a black liner…..am I the only one that suffers so?

My discovery for simple lining? Laura Geller Baby Cakes Baked Eyeliner Palette!

Check it after the jump!

Share on Tumblr

Towards the end of August the Muse introduced you to the Philosophy Supernatural Color Collection which features a line of cosmetics free from parabens, mineral oils, fragrance, and other harmful ingredients.  The products promise not clog pores or irritate skin while offering a super natural finish.  These are particularly great for those who prefer a more natural, softer makeup look.

Today I’ll be introducing you to the Philosophy Lit From Within Cream Blush and later in the week I will tell you about a few other pieces in the collection.

Take the jump for the review.

Share on Tumblr

The bloody Balm gets me every time with their uber cute glam packaging and interesting little cosmetic releases that make it seem like the world will end if I don’t haul it.

Such is the case with their new highlighting powder entitled Mary-Lou Manizer. I’ve no idea what the name is about I guess it’s a cross between man and luminizer? I’m not really sure but hey whatever floats your boat the Balm, I’ll go along with anything you say if you keep pumping out these cute packages of makeup goodness.

Jump ahead for the deets.

Share on Tumblr

The Muse is almost positive she’s too young to enjoy the benefits of the new Lauren Hutton Natural Face Disc. This seemed the type of thing a more mature woman could take advantage of. However, you know the Muse, as adventurous as she is she decided to take this face disc for a spin. Hey, I love face discs in general so why not right?

What’s it about?

Take the jump to learn!

Share on Tumblr

Did the Muse happen to tell you that she adores pretty powders?  No great secret there right?

When she first got a peek at the new Flirt! Flowerific Cheek Color Powder she was quite of the mentality that she didn’t really need another pretty powder.  Truly she tried hard to resist but after testing it out, it quickly grew on her and now she’s ever so happy it’s making friends with all the rest of the powders in her stash.

Jump ahead to learn more.

Share on Tumblr

The Body Shop Precious Pearlescents is available now in store and online. The Body Shop went a little warm this year and a little bold with their new Fall line up. I was quite delighted to see a mix of Fall friendly shades thrown together with some very vibrant, popping shades of green, blue, and lilac. Quite an interesting collection if you’re a friendly fan of color.

In honor of their new Fall Collection, The Body Shop is featuring new haul videos daily from youTubers who review, discuss, and even do tutorials using the collection. You can hop on over to The Body Shop Blog and enjoy a new video daily to see who’s loving all over the collection and what sort of looks they created. The Muse did a very brief video on her MuseTV channel over on youTube however she doesn’t particularly excel at video creating which is why she is following up that review with a post here on Musings.

Jump ahead for my review of The Body Shop Precious Pearlescents.

Share on Tumblr

I’m thinking I need to glisten all night long. That’s ok right? I’m sorry I can’t help myself, I do like to glisten and sparkle and shine……

I’m glinting crazy cool today as I used a bit of Cover FX Radiant FX Luminescent Powder in my moisturizer.

Jump ahead to do the shimmer with me.

Share on Tumblr

So the Muse is busy trying to take on liquid liner again. She hasn’t perfected her technique yet but she’s trying hard. In my bid to become a pro liquid liner I’m testing out the new Givenchy Parad’Eyes Fluid Eye Liner. I’m thinking in order to perfect the perfect cat eye I need expensive, posh, $27 dollar liquid liner. What better one to give a whirl than Givenchy’s? Right?

I know the mentality behind my cosmetic Musings even baffles me.

Jump ahead for the review and details!

Share on Tumblr

It was a pretty crummy Summer around this little city.  Rain almost every weekend, kinda chilly and damp.   I’m still in shock it’s nearly Fall now and really if you’re not officially counting I’d say that New York has already stepped right into the season within a flash of Labor Day being over.

Me?

I adore Fall but I’m so not ready for it.  I’m still re-living my days of Summer especially cosmetic wise.   I can’t just let go of Summer quite yet which is why I’m still enjoying Stila Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer.   The good news is that little touches of Summer are pretty flattering seasonal shades for Fall.  The soft peachy glow of a bronzer will keep your face looking like you just stepped out of the sun but still manages to create an ethereal warmth that can only be associated with the falling leaves.

Jump ahead for a review, some swatches, and a babble or two.

Share on Tumblr