Musings of a Muse

Etude House Fresh Cherry Blusher Duo was released as part of the Etude House Precious Mineral Skin Project Collection. Someone mentioned that this was actually supposed to be apart of a collection all it’s own. A collection in fact like the peach one! Imagine a cherry themed Etude House collection? Omg love! It’s too bad that Etude House didn’t go through with the idea but I am happy they included the Fresh Cherry Blusher Duo with it’s Precious Mineral Collection anyway!

Jump ahead for a review!

Etude House Fresh Cherry Blusher Duo is a tiny compact that houses duo cream blushes. The shades you’ll receive are a nice off pink shade and a brighter peach almost coral color. You can use the blushes separately or together to create various looks. Combining the two shades creates a rather bright orangey coral that’s very pretty and flattering for Summer.

The formula of the blushes is the real surprise. Although creamy in texture these dry down to a matte powder finish which lasts and lasts and lasts. I was quite impressed with how long wearing these were! Although a Spring Collection, they make a fine Summer makeup addition due to their long wear formula.

The color blends easily, seamlessly, and flawlessly onto skin. Cream blushes can prove tricky during application but this is simply a matter of smiling, locating the apples of your cheeks, a quick dab and a swirl and you’re done. Beautiful, flushed cheeks. The blushes are pigmented enough that you can get decent color payoff from either shade but are also allow for sheer, subtle application if you prefer. Anyone with oily skin can appreciate the powdery finish.

Overall, a rather great little blusher from Etude House and a winner for Summer. I paid $4-5 retail for this from Korea but I’ve seen it on E-bay for around $10 bucks plus free shipping. I do think it’s worth the price jack as it’s a very nice blush that’s universally flattering for all skin tones plus it’s long wear formula makes it a great blush all around.

PS I’m kinda wishing it was cherry scented, that would be awesome! Don’t you agree?

Muse Approved for purchase!

Likey!

New liners from Benefit chicas!

Check it, Benefit Automatic Eyeliner Duo Pencil are a brand new automatic eye pencil from Benefit that contains eyeliner on one side and a smudger on the other!

Jump ahead for a few swatches and babblings!

These new automatic pencils are a fuss proof way to apply and smudge liner easily and flawlessly. Kinda mimics my fav MAC Technakohl! Likey!

The formula is a nice creamy liner that blends flawlessly on eyes. I’m partial to using these to smoke out my eyes as all the shades are flattering for just that plus the smudger side of the pencil makes it easy to do so.

Benefit Automatic Eyeliner Duo Pencil are available in only three shades to flatter blondes, brunettes, and those with black hair. It’s a rather easy and simple way of picking your liner as you’re not presented with a ton of shades to choose from. I can appreciate not being offered 150 shades of eyeliner, keeping it simple is sometimes a good thing.

The shades are Call Me Nutty which is a rich hazelnut, Downtown Brown which is a deep brown, and Wink O’Ink which is a night sky gray.

If you’re a lover of a liner that smudges beautifully these should appeal!

Available now from Sephora and Benefit

I was interested in having a love affair with Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation with Concealer but for some reason it’s not giving me any love at all. Our entire affair is lukewarm at best.

How sad….

Jump ahead for the review!

Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation with Concealer was such an easy item to fall in love with. We were going to have a passionate love affair together, spend long days enjoying each others company, walks on the beach, 8 hour work days, and beyond….I had it all planned.

But sadly it didn’t work out…..

Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation with Concealer is a dual packaged product that contains a creamy foundation in a bottle with a potted concealer on top. Yay for all in one products. Loves it. All foundations should come with a matching concealer on the lid, it would make life easier.

I’m a lover of Daniel Sandler products particularly his Watercolour Blushes so when I seen the Waterbase Foundation I was quite excited to have myself a little go with it.

Ok….

The good news is it’s actually a really incredible formula. It’s super duper creamy and moisturizing. It’s probably one of the best foundation formulas I’ve run across as it’s not runny or watery in the least fancy that considering “water” is in the name.

The packaging is quite nice although it’s possible it can prove annoying for some if you aren’t a lover of having a dual package with concealer and foundation housed together. The lid of the foundation bottle actually houses the concealer and you flip it open to apply. A key point in the foundation design is the very nice spatula applicator which many Korean brands use but we aren’t privy to in many Euro and US brands. The spatula is handy for picking up a nice bit of foundation and smoothing onto face or onto a sponge or finger tips for application.

I’m trying to make light of all the good features of the foundation here as truly it has alot of great points however it’s the formula that ends up falling short in the long run.

As beautifully moisturizing and creamy the formula is that doesn’t keep it from being terribly under pigmented. It’s very sheer, very subtle, and barely covers much at all. I use foundation solely to brighten my face and even my skin tone out so my dull skin is brighter and healthier. This sadly fails miserably at covering much of anything. It’s rather strange as the product seems quite pigmented but once applied it basically absorbs into the skin and leaves little to no product behind. The finish is lovely and smooth but without proper pigmentation what’s the point?

In regards to the concealer it’s decent enough and is decently pigmented however it seems like they just slapped this on with the foundation and didn’t put much thought into it. It’s far from creamy and has a certain density that makes it difficult to blend properly so it sits on top of my eye instead of absorbing and blending out to cover my fine lines and other woes. It tends to crease a fair bit as well after about an hour of use.

As much as I wanted to love this foundation I seriously found some major flaws with the formula. I’m aghast at how such a dreamy creamy formula can fail so badly. I thought maybe I’d keep it for Summer wear as who doesn’t like lighter coverage in the warmer weather. But even for this it was a fail as the product barely brightens up dull skin.

Sigh.

I really did want to make sweet love together Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation but you’ve made it impossible.

Love affair over.

No likey.

As bronzer palettes come and go at an alarming rate through my life this Summer season some stick out in my mind as worthy contenders in the large bronzer scheme of things. One bronzer that comes to mind and is meant to be remembered is the new Clarins Instant Sun Light Summer Glow Palette for Face.

Click ahead for it’s review.

Clarins Instant Sun Light Summer Glow Palette for Face is housed in the standard elegant mirror case that most all Clarins cosmetics sports, yes it’s a terrible magnet for fingerprints but oh so lovely regardless.

Clarins Instant Sun Light Summer Glow Palette for Face is made up of a swirl of matte and subtly shimmer shades of bronzer for illuminating face and cheeks with a kiss of sunny color that mimics that of a tan. The powder is silky smooth and blends easily for a nice flawless, even finish. The dominate shade throughout the palette is a matte standard bronze but this is brightened up considerably with the addition of sparkling rose and peach shades. These two shades take the ho-hum bronzer from a traditional finish to more of a sunny glow.

The Summer Glow Palette is probably one of the most subtle bronzers I’ve used as of late which makes it user friendly for beginners in the bronzer world. I don’t find it heavily pigmented and the powder is so silky that it fairly glides onto skin making for very easy application. I think we can all appreciate a very subtle bronzer as who wants to look overly bronze anyway? Surely not I.

If you’re looking for something that illuminates the face, makes it glow with a touch of the sun, and gives off a flattering healthy look to face and cheeks, Clarins Instant Sun Light Summer Glow Palette will surely please.

Sportin’ Clarins Summer Glow Palette on cheeks and face!

The Muse is known for getting excited about new Benefit. But of course she was beside herself when Benefit One Hot Minute popped onto the scene.

Click ahead for the review!

At first glance Benefit One Hot Minute is truly nothing to get to strung out over. I was actually somewhat disappointed after cracking the lid and seeing a rather dull almost matte powder inside that was somewhat muddy and rusty in color but boy was I ever wrong.

First off let’s discuss packaging!

Packaging is awesome, as always with Benefit right? Benefit One Hot Minute comes housed in chic, vintage style canister with a screw top lid and comes with thee amazing fan brush. I favor this packaging over the normal powder boxes that Benefit uses as this is sturdy and makes travel with a breeze since you aren’t worried about crushing it. The brush it comes with is awesome and ideal for application. It’s a delicate fan brush with soft bristles that picks up just the right amount of product and easily distributes the powder easily. No fuss, no mess, and just the right amount of product gets picked up.

Now the powder…

I think I was so self absorbed in my Benefit Coralista kick that I wrapped my mind around Benefit One Hot Minute as possibly topping it or being bigger and better. This could be one reason at first look I was disappointed in the powder. It looked a bit muddy and rusty in color without much shimmer at all. First try with the powder was a big bust. I was disappointed it wasn’t as pigmented as I had hoped and it also applied very sheer minus shimmer.

The follow up….

Even though my first attempt with One Hot Minute was a fail I quickly tried it again the next day with proper prepping. Turns out the best way to use this is with a tiny touch of peach or coral blush under it. I mistakenly was thinking it would be pigmented enough to work by itself when in fact Benefit does not advertise it as a bronzer or a blusher but as a highlighter. You’ll be amazed, delighted, and a happy makeup junkie as ever if you use a tiny bit of stain or blush prior to applying One Hot Minute. As for me in my photos below I used a tiny dab of Morgen Schick Cheek Stain on each cheek and topped with One Hot Minute. The results? Subtly shimmery cheeks that have a kiss of sunny gold and rose. I’m in love. Absolutely in love. The combination of stain and powder on top created such a lovely finish to my cheeks. I think it screams Summer!

Overall, Benefit One Hot Minute is one of those universally flattering shades that will work for you all Summer and well into Fall for just a kiss of golden rose shimmer on cheeks and face. Remember to use a bit of blush or stain prior to highlighting with One Hot Minute and I guarantee you’ll love the results as much as me.

Another fantastic winner from Benefit. Loves it!

Muse Approved for purchase.

Anyone else try yet?

Loving it?

Tell the Muse!

Check out a round up of shadows and swatches to compliment your Summer tan and feel free to add some of your favorites in the comment box!

Summer is here and if you’re a sun seeker these five shadows should compliment your toasty warm skin this season!

MAC Soft Force

Velvety with a slight twinkle, MAC Soft Force is a smooth, buttery yellow that will work lovely on lightly tanned skin for a soft focus on lids.

Bare Escentuals Glimspe in Mai Tai

Soft burnt orange has a slight sparkle finish and is ideal for a soft wash of color on lids or buildable for a more fiery sunset eye look!

Benefit Velvet Eyehsadow in Bikini Line

Considering it has bikini in the title already that must mean it’s worthy of your Summer tan! With a soft, velvety smooth finish, Bikini Line is a subtle kiss of pastel yellow that will compliment a soft tan.

Urban Decay Baked Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Baked is one a flattering shade for Fall or Summer. Bold penny bronze will make a darker tan or skin tone pop with a highly pigmented, shimmery finish. Baked puts the “b” in bold!

Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Hot Ginger

If it’s inexpensive you crave try out Beauty Rush Wet Dry Eye Shadow in Hot Ginger to light up your eyes and freshly tanned skin with a subtle glow of bronze and sparkle!

Not so long ago I reviewed Givenchy Mister Bright for you. Mister Bright was a fond friend of the Muse’s this past Winter. He brightened my eyes, made me look less tired, acted as a great primer for shadows, and just made my face glow. Recently, I was introduced to Givenchy Mister Bright Sun and now I have a new found friend. I can place Mister Bright temporarily away for the warmer weather, haul out Mister Bright Sun, and look fresh, sunkissed, and golden with a few clicks!

Check out the review after the jump!

Where as the regular shade of Mister Bright in Dawnlight is a pale, shimmering highlighter the newest shade in Sunlight is a golden, penny bronze shade that can be used on cheeks and face to create a sunkissed glow in one easy click and blend!

From my experience using the pink version of the pen I knew a little would go a long way so when I tried out the newest shade for Summer I wasn’t surprised in the least that a simple swipe would get my cheeks glowing.

If you happen to be scared of bronzers or not a big lover of matte bronzing powders, Givenchy Mister Bright Sun will be your best friend. The formula is creamy and easy to blend with a touch of a shimmery finish and a pretty coppery bronze shade that mimics that of a brand new penny. It gives cheeks and face just the right amount of a Summer sunny glow which is very natural and pretty. The end result is you’ll look like you were wandering around in the Summer sun for an hour or two but in reality a simple blend of this was all you used.

If you’re feeling a bit daring you can swipe across lids, blend, and place some shadow on top for a bright, Summery eye look!

Personally, Givenchy Mister Bright Sun tops my list for a great way to get a Summery look without ever having the step in the sun!

Loves it!

Keep in mind the flash from the camera picks up shimmer a whole lot more and the finish is alot less shimmery than it appears on my cheeks in the photo below.

All the members of the Total Beauty Network recently got a chance to try out the Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor that’s newly launched from Max Factor a few months ago. I read quite a flattering review about it on MUA and some other lovely words from fellow bloggers which had me eager to try it out for myself .

Jump ahead to hear the word on Max Factor Vidid Impact Lipcolor!

I’ve heard plenty of great reviews about this but I have to say it’s not really all that special. The pigmentation is decent, the lipstick applies smoothly enough but could be a bit more moisturizing, and the price is decent enough but I don’t see myself running to the store to pick up a few more. I only tried one color and honestly wasn’t all that impressed.

If anything I’m positive I can find a better drugstore lipstick than this in my humble opinion. Perhaps it was that the finish was the semi-matte? Or maybe it was the fact that the color applies somewhat dully without a hint of moisture or shine. The formula is a tad forgivable when gloss is placed on top but not by much.

If anything the variety of shades, 20 altogether, price tag of $7.99 or less, and nice pigmentation could appeal to some but for me I’ll skip. As for me I’m not running to my local drugstore to haul it anytime soon, no likey, just an uneventful lipstick for this Muse!

Anyone a fan?

What are some redeeming qualities you like about Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor?

Tell the Muse!

Keeping up with the techy side of beauty Avon SpectraColor Lipstick allows you to customize your lipstick application by making it lighter or darker or having a more or less during application. First the Avon Pro 3-in-1 Lip Wand and this! Techy Avon, really techy! The Muse likes when you geek it!

Check it after the jump!

Avon SpectraColor Lipstick kinda has a combination glossy lipstick deal going on. I haven’t decided if it’s a lipstick, a lip cream, or a lipgloss but when I find out I’ll let you know.

It’s an interesting package that much is for sure. Basically the packaging is made up of dual chambers of color. Included are a light and a dark color in the tube. On the bottom of the packaging is a dial wheel a la Avon Spectra Lash that allows you to phone home for more or less color. The general idea of the dial allows for more product in a darker or lighter format to come out of the tube. So if you want to go lighter you dial down and if you want to go darker you dial up. Kinda an interesting concept.

The formula of the lipstick (gloss, cream or whatever you’re wanting to call it) is a tad bit too rich and frosty for me. I tried out the Berries shade selection and it was a bit frosty, metallic looking on my lips. Not flattering on me, yak. Also, don’t be discouraged, but the formula looks a tad oily coming out of the tube but once it’s applied it’s perfectly glossy and shiny.

All in all the packaging is kinda nifty, plus it’s quite pigmented, and it’s only $7.99. Acting as a gloss, a lipstick, and a lip cream all in one product you can’t break the bank for $8 bucks trying it out for yourself.

It’s available now from Avon.

Anyone try it yet?

Thoughts?

Tell it!

Sportin’ Avon SpectraColor Lipstick in The Berries

P.S. Iris, I heard your request my dear, dear friend and I apologize for the above pictures as they were taken days ago before you asked for closer images, promise I’ll do more close ups just for you. Love you.

Dudes! Check it.

Remember last year I had this mad love affair with Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer? Actually I still dig it to this day!

But anyway this year I’m kinda on this trippy travel to try out any and all tinted moisturizers that I’ve wanted to for a while but never did. The good news is that since I’m tripping out over tinted moisturizers that means you can get all my babble about which are good, which are bad, and which are Muse Approved for purchase.

Speaking of which….

I’ve always wanted to try DuWop Revolotion Face but I didn’t indulge for whatever reason. I recently scored it for $18 bucks which is about $11 off retail price. I guess the price plus the fact that I’m high on TM’s (TM=tinted moisturizer) convinced me to pick it up!

So today I’ll give you the low down on DuWop Revolotion Face Tinted Moisturizer and whether it’s a rave of a rant!

Click it for the deets!

Few things about tinted moisturizers:

Don’t you find they aren’t as pigmented as you’d like them to be? I mean they are supposed to be light, natural coverage but don’t you yearn for a tiny bit more pigmentation?

Isn’t the formula a little too loose? Yes, it’s beautifully creamy but I sometimes wish they were a bit less runny.

Well problems all solved. DuWop Revolotion covers it. It’s quite a good deal more pigmented than other tinted moisturizers I’ve tried in the pass. The formula also happens to be nice and creamy but not runny. The result? Flawless, natural, light coverage for Summer wearing and tearing. Loves it!

Speaking from a dry skin stand point the product feels lovely on my skin and gives just the right blend of moisture and color without a greasy, oily feeling. The finish is very lovely. It makes me look quite flawless and blends smoothly and evenly. It’s not matte mind you but it’s more of a dewy, fresh feeling.

On a side note if you need extra coverage to hide major flaws, acne, etc…this isn’t the product you’re going to want to purchase as it’s simple, sheer coverage. However, if you’re looking for a very light, subtle makeup for the hot weather that evens out your skin tone and creates a nice flawless canvas for make up while providing a touch of moisture to skin I’d highly recommend checking out DuWop Revolotion.

Loves it!

Total Muse Approval for purchase.

Anyone a lover?

Tell the Muse!

P.S. You can see me wearing this in a review post I have coming up shortly!

I do believe, correct me if I’m wrong, that MAC blush in Eversun from Style Warriors is easily overlooked. It doesn’t really look all that appealing does it? Kinda brown, kinda meh…..

Hmmm!

Muse with me?

Jump for it!

At first glance MAC Eversun isn’t anything particularly wonderful. Brownish ho-hum with a bit of bronze thrown in for good measure. But…it manages to morph delightfully once applied and becomes this juicy, sunkissed peachy shade that’s an exciting Summer color!

I picked it up on a whim and bless be the gods that I did because I’d normally skip it any other day. Turns out it’s simply gorgeous!

Worthy of a pick up if you missed it. Especially for warmer tones and hey equally gorgeous on fair skinned girls too! Don’t let all that muddy brown sway you, have a swatch and a try, it’s quite pretty!

Loves it!

Anyone grab Eversun from Style Warriors?

Loving all over it like the Muse?

Tell it!

Clarins Instant Sun Light Collection continues to hold much of my attention this Summer. Shrug, even though it rains everyday I can still get my Summer on with good lip balm which is why I’m all about Clarins Instant Sun Light Lip Balm. Far be it from me to argue with Clarins but this is so much more than a mere lip balm. Lip Balm doesn’t quite sum these up so I’ll rechristen them lip glosses thanks so much!

Click ahead to hear the rave!

Clarins Instant Sun Light Lip Balm is a nourishing lip treatment with color and an SPF of 6. The balms are available in two shades for $20 USD each. Personally as I mentioned above I see these as more of a gloss than a balm. They have a nice slick formula with a glossy finish minus stickiness. They wear quite long as well which is surprising as most glosses that do not have a fair bit of tackiness fail to stick around long on my lips but these manage to stay on nearly half way through the day without slipping and sliding off. Although the formula is lovely enough I think for the most part I’m quite in love with the two shades available.

Sunset Bronze is a delightful shimmering cocktail of brown and gold and Sunset Coral is a sweet pop of coral minus shimmer. Sunset Bronze is ideal for pairing up with a bronze look and has enough glitz to make lips look glossy, full, and sparkly. Sunset Coral is pretty much a matte liquid paint minus shimmer or sparkle of any kind but this doesn’t take away from it’s appeal as the shade is quite a nice pop of coral that goes well with fresh, peachy cheeks (might the Muse suggest pairing it up with Super Orgasm).

Note: I’m wearing Gold Rush on my eyes from my earlier review of the new Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Shadows.

Clarins Instant Sun Light Lip Balm is well worth checking out and Muse Approved for purchase. Loving these and most definitely a top pick for super, glossy Summer lips this season!

Likey!

Available now from Clarins.

Anyone try yet?

Want to?

Tell the Muse!

Hopefully by now everyone got their MAC Style Warrior groove on! The collection had some tempting offerings and even though I didn’t haul big I still came out blessed with quite a few items that should get me through Summer and well into Fall. That’s one great thing about MAC Summer, it normally ends up that the colors are so warm that I feel quite content and happy using them into Fall. Such is the case with Style Warrior Shadows Soft Force and Tempting!

Jump ahead for a muse….

Pretty difficult to resist the allure of beautiful shades like these. Tempting is a beautiful rich brown and Soft Force frosty white gold. Perhaps Soft Force isn’t anything particular to write home about but I think it’s pretty special when combined with Tempting for a deep smoky eye look that’s quite gorgeous. Both shades aren’t entirely Summer friendly in my opinion but they definitely have a strong appeal for when the cooler weather sets in plus I do so admit that each does possibly look good with a bit of bronzer.

Either way I highly recommend nabbing Soft Force and Tempting before they are gone for good. I was quite surprised (and delighted) that although the economy lays low, MAC is still going well as many Style Warrior displays I’ve seen are pretty much empty. You can see me wearing both shades in an FOTD here.

Anyone haul these?

Loving on ‘em?

I know, I know you’re probably a bit tired of all my ravings about Victoria’s Secret Pool Party Collection already. I’m sowrry but I can’t help myself I’m really enjoying this collection!

I promise this is my last review! Today I’ll be giving you some brief deets about the brand new Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip and Cheek Pop plus a few swatches thrown in for good measure.

Click it to learn more!

Ok, first off, prior to my review, I need to tell you to go out and grab these now. If you’re yearning for ‘em don’t wait as they are completely sold out on the website and many Victoria’s Secret stores I’ve passed by have maybe one color at the most. So hurry, hurry! Get ‘em fast!

Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip and Cheek Pop are basically packaged in a deodorant style, swivel up tube. Just swirl the dial and the stick slides upwards for application. Swipe across cheeks or lips and you’re done. You’ll get a very subtle pinch of color that’s quite pretty. One of the novel things about these cute little blushes is the fact that they are cooling on your skin. As you apply you’ll feel a burst of coolness on your cheeks which is rather refreshing, too cutes!

The Cheek Pops come in three shades which are Peach Pop (coral, orange combo), Berry Cooler (fuchsia), and Pink Splash (pink). The sticks are pretty budget friendly as they are three for $15 USD. If you prefer your blush a bit darker you may need to swipe two or three times for decent color payoff or just once for a very sheer layer. I was pleasantly surprised at how long the color lasts. I started my day off with it on in the AM and was delighted when my sister said, “Oh it’s still wearing well..!” at around 5 PM that same day. I do think they look way better on cheeks than lips.

The only minor rant I have is the top is a clear plastic top so it kinda looks like I lost the cap on these. They look a bit unfinished if that makes sense. It seems they ran out of cash to get a proper lid on these LOL! Aside from that I generally liked these and thought they were a rather great beauty budget find.

Crummy Lid!

Definitely head in store to try ‘em out as testers are available. Overall, for the price you can’t go wrong. A rather cute little budget friendly option for natural, fresh Summer makeup! Loves it!

Sportin’ Berry Cooler on lips and cheeks minus foundation with a touch of gloss on top of the stain!

Anyone haul these?

Loving ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

My love affair continues with FaceFront Cheek Up Blush! My recently haul is FaceFront Cheek Up Blush in Saloon ‘n Saddle. Oh my god how I love thee!

Click ahead to hear it!

It could prove to loud for those not brave enough to give it a whirl but Saloon ‘n Saddle is such an incredible coral shade (or bright orange if you prefer) for Summer. I’m utterly loving how very unique and outrageous this one is. Obviously I need to use a very light hand with it as it’s deeply pigmented but boy is it ever lovely. It also works a treat as a shadow too for a fiery sunset eye look!

Loves it!

It’s available from from FaceFront but it’s LE so step on it if you want to haul. I’m loving it, def part of my Summer Must Haves!