Musings of a Muse

As of late I’ve been exploring quite a bit of the FaceFront Cosmetics Collection. For the most part they have had such great sales that I notice I’ve done an order or two at least every month for the past several months. They introduce small collections here and there which also presses me to delve deeper into the brand as I love myself some variety. I also like the fact that each collection isn’t overwhelming but has just the right amount of product in it to get me excited without distressing me over what I should and shouldn’t get.

For about two months now I’ve been trying out the FaceFront Cosmetics Fresh Ink Pressed Eye Shadow after I ordered two colors and I have to say they are decent.

Jump ahead for a peep!

As of now the Fresh Ink Pressed Shadow line only includes seven shades but for a while they had about 10 or so separate matte neon colors that were interesting but I didn’t indulge in, I suppose my obsession with bolder shades has passed now and I rarely reach for louder shades as of late. The silver style packaging and bolder shades of color give these a little bit of an Urban Decay flair which could be what drew me to them.

The shadows colors I have are Beijing Beat (dontcha just love the name?) and Barter, Barter. I suspect that with these shadows it’s a bit of a lotto situation as I got one nicely pigmented shade and one rather sheer shade. The finishes are supposed to be a subtle metallic shimmer but again I got one that was and one that wasn’t.

Beijing Beat is shade that wasn’t so fabulous. I really was excited about this shade but it’s very subtle with a very sheer payoff. The shade in the pot is a beautiful baby pink with golden shimmer. It’s a really nice press of a shadow but it sadly doesn’t leave up to the glam of the shade within the pot.

Barter, Barter was the lucky color as it has a very good color payoff and a very nice metallic shimmer finish. This shade is a rather ideal or Summer as a it’s a buttery dirty yellow.

The shadows blend easily with a nice silky formula. Each is $10.50 each which isn’t a bad deal or less if you have a coupon (I purchased both with a coupon and they were around $7 bucks each).

Overall, I’d say these are worthy peeking at. They are nicely pressed and won’t fall apart in the pan. The formula is quite good if you get one with good pigmentation. I wasn’t put off at all with my disappointment with Beijing Beat and will continue to try out new shades should they introduce them as the shadows are quite interesting little finds especially for the price.

But of course the best should always be saved for last which is why I’m posting about the new MAC Mineralized Skinfinishes as the last of my MAC Colour Craft haul. I do not deny that I have a serious addiction to MSF, I do not deny that I have the pokemon, collect ‘em all disease when it comes to MSF, and I most definitely do not deny that I hauled all of these bad boys today (minus Pink Porcelain as I already have it) without an ounce of remorse, I’m stimulating the economy you see and doing my job as a good American.

Jump ahead for a peep!

With a release of six shades, six shades, yes six shades, I really dig saying that. With a release of six shades total this is a big MSF release and an exciting one to say the least. Five brand new shades, one new finish (kinda it’s been visited before with MAC BBR), and one repromote make up the best of MAC Color Craft for me. Three of the new MSF are solid colors where as three have a new color graduation finish a la the release of MAC Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead.

Of course I do favor the trio, un-solid MSF in this release as they are a bit different and unique plus the solid shades were just a tad too matte and dark. I took note that these could easily multitask as an eyeshadow if you want and in fact the formula even kind of felt like mineralized shadow. I hauled all three shades as each was more beautiful than the other, I can’t resist pretty MAC.

Warm Blend is primarily the darkest shade of the three with a trio of bronze brown colors. Triple Fusion considerably lighter than Warm Blend and almost pastel-like with it’s shimmering shades of golden champagne, peachy bronze, and golden pink. And lastly, the most unique of the three, Smooth Merge. Smooth Merge is made up of a paler pink, coppery pink, and deep golden beige.

The solid MSF I got were Cheeky Bronze and Sunny by Nature. Sunny by Nature is quite matte, not a shimmery finish and very deeply bronze which I’m unsure if I can pull off but I think a dab won’t hurt, it’s not my favorite shade but I’m glad I got it regardless. Cheeky Bronze feels like a Petticoat dupe but without the intricate golden veining. It’s semi matte with a touch of shimmer, nothing crazy and almost pink in color, very pretty and my fav of the two.

Shimmer haters will be relieved that these are rather subdued minus heavy glittery chunks when compared to previous releases. The shades are all deeply pigmented and can act as a highlighter, bronzer, or just a blush.

All in all it’s a very exciting release of color for MAC and my favorite part of MAC Colour Craft.

How about you?

Which did you haul?

Tell the Muse!

Ahh MAC Colour Craft released today. Fun, fun! Truly an exciting collection but than again anytime MSF is released I get hyped. Funny thing…babbling ahead…I was discussing it with an MA while I hauled today and she made a very valid point. I must have been blinded sided by the beautiful imagery for Colour Craft and I mentioned to her it quite reminded me of C-Shock. She agreed and said that it was C-Shock’s anniversary and she’s quite right, C-Shock was released July 29th in 2007. She also went on to tell me that someone had asked after the hot pinkish shade used on the eyes of the model in the promo image which led us to discuss the fact that really none of the shadows in the collection match up much with the bolder more vibrant shades of the promotional imagery.

Anyway…my long story here is to say that I hauled my little butt off when it came to the brushes, MSF and blushes but I totally busted it on the shadows. They held little to no interest for me and yes, for sure, they do not fit in with those promo images, really none of the collection does aside from possibly the blushes.

Sorry bit of a babble there….

Now for the good word on the MAC Mineralized Blushes I did haul!

Jump for it!

The blushes held a whole lot of my attention since they had a similar formula to MAC Grand Duos. Yes, yes it’s the same product all around, it’s a mineralized blush right? I do so believe that the Grand Duos had a more heavy dose of shimmer to them when compared to the un-split regular mineralized blushes. In this case I think these new shades are very much like the Grand Duos with a fine mill of shimmer. Also lacking in the regular mineralized blushing is the beautiful veining each of these has. It’s almost like they are mini versions of a MAC Mineralized Skinfinish.

I hauled three altogether but I’m second guessing two of them. I got Improvise, Hand-Finish, and Style Demon. Style Demon is my favorite of the bunch as it was the most pigmented. I wasn’t going to get it at first as it looks very similar to Merrily but it was the golden copper vein running through it that makes it a little more interesting. Style Demon is a pigmented brick red which does have a slight peachy cast to it when it’s on cheeks. The shade could prove to difficult to pull off for some but I adore it. Hand-Finish could have been a fast favorite with me as it reminds me of Moon River but like Moon River it’s probably going to end up in the return bin as the color is just to sheer for me to pull off and all I get is a shimmer finish on my cheeks sans color. It’s a delightful light pink with a golden veining that will work incredibly with cooler, paler skin tones. When I tried it at MAC I thought it looked good but the bloody lighting at MAC makes everything look good. On a similar note Improvise is just as gorgeous but again shimmer sans color on my skin. These two swatch so great on my arm but did not show up at all on my cheeks. Le sigh! Improvise is a pretty peachy coral with a golden vein.

Leaving the store I felt like I hauled the best of the blushes but sadly I’m disappointed that Hand-Finish and Improvise failed to work. They are two great shades too, darn!

Overall, I thought the mineralized blushes were an exciting release with MAC Colour Craft and worthy of some attention. You’re bound to find at least one or two shades that you’ll want to have.

Which blushes from MAC Colour Craft did you haul?

Tell the Muse!

I’ve been flirting with Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation for over a month now, probably longer. No one has said it yet and it needs to be said. Why the hell do we need HD foundation anyway? It’s not like we are on TV or doing photo shoots all day. At least I’m not, lucky you if you are.

In a bid to be the latest to jump on board the HD makeup craze bandwagon Smashbox has introduced a brand new HD ready line of products including foundation and concealer.

What do I think about the foundation?

Check it after the jump!

Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation is an oil-free liquid foundation that promises flawless skin.

Here’s the deal it’s advertised as providing the perfect finish for use with high definition film, so I can look great on film, television, and in my photos. But the fact is…my life is obviously boring…because I’m not on TV nor am I in the movies.

Damn.

But…I do want flawless skin anyway, I’m shallow like that.

The formula is oil free but in fact feels like a hot oily mess on my skin. Ugh totally a gross feeling. It’s a bit of a silicon nightmare going on here. Smashbox HD Foundation has a similar texture to Smashbox Photo Finish Primer but with a runny formula. We’ve established how much I hate silicon by now. It feels very strange on my skin and dry down takes a good deal longer than with my regular foundation.

Hmmmm…

It’s difficult to explain but the foundation does feel like it sits on top of my skin rather than absorbing. I chalk this effect up to the silicons that are in the product. Although I absolutely abhor the feeling of the foundation I really can’t deny the fact that my face does look smoother when it’s finally applied and in place. The foundation is weightless but does leave a tad bit of an oily residue on my skin.

I don’t recommend it for anyone with oily skin as this has the potential to be uncomfortable for extremely oily skin types. If you have dry skin or combination skin this should work a treat. The product contains an SPF 15 which isn’t substantial enough for me but I do appreciate SPF is included.

Overall, I wanted to love this but I just found too many faults with the formula. I love how smooth it makes my skin and the illusion of perfection it hints at but the uncomfortable oily formula makes me second guess it.

No likey.

Anyone try?

Loves it?

Leaves it?

Tell the Muse!

If you’re a fan of Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils you’ll be happy to hear they introduced two new shades with their Fall Collection!

Check ‘em out after the jump!

A dupe design of Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils but just for your lips! These lip pencils contain Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E for a smooth, moisture rich application onto lips. The formula is a creamy liner that applies easily without skips. Available in 6 shades with 2 new shades you’re sure to find the perfect match to compliment any of Urban Decay’s lipsticks or glosses.

For Fall the two newest shades are Wallflower and Paranoid. Wallflower is medium nude and Paranoid is a dark pink nude. You can easily fill lips as well since the pencil is pigmented enough to line and fill if you like.

The two newest shades are available now from Urban Decay along with the other great goodies released for Fall!

Check ‘em out at www.urbandecay.com