Musings of a Muse

It feels like the year virtually flew by doesn’t it? It’s been a great year for makeup that’s for sure! My year end favorite post is upcoming shortly but I thought we could reflect on a few things first!

Some of the questions I asked myself as I was reflecting were the following:

The Muse will place her answers here and you can answer, if you like, in the comment field below! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this!

I think I have to take myself all the way back to Spring 2008 to get a good idea of my very favorite collection of the year. The Etude House My Lovely Face Collection (aka Peach Collection) was my absolute favorite of the year! And it’s no wonder with it’s great packaging, fresh peachy shades, and incredible Pore Erasing Peach Base! This was by far my fav of the year! Etude House Spring 2009 I Can’t Help Smiling is simply adorably but in the Muse’s opinion it isn’t nearly as kawaii as last year’s collection!

In reflecting on my tastes and whether they have changed or not from last year I’d have to say a loud YES! I embraced more natural looks this year, got really excited about nudes and neutrals, and just dramatically altered my normal bold looks to include some very mature ones! So yes indeed my tastes have changed a tad bit. This doesn’t mean I don’t still adore bold looks but I have to say I’ve surprised myself with the amount of natural makeup I’ve taken on lately!

Unquestionably my greatest cosmetic find of the year was NARS Blush in Super Orgasm! I’ve heard rants and I’ve heard hate but I simply adored it. For me it was pure perfection! Not that it tops Super Orgasm but discovering that Urban Decay Primer has a SLEW of product left in the bottle after slicing it open is definitely a highlight of my year as well!

I can’t say so much if I embraced any trends this year. I kinda march to the beat of my own drum and I’m not one for embracing a trend but more along the lines of doing my own thing! One trend I definitely couldn’t get a handle on, no mater how hard I tried, was the vampy lip! I tried with MAC Binge and tried again with the Lancome Piha Collection but it just didn’t work on this Muse!

I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t somewhat excited about the MAC Hello Kitty Collection! Although I made up my own little ideas about how this collection should look, I do find myself getting more and more antsy for it’s release as I am eager to see it in person for myself. Yes, I know I’ll be disappointed but I just can’t seem to shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it’ll be great! I’m also excited to see what the Summer has in store for us! Summer releases are a great time to stock up on bold shades so of course I look forward to what MAC, Urban Decay, and other brands have on the menu for the warmer weather!

Now it’s your turn…..

Tell the Muse all about what you loved and hated in 2008?

What your greatest find was?

What trends you embraced?

I’m listening!

“Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?” asked the Muse.

“I am!”

The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside her, it were at a distance.

“Who, and what are you?” the Muse demanded.

“I am the Ghost of Christmas Collections Past.”

The Muse is quite fond of rehashing her past and remembering collections that caught her fancy over the years. Take a step back in time with her and remember Holiday Collections from 2007 that brought joy and excitement to us all!

The Muse has always had a special fondness for Aube Shower Jewelry Eyes, just the name along has been an endless source of joy and amusement for this Muse and she did so love and adore the Aube Shower Jewelry Eyes Holiday Palette in EX02. Cool shimmering shades of light blue, white, and brown topped with a grayish liner created the perfect sophisticated holiday eye! With the release of the palette Aube also gifted us with two loose shimmering powders which came in a lovely little glass bottle! Truly a Holiday Collection that excited this Muse!

Step into my past and check out the Aube Holiday Collection 2007 Review

On the heels of Aube’s release came Majolica Majorica’s Holiday Collection which granted our Christmas wishes and brought to us two shimmering Majolook Palettes that would later become my very favorite shades when brought together with my other MJ palettes. Keeping in the theme of sparkling colors MJ also released a shimmering silver mascara overcoat and a sparkling white face, eye, and body powder! This collection has since topped the Muse’s list as a favorite collection released from Majorca Majolica!

Follow the path to a review of Majorca Majolica Holiday Collection 2007

Jill Stuart always keeps a special place in my heart even though many releases are quite repetitious of colors past. This year I didn’t feel the need to indulge in the Holiday Coffret but last year I did get tempted by all the sparkling, light hues of the Christmas palette!

Remember Jill Stuart’s Christmas Coffret 2007



Although the Muse sometimes gets a bit ranty and disappointed over Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks she’s almost always on the bandwagon to purchase a new one, especially limited edition ones, as soon as they release. Last year she dove fully into her purchase of the Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick and although she never truly made proper use of it she still looks at it fondly and is happy it graces her collection.

A glowing ranting review on Bobbi Brown Pink Quart Shimmer Brick



This year the Muse liked but didn’t love the Bare Escentuals Ruby Collection but last year she fondly recalls loving each and every release that Bare Escentuals graced us with! The Holiday Collections from BE last year were something that the Muse still can’t forget!

The crisp coolness of the Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection thrilled the Muse to bits and she still gets hyper each time she whips out her BE Diamond Gossamer powder!

A tale and a review of Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection



Following closely behind Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection was the QVC release of Bare Minerals bareGold Luxury Color Collection and soon after the Nordstrom release of Bare Escentuals Pure Platinum Collection!

The amount of gossamer powder that the Muse ended up hauling with each gift set should last her well into the years to come!

Read on about Gold!



Read further about Platinum!

The Muse let the holiday get away from her this year and in doing so she forgot a few small pieces here and there she wanted to pick up! The NARS Holiday Palette this year was on this Muse’s list but never quite made it into her cart (maybe soon) but she does so remember getting her NARS Night Series Palette last year and holding it in her greedy, sweaty palms as she gleefully smiled down at it!

Drool over a review on the NARS Night Series Palette



Thinking back on the Lavshuca Winter Make Collection the Muse recalls her excitement however she does feel kinda let down that the cardboard palettes from this collection didn’t fair well into 2008! But it doesn’t keep her from recalling how truly lovely and brilliant she thought they were when she first laid eyes on them.

Recall beautiful things with the Lavshuca Winter Make Holiday Collection 2007

To this day the mystery behind Stila’s “Asia” Only palettes amuses this Muse…Asia only? What? Huh? Confuddled am I! Even though the mystery remains the Muse still loving caresses each of those palettes as they brought back her beloved Stila girls! The packaging was too delightful to resist and the Muse pleads with Stila please more Stila girls! Some of us, after all, miss them crazily!

Enjoy a review on the release of Stila “Asia” Only Palettes from last Holiday Season!

Disappointment sometimes reigns supreme with MAC Holiday if you’re an old school collector but the Muse does still give thanks and praise for the release of the MAC Royal Assets Metallic Eyes Palette!

MAC Royal Assets Holiday 2007

It wasn’t too much of a problem falling deeply in love with a few items from MAC’s Antiquitease Color Collection. The Muse was particularly thrilled to bits and maybe pieces too by Red Romp Lipglass, Queen’s Sin Lipstick, and Uppity Fluidline! The Muse sends blessings to MAC each day for introducing to red lippie items that actually work well for this Muse!

Jump ahead to a review on MAC’s Holiday Color Collection from 2007

Fall in love with Red Romp and Queen’s Sin!

Is there any ever doubt that perfection and luxury is housed in all Guerlain compacts? Purple was the order of business for Guerlain Holiday 2008 but last year gold…gold reigned supreme over Guerlain Holiday 2007!

Learn about all good things gold by reading my review on Guerlain Holiday 2007

Diamonds were a girl’s best friend this year and they happened to be just as friendly last year when the Muse got her claws into the Givenchy Diamantismme Holiday Collection! To this day the Givenchy Prisme Solitaire All Over Diamond Powder holds a special place of honor on my vanity!

Learn what true love is all about by visiting my review on Givenchy’s Holiday Collection 2007

The Muse hopes you enjoyed her trip through Christmas Past! Check out last year’s Christmas Past post and read up on all good things the Muse loved from 2005 and 2006!

Don’t forget to share what collections you absolutely loved from past holiday releases! The Muse is dying to hear all about it!

Can’t get enough of Holiday ’07? That’s ok neither can the Muse! Check out all good things under the Holiday 2007 category! TAG! You’re it!

Good Morning World! How are you? Miss me much?

I hope everyone had a super Holiday weekend! It went way too fast didn’t it? I have a slew of reviews for you today and I’ll do my best to get ‘em posted as quickly as possible! I have quite a few comments to get through and will do so shortly. And finally, as always, my inbox is very, very full so if I owe you a reply don’t think I’m ignoring you!

Today I’ll be giving you a sneak peek of one of the three Mineralize Skinfinishes that are releasing with the new MAC Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead Collection. I think alot of people are pretty excited about this collection, I know I am.

I got a chance to play around with a few pieces from the Brunette selection of goodies. This suits me just fine considering that my hair and eyes are dark brown although I do admit that I’ll probably venture into checking out the other selections for the Blonde and Redheads as well considering some of the shades look tempting.

I’m an absolute lover of MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes so when I seen MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Brunette it surely was love!

Isn’t she pretties?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Brunette is a good deal different when compared to past releases. The color is deeper, contains less shimmer and chunky glitter, and more pigmented than those released in the past. The shade is a deep brown with hints of orange, peach, and has an almost Indian red cast to it. If I’m being honest with myself the color isn’t what I’d normally go for. The color can easily be used as a blush which makes it very appealing to me as I really like not having to apply blush and than apply MSF on top. Using my MSF as both a blush and a highlighter offers a more minimal look where as applying both blush and MSF gives a more me more of a made up look. In regards to minimal you definitely need to apply with a light hand as the product is so deeply pigmented and a little goes a very long way. Interesting enough the skinfinish appears to have an almost gradation appearance with the left side having a lighter shade and the right side having a deeper.

Although I love peachy shades this one gives a certain brown cast to my cheeks which I’m not finding particularly flattering. For some reason the shade looks abnormal on my cheeks and suitable for a much darker skin tone than my own. I do love it none the less but I need to try it a few other ways before settling on the best way to use it. Below I used it as a blush only and didn’t really like the overall effect so I’m wondering if a lighter hand and maybe a peachy shade of blush beneath will give me a better a finish.

Overall, the product does deliver a burst of warmth to the cheeks without the chunky glitter and shimmer that past MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes are known for plus it easily works as both a blush and a highlighter in one product. I think it’s worth picking up as the shade is pretty unique from past releases however the Muse recommends using a very light hand when applying if you’re a fair skinned brunette like myself.

Wearing MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Brunette on it’s own

What do you think?

Excited about the release of the MAC Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead Collection?

What will you be picking up?

Tell the Muse!

‘ello possums!

Looking to be as glam as that foxy little minx Dame Edna? I mean seriously who doesn’t simply adore her crash lilac hair and sparkling dresses!

Get cheeky with the MAC Dame Edna Collection after the jump!

I must admit that the MAC Dame Edna Collection definitely holds way more of my interest and attention than the MAC Hello Kitty Collection. I’m simply in love with the lilac packaging! Although the trio color selections aren’t exactly what I’d have liked to see (too similar to shades released already) I can’t deny they are quite Dame Edna themed to say the least. I’m particularly thrilled with the lippies and glosses in this color story as they look quite lovely. The beauty powders as well have caught my eye although I have heard stories that they are chalky but I’m not minding in the least and if worst comes to worst I can always pop them up and replace with my own pressed powder so I can enjoy the lovely lilac packaging!

All in all I see myself hauling a majority if not all of this collection! I really like the looks of it!

How about you?

Love it?

Not so much?

Tell the Muse!

MAC Dame Edna debuts from MAC in January.

Further images and info about the MAC Chill Collection after the jump! Have a lookiee and tell me what you’re hauling!

MAC Chill Collection Eyeshadow

• Arctic Grey
• Vellum
• Mont Black
• Wintersky
• Apres-Ski

MAC Chill Lipglasses

• Snowscene
• Naked Frost
• Icescape
• Frozen Dream

MAC Chill Collection Glitter

• Reflects Transparent Teal
• Reflects Antique Gold

MAC Chill Collection Penultimate Eyeliner

Whoa it’s a MAC kinda day isn’t it? MAC Chill Collection is available online! CLICK!

I honestly love this collection as I’m a cool kinda girl! My eye is on the MAC Eyeshadow in Wintersky! The rest of the collection is a tad bit ho-hum but I have to see it in person before deciding! It’ll probably be live on counters on Thursday so the Muse will investigate more then!

What are you thinking about MAC Chill?

Love it?

Not so much?

Tell the Muse!

MAC Neo Sci-Fi Review

MAC Monogram Collection

MAC Sheer Minerals Collection: The Return of Petticoat

MAC Overrich Pigments Review & Swatches

Specktra has the latest on the MAC Dame Edna Collection and the Muse must say she’s feeling all that purple when compared to the MAC Hello Kitty Collection that I’ve been ranting about today!

Behold:

Source

I kinda dig all the lilac packaging but I’m not particularly thrilled by the trio…kinda a rehash of MAC Heatherette shades but hey I’m still all about the purple!

What do you think?

Tell the Muse!

MAC Hello Kitty Collection

Manish Arora for MAC Review

MAC Heatherette Review

Fafi for MAC Review

The Muse’s friends at Kiss and Makeup have scooped the tale and have images available from the new MAC Hello Kitty Collection!

Exciting but still not capturing my interest le sigh! The Muse changed things around a bit and gave her impression of how she thinks the MAC Hello Kitty Collection should go down!

First off the Muse feels that they should have recruited her favorite coplayer Arisa Mizuhara. She’d have made thee perfect model for the MAC Hello Kitty Collection. Arisa, Hello Kitty, MAC…yes I’m thinking I like this union. Alot.

MAC’s Version

The Muse’s Version

We need the perfect outfit for Arisa so I’m thinking we need to head over to Lawrara and pick out one for her!

Maybe this?

or this?

Source

As you already know from reading my previous impression of MAC Hello Kitty I wasn’t so into all the black packaging! The Muse thinks that needs to be revamped as well.

MAC’s Version

The Muse is thinking lots and lots of pink and maybe Jill Stuart like packaging thrown around for good measure!

Nothing like the classic feel of Hello Kitty to get a girl excited!

How great would it be if we can have rhinestones and pretty pink compacts?

Pretty princess-like packaging a la Jill Stuart Cosmetics!

If the Muse had her way this is how MAC Hello Kitty would go down! Pretty, pink, and very kawaii is what Hello Kitty is all about!

How about you?

What would you change about the MAC Hello Kitty Collection?

How would you make it better?

Are you loving what you’ve seen of it so far?

Not so much?

Who would be your Muse (or model) for the collection?

Tell the Muse!

Does it freak anyone out that MAC is offering 25% Off a majority of it’s Holiday Collection? It kinda scares me a bit that the economy is taking such a slugger that even cosmetics are becoming discounted.

Hey, nice time for hauling but scary none the less!

Get 25% Off MAC Holiday 2008…Start shopping now!

MAC Adoring Carmine Gift Sets are down to $26.88 USD from $34.50 and MAC Passions of Red Palettes are down to $28.50 USD from $38

The only thing that remains untouched are the MAC Red She Said Color Story and the MAC Passionately Red Lip Palettes…..

I find it interesting that MAC is discounting. In all my years collecting this is truly a first!

Well…get hauling!

Disturbing or Awesome?

Tell the Muse!

Hmmm can we see some of this love directed at the MAC Monogram Collection? The Muse won’t protest too much!

MAC Passions of Red Review: Comparisons to MAC Royal Assets

MAC Passions of Red Devoted Poppy Lip Palette Review, Swatches, and FOTD

MAC Adoring Carmine Face Brush Set Review

MAC Little Darlings Softsparkle Eye Pencil Set Review and Swatches

Here’s something to get excited about! MAC Monogram is alive and kicking at www.maccosmetics.com

I do so admit that I was slightly disappointed with MAC Hello Kitty but MAC Monogram…..this is something I can get seriously excited and happy about! The collection looks stunning and quite gorgeous!

The following is being released with this collection

MAC Monogram Lipstick

• Status Symbol
• Marque
• All Mine
• Flourish

MAC Monogram Lipgloss

• Monodramatic
• Distinguished
• Identity
• Posh Life

MAC Sheerspark Pressed Powder

• Old English
• Personal Touch
• Keepsake
• Commemorate

MAC Monogram Sheer Mystery Powder
Light, Medium, and Dark

MAC Monogram Brushes

MAC Monogram Clutch

MAC Monogram Fragrance Set

I love the looks of the Sheerspark Pressed Powder! Nice to see these are a powder and not a cream highlighter! I also love the looks of the Monogram Lipgloss, the colors look quite stunning, I particularly have my eye on Posh Life!

How about you?

Wanting anything from this chic collection?

Saving your cash for MAC Dame Edna and MAC Hello Kitty?

Splurging a little on MAC Monogram?

Tell the Muse!

MAC Hello Kitty Collection

MAC Adoring Carmine Face Brush Set Review

MAC Cult of the Cherry Collection Review

Latest Obsession: MAC Beauty Powder in Soft Flame

Recommendations: MAC 183

Excitement is afoot today in the blogging world as news of MAC Hello Kitty hits the blogsphere! WWD has posted the first images and information on this coveted collect for MAC fans far and wide and although it looks promising the Muse can’t help but feel a tiny tinge of disappointment.