Musings of a Muse

Time to amp up Summer peeps. Want a perfectly cool coral blush for Summer? Loud, bold, funky, and fun?

My pick? the Balm Hot Mama! Likey!

Click it for a review!

I’ve been a big fan of the Balm Hot Mama since it’s release a few Summer’s ago. Such a great little blush. I’ve bragged it once or twice here and there and even did an article about it on Specktra’s Blog when I was posting over there for a spell a year or so ago.

If you like NARS Orgasm and Super Orgasm you’ll adore the Balm Hot Mama. Or maybe you feel like Orgasm is a bit too sheer and Super Orgasm a bit too shimmery…Hot Mama is neither. No shimmer here and plenty of pigment. It’s a warm, sizzling shade of popping coral that’s ideal for the Summer sun! the Balm loves making things easy to multitask so you can use Hot Mama on lids or cheeks, super!

I thought I’d pull it out today because it is one of my Summer Must Have Make Up Items and sure was worthy of a post all it’s own.

With a bit of pink, plenty of peach, and a whole like of heat this is a Summer blush you should be adding to your beauty arsensal!

Loves it!

Total Muse Approve for purchase!

I was even nice enough to compare Hot Mama, Orgasm, and Super Orgasm for ya. Aren’t I sweets?

Anyone own Hot Mama?

Lover?

Leaver?

Tell it!

The Muse is a fan of theBalm Overshadow, she recalls haulin’ all four when they originally released and loving all over ‘em!

You can steal them right now, along with theBalm Cabana Boy (yes someone has the bloody thing in stock), over at Chocolate Lotus.

w00t! These cute little pin up designed shadows are $12.75 on sale from the original retail price of $15. Snag ‘em now.

Alright, I admit I’m a little obssessed with Cabana Boy. Sue me. My last update I was biatchin’ about the fact that the Balm refused to take my phone calls or return ‘em. They obviously caught on that I’m stalkin’ their site and Sephora’s for any word on Cabana Boy.

Anyway.

That brings me to the fact that I got a little carried away and started googlin’ Cabana Boy in my spare time. It’s rather sad when you’re googling and trying to locate something and all the links that pop up for said searched item are pointing to your own website. Sigh.

After a little hard work, FINALLY (after weeding through my own numerous posts that popped up on google), I located someone selling Cabana Boy. Chocolate Lotus, whom I’ve never heard of, has the Balm Cabana Boy in stock! Bless be.

Not so blessed be.

They are on vacation and not shipping until July 13?

W
T
H
!

I swear I must have seriously pissed off the gods somehow because something is preventing me from buying this bloody powder.

I’ll keep you in the know as news progresses as the saga of Cabana Boy continues, that is if you aren’t already bored hearing about it 100 times already. I won’t rest until I have it in my greedy hands!

Well, the Muse was unsuccessful contacting the Balm today. They just aren’t picking up the phone or they are screening their phone calls and see “the Muse” on their caller id and refusing to say hai!

But…the good news is that Sephora has updated it’s site and the Balm Mary Lou Manizer is making an appearance…does this mean Cabana Boy is soon on his way?

Check out Mary Lou Manizer while we wait for him!

Click it!

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer ($22) is a pressed powder that can be used as a highlighter, shimmer, or shadow. It highlights with a subtle glow to soften fine lines and add a touch of soft shimmer to face, cheeks and eyes. Use it as an all over finishing powder or to highlight certain areas of your face or simply sweep it on lids for a hint of sparkle!

Likey but can we please has Cabana Boy now?

Remember theBalm Cabana Boy? No? Click it!

The day after I blogged it disappeared from Sephora forever. My question is where the hell did it go and when can I get my greedy hands on it?

A beauty mystery….

I’m calling the Balm tomorrow, will keep you posted. I need Cabana Boy in my life please for the love of makeup!

Cabana Boy? I need one!

Don’t be cheeky! I’m talking about the brand new theBalm Cabana Boy Blush! Hello pretty boy!

Recently, I fell hard for theBalm Down Boy Blush and the Muse can’t begin to tell you how giddy she is about the release of theBalm Cabana Boy Blush! Gorgeous!

theBalm likes us to get a bit of bang for our buck so this fresh pink dusty rose shade is good for making cheeks blush with color or shading our eyes with a touch of rose!

Oh my I so need a Cabana Boy in my life this Summer! $20 USD, available soon from Sephora and theBalm.

LIKEY! Alot! Keep ‘em coming theBalm, keep ‘em coming!

You know the Muse, she’s terribly addicted to concealers. I got many requests asking me to please review the Balm Time Balm Concealer for a while plus I got many recommendations from lovely readers who told me how great it was.

I decided it was about time that I try it out for myself to see if all the excitement that surrounds this particular concealer was living up with the Muse’s expectations.

It’s good. It’s not great and it’s not my holy grail concealer of choice but it’s not bad. the Balm Time Balm Concealer comes housed in a rather tiny little clear jar that’s about the size of what you’d get a pigment sample in. Although the packaging is tiny it houses plenty of concealer that should last well over a year. Also included is a tiny, circle sponge that blends the concealer in place.

Few fun facts about the concealer….

It’s not a moisturizing concealer in any way, shape, or form. If you’re older this is probably not one of the first concealers you’ll want to be reaching for simply because it takes a tiny bit of work to get it in place and blended in thus being older you aren’t going to want to do all that rubbing around the eye area so much (or even if you’re younger for that matter). The product is pigmented enough to hide up plenty of woes such as dark circles, puffy eyes, and fine lines. Although the concealer is more of “harder” texture than what I’d prefer it does cover up amazingly well.

I think the key to getting it blended correctly is using the small sponge it comes with. I twirl my finger in the top and dab a few spots under my eyes and proceed to pat on with the sponge. It seems to give a nice airbrushed look by applying this way but I do have to be careful with prepping correctly otherwise it creases and cakes terribly.

Coverage is good and the concealer performs pretty well all day without a touch up in between. I think if you prefer, for lack of a better word, a more dense concealer this would be something to consider. The texture is not creamy nor can it be compared to Benefit Boi-ing’s formula which also has a slightly “hard-like” texture. The feel of the product holds it’s own in the concealer department.

Overall, it a good concealer but I have doubts I’d repurchase if I ran out as I prefer a more moisturizing concealer. This would be a great one for those who prefer this style of texture in their concealers. Personally, at my age, I’m all about moisturizing concealers. This was nice and quite good but not on my to buy again list.

Anyone love it?

Tell the Muse!

Spring obviously signals the mating call and the need for men? We’ve been privy to Urban Decay’s take on men this Spring and today we’ll indulge our need for more men with the Balm Down Boy Blush and Shadow.

Hey, with a blush dubbed “Down Boy” I’m almost positive you’ll be irresistible to the guys this season!

the Balm is terribly underrated isn’t it? Taking into consideration that the line isn’t terribly big that may sway you from actually checking it out but the Muse does so solemnly swear that the Balm is well worth checking out, especially when they put out items like Hot Mama and Down Boy.

In the case of the Balm Down Boy Blush the Muse was tickled pink, literally, when she seen it. The idea of a baby pink blush appeals in a big way as my chubby little cheeks sure do love a good pink blush but the keyword here kids is “baby” pink. Baby pinks tend not to work well for me but I was determined to give it a go. Actually, come to think about it, does baby pink work for anyone!?

When I got my package it didn’t surprise me in the least that I was completely and utterly disappointed with the blush. It was extremely pale, chalky, and just unappealing. It was quite headed for the rubbish bin before I even tried it but lucky enough I did decide to dip a brush in and have at. Sure glad I did try as it turns out that this baby pink works quite the treat on a Muse’s cheeks.

First the packaging. Packaging is awesome as it has that retro glam beauty charm that I adore. It’s a flip top with a full size mirror and a cute vintage design. I’m a lover of this style palette, Too Faced is legendary for housing it’s cosmetics in similar style compacts, as they are easy to store, travel with, and just rather fun.

Although the powder is a tad on the chalky side I was pleasantly surprised at how well it blended and how much pigmentation it actually packs. The color is the perfect flush of pink that’s not overwhelming and looks very natural on. I can’t help but think at least one or two people are out there in makeup land who are hating on Benefit Posietint and of course these people will be more than pleased with The Balm Down Boy because the color is so natural and less of a louder pink when compared to Posietint. What’s interesting about the product is the buildability…gee is buildability even a word? I deem it a word! The product allows for a light application which gives just a touch of pink to cheeks or a few strokes will build it up to an even deeper shade of pink. But no matter how you use it, heavy handed or light, you’ll always end up with just the right shade of perfect pink. If you’re feeling the need you can easily use the blush as a shadow as it multitasks as a sweet pink on your lids! Pigmentation as I mentioned earlier is very good so you can easily build up a nice shade of pink on your eyes.

With Spring well on it’s way a natural, soft pink is worthy of your attention and the Balm Down Boy has it in the bag! I absolutely loved this and think it’s a perfect shade of pink and well worth checking out for yourself. I’m Muse Approving it for purchase with one downside, it’s rather a soft pink and won’t be flattering on all skin tones (cool, lighter tones go best with this) so points are deducted for that. Aside from that I think the blush is absolutely gorgeous and well worth checking out!

In the picture below I’m wearing Down Boy on my cheeks and on my lids!

A quick switch of gloss! I decided that Urban Decay Pocket Rocket Lipgloss in James was looking much better paired with the blush! So James is on my lips in this FOTD

It’s available at Sephora and the Balm’s website. If you purchase the Balm Kiss Me Goodbye Overshadow for $15 USD you can get 25% Off your total order when ordering on the site so you might want to hope over to take advantage. Just place items in your cart, check out and pay full price. the Balm will refund the 25% Off on a second invoice but I’m not sure when this is over so you might want to e-mail to ask.

Tried the Balm Down Boy?

Loving it?

Tell the Muse!

Sliding quietly onto the Muse’s radar is the new Spring Collection from the Balm for 2009.

I happen to be a big fan of the Balm so I was happy to see the latest updates to the line!

Jump ahead to read more about the new collection!

I simply love Hot Mama so when I laid my eyes on the Balm Down Boy Blush I was quite a happy kitten! Looking like the perfect pink shade this brand new blush is paraben free and has light reflecting particles….hmmm I think I like light reflecting particles, indeed I do!

I’m quite a fan of cream foundations so I found the Balm Time Balm Foundation interesting little product. On the heels of it’s classic concealer, the Balm has introduced a new creamy foundation that multitasks as both a foundation, concealer, and all in one wonder product that leaves skin flawlessly beautiful!

I’m interested in trying both so I might just go ahead and order.

What do you think?

Loving it?

Leaving it?

Tell the Muse!

Find out more at www.thebalm.com

theBalm has introduced a few interesting little palettes for the Holiday season!

Balm Springs $21 USD

Even though it’s Winter the Balm is taking us to the islands for the holiday season with it’s Balm Springs travel palette that contains shimmering golds and bronzes for a warm look!

Includes Overshadow in No Money, No Honey, shadyLady shadow in Shameless Shana, Pick-Up Liner in Casanova, and a mini shadow brush!

Balm Beach $21 USD

Take a trip to the beach this season with warmer shades of bronze, gold, and pink with the travel friendly Balm Beach palette!

Includes BalmShelter Tinted Gloss in Girl Next Door, shadyLady Shadow in Mischievous, Bahama Mama, and Hot Mama.

If you’re in for something a little bit different this holiday season I’m sure these will appeal!

Want ‘em?

Sporting a sparkling look this season or prefer a shimmering bronzey look?

Check out more of theBalm at their website!

theBalm Overshadow Review

theBalm Balms Away Makeup Break Up Review

Move over Hot Mama a new girl is in town! theBalm has introduced a new powder to it’s popular line up entitled Bahama Mama!

In the vein of Hot Mama this cute compact is filled with beach-worthy bronze powder to give your skin a sun kissed tan without the sun!

The Muse no likey bronze powder but she definately likey the cute packaging on this! I Heart Hot Mama but I can’t love Bahama Mama sadly! But hey for all you sun divas out there this be the perfect powder!

Love it?

Want it?

Tell the Muse!