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.
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.
Brush hauling ahead peeps. Three new brushes were released with the MAC Colour Craft Collection, two of which I hauled!
Jump ahead for a peep and a babble about the new brushes!
When I was plotting my haul for MAC Colour Craft I got so obsessed with snagging the 131 that I almost missed out on the 226. The 226 was originally released with MAC BBR and it was sold out by the time I made up my mind I must have. Thank gawd the MAC gods were shining down upon me as it’s been re-released with this latest color story.
The 226 is quite like the younger sister of the 224. It’s slimmer, far less bushy, and denser. I love my 224 and couldn’t live without it but the 226 has alot going for it. The brush fits beautifully into the crease of my eye and blends shadow a treat. The bristles are light and dense enough so my heavy hand doesn’t overdo my eye makeup. I’m absolutely in love with this brush at the moment. It’s worthy of a look at and a pick up if you adore the 224.
The second brush I knew I had to have was the 131. The 131 reminds me of a fiber optic brush that I reviewed for you a while back ago. Although the 131 isn’t as bushy it’s almost an exact dupe for this brush so if you’d like a cheaper alternative grab the Aromaleigh version. As for me I’m loving the 131 for picking up a light wash of MSF or it’s rather ideal for deeply pigmented blushes as it applies very gently. Really a great brush and also worthy of a look at. Of course it contours and highlights beautifully as well but for the most part I’ll be using it with MSF.
Overall, these are two not to be missed brushes in my opinion particularly the 226 if you’re looking for a good, dense blending brush!
Large, giant, super size Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks should be illegal. I’ll happily roll around in the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick for Body, so luscious!
Sure it’s a little expensive, try $75 bucks, but this super size Shimmer Brick is about twice the size of Bobbi’s normal facial Shimmer Bricks and incredibly pretty (15g in size versus 10.3g). Loves it!
Created for head-to-toe use, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick for Body is a silky, lightweight formula made up of three shimmering shades of color to give a touch of a glamorous glow to arms, legs, décolleté, or if you’re being nuts use it on your face or as an eyeshadow, might as well get the buckage worth right?
My sister loves this thing and has tip toed into the Muse’s makeup room on many occasion to swipe it away. Cheeky older sisters that steal my Bobbi Brown makeup are so not cool, off with her head. I ended up letting her keep it and indulging in my own hehe!
The strips of color in this brick are dark bronze, champagne beige, and shimmering pink. The colors together cast a subtle glow of color onto your body. It’s quite an interesting effect as it doesn’t quite perform the way a normal Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick would. It makes arms and legs, especially tanned ones, glow with a pretty bronze sparkly finish.
Bobbi has a body kabuki brush to go along with this but I used my trusted Urban Decay Body Kabuki from last Summer’s Collection for brushing this on. I do suggest getting a good body brush for application as a tiny kabuki or any other facial brush won’t cut it. A larger size body brush sweeps color on evenly and smoothing for a perfect finish.
If you’re a sun goddess and you’re skin is tanned you’ll want to indulge in the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick for Body as I think it compliments tanned skin beautifully, I should know my sister is crispy as burnt toast at the moment and we tested it out on her toasty mocha skin. As for me? I’ve been using it as an eyeshadow palette and casually dusting my décolleté with it when I’m wearing a low cut shirt, that draws attention!
Expensive yes? Beautiful, for sures. A Summer indulgence you may have to lean towards this season (just grab it quick it’s LE!).
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!
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.
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.
I’m trying to recall, don’t interupt my flow here, if I ever tried Avon Glazewear. I think I have but maybe not?
Anyway the point is I really wants Avon Glazewear Liquid Lip Color in the newest shade, Coral Beat!
Check it after the jump!
Avon says that Coral Beauty is the color I should be wearing this Summer and I couldn’t agree more. Loving all over this flattering shade of coral with a kiss of orange! Likey! Plus it’s $6 bucks (or $1.99 with two other select purchases), seriously can I really go wrong for that price? If it doesn’t work out I won’t feel nearly as guilty if I dished out $20 or more right?
Ok, wait, Origins Gloomaway is back by popular demand? That’s what it says on the Origins site but I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never even heard of it and thought it was a brand new collection.
Thank gawd I’m hearing about it now because it’s awesomezzzzzzzz! FirePower!
Click it for a peep at Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Souffle!
So far I’ve only tried out Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Souffle but obviously I need to get to Origins quick and snap up the rest of this fine collection! Loves it!
Origins believes everyone needs a pick me up now and again and here you go products to make the gloom go away! I mean seriously who doesn’t want products to liven up things and make the day seem brighter? What better blend than grapefruit, orange and mint to get things going when it’s all about gloom sometimes.
Origins Gloomaway is the perfect blend of grapefruit, sweet orange, and mint. Honestly, I don’t get the mint but damn straight the grapefruit and orange is in there and cocktail’ed into a fruity, sweet candy-like finish that’s sure to please anyone who enjoys bright, sunny blends. The blend starts off with a tart almost sour note of grapefruit but blends into a candy-ish scent due to the sweet orange. A hint of mint can be detected for those with a stronger sense of smell but for the most part it’s ever so subtle. It’s difficult to explain but it’s unique that’s for sure and very, very pleasing. I think for the most part the combination of grapefruit and orange makes for a very sweet linger but dominant you’ll get alot of orange. Anyway, the point is it’s delightful and unique! Loves it!
Origins Gloomaway Body Souffle comes housed in this interesting little container. The bottom portion unscrews and you lift out the secondary container which has the moisturizer housed in it. For those of us liable to lose things this could be a problem as for me I just dig the packaging, dunno why but packaging tends to make me happy.
The souffle is heavily scented so it’ll linger quite long once applied on skin. It’s highly moisturizing and a luxurious cream, no skimping on this formula. It’s ideal for knees, elbows, and legs as it offers a heavy dose of moisture and leaves behind a beautiful blend or grapefruit and orange.
If anything the souffle wet my appetite to try more of the collection. Other items releasing in the collection are as follows:
Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Mist ($25) This I have to have!
Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Wash & Bubble Bath ($21)
Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser ($20)
Gloomaway Grapefruit Bath Bar ($13) Wants it!
For fun I also have a pack of the Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Gumballs, yay chewable optimism for chasing away gloom and doom! They taste like tasty grapefruit and orange!
Nom, Nom!
Overall, I’m quite excited to explore this collection further. I tend not to get too excited about Bath and Body items outside of Lush but this had me at first sniff. Loving it. It’s worthy of a sniff at your local Origins counter. But be warned you might become as addicted as I am.
Now I’m busy wishing for a bad day so I can chase it away with Gloomaway!
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!
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