Musings of a Muse

I know, I know. You’re probably tired of my babblings about Pop lately but I can’t help myself they have come out with some truly awesome items lately.

What started out as a few palettes for the eyes has turned into an entire line up of fantastic palette after palette after palette releases that are such a steal!

The newest palette entitled Smokey Rose combines not only a ton of eyeshadows but also gloss and blush this time around! Sweet!

The Muse likey a palette with tons of goodies that covers my entire face! The convenience of a do it all palette thrills me to absolute pieces!

So, What’s the scoop? What do I get?

Let me tell you……..

You get 12 Eyeshadows, 4 Cheek Colors, 2 Lip Colors, and One Dual Ended Brush for $42 USD! That, my dear girls, is a steal in my humblest.

You’d pay close to $35 USD anyway for six shadows or so in a palette! This gives you eyeshadows plus cheek colors plus lip colors plus a brush..what more could you possibly want?!

Shadow Selection

Blush Selection

Lip Color Selection

If you’re on a bit of a budget this is a great palette as it offers so much variety for a small cost. If you’re a no nonsense type of girl that doesn’t like stashing large quantities of cosmetics this would be for you as it has a healthy selection of goodies stowed away in a cute checkbook style wallet!

The shades in the wallet range from darker to medium to lighter. Lighter can be used as a highbrow highlighter or as an all over color wash for prepping the eye area while the darker shades can be used to smoke your eye out or to use as a liner and finally the medium shades can be used on the lid.

You can get very creative with the palette and create dozens of looks!

The blushes range from bronzey to pink and lighter to darker. You can use the darker shades to contour the face and the brighter colors on your cheek bones! The lip colors included are a deep shade of cranberry stain and a lighter glossier pink. The stain gives the appearance of just bitten lips while the glossier nude pink looks gorgeous on top for a bit of shine!

Tips and Trixs for Application:

• Use any of the 4 darker shades as eyeliners to line and define the shape of your eye!
• Apply a medium tuned color onto lid and blend into crease to create a gorgeous look!
• Apply a nude cheek color all over the cheekbone and a pink color on the apples of the cheek only!
• Stain lips with the cranberry stain and dot pastel pink in the middle of the top and bottom lip for a plumper, fuller lip look!

The Muse is loving Pop lately and thinks the newest Smokey Rose Palette is definately gorgeous! The packaging is a gorgeous snap close, faux croc purple wallet with a loop for holding the brush inside. Easy storage! Easy for toting around in your purse!

Pop’s Smokey Rose Palette is most definately Muse Approved for purchase! It’s pigmented, it has a large selection of gorgeous goodies, it’s compact, it comes with it’s own brush….yup, it’s definately Muse Approved!

It’s Mother’s Day soon maybe grab one for your Mum and yourself while you’re at it!

Click to visit Sephora and purchase your Smokey Rose Palette! The Smokey Rose Palette is available exclusively to Sephora and is Limited Edition so grab it while you can!

Click here to read my review on Pop’s Day to Play Palette!

Click here to read my review on Pop’s Rose Belle Blush Palette!

Click here to read my ravings for the Pop Eye Cake!

It’s starting to warm up here in New York. It’s not quite humid yet nor is it sweltering hot but it’s warm enough to make my normally dry skin take on a tinge of oily!

My forehead suffers most in the Summer and becomes a fun mirror of shine and oil!

Never fear, Lush is here to save the day!

When the weather warms up and I know my skin will begin it’s descent into the depths of oily hell I turn to Lush Tea Tree Water to clear up my skin and make it matte and normal once again!

I spritz this on in the AM prior to my normal moisturizer and it mops up excess oil and preps my skin for my moisturizer! When I take off my makeup for the night I spritz it on again prior to my night cream! It keeps me oil free for about 5-6 hours depending on how hot it is and how long I’m outside! You can of course tote it around for fresh ups but I wouldn’t recommend using it on a made up face! I never have to worry about this drying out my face the way normal toners do as it’s 100% Alcohol Free which makes it gentle on my skin and not tight feeling after spraying on!

If you happen to suffer from acne this is a wonderfully refreshing toner for detoxing your clogged pores and not drying out your skin! I personally use it on my T-Zone during warmer days when oil rears it’s ugly head!

The smell is refreshing and it doesn’t sting the way some toners tend too!

For me it’s an absolute “must have item” for the long, hot Summer ahead!

Good-bye oily skin! Hello, Gorgeous!

Lush Tea Tree Water is most definately Muse Approved for purchase!

Love Lush?

Use this already?

Tell the Muse!

Click here to learn more about my Lush Skincare Regime!

Click here to learn how to clarify your hair using Lush’s Haircare line!

Click here to read a review on Lush’s Solid Perfumes!

Click here to read my review on Lush’s Limited Edition Shower Gel, Ghost!

I know people warned me. I know people ranted at me. I know people even bitched at me to stay away from MAC Dazzleglass but sorry guys all your ranting, bitching and warnings went in one ear and out through the other when I was presented with the display of DazzleGlass at the MAC counter. I truly value your opinions and hold them in high esteem but this time I beg to differ with those of you who shouted dismayed warnings about how bad DazzleGlass was.

It’s simply awesome.

Sorry. But it is.

I lurve it.

I got myself 6 of the 16 colors and I’ve convinced myself I must have them all (in order to be master of the universe you see)! They are gorgeous glosses!

Glittery, Shimmery, Pigmented! What more could a girl want or need in a gloss?

The photos you’ll find below are all taken in soft white light, no flash was used so you can see the true colors of the products! Hope this helps when making your selections!

Many rantings of sticky and tacky have arose and I’ve decided to make my peace with MAC Lipglass and MAC glosses in general. I’ve realized that since it’s so sticky and tacky it lasts longer on my lips than the everyday average gloss. It doesn’t slide off, it doesn’t smudge, it stays right where I want it for long periods of time minus touch ups! I can’t believe I’m saying this but CHEERS to sticky, tacky gloss!

DazzleGlass is no exception to the rule. It’s sticky and it’s tacky but it lasts all freaky day and gives your lips a gorgeous, healthy dose of glitter! I’m a glitter freak so I couldn’t be more excited about this collection!

And the colors?

Wow!

Awesomeness!

The colors are insanely pretty. There’s a little something for everyone in this collection but if you’re honest with yourself you’re going to be like me and just want every single color!

I get tons of questions about the taste and scent of various MAC lip items and to answer before I get the question, yes it’s vanilla tasting and scented. Not the greatest taste in the world I agree but the color variety and beauty of these forgives the terrible taste. Please MAC can it be minty fresh time now and kick the vanilla out? Thanks the Muse Hearts you!

DazzleGlasses appear larger in size but are actually smaller with a bigger price tag. I mentioned this in a prior post but once you see the collection for yourself price and size won’t matter much since you’ll be blinded by the gorgeous array of shimmery glosses on display!

I am still shaking myself silly for only walking away from the counter with six of these! I needs more I tell you!

I’m quite confused as I read on a few reviews that this had a gritty texture but I haven’t experienced that. The glitter is very finely milled and you can’t feel it at all on your lips so where the feeling of grittiness comes into play is beyond me! I haven’t had a problem with residue glitter either once the gloss has worn off. Once the gloss is gone, chewed off, smudged off, etc…so is the glitter. No residue glitter left over!

As I mentioned the color selection is outstanding and these are quite happily pigmented enough to wear on their own or over your favorite lipstain or lipstick!

The colors I got were:

• Glamour O.D.-This is bright pink with hints of coral!
• Get Rich Quick-This is probably my favorite of the bunch! I’m picturing how great it’ll go with peach blushes! It’s a warm brown that’s very flattering on my skin tone!
• Spanking Rich-This is a deeper pink with hints of mauve to it.
• Love Alert-This reminds me of watermelon! It’s a bright pinky red with hints of fuschia!
• Steppin’ Out-A true pink.
• Date Night-A purple pink that has a bit of a blue undertone!

If you love glitter, if you love shimmer, if you just love glosses DazzleGlass most definately be for you!

The Muse gives the MAC DazzleGlass Collection a big seal of approval for purchase!

Well done on this one MAC!

The Muse likey alot!

Stay Tuned for FOTD’s using MAC Dazzleglass!

Have these?

Love ‘em?

Want ‘em?

Absolutely need to have ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

Click here to check out my first FOTD using MAC DazzleGlass in Date Night!

Click here to check out my FOTD using Glamour O.D.!

Click here to see my FOTD using Love Alert!

Here’s a Steal and a Deal for you guy!

Fashion Designer, Lela Rose, has teamed up with Beauty.com and designed a cute little makeup bag filled with awesome goodies.

The bag and the samples (some full size) are yours completely free with your $100 USD Beauty.com purchase! The bag and included goodies are valued at $120 USD wahooooo!

I wants one as it looks like an adorable little tote for for stashing my makeup in instead of tossing it into the bottom of my purse as I’ve been known to do!

The bag includes all of the following goodies which tempts me further:

Arcona Cranberry Toner
Alterna Caviar Moisture Shampoo with Seasilk
Urban Decay Primer Potion
L’occitane Verbena Harvest Shower Gel
L’occitane Verbena Harvest Body Lotion
Vincent Longo La Dolce Vita Lashes
Vincent Longo The Curl Mascara
Freeze 24/7 IceShield Facial Cleanser with Sunscreen SPF 15
Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash
Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy

Wowser this is obviously packed full of good stuff! I seriously want to do an order just to get the bag! Is that terrible?

Might I recommend a few of the following to rake that total up to $100:

Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Story $35 USD


I seen this in person at my local Arden counter and fell absolutely in lust with it! My sister picked it up for herself and I must say I’m incredibly jealous! Even though I’m not much of a bronze lover this palette strikes me as a love!

Wants it!

Tarte Trust Fund Baby $28 USD


Tarte’s newest and cutest lipgloss trio tucked into a credit card wallet. A place for your gloss and a place for your credit cards and cash! Perfect right?

Aquolina Mousse Corpo $10 USD

Aquolina spreading it’s wings within the US with this awesome set of Body Mousse. Cherry, Vanilla, Pineapple, and Apricots await you with this adorable and affordable set!

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush $195 USD


You know you want it! And it’s freaking pink too!

Click here to check out what’s currently on sale at Beauty.com!

Click here to nab yourself some cool freebies with your purchase (aside from the gorgeous Lela Rose makeup valise).

Happy Shopping!

Oh.
My.
Freaking.
God.

The gorgeous Janice has dished up news about MAC’s Holiday 2008 Collection and I think I just had a heart attack! It looks simply divine!

Entitled “Red She Said” this collection focuses on the gorgeous hues of the ever traditional color Red.

I guess now is a good time to start saving my pennies so I might indulge in this interesting and exciting collection! Although I admit that the palettes have failed to wow me. I wish MAC would do a different shape for once but oh well!

Click to visit Specktra and Janice to learn more about this ridiculously exciting collection!

I’ll follow in a minute just let me catch my breath! Phew!

Want it?

Need it?

Can’t breath?

Tell the Muse!

I probably should start this review by expressing my deep love for Bourjois Paris mascara. Prior to becoming a total addict and junkie to Japanese Brand Mascaras I was a complete Bourjois Paris fan girl when it came to mascara!

Bourjois Paris makes some sincerely great mascaras and I have quite a few in my makeup arsenal that I absolutely adore using daily!

I picked up a Bourjois Paris Volume Clubbing Mascara a week or so ago when doing a Sephora order and I should have seen the writing on the wall with this one. I should have reminded myself that lately Bourjois Paris has fallen off the awesome mascara bandwagon. Example: Yes To Volume, No To Clumps how about they reverse the title and say YES To Clumps and No Volume At all!

I’m a huge fan of Bourjois Paris Maxi Frange and I was somewhat hopeful that Volume Clubbing Mascara with it’s big chunky applicator brush might be the next awesome deal on the mascara hit list.

Awesome, no.

Crap, yes.

I purchased this rubbish for $17 USD in the color Brun Remix. Since I have only one other brown mascara in my entire mass collection I was thinking how beautifully it would compliment my eyes. The color is very nice. It’s a chocolate brown with a tiny sheen of lighter gold!

As I mentioned the brush is big and chunky which I always find great for application however in this case I think both the brush and the formula of the mascara just create one big, nasty mess on your lashes.

L@@k kids a hot mess waiting to happen!

I curled my lashes prior to use and proceeded to apply. What came out was a clumpy mess of wet mascara. My lashes were literally stuck together in large, wet chunks. It was thee most disgusting look I’ve ever gotten from mascara. This failed to separate my lashes, yes I did get some volume, but forget the volume what about the mess of clumping I had going on here?! It almost felt like I was applying really old mascara to my lashes. Every notice when mascara ages it tends to clump lashes up badly? That would be the case with this mascara.

It’s seriously a mess to use, an absolute mess.

After spending the next five minutes coming my lashes out and disturbing the product better with my own mascara comb, since the bloody brush was of no use, I decided I’d give it a test drive out for the day.

Flaking, smudging, raccoon eye nightmare.

Bad, bad idea to go out of the house with this crap on my eyelashes.

I came home with flakes of mascara all over my cheeks, dark, runny streaks of mascara under my eyes, and just grossness all around.

I am so utterly and completely shocked and disappointed how bad this truly is.

Bourjois Paris Volume Clubbing Mascara gets a big fat DON’T BUY from the Muse!

Hate it!

Big waste of cash!

Tried this?

Love it?

Hating it as much as the Muse!

Speak to me!

Since MAC Mutiny Pigment is my current obsession I’ve been looking through my collection for various items to pair up with it!

Since it’s so beautiful I did decide that it would be best to try it all by itself when I finally get around to doing an FOTD with it!

However, while seeking colors to match up with it, right under my nose, happened to be MAC’s Pop Blue/Black Funk Dual Ended Eye Pencil from the Heatherette Collection!

Ahhh a marriage most wonderful!

How about you?

Loving Mutiny?

What are you pairing up with it?

Tell the Muse!

Here’s an interesting little product you might want to try for yourself, Balms Away Eye Makeup Break-Up from the Balm.

You might be wondering why I am recommending you a $19 USD tin of what appears to be Vaseline.

I guess in a way this has the same benefits that simple, cheaper Vaseline does however I definately like this much better than your average run of the mill jar of petroleum jelly!

What is Balms Away anyway?

Basically it’s a very emollient jelly eye makeup remover that’s packed full of Vitamins, Sterols, Lipids, and most importantly moisturizing goodness for your eye area!

I normally use Sephora Eye Makeup Remover which runs me about $8 USD. It’s the best remover I’ve come across that takes it all off with a nice low price tag. Lancome’s Bi-Facil is another favorite of mine but at $26 USD I cringe to purchase it!

So why shell out $19 USD for this tin?

Simply, because it works.

For one thing it’s a large tin at 2.2 oz and since you’re only using a very small amount it should last you a while. Secondly, the moisturizing benefits alone really make me happy! My under eye area seriously needs as much moisture as it can get right now and after massaging off my eye makeup with this my eyes feel so very soft and my lashes conditioned. I experience less lash breakage as well since I’m not tugging around with a cotton ball drenched in eye makeup remover.

How’s it work?

Simple.

Take a tiny amount, close your eyes and massage. Wipe clean with a cotton square or some tissue. One swipe should get it all. I choose to rinse with warm water after I swiped it away with cotton. That’s it, Bob’s your Uncle! Eye makeup all gone and fresh, moisturized eyes in it’s place!

The texture quite reminds me of Vaseline. It’s a jelly formula that glides onto your eyes easily. That temporary feeling of cloudy eye vision when I’m using an oil based remover is easily avoided with this. It clearly states on the directions to keep your eyes closed when using but I did crack them open a little to locate my cotton squares and after removal I didn’t experience temporary blindness or cloudy vision which totally made my day as I really hate that feeling!

I like this. I know it’s rather expensive but I’m on the bandwagon for a repurchase when I’m finished with this tin! It’s fragrance free for those of you who aren’t too keen on scented products! It removes heavy duty eye makeup including waterproof mascara which is a big plus for me!

Pros:

• Removes heavy duty eye makeup including waterproof mascara!
• Less tugging while removing your makeup! Gentle massaging gets everything off!
• Less lash breakage!
• Packed full of goodness for your eye area!
• Conditions Lashes!
• Moisturizes your entire eye area while it removes your makeup!
• Love the retro packaging!

Cons:

• Price is a bit much but worth it in my humblest opinion!

All in all I’m rather happy I spontaneously purchased this. I know the price is a bit much but in the long run I’m thinking it’s worth it.

Balms Away Eye Makeup Break-Up is most definately Muse Approved for purchase!

Tried this?

Love it?

Want to try it?

What are you using to remove your eye makeup?

Tell the Muse!

FOTD time using MAC Naughty Nauticals!

I heart this collection so much! Lovely Lily went wonderfully well with Submarine Blue! I’d never have thought to pair up the two if it wasn’t for this face chart:

Sadly my look didn’t come out as smokey as the MAC look. I wish mine had that grayish/black tint to it that the face chart did but mine came out more true blue.

Oh well!

What I used:

Face
Pop Rose Belle Blush Palette

Eyes
MAC Eyeshadow in Submarine
MAC Pigment in Bell-Bottom Blue
MAC Pigment in Lovely Lily

Lips
MAC Lipstick in Port Red
DuWop Lip Venom