Musings of a Muse

Aren’t random acts of kindness awesome?

I was discussing Bourjois Paris’s New Rouge Hi-Tech a few weeks ago and one of my readers in England kindly e-mailed me soon after asking if I’d like a CP for it!

A big thanks goes out to Laura for helping the Muse out! Laura sent over my stain with a beautiful card that is now gracing my desk!

You can thank her for this review since this new stain is not yet available within the US as of yet!

At first glance the packaging misleads you into believing this is a creamy lip color however its very much a stain! I couldn’t be more thrilled with this as my very favorite product from Bourjous Paris, Bons Baisers de Paris, has long since been gone from our shelves!

The packaging is identical to the Bourjois Paris Shimmer Shine Liquid Eye Shadow. Unscrew to reveal the top of the wand applicator, pop the applicator out, and you’re ready to rock.

The formula is your typical gel like stain that’s a deep rose pigment. These come in a few shade options and I got the deeper shade of pink available. I didn’t find the formula drying in the least. Since this is a gel-like texture it goes on very moist and wet and leaves behind beautiful, pink lips. I love the look of “just bitten” lips or lips that look like I just had a cherry ice pop and this indeed gives me that look!

This is an ideal item for Summer and definately makes its way onto my Summer Makeup Must Have list simply because it’s refreshing, light, extremely long wearing and gives a beautiful burst of color to my lips without being heavy!

I went ahead and got really random by applying it to my cheeks as well as my lips. I’m happy to report it doubles up as a killer cheek stain. Although I’m somewhat grossed out by using one product on my lips and cheeks (as you may have already read my distaste for this from my Stila Cherry Crush Review) I couldn’t resist trying this out. It gave my cheeks a lovely blushing color! I was so taken with it on my cheeks that I may just need a back up bottle to use as a cheek stain!

Un-blended

Blended

I’m thinking at this price you can easily use it as a Benefit Benetint or Posietint dupe! You get almost identical results plus it’s much, much cheaper! This was available on sale at Boots for £5.75 and will likely cost between $12 and $16 USD when it arrives on our side of the pond.

All in all Bourjois Paris has another winner on it’s hands! Rouge Hi-Tech definately gets a hearty Muse Approval!

The Muse is loving the cost, loving the fresh look it creates, and really loving the packaging! What’s not to like!

This morning I did a quickie FOTD using Bourjois Paris Hi-Tech Rouge on both my lips and my cheeks. I did two versions of the photo which shows me wearing the stain with and without gloss. I think the gloss really makes the color of the stain pop!

Without Gloss

With Gloss

The Muse is loving this stain!

Have it?

Love it?

Wanting it?

Tell the Muse!

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Oh how I love me some Shu.

Shu Uemura’s ridiculously gorgeous Summer Collection is available now for purchase and I can’t help but drool over all the yummie palettes released! I wants them all!

This collection isn’t actually a Summer Collection but the Birthday Collection. Each year a special Birthday Collection of LE items is released to celebrate the anniversary of Shu Uemura! They went all out with the collection this year and I’m yearning for everything released!

Three palettes were released, two shades of limited edition shimmer eyeliner, and three Eau de Toillete Sprays. It’s quite a luxurious selection of goodies as you might tell from the price tags on both the palettes and the sprays!

Each spray is $85 USD each for 1.7 oz bottle! Ouchie! I haven’t yet smelled these but I have a feeling they are probably worth the hefty price tag! Hey, sometimes you have to pay the big bucks for beauty!

Each palette is $65 USD and contains a serious array of awesome colors. Personally I think the price is justified as the palette contains quite a few shades and you can get plenty of different looks out of each!

As I mentioned each Eau de Toillete is available in three separate scents and is made from natural origin fragrance and pure deep sea water. The fragrance selection is as follows:

Fleur de Rose

Fresh Floral Amber

Fleur de Source

Refreshing Floral with Spicy Notes

Fleur de Terre

Fresh Floral with Woodsy Notes

Each bottle is 1.7oz and $85 USD each and available now at your local Shu counter or Shu Uemura’s website!

As interesting as the Eau de Toillete’s sound the real gems for me are the palettes! They are simply gorgeous and I’m dreaming up different ways to use mine! I only got one so far but I plan on purchasing the other two shortly! Each palette contains seven shades in a slim yet elegant compact.

The palette I’m testing out is the Fleur de Source which contains many a fine blue shade. From left to right the shades included are as follows:

A khaki dark green and oceany teal shade

Cherry brown shade and light lime green

Creamy beige and true aqua blue shade

Grayish sky blue shade

All the shades are paired up aside from the grayish sky blue shade which sits alone. I think it’s safe to say that this shade can be combined with any of the shades as a base or color wash to prep the eye prior to using the other deeper shades. The colors are all very vibrant aside from the one creamy, beige color which is light. The colors have a hint of shimmer and have excellent pigmentation.

The palette contains a dual tipped sponge applicator which I appreciate greatly as I prefer a sponge applicator for packing on such pigmented shades! Some people may be disappointed at the lack of a brush but I’m all for a sponge!

The compact is really small and slim but still manages to sport versatility and plenty of product for creating tons of different looks! Seven shades alone will get you seven separate looks just imagine when you start combing the colors? A slew of looks and one slim palette! Cool!

I haven’t seen the other two palettes in person but I think Fleur de Source contains the most vibrant, bolder shades of the three. You know how I adore bolder shades!

The palettes, as I said earlier, are available in three color shade selections which are identically named as the fragrances. They are as follows:

Fleur de Rose

Contains golds, browns, and more smokey shades

Fleur de Source

Contains blues, greens, and bolder shades

Fleur de Terre

Contains browns, pinks, and golden shades

Each palette is $65 USD and although it seems a high cost it’s actually a pretty good deal considering what good quality the shadows are and the amount of looks you can get from the one palette. Of course my opinion may just be bias as I love me some Shu!

All in all the Birthday Collection is truly smashing! Definitely head on over to your counter for a peek! I’m sure once you see the palettes you’ll want to take at least ONE home!

I did a really simple FOTD using the brightest aqua in the palette and the lime green! Fun right? I’m looking forward to creating other combos with this palette!

The palettes are definately Muse Approved for purchase!

Wanting this collection?

Loving the palettes?

Yearning for the scents?

Have ‘em already?

Tell the Muse!

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I imagine as a Beauty Blogger I’m supposed to boldly go where no man…errr…I mean woman has gone before.

Well in my case I am boldly going where I’ve never gone before! Sorry to disappoint but I’m positive a hundred other Beauty Bloggers have gone down this journey before but the good news is you now have my official take on a subject I detest with a passion.

Can you guess the subject?

Tanning.

Ugh.

The sun, bronzing, tanning….I HATE it all!

However, since I’m such a sport I decided to test out L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Airbrush Self Tanning Mist. Bloody hell that’s a mouthful isn’t it?

I’d never, ever try out a spray bronzer unless I truly loved you right? Right. I’m awesome aren’t I? Go on tell me what an awesome blogger I am.

Lord.

Well…what’s to say….

It’s actually really difficult for me to say “OH MY GOD I HATE THIS” because I actually don’t hate it. I hate the way it made my skin look but that’s me being bias against tanning, bronzing, the sun, etc…etc…..hey you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! I don’t like tanned skin and you won’t change my mind on the subject now pass the SPF 550 and shut up!

Spray, Spray, Spray your way to a beautiful tan!

But….

I will say only good things about this because it has some serious key pro points to it. First of all it’s cheap as day old chips and actually for it’s inexpensive price tag it works. Gasp, shock, WOW!

Honestly, it really does work. $10 USD and you got yourself a killer tan minus harmful UV rays! Wahooo! I’m all over it or I would be if I liked the tanned look. I tested this on the underside of my arm and only applied once. I sprayed it on Sunday night and although the bottle says to keep spraying 1 to 2 times a week to touch up I think I’m good to go as it hasn’t faded since application. This is great news for those of you seeking a long wearing tan but not so good for me as I’m sporting an arm that’s half tanned…can you say goofy?

It’s actually really easy to use which impressed me as this is my first time using a product like this. Exfoliate and spray! That’s it. The spray is a clear liquid which turns into a brown, orangey shade over night (I read a few other reviews that said they seen a color change within 30 minutes but I seen nothing until the next day!). You won’t see the results right away but come morning you’ll be sporting some serious color.

Honestly, one fault is that the color doesn’t entirely look natural but since you’ll likely be using this on your legs mostly and maybe your arms it should be ok plus doesn’t everyone always crow about how slimming your legs appear when tanned! Liquid spray on diet? Waiter, can I has some more of this stuff? I’m not entirely sure I’d recommend it for a very fair skinned girl. I tested it in medium so I’d say take a step down from medium if you’re lighter tone however if you’re medium fair or darker this should look good!

Pros:

• Cheap as bloody hell! $9.99 USD and you should be able to do both legs and both arms as well! You might even have a bit left over for touching up!
• Applies easy! No mess, quick drying!
• Fantastic staying power so far without touch ups!

Cons:

The color is a bit iffy so do a test spot prior to spraying an entire leg and realizing that the shade is so NOT you!

All in all I’m shocked to say that this stuff isn’t as bad as I originally pegged it out to be!

Would I Muse Approve it? No! The Muse does not approve of tanning even if it’s in a spray bottle hehe! Would I use it again? Sure, why not I could afford to look slimming, gorgeous, and tanned….maybe…kinda…..sorta…..

Try it out! You can’t really go wrong for the price and if you enjoy a good tan what better and safer way to look like you just hopped off a plane from Mexico!

Love spray tans?

Hate ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

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Bath and Body Works is slashing Awake cosmetic prices in half and not to be out done Victoria’s Secret has it’s fair deal of yummy sales during it’s Semi-Annual Sale this year.

Take a look for yourself and grab some while the grabbing is good!

Anna Sui Eye Color $6.99 USD (Originally $17 USD)

Anna Sui Eye Liner Pencil $5.99 USD (Originally $16 USD)

Anna Sui Rouge “S” Shimmer Lipstick $6.99 USD (Originally $20 USD)


Vincent Longo Wet Diamond Sparkling Eye Shadow $11.99 USD (Originally $24 USD)

Personally favorite of mine!

Vincent Longo Eyeshadow Trio $11.99 USD (Originally $30 USD)

Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Gel Stain $6.99 USD (Originally $22.50)

Another personal fav of mine!

The Semi-Annual is ongoing now so definately head on in to nab a few deals and maybe a steal or two!

Stop back here after your spree and tell me what you hauled!

I’m partaking of these deals for sure!

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I’m willing to give Benefit’s newest fragrance a try since I’m such a huge fan of Maybe Baby!

At first glance it sounds like a rather odd combo of notes. A blend of mangos, freesia, peony, and sandalwood? Whoa. That’s alot to partake of in one bottle.

But I’ll give Benefit a chance with this one! I’ll be heading into Sephora to have a sniff! Hey you never know it could be another winner!

Want it?

Tried it already?

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