Musings of a Muse | Makeup Reviews, Beauty Blog, and Swatches

Holika Holika Face 2 Change CC Cream Review & Swatches

By Isabella Muse on May 2, 2013 13 Comments

in Asian Brands, Beauty Abroad, CC Cream, CC Creams, Holika Holika, Korean Brands, Makeup Reviews, Swatches

Purchased

Holika Holika Face 2 Change CC Cream Color Control Cream SPF 32 PA ++ was recently released in Korea. Actually, Holika Holika Face 2 Change CC Cream is one of a few products in the Face 2 Change range but I’ll tell you more about those in upcoming reviews.

CC Creams got a big push this Spring in Korea and more and more brands are launching their own variations. At this point, I can honestly say, I am in love with the CC Cream formulas I’ve tried and dare I say find them even more wearable and user friendly than some of my personal favorite BB Creams. Tony Moly, Skin Food, Etude House, and Holika Holika are just a few of the many brands that are doing CC Creams at the moment.

Let’s take a look!

KATE Brightening Makeup Base for Cover Review & Swatches

By Isabella Muse on May 2, 2013 3 Comments

in Asian Brands, Beauty Abroad, Facial Primer, Japanese Brands, KATE, Makeup Reviews, Swatches

Purchased

KATE’s new nifty Brightening Makeup Base for Cover might be something to pick up if you suffer from duller skin and have a need for a brighter appearance.

This creamy yellow base can be used to prep with prior to foundation application and brightens up skin while easing dullness.

Take a peek!

Lavshuca Candy Pop Eye Base Review & Swatches

By Isabella Muse on May 2, 2013 10 Comments

in Asian Brands, Beauty Abroad, Eye Primer, Japanese Brands, Lavshuca, Makeup Reviews, Muse Approved, Spring Collections 2013, Swatches

Purchased

Lavshuca recently introduced a range of eyeshadow singles entitled Candy Pop. Along with this release Lavshuca Eye Base Primer makes an appearance in two different shades (pink and beige) which I decided I might as well try out.

I really don’t need another base at the moment but the cute pink tin was partially responsible for my spontaneous purchase, come on, cut me a break, you know I can’t resist cute packaging.

Sigh.

If you already own KATE Eyeshadow Base Primer you probably don’t need the Lavshuca Eye Base however, I will say that it actually seemed to perform a little better than the KATE formula. Of course, I might be just imaging that as KATE and Lavshuca are sister brands created by the same parent company, Kanebo.

Take a peek!

Mark Color Me In Lip Crayon Review & Swatches

By Isabella Muse on May 2, 2013 6 Comments

in Avon, Lip Pencil, Makeup Reviews, Mark, Summer Collections 2013, Swatches

PR Sample

Mark is right on trend with their new Color Me In Lip Crayons. Chubby lip pencils have gotten a big push for Spring/Summer and the new Mark Color Me In Lip Crayon joins the ranks in three shades.

I think Mark loses a few points as each of these are $12. Ouch. I think of Mark as a lower end brand that should have prices competitive with the drugstore or perhaps a smidge higher. Considering Revlon, Covergirl, and a slew of other drugstore brands have their own version of these tinted lip crayons at a far lower price (especially during a sale), Mark cuts themselves out of the equation slightly as you might second guess splurging.

But….

Price doesn’t account for quality. If they are amazing that would definitely make me lean towards dishing out that twelve bucks faster.

Are they?

Nivea Lip Butter Review & Swatches

By Isabella Muse on May 2, 2013 30 Comments

in Beauty on a Budget, Drugstore Makeup Brands, Lip Balm, Makeup Reviews, Nivea, Swatches

Purchased

During out last discussion about the new Nivea Lip Butter we had a house divided here in fair Verona (or Musings of Muse whatever floats your boat, it’s almost time for Shakespeare in the Park, cut me a break alright?).

No seriously, I got a ton of mixed impressions about these lip butters. Some folks loved ’em, some folks hated ’em, some folks thought they were over hyped…after trying them I understand ALL of your feelings.

How’d I feel about them in the end?

Follow the Muse!