Musings of a Muse

Excitement is afoot today in the blogging world as news of MAC Hello Kitty hits the blogsphere! WWD has posted the first images and information on this coveted collect for MAC fans far and wide and although it looks promising the Muse can’t help but feel a tiny tinge of disappointment.

I love Hello Kitty. My house is filled with ridiculous items that feature Hello Kitty like a TV, a microwave, a computer keyboard and mouse, many a handbag, and various other bits of girlish insanity! When I think Hello Kitty I think pink and girlish so imagine my surprise and shock when I seen the first images of the collection included…black compacts?

Um….

Ok…well black isn’t too bad…black is elegant and chic….but…but….the image on the compacts looks kinda blah!? When did Hello Kitty get so cheap looking? And how about that shadow trio pictured….that’s rather Heatherette like isn’t it!??! The shades look quite similar to what was released in the Heatherette shadow trios……

The good news is the collection is double star studded so you’ll be getting two releases one standard price and one high end. Hello Kitty Colour Collection contains the normal array of releases such as the shadow trios you see pictured, lipsticks, etc…where as Hello Kitty Kouture will include the crystal studded compacts we’ve all read about on forums, other blogs, etc…..

Pictured is the MAC Hello Kitty Colour Collection and I can’t help but feel a gloomy depression over it however considering I haven’t yet seen images pop up for MAC Hello Kitty Kouture I am keeping hope alive that this will redeem the looks of the lower end releases!

Of course I’m basing my opinions and thoughts on solely on the photos that have cropped up so far and really who knows, once I walk into MAC and see the collection for myself I may just fall over in ecstasy but at the moment I am a tad bit saddened by what I have seen so far.

How about you?

Do share your thoughts of this collection with the Muse!

What did you want to see released with this collection?

Shimmer, Sparkle, and Pink?

Black, Chic, and Elegant?

Tell the Muse!

Manish Arora for MAC Review & Swatches

FAFI for MAC Review

MAC Heatherette Review

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Majolica Majorca has updated it’s website with it’s new Holiday story, I Am Gorgeous. CLICK! The only site updated is the main Japanese portal as the official street date for the collection is the 21st and taking into consideration at the moment it’s the 21st already in Japan, it’s pretty logical the site has been updated accordingly! When other Asian countries will get the release is beyond this Muse but I’m sure it’ll shortly be available within Singapore, Taiwan, Etc…and followed up a few months down the line in other locations (aside from the US where we get NONE of the good stuff SIGH! RANT!).

I’m very excited about this collection although that’s not saying much as I’m always excited when Majolica Majorca updates it’s site. The Holiday Collection does look interesting to say the least and I’ll be partaking of everything released with it!

I think the star of the show are the new Majolumina Powder in Puffs. I’m normally not a fan of powders that are in the puff already but I am very curious about these and will be purchasing both as the price of 1,300 yen or so is truly a bargain!

Although I’m not the biggest fan of Majolica Majorca Gorgeous Wing Mascara I will be purchasing the new version released with the I Am Gorgeous Collection. The color is a orangy-bronze-gold brown which looks very nice!

And finally two new Majolook palettes! Yay! I’m looking forward to these! Again, not a big fan of the base cream shade but the trio of powder shades looks simply amazing so, I for one, am very happy about the return of Majolook and glad they didn’t do more Trick On Palettes for this reason! Honestly, BR788 looks very similar to a palette I already have but I’m all for getting this anyway!

All in all it looks like a very promising selection of items. They extended the line a tiny bit compared with Holiday 2007 as this year we are getting two powders, two palettes, and a mascara where as last year it was one powder, two palettes, and a mascara. Of course, the Muse is on board and will review this all for you shortly!

The site is very, very lagged at the moment so I recommend checking back later tonight or tomorrow morning to see the updates! The Muse is looking forward to the Singaporean update so I can read the story in English! Once you “find” all the items you’ll have a chance to download the special screen saver! Do grab it as it’s rather cute!

How about you?

Want it?

Loving the new palettes?

Indulging in any Majolica Majorca Holiday 2008?

Tell the Muse!

Majolica Majorca Gorgeous Wing Mascara Review

Majolica Majorca Summer Collection 2008 Review

Majolica Majorca Fall Collection 2008 Featuring Trick On Palettes

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There happens to be a thin line between love and hate. The Muse happens to love and hate Benefit Cosmetics! Some products she simply cannot live without while others make her so mad she sees red. And so the relationship goes when you’re loving and hating someone or something in this case.

Benefit has been on a great winning streak with the Muse lately, take into consideration they are releasing Benefit Coralista shortly…whoa…has to be a win this Muse thinks…also remember how wonderful Benefit Posietint was! Another score! Obviously it’s been a rather great release of products lately but sometimes Benefit has a dud or two here and there!

However, today I’m not on the topic of hate but more along the lines of passionate, undying love for Benefit Lemon Aid. My tale starts with a request from a reader asking me to review a few of my very favorite Benefit items and in this case Lemon Aid happens to fall into the favorite pile!

My story is actually quite short as Benefit Lemon Aid doesn’t have a whole lot of hoopla attached to it. It simply is and does what it says without anything in between! The simplicity of Benefit Lemon Aid is the reason the product remains a favorite of mine for at least 10 years now (could be more!).

Benefit Lemon Aid is a yellow based cream base for eyelids. So who honestly needs a cream base for eyes? Generally speaking when we choose to conceal our woes we are most worried about what lays under our eyes but not above! Lemon Aid happens to turn the situation around and offers concealer and coverage for our lids instead of under our eyes!

Do we really need to conceal our eyelids? The Muse likes to think so. After concealing under my eyes I notice that my lids are sometimes a tiny bit red, dull, or just not very awake due to dull skin around the lids. I could probably easily just use concealer on top of my lids as well but honestly I’ve tried and it simply doesn’t work.

So here in lays my solution!

Whip out my pot of Benefit Lemon Aid and go to work concealing my lids. A little dab here, a little dab there and my eyes begin to transform and I’m looking fresher, more awake, and ready for my day!

Lemon Aid is yellow based and flattering on all skin types, it’s formula is creamy yet dense enough to create a nice base for the next step in your makeup routine (think MAC paint pot texture!), and most important Lemon Aid manages to transform woe skin to wow skin with a pat here and there!

Do you need it?

Hells yes. It’s Muse Approved so that along means you need it!

Honestly, I simply can’t live without this stuff. It’s been said you can easily use it to conceal dark circles as well but the Muse highly suggests going by the book in this case and sticking to applying on the lid. This isn’t for concealing under the eye but over it!

Wakes up tired eyes? Check!
Creamy, Moisturizing Formula? Check!
Works as a great base for shadow? Check!

I think Benefit Lemon Aid pretty much has it all covered! It’s part of my daily routine for years now and I highly recommend checking it out!

Fair warning: I’ve heard many people rant about Benefit Lemon Aid and I’m quite shocked as I think it’s the awesome! Personally I think it’s a product that you need to test for yourself to see if you’re standing on the love line or the hate one!

Love it?

Not really?

Tell the Muse!

Benefit Coralista

Benefit Posietint Review

Benefit “That Gal” Review

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Guys! It’s like freaking 30 degrees outside!

Um hello holy coldness Batman!

I was bred, born, and raised in New York and I have to say the last few years have been thee most excellent roller coaster weather wise! I swear you never know what you’ll get next! Weather is like a box of chocolates here in our little city!

Al Gore told me it’s Global Warming but I don’t believe him because he also said he created the Internet!

Honestly, I remember when Fall was Fall and we had nice brisk weather that you needed a sweater for or a hoodie! Now a days it’s somewhat like getting ready to go deep sea diving as you need a snow suit and a pile of warm clothes to face the freezing cold outside!

The weather may be frightful outside but I can re-live the warmth of Summer by indulging in Demeter Swimming Pool Pick-Me-Up Cologne Spray! This soft, aquatic scent carries a fresh ozone base that’s reminiscent of a fresh laundered towel! Demeter Swimming Pool allows me to savor the warm weather anywhere, anytime (even in 30 degree weather) while I reminisce about the memory of a swim in a cool pool on a hot, humid day!

I hosed myself down with Demeter Swimming Pool this morning, stepped outside, closed my eyes, and pictured the warm weather.

Guess what happened?

I still froze my bloody arse off! But at least I smelled aquatic, fresh, and lovely! Thanks Demeter!

The Muse suggests checking some out! Maybe it’ll keep you warm this Winter!

Demeter Tootsie Roll Review

Demeter Tropical Dots Review

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I’m still on my special Target kick so today I’ll be reviewing Pixi Lip Blush! More Lip Stain! W00t! Excited? I am!

Overpriced? Check.
Awesome? Check.
Long Wearing? Check.
Find it cheap elsewhere? Definitely!

Pixi Lip Blush is sadly not the innovative product of the year as it’s been done over and over and over again by many a fine company! And actually, thinking back, it actually failed with every company that every put out a product like it.

What is it?

It’s a magic marker….you know like the ones you used in grade school to color on walls, kitchen counters, and other places your mum would give birth to a cow over! Remember those days!? Fun!

Basically it’s a marker that you can use to add a beautiful pop of color to lips! The formula is extra pigmented and super long wearing which makes it not for everyone simply because it does lend a certain kool-aid smile to the lips! This could be considered sexy by some and just plain weird by others! The Muse prefers her lippie products bold and vibrant so she actually likes the loudness of the color! A little Pixi Lip Blush, a bit of clear gloss and you’ll be good for hours on end…even after your gloss long wears off you’ll be sporting a killer lip look!

The product lasts literally for ever…on your lips and the actual product…as in it’ll keep going and going and going..for years if you so please! It doesn’t dry up and it doesn’t wear down like your favorite lipstick…it has a tendency to last for quite a while! How do I know? I’ve tried similar products from mark, Urban Decay, Bourjois and Sephora and they have all lasted me well over a year!

So problem….

It’s $18 USD and as we already know and established I’m not loving an $18 USD price tag at Target…mmmmmmm…dunno why…not sure the mentality behind it…but dishing out $18 bucks at Target makes me cry for my mommy!

Second problem….

Urban Decay started this craze a few years ago and it didn’t last and soon after mark and Sephora did their version and again it didn’t last so honestly I don’t see this lasting either. Reason? I don’t think many people actually like the idea of such a bold, unnatural shade on the lips! If your makeup lends itself to the gothic lolita (FRUiTS may appreciate it as well) side you can definitely dig this but honestly if you’re not up for “doll-like” cosmetics I’m doubtful you’ll want to give this a try! Which is why I personally think every company has failed with these.

Now…if Pixi and the other companies I mentioned did softer shades with less pigmentation they’d have a total winner on their hands but taking into consideration that the shades are highly pigmented and loud…def a loser!

All in all I loved Pixi Lip Blush! It applies awesome, has amazingly long wear on the lips, and it suits me wonderfully well…no likey the price though! I tried the shade Love with is a rather loud off orange shade! Suits me wonderfully well with a bit of peach blush, I’m rocking it! I’ve heard some people complain sometimes about how lip markers dry their lips out but I’ve never experienced this problem.

I’d prob buy it again if I seen it on sale but wouldn’t bother if it kept the $18 USD price tag! Yup, loves stains like this but it’s about the principal of walking into Target and paying less while getting more not vice versa!

So cheers on an awesome product but boo on a big price tag!

If you’re wanting some at a cheaper price you can scour the bowels of evil-bay (where all dead makeup goes to rest in peace!) and get yourself some of the mark, Sephora, and Urban Decay markers at really great prices.

How about you?

Have you tried the Pixi line at Target?

Love it?

Love Lip Markers?

Tell the Muse!

More Pixi @ Target Deets

Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel Review, Swatches, & FOTD

Pixi Eye Beaty Kit Review

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