Musings of a Muse

Meet MAC CremeSheen, 14 shades of creamy dreamy moisturizing lip color from natural nudes to vampy reds this collection has a little something for everyone!

• Creme D’Nude Pale
• Ravishing Clean
• Speed Dial Light
• Fanfare
• On Hold
• Speak Louder
• Modesty
• Hot Gossip
• Crosswires Clean
• Stay In Touch
• Brave Red
• Dare You Deep
• Party Line
• Hang-Up

Check out the selection @ MAC’s website and later this week at your local counter!

The Muse wants:
Brave Red
Hang Up
Party Line
and quite a few others…*sheepish smile*

How about you?

Loving MAC Cremesheens?

Tell the Muse what you’re lemming!

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Etude House Brightening Eyes Duo was released with this year’s Fall Collection. I like the idea that Etude House added a concealer to it’s newest releases. Not many brands concentrate on anything outside of color come Fall so the idea of releasing a concealer to go along with the rest of the selections is quite nice.

Etude House Brightening Eyes Duo consists of a stackable duo of products to brighten and conceal eyes. On top of the jar is a slide open cream concealer in a salmon color that contains hints of pink but has a dominant base of peach. Two things I found curious about this shade of concealer was the fact at how well it worked at concealing and also the unusual color choice for Asian eyes.

In consideration that Etude House is a Korean brand and mainly disturbed within this country I thought the peachy pink shade was completely unflattering for Asian skin tones. Normally concealing with a yellow based concealer works best for Asian tones but to randomly come out with a shade like this really puzzles me on how well it’ll work for those of Asian descent.

Blended

I was equally shocked that it worked well on me as I thought that the shade would be rather strange for concealing darker circles considering how flesh shaded it was. However, it does a pretty good job of concealing lighter dark circles.

The idea behind the product is to prep and prime lids and under eyes with the creamy primer that’s tucked under the main concealer in a pot of it’s own. The cream is moisturizing however this does not contain anything aside from some extra moisture for your eyes so don’t expect it to fill in fine lines or treat them by using this cream. The cream does a fine job of prepping the eye area prior to concealer and I like it very much for this purpose. The cream does is very slightly pigmented as well and brightens the eye area up a tiny bit. The cream count account for the name of the product “brightening eyes” because it does successfully brighten the eye area up prior to the cream concealer every coming into contact with your eye. After prepping with the cream you’ll follow up by using the concealer. Considering how well the cream has prepped the eye area the concealer glides on beautifully well and helps the blending process. I liked how well the concealer layered on top of the cream and created a soft focused look.

Although I love the duo and the look it left behind, it did have two main problems that prevent me from recommending this for purchase. One problem is the concealer lasts an hour, two if you’re lucky. Long wearing concealer is absolutely essential for me and this does not last long at all. The second problem is the product is good for lighter wear however it’s to sheer to conceal major problems. I personally feel like I need heavier coverage under my eyes and although this is buildable it still fails at completely covering all my woes. After 8 hours of good rest this may be good to use however if I’m looking at 6 hours of sleep and want to look like I had 12 I’ll be reaching for a better concealer for sure!

I love the idea behind the concealer and think it’s a rather perfect duo of products however the formula needs some work. I’d recommend it for younger eyes, those who have little to conceal, or if you just love cute products. I wouldn’t recommend it for aging eyes, heavy baggage and circles.

I like Etude House Brightening Eyes Duo but I’m not loving it! A little work and they could have a rather perfect little concealer product on their hands!

Etude House Face Designing Brightener Review

Etude House Plumping Lip Tint Review

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Philosophy has wasted no time in getting it’s Holiday Collection out there for all the masses to enjoy! This year looks particularly delightful and I can see myself wanting quite a few of the items I’ve seen popping up!

Concentrating on bringing back old favorites like Sugar Plum Fairy and Eggnog plus adding additional brand new items like Pink Bubbly and Holiday Angel, make Philosophy’s Holiday Collection an interesting selection of favorite oldies and brand new items!

It wouldn’t be Christmas without new Philosophy Three-in-One Shower Gels! This year some old favorites are back but I have my eye on the new ones! Orange Cranberry, Pink Bubbly, and Snicker-Doodle to name a few! I’m particularly curious how Pink Bubbly will smell considering how much I simply ADORE the original Bubbly!

Some treats for your lips tasting of yummie holiday goodies is always nice but how about a few that are wrapped up and ready to give or hang on your tree? Take advantage of giving gifts easily with pre-wrapped, ready to hang Philosophy Lip Shines in new flavors like Spicy Pear!

New flavors of Philosophy Lip Shines are available as well including S’mores and Holiday Angel! I have my eye on Holiday Angel which tastes like Angel Food Cake! Yums!

Pre-wrapped, ready to give Philosophy Three-in-One Shower Gels are simply adorable! New and old favorites are available in these cute little gifts! I have my eye on Caramel Mocha Latte!

And finally a few gift selections are available this year which include everything you need to spoil yourself for the Holidays! Angel Cakes Gift Set and Party Girl! I’m particularly interested in Party Girl which has a shimmering body lotion! Fun!

Whatever your pleasure for the Holiday Season plenty of new exciting gifts for giving to friends and family or yourself await you from Philosophy!

I definately see some items I’ll be spoiling myself rotten with and maybe I’ll share with friends and family…just maybe…!

Want any of these goodies?

Which ones are you lemming?

Tell the Muse!

Do go and check out more of the new selections available at Philosophy by clicking here! Definitely check out many of the new items for Fall as well!

Philosophy Haunted House Review

Philosophy Fall Collection 2008

Philosophy Green Apple Three in One Shower Gel Review

Philosophy Summer Collection 2008

Philosophy Three in One Shower Bubbly Review

Philosophy Sugar Plum Fairy

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I’ve been wanting to try out Lavashuca Perfect Base for a long time now just because of it’s cute yet elegant packaging. The product comes in a heavy glass jar that’s beautifully vanity worthy and reminiscent of Lavshuca’s Jelly Eye Creams from a while back ago (I don’t believe they make these anymore). I liked the packaging so much I decided to get both the Moist and UV selections.

I know, crazy. Buying something because I love the packaging is ridiculous but since I’m on my quest for the perfect skin prep and primer I might as well try out Lavshuca with the added benefit of gorgeous packaging right? Indeed, the Muse’s mentality on choosing makeup does borderline on the strange and unusual.

My favorite of the two primers would be the Lavshuca Perfect Base UV. UV is a heavy duty cream that does have a slight whitening effect to it. Yes, I’m one of those crazy girls that believes in the miracles of a whitening agent. The cream is a thick consistency so I’m unsure if I’d recommend it for oily skin types considering the formula however if you have dry skin especially with the upcoming colder weather this will be a god sent. The cream is very lightly pigmented and casts a certain glow onto your face. It’s not a ghostly effect by any means but just lightens up certain dullness and gives a nice rested look to your skin however it’s not pigmented enough to forgo foundation. It’s super moisturizing and a little goes a very long way at filling pores, smoothing skin, and doing a general prep prior to foundation. It also has the benefit of containing ingredients to protect skin from harmful UV rays which is always a bonus. Although it offered fantastic moisture and prepped my skin wonderfully well for the rest of my foundation, I did not notice any really difference when it came to the length of wear on my foundation. My foundation lasted the normal 4-6 hours after use of this particular base however in defense of the product I don’t think it promises anything in regards to setting foundation for longer wear. I’d recommend this base for those who seek extra moisture even after use of their normal moisturizer, anyone who’s looking for a thicker primer to fill in pores, and finally someone who seeks UV protection.

The second base I tried was Lavshuca Perfect Base Moist base which is considerably different when compared to the UV version. This base is much lighter and the formula is completely different. The formula is water based, with a lighter consistency and a gel like texture that has a faintly pink iridescent finish that’s not completely visible on the skin. I like this base for prepping the skin prior to foundation because it makes my foundation glide on and blend easier however as far as filling pores or extending the life of my foundation I wouldn’t recommend it as it does neither. I enjoyed the consistency of the product and think it makes a rather great prep for warmer weather however right now, when my skin craves added moisture, I think the UV wins out. The base will make a rather great primer for my Summer skincare and I imagine I’ll reach for this when I’m using lighter makeup.

As you can see from my swatches below UV has a slightly white cast once blended and Moist contains a tiny amount of pink shimmer. Although each has an unique finish once blended onto my face I didn’t notice any shimmer from moist nor did I notice a noticeable change in my skin tone when using UV aside from dullness disappearing.

Both are generally good bases and I liked them alot but I found nothing particularly exciting or unique about either aside from the packaging. If you don’t have a ton of primers and bases around I’d recommend picking one of the two that would suit your skin however I’m not particularly partial to either. They performed well enough and I liked them very much but the Muse isn’t in love!

All in all a rather nice set of bases to add to my every growing collection of skin prepping items!

Tried these?

Love ‘em?

What base or primer do you use?

Tell the Muse!

MuseTV Presents: Spotlight on Lavshuca

Lavshuca Rouge Star Classic Lipstick Review

Lavshuca Creamy Liquid Foundation

Lavshuca Spring Collection 2008 Roundup Review

Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes Review

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