Musings of a Muse

Fall Collections 2008: Urban Decay Matte Eye Shadow in Electric

By the Muse on August 4, 2008

in Face of the Day, Fall Collections 2008, Urban Decay

I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t disappointed when I heard about Urban Decay’s Fall Collection. They are introducing some seriously ridiculously, gorgeous lippies this season which are outrageous and the Muse is busy, busy, busy testing away however I was crestfallen when I realized the eye shadow selections for Fall are all new matte colors.

Le sigh.

The Muse is sad.

I heart the general catalog eye shadows that made Urban Decay an absolute cult favorite! Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine, and Glitter! So Muse-like!

I remember when Urban Decay introduced the matte shadows and how many sighs of utter relief soon followed. I just don’t happen to be part of the population that loves mattes so no sighing here!

Sorry.

I may be an itty bitty bit brokenhearted but Urban Decay definately made it up to me by introducing a new gorgeous, vibrant, popping aqua shade! The Muse is all over aqua! Psstt….don’t worry we still have the Winter Collection to look forward too!

This Fall Urban Decay has extended the matte line of shadows with three new shades:

Shakedown
Taupe Brown

Heist
Mauve

And my favorite….

Electric
POPPING Aqua!

Can you spell lust?

The Muse is lusting this shadow! Even though it’s matte I’m still loving the fact that I can apply some and dose myself with some heavy duty sparkle and shimmer right on top to make my eyes literally pop out of my head!

Loves it!

Since I’ve never reviewed the matte shadows prior to this I’ll give you a brief low down. They are extremely pigmented, wonderfully silky and easy to blend, and really bold and vibrant (did you expect anything else from Urban Decay?).

Urban Decay Matte Eye Shadow in Electric has “the Muse” written all over it baby! I did a rather outrageous aqua look with it this weekend and applied a ridiculously amount of MAC pigment in Mutiny right on top!

Pure perfection!

I’m loving this one and I’m slapping the Muse Approval on it for purchase!

Run to Urban Decay and Sephora to grab yourself a pot!

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil Review

By the way…

That happens to be Jelly Pong Pong Lip Cushion on my lips!

Share on Tumblr

5 Comments

Reader’s Request: Kevin Aucion The Sensual Skin Enhancer FOTD

By the Muse on August 4, 2008

in Face of the Day, Kevyn Aucoin, Reader's Request

As requested after my review of Kevin Aucion The Sensual Skin Enhancer here’s a Face of the Day using it.

I have nothing on my face aside from some mark Glossblossom since my lips are busy being chapped yak!

As stated in my review a little goes a very long way. I used the product as both a skin prep and a concealer for under my eyes.

This is the amount I used on my total face including under my eyes!

And this is what I came up with….no blush, no eye makeup, no mascara, concealer, or anything else. As you can see the product does a great job of making my face look fresh and my dull spots have disappeared!

I have very little to conceal on my face as my skin doesn’t have large pores, acne, or anything else however I do sport dull spots which drive me bats thus The Sensual Skin Enhancer creates a beautifully fresh look, erasing my dull spots, and prepping my face for the rest of my makeup!

I also happened to take this picture without using flash so you can get a better look at how the product works.

Share on Tumblr

26 Comments

Etude House Eye and Lip Remover Review

By the Muse on August 4, 2008

in Etude House, Korean Brands

I think we should all consider moving to Korea.

Anyone wanna come?

Hot guys, awesome food (spicy kimchi anyone?), and freaking ridiculously cheap skincare and cosmetics!

Etude House has an Eye and Lip Remover for mere pennies and it works a treat too! A friend of mine recently sent over a CP she did for me and she included a bottle of Etude House’s Eye and Lip Remover as a little gift and I must say it’s a rather awesome Steal and a Deal.

Totally a Beauty on a Budget find the only problem is getting your hands on some for a good a price as you would if you lived in Korea.

Knock, Knock! Hello? Etude House? Please come to the U.S.A.! The Muse and her friends here at Musings would be eternally grateful.

k thanks!

Talk to you soon!

The formula is one of those water base versus oil removers that you have to shake up! Once you’ve shaken it up a bit the liquids will blend together and you can wet a cotton pad and go to work removing your mascara, shadow, etc…

Shaken Up!

I tried this with various eye shadow and mascara combinations and so far it’s gotten everything off without a problem ASIDE from my Beaute de Kose mascara. That it wasn’t so successful at removing however it’s no fault of the formula. I’ve come to the conclusion I need gasoline soaked towels to remove Beaute de Kose mascara! That stuff is like permanent ink!

On everything else is did a simply great job of removing all my shadow, waterproof mascara, and whatever other eye makeup I was sporting toe the day.

Strangely enough the smell of this is kinda sorta like old lady perfume but I didn’t really find it unpleasant and thought it kinda added to the novelty that is Etude House.

I believe a bottle is about $2-$3 USD or so and at that price you can’t go wrong as it works just as good as the Sephora Eye Makeup Remover I favor.

It’s not Lancome Bi-Facil but it is a rather awesome little find should you get it for cheap.

The Muse likes it and gives it a Muse Approval for purchase!

Neotrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

Etude House Spring Makeup Collection Review

Balms Away Eye Makeup Break Up Remover Review

Share on Tumblr

17 Comments

Total Beauty in Women’s Wear Daily

By the Muse on August 3, 2008

in Babblings

The Makeup Divas reviews and shares photos of Mac’s Sonic Chic Mineralize Blushes in Dainty and Merrily.

Tink at Casual Lavish explores other color options for Chanel Rodeo Drive nail polish.

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings is having a fabulous giveaway of Marini Lash! Be sure to enter, and long lush lashes could be yours!

At Bare Budget Beauty, Jenn compares MAC Tendertones and the new L’Oreal HiP Jelly Balms! Which one do you think will win?

The Daily Cookie is celebrating her first reader newsletter with a GIVEAWAY! Sign up and enter for your chance to win a Kat Von D True Romance Beethoven palette for you and a friend.

Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy is back from her Caribbean vacation with a gorgeous Barbie-inspired makeup tutorial featuring pinks, blues, and purple hues from the latest M.A.C. collections!

Jamie of Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog questions whether hair extensions are worth the price.

Viva Woman shares a list of where to get free or inexpensive mineral makeup samples.

Is your makeup slip slidin’ away in the heat? Beauty411 shares her thoughts on Skindinavia Makeup Primers and Finishing Spray

Beauty’s SPOT addresses the toxic lipstick drama with, Lipstick, To Die For

Alison of the Advice Sisters Guide to Life, Success & Happiness Blog is loving a do-it-yourself fragrance kit by Bramble Berry that lets you create a signature scent in literally, seconds!

Beauty Anonymous shares a review on Guerlain KissKiss Maxi Shine – Sheer Colours Volume Effect Lipstick!

The Beauty of Life may have been a blush novice before, but with Benefit Posietint in her life now she’s totally hooked!

Beauty Tyrant has found the best waterproof mascara. She is currently swimming with mascara and loving her lush lashes!

Elke finds what was shown in the “Sex & the City movie, beauty wise.

Beauty Blogging Junkie shows you how you can channel a Mad Men character at various price points.

Glossypink gives you the lowdown on which Anastasia brow products are a hit, and which ones are a miss.

Fabulous Over Forty is talking Fall beauty collections this week. See what products are her favorites and what are not for women over forty.

Enter Beauty in Real Life’s giveaway for a Kara James Rae Wristlet and some CoverGirl cosmetics!

Spoiled Pretty is hosting an egg-cellent giveaway. Enter today to win a PedEgg! You know you’re dying to try it…

Frappelattes provides a how to apply foundation guide.

The Beauty Alchemist has preview pics of MAC’s Cult of Cherry Collection .

Share on Tumblr

5 Comments

Weekend Round Up

By the Muse on August 1, 2008

in Babblings

Hey girls (and guys)!

Tis the weekend!

W00t! The Muse be happy!

What’s your plans for the weekend? It’s a hot, humid one here in New York and your Muse has had some sincerely stressful days this week! Yak! So this weekend is all about chill-axing I’d say! I haven’t slept late in about 10 years so I’m thinking a little lay in is in order tomorrow morning with the AC blasting away, sleep mask on, and curled up under the covers! After that a bit of late brunch with mates sounds divine! I’m also thinking a brainless movie or two sounds good….How about The Mummy anyone? Or Journey to the Center of the Earth? That Brendan Fraser kinda does it for me!

I’m off to Defcon for a few days next week which should be a blast w00t! Very excited! Have no fear blogger now has an awesome schedule feature so even while your geeky Muse is away they’ll be posts to be had for all!

How about you? What are your plans this weekend?

Lazin’? Partyin’?

Tell me all about it!

Here’s a little weekend link love to keep you company while the Muse relaxes this weekend!

Happy Reading!

See ya Monday!