Musings of a Muse

Click through some past posts from yesteryear!

This Time Last Year I was Musing about…..

This time last year I was thinking mark Gorgeous Eye Trios were quite a cute little value!

This time last year Vincent Longo Liquid Eye Shadow failed to wow me!

The This time last year Banila Co Sun Blessed Collection caused one or two lemmings!

This time last year I was busy musing a plenty about the Susie N.Y. Summer Collection 2008!

This time last year I remembered how much I fancied Bourjois Paris Rouge Hi-Tech Lip Stain!

This time last year my lust for the Shu Uemura Fluer De Source Palette knew no bounds!

This time last year I was digging all over Red Point Airbrush Effects BlushWhip (I still reach for this daily!).

This time last year Beaute de Kose Summer Collection 2008 was a story I shared with you!

Hope you enjoyed clicking through some past posts from last year! Do check out all my archives located on the left hand drop down menu.

The Muse loves Chicago. LOVES IT!

(Taken Summer 2007)
Chicago is possibly one of my fav cities in the US. It’s like a mini Manhattan but with a quiet sophistication and calm that New York lacks. I love my city but I def have a special place in my heart for Chi-town!

Speaking of did you see the new NARS Loves Chicago Set exclusively at Barney’s? WANT! This brand new set contains NARS Babylon Eyeshadow Duo, NARS Transformer Nail Polish, NARS Passion Blush, and NARS Nigh Bird Single Eyeshadow ($75 USD). Each item will be remained to Wicker Park, Millennium Park, Windy City, and Michigan Avenue in honor of Chicago namesakes. This set will be exclusively available from Barney’s New York starting June 17th for a limited time.

If you’re loving NARS you can meet the founder and creator of the brand, Fran�ois Nars at Barney’s!

Click below to get the scoop!.

Fran�ois Nars will be making a special appearance Barney’s New York in Chicago (15 Oak Street) on Saturday, June 20th from 2 to 3:30PM. Damn makes me want to hop a flight to have a sit down and visit with the master himself. Think he’ll consider doing lunch with the Muse?

If you’re in Chicago, lucky you, take some piccies for the Muse!

So you already know how much I hate mineral foundation right? Not really a fan here, ‘ello! In it’s defense I have had success with one or two mineral foundations however not enough success to make me toss out my cream foundation anytime soon.

As of late I’ve been hearing the ravings about how a Flock Sponge can make mineral foundation application an absolute dream. Obviously I needed a Flock Sponge for my very self since I’m absolutely stupid when it comes to tapping and buffing and and swirling and all that stuff. Kinda reminds me of stop, drop, and roll. Seriously, one day, in a few years, you’ll drop your kids at school and they’ll be a fireman there to give a demonstration on how to swirl, tap, and buff.

So about that Flock Sponge and how it’s going to change my life….

Jump ahead to read the review!

I wonder to myself if maybe my problem with mineral makeup was all that tapping, and swirling, and buffing. Maybe I haven’t quite gotten the hang of all those tasks to get a simple foundation on my face. Word on the street is that a flocked sponge is the easiest way to get a good finish from mineral powder on your face and also makes it last longer. Hmmm! Ok, what’s this all about than?

A flock sponge gives medium coverage and creates a flawless, pore-less look when applying mineral foundation with it. It can also be washed and used over and over again.

I’m pretty much pore-less. That’s how my skin is. Pores are the least of my worries so achieving a flawless finish with a fancy named sponge wasn’t all that appealing however they did have me at flawless, even coverage plus the simplicity of not having to buff and tap and swirl anything about sounded quite good to me.

The sponge isn’t your typical run of the mill sponge. It has a velvety, felt-like finish and indeed it does what it promises. It smooths mineral foundation onto skin in a very light almost caressing way. Coverage can be light, medium, or heavier depending on how much you use. It does offer a more even coverage and takes out the drama of having to buff foundation on. Simplicity is always a great option as far as the Muse is concerned. Taking away multiply steps to apply my foundation is a welcome relief. Now you may worry that applying with a sponge will give you a cakey, heavy feeling but the flock sponge somehow manages to pick up just the right amount of product, smooth it on, and create good, flawless coverage without creating a mask of makeup. I’m particularly enamored with the sponge because it somehow makes mineral foundation feel less like a mask on my skin, I feel less made up when using the sponge and it feels like my skin is breathing.

If you’re looking for a simple, easier way to apply your mineral foundation or maybe you’re just not quite a lover of mineral foundation, I highly suggest trying out a flock sponge for application, definitely a very interesting concept that I’ve had success with.

Anyone apply their mineral foundation with a flock sponge?

Tell the Muse!

When word of C.O. Bigelow Lemon Eau de Parfum hit the Muse was quite hyped for a sniff. She loves all of the C.O. Bigelow Lemon Collection and the general idea of a lemony fragrance along the same vein absolutely thrilled her to bits and pieces.

Check out my review of C.O. Bigelow Lemon Eau de Parfum

Considering the formula is inspired by it’s Lemon Body Cream I was all about hauling this as quickly as I could get my greedy hands on it. I admit I was worried they’d end up messing it up with notes it didn’t need especially since the description reads of green lemon leaves, creamy undertones, and a warm white musk. That sounds all nice and lovely but honestly the Lemon Body Cream is more about straight up sweet, tart lemon without all the unnecessary extras. You know what I mean dontcha?

I was pleasantly surprised that it does indeed smells simply like lemon, particularly like C.O. Bigelow Lemon Body Cream. No fanfare here it’s just sparkling, fruity, and sweet, with a round of tartness which blends it out to a happy effervescent note that the body lotion lacks. It’s quite lovely and light, beautiful for Summer wear.

I absolutely love it.

C.O. went all out with the packaging on this guy as well. It’s a large glass bottle that’s 3.5oz in size but feels way larger. Right now it’s Buy Two C.O. Bigelow items and Get Two Free including this fragrance which regularly retails for $34 USD so if you have a friend (or just overindulge yourself) you can split the costs between the two of you. It retails for $34.50 USD and I think it’s well worth picking up. I admit I was slightly disappointed that it didn’t last longer on my skin so I was left touching up after two hours or so but regardless it’s such a nice Summer scent that I can’t resist Muse Approving it for purchase. If you absolutely adore the C.O. Bigelow Lemon line or you’re just simply a lover of lemony scents this one is for you. Truly a great blend for Summer!

Loves it!

Anyone try?

Tell the Muse!

Use coupon code SUMO for 25% Off your total MAC order!

CLICK!