Musings of a Muse

Good news! I still have left over goodies from Beauty on a Budget Week to get through so you’ll be seeing a few new reviews on US drugstore finds starting today with L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara.

Sadly, it’s almost all bad news for L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara. While on vacation this was available at every single duty free beauty shop I passed and although at the time I didn’t bother picking it up I realize now I should have listened to my original instinct that screamed “NO!”. I picked this guy up with my big beauty haul from Walmart recently for $8.99 USD and that’s about what it was available for at duty free but of course I wasn’t shelling out 8% in taxes to call it my own if I brought it from some duty free shop but ado at the time I didn’t bother.

One of the biggest flaws with this mascara is the applicator. Believe it or not I’m not going to go into a long rant just yet about the applicator being bad for application. Actually I’m going into a rant about the applicator being too delicate and flimsy. The applicator is sorta springy and loosely attached to the wand which makes it a big job to get the damn thing back into the tube without it snapping off completely. On a normal mascara day I’ll unscrew the top of mascara off, slip the wand out, apply, and slip it quickly back in. On a day using L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara it turns into unscrewing the top, slipping the wand out, applying a mess to my eyes, and struggling for five minutes to slip the wand back inside the tube without snapping off the brush head. This takes delicate, small movements to wriggle the brush back in without completely ripping or snapping it off. Since the brush head isn’t firmly secured onto the wand you could be staring at anywhere from 5-8 minutes struggling to get it back into the tube without risking it falling off while you struggle.

The delicate brush isn’t the only problem as far as the applicator goes. The brush head is a plastic applicator with ridges surrounding it rather than the traditional “brush” you’re getting more of a plastic wand with little spikes sticking out of it. It has a bit of a curve too it which leads you into believing that this will indeed apply the mascara well. Sadly, it falls flat of doing anything but making a big clumpy mess of your lashes. I’ve never successfully purchased a drugstore mascara that’s done anything in the ways of volumizing and lengthening. I normally end up with clumps or spiky lashes and with L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara that’s about the total of it all. Clumps, check. Spiky lashes, check. A big mess, check. check. Although it applies crummy the formula itself does deserve a rave as I experienced no flaking, no smudging, and just generally good waterproof lasting power all day long!

L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara has alot going for it. Chic outer packaging, great price, good long wear however it falls short in the most important areas. Application isn’t easy or foolproof, just messy and flaws in the design provide a potential money trap that you can easily fall into if you’re rushed and push hard to get the wand back into the tube! $8.99 down the drain if the brush head snaps off!

All in all this particular mascara needs a whole lot of improvement before I decide to pick it up again! Pass on it, the Muse has seen much better!

Tried it?

Love it? Hate it?

Which drugstore mascara is your favorite steal?

Tell the Muse!

Check out my personal favorite mascara by following this link!

Click here to discovery an interesting take on mascara with my review of the new Spin Lash!

Click here to find out how to get cheap, slick, gorgeous lips with Avon Pro-to-Go Lipsticks!

Terra Eye shadows are not only cheap but gorgeous! Click here to read my raving review on these fab shadows!

Keep your skincare budget in check by visiting my Biore PJ Party!

Get a super, squeaky clean face without dropping a ton of cash on the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush!

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Finally something to rave about on the Beauty and a Budget front! Meet the 5 piece Brush Set from Eco Tools!

This set is $10.99 USD and comes with 5 great blushes plus a cool brush roll to store them in when traveling! I’ve been testing this little brush set out all weekend while I was away for a few days to celebrate the 4th of July and I’m happy to report it’s worth dishing out your $11 dollars for! It’s rather a nice little set of tools that’s perfect for traveling with plus it has the added benefits of being earth friendly so you’re not only doing something good for your wallet but also helping your enviroment out!

The set comes with a blush brush, concealer brush, lash/brow groomer, liner brush, and eye shadow brush. Each brush is made from synthetic bristles and 100% Cruelty Free. Although these are synthetic you won’t notice much of a difference aside from the fact that they are softer than your average brush. The softness does not take away from the fact that they are dense enough for ease of blending and holding product on the bristles. Unlike other cheaper brushes I’ve tried these do not shed and the bristles stay firmly on the handle where they belong and not shed all along your face when using! They don’t sport a funky odor either the way some brushes do which is a total plus in the Muse’s opinion! The handles are made of quality bamboo which also has a low impact on the earth’s resources as it is a highly sustainable plant…who knew?

No, they aren’t MAC but they are pretty bloody good for those of you who are both consious of your Beauty Budget and green friendly. The price rounds out to about $2 USD or so for each brush included in the kit so you can’t really good wrong by trying them out. You won’t be disappointed as they are good quality brushes at a low cost.

My favorite of the brushes was the nicely rounded blush brush which I used to apply both powder and blush. It’s wonderfully soft and silky!

The other brushes included are just as good and I’m loving the little hemp brush roll that makes traveling with these simple. Simply place each brush in a slot, roll, tie, and away you go. The roll holds the brushes safely and allows you to travel with the set without splitting the hairs of the brush or causing any damage to the brushes!

I can’t help but be excited as brushes that are not only good quality but cheap! The Muse likes these alot and recommends nabbing a set for yourself!

Click here to see what other cool products EcoTools has available!

Score some Eco Tools from Walgreens, Ulta, and K-Mart.

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Good makeup deserves good music!

I’m a rocker chick. Always have been, always will be so of course I definately want Bare Escentuals new Tutorial Kit entitled Rocker Eye!

Although I’ve been down on Bare Escentuals lately I will say that this particular kit caught my eye and I’m wanting it rather badly so expect some sort of raving review shortly!

I generally enjoy the tutorial kits that BE puts out as I’m all about simplicity lately! The Tutorial line contains all you need to create certain eye looks plus nifty, easy instructions to idiot-proof your way to gorgeous!

I’ve tried one of these kits before and was quite happy with the easy to follow instructions and quality of the products included. Although the products have raised in price since my original purchase I’m still a lover of each one released.

The Bare Escentuals Rocker Eye is $38 USD and contains 1980′s and Rockstar eye shadow, Black Leather Liner, and a Double Ended Brush for application!

Rock on \m/! The Muse is all over this one!

Want it?

Love it?

Tell the Muse!

On a side note it should be known that Led Zeppelin is known for something greater than the really cool Sprint commercial. Sigh, rant! I’ve had someone tell me prior to this “oh yea! I know Led Zeppelin! They made that cool song for the Sprint commercial right?” My god the horror of it all!

Click here to read my review of the Bare Escentuals Tutorial Kit for a Smoky “V” Eye!

Check out the Bare Escentuals Carnavale Set available exclusives at Nordies!

Click to read my review on the Bare Escentuals bareDiamond Spring Color Collection featuring an FOTD!

Click to read my ravings about the Bare Minerals iQuad Eyeshadow Compact!

Do your lips up lovely with the very light, moisturizing Bare Escentuals Lippie Set review!

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NARS has introduced a few new brushes to it’s line up that have most definately caught my eye!

One in particular that I’ve been lemming for a while now is the NARS Ita Brush 28. This brush looks superb for a light dusting of shimmery bronzer, powder, or blush!

Although the Ita Brush has been around for a while it deserved a mention since it’s just now popping up in Sephora stores around here.

If you’re seeking the latest, greatest, and brand new you might want to reach for the new NARS Botan Brush which looks simply lovely. This is an ultra large kabuki brush that’s made for buffing powder into the skin! Since I’m currently trying to convince myself that I should be loving minerals this brush appeals big time! At $75 USD the price makes me wince so the possibility of actually buying this are slim but one never knows as the Muse has been known to shell out as much as $50 for a good brush, sometimes its just worth it!

And finally if you’re looking to tote it all along with you or you’re just a fiend for NARS you might want to get your greedy hands on the new NARS Travel Brush Set. For a mere $170 USD you can do up your makeup in style with six brushes from NARS and a travel case.

I’m not particularly enamored with this kit’s price or the brush roll but if you’re a NARS fan it might very well be on your wish list!

All in all a nice selection of new brushes from NARS to keep your face happy and your makeup skills hone.

Want ‘em?

Loving one in particular?

Too expensive?

Tell the Muse!

Check out more NARS news and reviews by clicking on some popular posts below!

Click here to find out why NARS Nail Polish in Schiap is my Summer Must Have color!

Check out more Summer Must Have makeup with my review and rave for NARS Lipgloss in Misbehave!

Click here to discover why I am loving the Sephora Exclusive NARS Orgasm Nail Polish and Lipgloss Set!

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Grasenbon has introduced a new Pore Cover Veil that sports an SPF of 25 as part of it’s late Summer releases. Although I do not have large pores I am very interested in this as a pre-foundation prep plus the benefits of such a high SPF sound wonderful.

The formula contains light reflecting pigments to give the illusion of smaller pores. The veil is perfect for use as a prep or on it’s own!

I think I’ll be purchasing this for a test run!

Want it?

Love Grasenbon?

Which product do you use to prep your skin?

Tell the Muse!

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