Musings of a Muse

The Muse happens to be quite addicted to transparent powders for some reason especially ones that promise to make me flawless. Aromaleigh Silk Powder Primer preps your face for mineral foundation supposedly leaving behind a flawless canvas for makeup!

Does it work?

Find out after the jump!

The general idea of this powder is to use it as a prep and prime prior to minerals. Since my main foundation of choice aren’t minerals it’s somewhat useless however I did want to try it out anyway. I’m actually pretty impressed with it

I used it in three separate ways. Once to prime my face prior to using Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Foundation, secondly as finishing, setting powder, and thirdly to mask minor flaws prior to using a cheek stain sans foundation. As a primer it works remarkably well. It’s difficult to explain the results but my mineral makeup looks more refined and finished when I use this prior to application. As a setting powder it doesn’t really work as the powder is a bit on the thick side and white causing a strange cast of weird on my face. It also doesn’t work very well on it’s own as again same strange white cast when used.

The powder is quite a thick texture and not as silky as many transparent powders I’ve used. It blends quite well and in regards to prepping for minerals it exceeds and does the job well. It’s actually meant for normal or combination skin types but it worked well enough on my crazy not sure what it wants to be skin at the moment. The powder acts almost like a barrier or shield between your skin and the mineral foundation of your choice. This technique allows for your minerals to last longer and look flawless.

It supposedly refines pores and fine lines but I have neither so I can’t speak for that. It also claims to be a natural moisture absorbing powder so as the temperature and humidity changes in your environment it’ll keep your oily skin under control. I’ve used it in the normal oily places on my face such as forehead and sides of noses but didn’t notice too much of a difference. This has to be explored further before I have my final say on that feature.

Overall, it’s a good product if you’re a mineral foundation user however if your dominate foundation is liquid or cream you can safely skip. I think it’s worthy of a try out for mineral users as you’ll notice your foundation will last longer while your face will have a more flawless look.

Barbie still loves Stila by the very way. So much so that she has her own color collection releasing shortly from Stila!

Take the jump for the complete details!

Unlike the first release this collection focuses on individual color cosmetics with a Barbie Loves Stila theme. The collection is available for a limited time from Sephora (online and in store), Ulta, and Stila Cosmetics website.

The following items will be released shortly.

Barbie Loves Stila Lip Enamel Trio ($32) Includes shades Happiness (light pink), Tickled Pink (signature power pink shade made exclusively for this collection), and Joy (red)

Barbie Loves Stila LipGlaze ($22) Available in Pale Pink, Bright Pink, or Red

Barbie Loves Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner ($20)

Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pot ($20) Available on Cobalt Clutch which is a bright blue with blue shimmer. Features a cute Barbie image on the lid of the pot.

Barbie Loves Stila All Doll’d Up Palette ($28) Quite a value and a different style palette for Stila. Includes four pans of color split into three shades for a total of 12 shadows!

Looks rather fabulous doesn’t it?

It’s out and available as of August 27th so very shortly kiddies!

I’m excited. How about you?

Tell the Muse!

Please if you use images link back to www.musingsofamuse.com thanks!

For those of us who desire a little less coverage, something lighter, something barely there, I give to you Dianne Brill Fresh Water Foundation. Incredibly lightweight and long wearing this foundation is for the rest of the population that doesn’t have need of heavy coverage.

Jump ahead for it.

The appeal of most all Dianne Brill cosmetics lies in the pretty, girlish packaging. Dianne Brill Fresh Water Foundation comes housed in a flip top box which resembles that of a tiny box of chocolates and inside the foundation is wrapped up in a lace dollie. Unlike traditional pump foundations this resembles that of a mini travel size toothpaste. I absolutely adore the packaging plus I find the squeeze style tube rather ideal for getting your use out of all the product. The foundation also comes with a mini foundation brush that’s quite decent for application as it doesn’t shed and for such a mini size it has a nice size brush head.

The formula of the foundation is loose and very runny. It almost resembles a tinted moisturizer in some aspects as it lacks pigmentation and is quite sheer. It applies and blends very nicely however it’s extremely light coverage so if you have lots of little or larger woes you’re wanting to hide this isn’t going to help you along your way.

For the most part those who desire light coverage that evens out skin tone and creates a nice even canvas for makeup will absolutely adore this. The foundation is incredibly light and lovely on the face and creates a beautiful glow on my skin. I don’t need a ton of coverage anyway so this is a great one for Summer.

Overall, anyone who doesn’t like heavy makeup or doesn’t have need of heavy coverage will enjoy using this one.

You can purchase Dianne Brill Cosmetics at BeautyHabit and learn more about the brand by visiting www.diannebrill.com

“One winter day, the queen was doing needle work while gazing out her ebony window at the new fallen snow. A bird flew by the window startling the queen and she pricked her finger. A single drop of blood fell on the snow outside her window. As she looked at the blood on the snow she said to herself, “Oh, how I wish that I had a daughter that had skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony.”-Quote from Snow White

Indeed, skin as white as snow always appeals to this Muse. I’m always looking for the best way to brighten my dull, lackluster skin up. Be it with cleansing oils that promise me whiter, brighter skin or moisturizers or even makeup.

My skin on occasion is so very dull it needs all the help it can get to look brighter and more youthful.

My latest discover for brightening up my skin, Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer.

Take the jump to learn more!

Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer is an intense moisturizer for normal to dry skin. The formula contains whitening wild rose oil to help prevent brown spots caused my sun damage. For me I was ever so hopeful it would aid me with dull skin.

I haven’t been using it long enough to express delights over how it’s brightened my skin but I will give you a few choice details about it and why I’m loving it so far.

The formula is Korres is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and many other harmful ingredients this alone could prove a key for those wanting to indulge in a healthy skin care product. I must say that although it’s recommended for normal to dry skin I felt the formula was incredibly rich which leads me to recommend it for dryness but only as a night cream for those with normal skin as it could be a bit too much moisture for such a skin type.

It’s quite a heavy moisturizer but still manages to feel very light and absorbs easily without a greasy, oily feel as many thicker moisturizers are known for. Right now my skin simply hates it because it’s so humid out and I need something very light to keep the oily parts of my face in check. However, come Winter my skin will rejoice at such a hydrating formula. It has a pleasant fresh floral scent but I’m so terribly disappointed it wasn’t scented like rose hehe! I adore rose scented skin care.

Overall, with it’s inexpensive price tag ($32), large size, and natural formula it could prove a winner for many. For me I’ll be loving it all through Winter when my dry flaky skin makes a guest starring appearance. The value of it’s size and it’s hydrating formula make me loves it long time. It does contain an SPF 6 but I didn’t mention that above as it’s not equate sun protection in my opinion but than again you’re talking to the girl who wears SPF 95 or more.

Likey very much!

Good one Korres, as always an impressive skin care item.

What are some of your favs from Korres?

Do share!

Don’t forget 30% Off at www.korresusa.com using promo code MUSE

More babblings about the elusive cat eye that the Muse has been trying to perfect for Fall. In my quest for obtaining the perfect cat eye I’ve been trying my hand at liquid liners and of course epically failing but try I will!

To make my life easier I found Pop Beauty Cat Eyes Eye Liner. Could this be the key to my success at creating a great cat eye?

Jump for it!

Meet Pop Beauty Cat Eyes Eye Liner the solution to your cat eye dilemma. This square cut liner supposedly makes it easy to complete a cat eye. But does it?

Ok let’s see….

KATE makes a square cut eye liner as well so it’s pretty much the same concept. The liner is considerably thicker than what you’d normally want to use to line eyes. As we are always looking for a thin, precise point to line this is a unique thicker size, slanted, and square cut. It’s design is supposed to make the “flicking” involved in a cat eye easier. First off it does a fine job of creating a thick, dramatically lined look. The formula is creamy and glides fairly well across the lash line without skipping. I like the way the square cut fits the contour of my eye.

Now it’s the flicking part that confuses me. The square cut is supposed to make the flick or upwards slant that’s associated with a cat eye easier. However, I had a hard time with it. Although the drama of a thicker line makes my eyes look very nice, I’m unable to pull off the slant upwards towards the outer corner of my eye without creating a messy thick line. I think the square cut and the thickness of the liner creates a rather messy line that looks nothing like a cat eye.

Overall, the product is a fine liner for achieving a bolder, thicker lined eye look but in regards to making a cat eye easier, I had a little trouble in that department. I won’t blame the liner as it could be I just stink at perfecting the look but I did think the thickness presented a little problem.

What do you think?

Thicker, square cut liner for cat eye lining?

Yay or Nay?

Share it!