Musings of a Muse

The Muse knows you’ve been patiently awaiting swatches and a review of Too Faced Lockdown Cream Shadow. And finally here I am with a review, swatches, and a few FOTD’s!

Excited? I am.

Click your heels and jump ahead for the good word!

The Muse really loved Urban Decay for bring back their cream shadows but she had general woe with application, loved them yes but hated the irritating way they applied. When she seen the brand new Too Faced LockDown Cream Shadows she was thinking how great they looked but was a bit worried about application. Turns out that they apply amazingly well, have a great long lasting formula, and make an incredible base. Likey!

Combining it’s awesome Shadow Insurance with metallic pigments, Too Faced created a long wearing vibrant shadow that lends a nice pop of color to lids. Since it’s technically a primer (with a bit of pigment thrown in for good measure) it applies easily and blends flawlessly. And again taking into consideration it’s a shadow primer it makes a great base for regular powder shadow so you can amp up a look and intensify your powder shadow while keeping it locked on your eye all day long. The Muse says multitask with Too Faced Lockdown by taking advantage of it as a base and a primer or use it on it’s own as a cream shadow.

The formula dries down fairly quickly but not so fast you won’t have a chance to blend a fair bit and also layer on more color if you choose. The formula is considerably less shimmer/glitter laden than Urban Decay’s Cream Shadows plus the texture is considerably lighter and easier to blend and dries down nicely without remaining wet for a long period of time making blending an impossible task. Overall, the shadow just applies easier and leaves behind nice pigmented color. Although color isn’t as pigmented unless you layer a bit. A small dot will get you a nice dose of color but the Muse suggests blending one layer on and go for a second layer before dry down to get a more intense color payoff!

Only rant the Muse has is Too Faced Lockdown is only available in six shades. Aw shucks can’t we have more colors? The colors I tried were I’m Guilty (Shimmering Aqua), Bedroom Eyes, my favorite! (Smoky Brown), and JailBait (Baby Pink).

All in all the Muse is liking Too Faced LockDown Cream Shadows! Good stuff. Long-wearing, multitasking, and easy to blend makes them a great treat for hot Spring eye looks.

Too Faced LockDown is available now from Sephora and Too Faced.

Tried ‘em yet?

Loves ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

Another week, another Etsy Musing! This week the Muse is all about the cool baked powders she can find at Funky Monkey Company and I’m positive after you read my review you’ll want one.

Jump ahead for the good word!

One day while randomly searching through Etsy’s beauty listings I came across a really awesome powder that looked super similar to my beloved Physicians Formula Pressed Powder but much prettier!

After clicking I discovered that the powder was a liquid mineral foundation that was baked into the beautiful marbleized creation on my screen. Reading further I learned it had no artificial preservatives, harmful chemicals, or added fragrances…hm likey! I quickly purchased one and waited eagerly for it to arrive.

When it arrived I was absolutely delighted how pretty it was. It comes housed in a silver compact with mirror. The powder is a domed, baked marble powder reminiscent of a MAC Skinfinish.

I got the lightest shade she had available and it suited my skin tone perfectly. It’s ideal as a light foundation that offers sheer to medium coverage. You can buff it gently onto your skin or use a puff to apply it for heavier coverage. It wakes up dull skin, evens it out, and creates a nice, flawless finish for makeup. It made my skin light up with a gorgeous glow! I actually felt like it was better quality than my favorite Physicians Formula palette. The formula is a smooth, silky powder. The texture of the powder doesn’t flake on my dry skin which is always a plus.

The artist of this fine palette, Myra, was kind enough to grant me an interview! Check out below what she has to say about her powders and how they are made!

What’s your name and where are you from?

Myra Roldan, I’m from Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico but currently living in Milford, CT. I’ve been in the States for about 20 years.

What made you start selling on Etsy?

I started with Etsy about 2 years ago but didn’t actively pursue it because I had lots going on. About two months ago I rebranded my Etsy page and began actively selling.

Have you sold on any other sites prior to Etsy?

Yes, I own a mineral makeup company, Beautiful Diva (http://www.beautifuldiva.com). I currently have approximately 500 representatives in the US, Canada and Australia who distribute my products. My Esty page is a test market of sorts, where customers who purchase directly from me can get products created by me without the need of a sales rep.

Do you do any other makeup items aside from pressed powder?

My Kiln Baked Minerals aren’t really pressed, they start off as a liquid and then are baked in a kiln. I also offer loose mineral foundations, blushes and pigment shadows. I also offer mineral mascara, gel liners, eye liners, lip glosses and lipsticks. I’m also working on a Mineral Mousse Foundation which I will offer only on Etsy.

How long does it take to make one pressed powder?

The Kiln Baked Mineral formulation takes about 20 to 30 minutes to make, it then must bake in a Kiln for 24 hours. The formula is a combination of iron oxides and liquid botanicals. The liquid is poured into molds and once baked it hardens.

What’s the procedure for making the powder? What sort of ingredients go into it?

I start with my basic pigment blend for the color, this is the same blend I used in created loose minerals. I usually create the pigment (color) blend made from Iron Oxides and Micas first then work on the base whether it is liquid for my baked minerals or powder for my loose minerals. In the case of Baked Minerals, the pigment blend is added to a liquid base which is a combination of different botanical extracts. For Loose Minerals, I have started substituting my traditional base for a more herbal base made up of Arrowroot Powder, Oat Starch and vegetable based Magnesium Stearate. I also add a few drops of jojoba which contains a natural anti-inflammatory and is a natural antixodant and helps extend the shelf life of the product. I also use tea tree oil which is a natural germ killer. This is actually my grandmother’s original formula.

What’s the hardest part when making a pressed powder like this?

Getting the color match every single time.

How do you get those amazing swirls and twirls throughout the powder? The marbleized effect is so pretty!

The swirls are created by the product it self during baking. The ingredients start to separate and creates the cool looking swirls.

What made you start making pressed powder?

Loose powders are messy. I tend to make a HUGE mess when mixing. I’ve been using mineral makeup for years and I can tell you the it’s messy stuff. I wanted something that was less mess.

Are your product vegan friendly or organic?

Yes they are. I try to use vegetable based ingredients staying away from animal by-products.

Overall, I thought the powder was incredible and I’ll definitely be purchasing more from Funky Monkey Company. Loves it! Truly a great Etsy find! I’ve included some pictures of other items that Myra sells on Etsy below. I’m quite excited about the mineral mousse she was discussing in the interview, let’s hope we get to see that soon!

Here’s me using my powder as a full foundation:

Visit with Myra and discover her amazing line of minerals at FunkeyMonkeyCompany.etsy.com

Oh hai super cheap light and bright for my eyes!

IsaDora Eye Brow Lift & Define is a dual ended pencil that multitasks the job of defining and filling brows and highlighting them. One end of the pencil has a dark brown brown filler whole the other has a soft matte pink highlighter on the other end.

My brows are full already that I’m not making as much use out of the filler as I should but I am seriously in lust with the highlighter side of the pencil. It’s kinda a cheaper version of Benefit Lemon Aid. It works great at simply highlighting the upper brow area, giving eyes an arch and illusion of a lift. Or use it all over your eye to mattify it (particularly great if you have oily lids) and waken up your eyes. It’s ideal as a prep and prime for eyes and acts as a concealer for your lid area. My lids tend to be a bit red and dull unless I use a yellow base on them prior to applying shadow so this is ideal as a little pick me up for my lids. Even though it’s a pale pink shade it still manages to freshen up my lids and make me look wide awake and fresh. Likey! At $13 USD it’s a rather nice little steal and deal.

Who might like this:

• Anyone who has oily lids and wants to mattify them prior to shadow to prevent creasing and fading.
• Those who need to fill in brows for a fuller look!
• Anyone who has a touch of sagging around the eye area and desires a lifted look.
• Those who need a wake up call for their eyes!

All in all I really liked the price on this and can def see myself purchasing again in the future. I like the convenience of a dual product but I’d actually like to see them do the highlighter separately as I made more use of it.

You can purchase IsaDora at Amazon and Cosmetic Mall.

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As requested swatches from what I hauled so far from MAC Rose Romance.

The Muse can’t begin to tell you how much she misses and mourns T’estimo. It was one of her very favorite Japanese brands of all times. I can’t look at most of my collection without sobbing in grief that it was discontinued. Why, god, why!

What in the world were they thinking when they axed T’estimo from the Kanebo line up? Insanity.

The Muse yanked out a few of her T’estimo palettes for a little stash spotlight!

Jump ahead for a peep!

The Muse wanted to pull out her entire T’estimo collection but she started sobbing as soon as she seen the T’estimo logo….so you’ll have to settle for a few pictures of her beloved palettes.

Oh the agony…why Kanebo? Why!?

Are you a T’estimo lover?

Missing it?

Mourning it?

Hold me.

We all have certain ways and quirks of applying our makeup. What are some of yours? Do you apply concealer first and follow with foundation? Blusher before shadow? Shadow before blusher? Do you curl your lashes after mascara or before?

Tell me how your makeup regime takes place!

Skip ahead to read how I do mine.

Although many of my friends swear to the gods that it’s a good idea to always apply full eye makeup first, the Muse doesn’t, nor does she understand how people accomplish this. Since I’m so hands on with my foundation/concealer the idea of applying a full shadow look before either strikes me as terribly out of order.

After SPF, moisturizer, eye cream, etc…this is how my makeup routine normally goes:

• Conceal under my eyes
• Conceal my lids (‘ello Benefit Lemon Aid!)
• Prime my lids
• Apply my face primer
• Apply liquid or cream foundation
• Light dusting of powder sometimes but not always (depends how my skin is behaving)
• Apply shadow
• Curl lashes
• Apply mascara
• Apply blush
• Oops almost forget lipstick and gloss!

Done!

How do you apply your makeup?

Share it!

Ok, so you don’t like Benetint because it’s simply too red. And you’re not too keen on Posietint because it’s too pink….but you’re still wanting a nice, natural cheek stain.

No problem.

You really need MAC Just a Pinch Gel Blush!

Introduced as a limited edition product with MAC Rose Romance Collection this sweet little blush gives cheeks just the right amount of flush without being too red, too pink, or too bold!

The gel comes in the standard paint pot jar which contains a healthy amount of product but since I’m loving it so much I feel like I need a back up before it’s gone EEP! I suppose it’s not really a stain per say but more of a gel blush. The formula is a cool, moist gel with a subtle touch of color that can be built up in intensity. Going natural or loud is completely optional just layer the product for a more bolder look or use a tiny touch for a more natural look.

Since it doesn’t have the standard formula of a liquid stain it’s easier to blend on to cheeks. You won’t be left with little dots of red on your cheeks since it absorbs and blends easily for a smooth finish. The impact is a very natural, simple flush to cheeks, nothing dramatic, very subtle and fresh. Ideal for Spring I’d say. You might recall a few years back when MAC had gel blushes in a tube. This is kinda the same concept but more of a solid base.

Personally I love the look it gives to my face. If you’re a big lover of stains you’ll probably fall for MAC Just A Pinch Gel Blush instantly! Although it’s a rather bold shade of red in the pot, I thought it looked very natural and sweet on my cheeks.

Definately Muse Approving this one for purchase! Loves it so much I think I’ll snag a back up!

Did you nab one?

Want one?

Loving it?

Tell the Muse!

For further pictures of this product please see my MAC Rose Romance First Impressions post.

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Speaking of exfoliation….we were talking about it a few posts up and since the Muse has a one track mind, might as well stick to the topic she was on earlier….what was I saying?

Oh ya!

Speaking of exfoliation Cargo Blu_Ray Polishing Clothes kinda butter my toast lately!

Jump ahead for a review, a babble, and some pictures!

Cargo Blu_Ray Polishing Clothes are a box of 20 facial exfoliating clothes that are meant to shrub away dead skin and polish your face up to a baby smooth finish.

And they don’t work….

At first anyway.

They do promise the world in a small box like removing makeup, preventing blackheads and ache, and reducing the signs of sun damage and honestly I can’t really say they do ALL that but they do actually make my skin buttery soft but first I had to learn how to use them.

First try they do nothing. I really seen no results at all but than….slowly…I noticed my skin becoming smooth, softer, and my moisturizer was sinking in hells quicker. If you’re as impatient as I am and want to see results double quick you’ll be disappointed as these definately do not give results right away. With patience and proper use you’ll notice a certain smoothness to your skin in about two weeks of use. I’m lucky I didn’t give up right away on them otherwise I’d have not noticed how properly soft my skin was after I used them well over a month.

The clothes are reusable so you can get plenty of use from one package although it is slightly gross to reuse considering bacteria and the likes. I got about 4 uses total from one cloth before I was feeling the need to ditch them. The best results I noticed were when I used these on a already clean, damp skin with a drop of Philosophy Microdelivery squeezed on the cloth.

I was quite frustrated not seeing results right away and I was on the verge of simply tossing the box but I was stubborn and kept at it and now I’m done with my first box and ready for a new one as I’m loving the results. One of my main problems with exfoliating products is the fact that they make my dry skin even more dry and tight. If I choose I can use these on clean, damp skin minus product so it’s a natural way to remove my dry, flaky skin without adding product to an already dry face that will in turn make it feel even worst.

All in all I think they are a fine deal and worth trying out. I liked the results and noticed a grave improvement when applying foundation and moisturizer!

Likey!

Anyone try?

Loves ‘em?

Leaves ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

Say hello to my new little friend!

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Balm! Wants it!

What is it? It’s a sheer lip balm that responds to the color chemistry of your lips to a create a uniquely “you” shade of lip color! Oh my I likey you so much Dior for creating this!

We’ve been through all the color changing glosses we can get through but I deem this one cool…hmmm maybe I’m bias because it has Dior printed on it? Whatever, I wants it, like yesterday.

Whatta ya think?

Loves it?

Leaves it?

Tell your Muse!

Occasionally, rarely, you can sometimes get the Muse to knock her habits and try something new. When it comes to skincare this Muse is a pure creature of habit so she normally kicks and screams when something is introduced into her perfect realm of skincare bliss.

Recently, she was told she must try John Masters Organics….hmmmm…ok, it’s organic….what else you got for me? Kinda cool chemist-y style packaging…mmmm ok I can be convinced maybe….smells nice….it’s getting good now….

Who am I to lie? John Masters Organics Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser had me at cool chemist-y style packaging…what I’m shallow I dig cool packaging sue me!

Jump ahead to find out if the packaging matches up with the product inside!

John Masters Organics Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser is a certified organic facial cleanser that’s not tested on animals, is paraben-free, contains no artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, or petro-chemicals. Ooo ok….green friendly makeup remover we like that…nods…yes we do!

Housed in a brown glass apothecary jar with pump this slick cleanser exfoliates as well as cleanses, multitasking, we like that too! The product is a nice creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains jojoba beads for exfoliation. It smells heavenly by the very way. It has a clean, crisp citrus scent with a touch of something green, just really fresh and beautiful! Likey!

Does it work?

Yes, it does a fair job of cleansing my skin while sloshing away dry, flaky skin. It’s meant for oily/combination skin which sadly means it does make my skin slightly tight and dry after use as at the moment I am in full blown dry skin mode however I really like how well it exfoliates plus it makes my skin kinda glow after use. I look all fresh and rosy cheeked after a cleanse with this!

If you’re looking for a good cleanser that combines exfoliation as well as being green friendly you might want to considering picking up John Masters Organics Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser.

All in all I liked it but the dry, tight feeling will keep me from using it again until Summer arrives and my skin begins to get oily. My skin will really like this than!

Anyone tried John Masters Organics?

Any recs for other products that are good from the line?

Tell the Muse!

Visit www.johnmasters.com for further info on the entire line of John Masters Organics.

Ooooo I so need the cool aquas and greens that make up the Viva la Diva Tropical Temptation Collection.

Hello gorgeous!

Consisting of a gorgeous palette filled with an array of shimmering aquas and greens, Viva La Diva Tropical Temptation definitely tempts! Yum!

The collection also includes four pots of eye candy which is a shimmering cream shadow.

And finally some popping shades candy colored nail polish!

The Muse is a big lover of aquas and ocean greens for the Summer so this collection calls out my name!

Anyone up for a trip to Sweden? I’m free tonight!

Let’s go!