Musings of a Muse

I wonder who Carmine is?

Hmmm.

Hey MAC,

The Muse was wondering who’s Carmine and why do you adore him so much?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Love ya!
the Muse

You know when the Muse was about 15 she knew a guy named Carmine who was about mmmm 6 or 7 years older than herself (Actually come to think of it I probably know more than one Carmine considering my mother is Italian!). I can still recall sitting on our front porch and watching him mow my parent’s front lawn while my best friend at the time, Maria-Teresa (don’t mind the name all Roman Catholic Portuguese parents think it’s a swell idea to name their kids elaborate saintly names! Look at my name and you can totally understand what I mean! I’m a mix of an Italian mother and a Portuguese father…see whatI mean?) and I sat on the porch gawking at him. Needless to say he’s married now with 3 kids, a pot belly, and a receding hair line…..He kinda still looks alright aside from all that!

Since MAC wasn’t quite specific with who Carmine was I’m officially announcing that they mean “adoring Carmine Giovinazzo” because he’s hot and stuff!

I prefer the geeky CSI Carmine but you can have the Italian Stallion one if you prefer! The Muse isn’t picky!

Adoring you Carmine! Kizzie!

Anyway….

What was I saying?

Oh yes MAC Adoring Carmine Face Brush Gift Set! You know you wants it! Go on admit it!

I can never truly resist the evil temptation of MAC brush sets as they are such a fabulous deal! I stopped at Nordies a few nights ago to pick up Chanel Gold Highlighting Powder and right next door was the gorgeous MAC Holiday Collection staring at me and twinkling under the glaring department store florescent lights. I think I heard angels sing but I can’t be too sure as sometimes the voices in my head overpower everything else!

I was shocked too notice that Nordies had these marked as $35 USD so I suggest getitng your butt in gear and heading over to snatch some up as the price is nearly $15 USD off retail from MAC directly and other department store counters.

Granted, $49.50 for the set is not a bad price at all however if you can save $15 why not right!?

I get quite a few emails and comments daily asking after the quality of the brush sets which is why I choose to do a feature review on one of the three brush sets available. I think they are a fabulous deal for the price, I said it last year and I’ll say it this year, they are truly a good deal.

Breaking down the original cost of $49.50 USD for four brushes evens out to around $12.50 per a brush in the face brush set and even less if you purchase the other sets which have five brushes instead of four. If you break it down from $35 USD you’re getting an even bigger break at $8.75 USD per brush.

Quality?

Check.

The number one question I get asked about brush sets is if these mini versions are as good as the large size and personally I feel like they are about the same as if you’d purchase a larger size in them. I like the mini size as they travel very well and are easier on storage, especially if you have a large stash of brushes already plus the quality far surpasses the inexpensive price tag! So yes, the Muse feels like the quality is great and very, very similiar to full size brushes!

The brush set I have here is the MAC Adoring Carmine Face Brush Set which contains four brushes, a mini pouch, and a barrel makeup pouch. Normally these sets only come with one bag and I thought it was rather random to include the mini pouch but hey cool beans an extra case is always welcome!

The two main brushes that thrill me in this set are the 187, commonly known as the skunk brush and the 168 which is a contouring blush. 187 offers soft and expert application for blushes and it also works a treat for highlighting powders or shimmering powders that need a light touch! The 187 is ideal for buffing foundation onto the skin as well and creating a flawless look to foundation! The 168 works great with contouring powders or applying blush. I also use the 168 for a light application of powder under my eyes as it fits the contour of my under eye area perfectly!

Also included with this set is the 190 and the 194. The 190 has a nice wide, flat head to use with powder, liquid, or cream foundation. This glides beautifully around the T-Zone to apply foundation with ease. It works best with cream or liquid but can easily double up to brush a light dusting of powder around the face if you so desire. Although I’ve always felt the 194 was a complete waste, I admit to having a new found liking for it as it works very well at applying concealer with ease minus tugging and pulling on the delicate eye area!

All the brushes feature a true red handle and a shiny metilliac red base to match the bag they come tucked into!

All in all if you don’t own a ton of brushes and you’re wanting to get some good quality brushes at an affordable price the Muse says look no further then the MAC Adoring Carmine Collection! These are a steal and a deal plus they make a wonderful gift. If you’re new to MAC it’s a great way to get some good solid brushes for great makeup application!

Do check them out at your MAC counter or online!

MAC Little Darlings Swatches

MAC Red She Said

Holiday 2007: MAC Royal Assets Palettes Review

MAC Holiday 2006 versus MAC Holiday 2007

MAC Holiday 2007

MuseTV Presents: MAC Antiquitease Color

Ok guys!

Here’s the big moment you’ve all been waiting for!

Earlier this week I announced a contest to win a brand new Lancome Oscillation Mascara! Ahhhh! Exciting right?

With a simple press of the button the mascara wand vibrates allowing smooth application in one swipe creating longer, fuller lashes!

Loves it!

I can’t wait to get mine and review it for you guys!

Visit the Lancome site to view the video application and get further info about ordering your Lancome Oscillation Mascara!

And the winner is……………

Congrats Kimmy you’re now the proud owner of a Lancome Oscillation Mascara! Yay! Please e-mail me with your shipping address so I can get this out to you directly!

I’m so sorry to those of you that didn’t win but I’ll be having more contest this Holiday Season so please stop back soon! I wish I had a mascara to give to everyone as I heart you guys so much!

Thanks for participating in the contest! We got over 140 entries! Wahoo!

I think the biggest question this Holiday Season is “Do I really need Tarte The Vanity Palette?”. If you indulged in last year’s Tarte We Wish You Wealth Palette you may have asked yourself this question a dozen times already. I know I’ve wondered should I indulge and I know my great friend, Iris, has wondered the same thing! I got quite a few emails as well asking me, “Muse, do I really need this palette?”

So….that’s why you have your Muse…she’s here to make the important decision for you!

And the answer is….

Yes, you need Tarte’s new holiday palette!

If you already have Tarte’s We Wish You Wealth Palette chances are you’re thinking that the colors in the new Vanity palette are all similiar. I’m here to reassure you that the colors are probably somewhat similar but when comparing the two I felt like this year’s shades are quite vibrant compared to last year. Rest assured ALL the colors are brand new even if they look somewhat like shades released from last year!

The palette has been slightly revamped as they have done away with a good portion of the stains, liners, etc..that were housed in the third tier. This means the palette is slightly smaller in content when compared to what you got last year however it doesn’t take away from the value of the palette. Tarte also made a very smart move keeping the price at $52 USD and not raising it. This shows a good, fair sport in the cosmetic world and value for it’s customers. While many companies have taken the high route and raised prices by $2-$3 or more, we, at the very least, have a palette to keep us happy with a good deal of bang for our $52 USD and not an inflated price tag. Tarte We Wish You Wealth had a huge cult following last year and many, many cosmetic junkies far and wide purchased it. Of course, most companies would raise the price on an item that sold so well however Tarte did not. They kept the price as is and that along deserves props as far as the Muse is concerned!

This year’s palette you get:
16 shadows
16 glosses
1 Mascara
1 Bronzer
1 Luminizer
4 Powder Blushes

Last year you got:
16 Shadows
16 Glosses
4 Gel Eyeliners
4 Cheek Stains
3 24/7 Lip Sheers
1 Eyelid Primer
1 Luminizer

As you can see the third tier of the palette has changed a good deal. Last year you ended up with total of 12 items and this year you’ll be getting 7 items (6 if you aren’t counting the mascara). Whether this is disappointing or not remains to be seen for me. I guess taking away the 24/7 Lip Sheers is not too upsetting as you’re already getting 16 glosses and really don’t need more lip products however I think I will miss the liners. The lid primer I didn’t use so that’s perfectly fine that it was removed. Even though a few items were taken away I do think that the more compact version has taken away from the overwhelming feeling of last year’s palette.

The shadows in this year’s palette seem to have a more vibrant look. Last year the shadows looked washed up and really didn’t excite me where as this year I’m honestly in love with almost every single shade. The glosses have taken on more of a deeper tone and don’t contain as many pinks but lean more towards richer, deeper reds.

With Flash

Without Flash

With Flash

Without Flash

I’m unsure as of yet how I feel that the stains have been replaced by powder blushes. I haven’t tried the powder blushes yet but they look a little too light and may not show up well on my skin but we shall see.

Without Flash

With Flash

I’m happy to see that the luminizer is a large size as I did enjoy the creamy shimmer this gave my cheeks last year. And finally the bronzer I’m not completely sure about but I think I’ll like that.

With Flash

Without Flash

Without Flash

With Flash

I have two minor rants about the palette.

1. I hate the fact they only include two brushes. I’d really appreciate a few strategically placed sponge applicators here and there and maybe a mini blush brush too.

2. The palette swings open and contains a total of 3 tiers which stack on top of each other when closed. Although each tier has a thin sheet of plastic on top to protect the contents, I did notice last year as I used the shadows, blushes, etc…things started becoming messy. So you do have to take extra care when using the palette otherwise you can end up with a major mess!

Aside from those rants I think the palette is a great deal for the season! It honestly makes an ideal gift or, if we are honest with ourselves, a perfect purchase for yourself!

Taking all items into consideration and breaking up the $52 USD price tag you’ll end up paying $1.62 USD per an item which honestly, considering the size of each shadow, gloss, etc…is a great deal.

Overall, I do think it’s worth purchasing for yourself especially if you don’t already have a huge makeup collection. This has a slew of items to create over 30 looks at the very least!

Tarte did a great job with it’s We Wish You Wealth Palette and that’s just carried over into another wonderful piece of work with it’s brand new The Vanity Palette!

The Muse likey and approved it for purchase!

Tarte We Wish You Wealth Review

Tarte 30% Off Coupon Code

Tarte Holiday Collection 2008

Tarte Berry Couture Review and Swatches

Tarte Peaches and Cream Review

Tarte Eyelash Curler Review

Tarte Double Dose Lipgloss Review

Lavshuca has updated it’s site with the brand new Holiday/Winter Collection for this year but don’t get too hyper as it’s nothing exciting that you’ll have to have!

Last year I truly enjoyed the Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes released however this year nothing seems to be truly catching my eye but I will be indulging just so I can review the items for you here at Musings.

Why Lavhusca has succumbed to some of thee most boring shades I’ve ever seen in my life lately is truly beyond me. Spring, Fall, and now Winter are a total devastating disappointment for me. Excuse the Muse while she jumps off the nearest bridge in woe!

The Antique Collection consists of two color variations in a gift box for 1,890 yen each. Each gift box contains a lipgloss and a brand new duo eyeshadow in the style of the older single shadows from Lavshuca. It appears that Lavshuca has taken the initiative to start implementing much of it’s new style packaging in this collection so I think it’s safe to say you’ll see many of the older items become obsolete since they are fully embracing the new aubergine look and leaving behind the lacy white look from the past.

It looks like you can create a brown or a black look with the collection. The first duo contains one black shade and one paler shimmering white or pink shade while the second has a lighter brown shade and either a pale shimmering pink or a cream white (just assuming colors from the pictures). Honestly, you can probably recreate the looks with these gift sets from any number of other items you have in your collection if you collect Lavshuca so it’s not something you absolutely have to run out to get unless you’re a serious fan and collector. The only thing that I find oddly appealing is the little draw gift boxes these come in! Go figure! I’m already thinking up items I can put in them as storage.

Honestly, if you look close enough at last year’s Winter Make palettes from Lavshuca Holiday Collection 2007 you can probably create about the same look as this year!

Lavshuca Holiday 2007: Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes

Also released with the Holiday Collection are brand new stick eyeshadows which you can use to line and shade eyes. Again, another ho-hum item for me and nothing I’m getting to excited about! Believe it or not I’d be more excited to see some sort of cream shadow released to replace the Lavshuca Jelly Eyes from a few years ago! Those were kinda fun and I regret not trying them out for myself at the time!

Although the collection fails to tempt me I will get the two gift sets to review here at Musings. I look forward to Spring 2009 and hope that Lavshuca can redeem it’s downward spiral it’s been on lately for the Muse!

Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes Review

Lavshuca Winter Make Palette Tutorial

Lavshuca Rouge Star Classic Lipstick Review

Lavshuca Spring 2008 Featuring a Review of Lavshuca Noble On Palettes

MuseTV Presents: Lavshuca Spotlight

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Palettes started off as an exclusive item from our friends at Nordstrom however Bobbi was feeling generous so she’s included them in with her Winter and Holiday Collection which means you can get ‘em from your local Bobbi Brown counter or directly from Bobbi Brown’s website now! No Nordstoms required!

I thought for sure that I’d want to indulge in both versions of this palette but turns out it has some minor flaws that made me feel a little less in love with it. Up till now I’ve been having awesome Bobbi Brown experiences but sadly I wasn’t feeling the love for the Long Wear Eye Palette.

The palette comes in two color variations, Moon Rock and Night Sky. I tested out Night Sky for myself and the palette overall is rather wonderful with a few minor rants here and there from your dear old Muse.

The palette contains two Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadows in Ocean Storm and Rockstar and two Bobbi Brown Gel Eye Liners in Black Ink and Thunder Storm. Ocean Storm has an off cast of gray to it but it appears more like a shimmering white once applied and Rockstar is a deep navy blue that has a slightly shimmery finish. Black Ink is obviously a true black liner shade while Thunder Storm has an off cast of brown but appears very black once applied even though in the photo I took it looks like a true brown.

Ocean Storm and Rock Star

Black Ink and Thunder Storm

Rockstar, Ocean Storm, Blank Ink, and Thunder Storm

RockStar and Ocean Storm

Black Ink and Thunder Storm

You can probably get a total of four looks from the palette but I just choose to do one complete look by using the two cream shadows and one liner. To do my look I used Ocean Storm as an eye prep from lid to crease and followed up with Rockstar all over my lid. To complete my look I used the Bobbi Brown Gel Eye Liner in Black in on my lower lash line and upper lash line. There is absolutely no denying that the completed look has a nice sophisticated edge. I thought it opened my eyes up and created a soft, pretty look however this does not change my mind about some of the problems that arose while using the palette.

One major problem with the palette is the packaging. Although the packaging looked ideal to me it needs a tiny bit of work to be perfect. The palette contains a lid for each of the liners and shadows. This is a wonderful idea as it protects the contents of the palette and keeps the liners and shadows from hardening. Each lid snaps open and closed to protect the content of each “well” however I find it very difficult unsnapping each lid. Each time I used the palette I had to get a nail file and wriggle it under the lid to get them to pop up and open. Maybe after a few uses the lids will loosen enough to open easy but at this point I struggle with them every time I use the palette. Although I completely appreciate the idea behind the lids I do get a major case of irritation that it takes so long to get each lid open prior to use.

Closed

Opened

Now the liners are pure perfection! You probably know what a joyous day it was the day I discovered how much I love Bobbi Brown Gel Liner! Angels sung in heaven, the sun shined bright, all was right with the world when I got my first pot of Bobbi Gel Liner however the long-wear cream eyeshadow left a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth.

As I mentioned I simply adored the finished look the palette gave my eyes however the cream shadows have a crummy formula in my humblest. They blend very streaky and even after a few layers color payoff isn’t too fabulous. I won’t rant too much on pigmentation considering I think the idea is to give a very light finish and not bold and loud however after five layers of Rockstar I finally decided that this was the best I was going to get in the color department and I wasn’t going to stretch it out any further. The shadows do have a great formula for the simple fact that they don’t dry right away so you have plenty of time to layer, blend, and just generally work with the shadow before it completely dries down. Cream shadow formulas that remain moist for a while are really user friendly in my opinion and Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Cream gets a rave in that department. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that they seriously apply in a major streaky messy. As I move my finger across my eye to blend I end up completely removing the shadow so I take my brush add more color and reblend with my fingertip and again and again and over and over I proceed to repeat the process a million times. After a while, if I’m lucky, I’ll finally have a good layer of product and my bare lid won’t show through but this does take a good 20 minutes to perfect since for some odd reason the shadow just streaks every which way from Friday!

I almost failed to mention the palette also includes a dual sides brush which is very nice. One end has a shadow brush applicator and the other side has a thin liner brush with cap! I totally appreciated the fact that they included a cap for the liner brush as after using liner it’s always messy to put the brush back into the palette.

Overall, the palette is actually really nice with a few minor imperfections however it’s these imperfections that will probably prevent me from purchasing the second color available. I loved the look I created using the palette but I think the packaging needs a tiny bit of work and the formula on the cream shadows could be slightly better!

I do recommend heading to your counter and trying it out for yourself as you might very well fall into the love/hate relationship I’m currently having with it! Not all bad but not completely good either!

The Muse’s opinion remains open on this one and she hopes as time passes she’ll grow to love it!

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Palettes are available now at the Bobbi Brown Website or your local counter! They are limited edition and $55 USD each!

Bobbi Brown Holiday 2008

Bobbi Brown Pink Satin Collection Review

Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick

Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation Review

Tis the Season for a new Anna Sui Collection!

The Anna Sui website has been updated with the Christmas Collection which includes new nail polishes, new duo eyeshadows, and a few new shades of shimmer/glitter vials!

Honestly, as cute as the collection is I’m not particularly thrilled as the colors just aren’t what I like for a Holiday collection but they are limited edition which does up the appeal but ado even that doesn’t tempt me.

Two limited edition pouches with four nail polishes for 4,200 yen each are available.

Three limited edition eyeshadow duos are available as well at 2,500 yen each. These look darling but honestly the shades aren’t what I’d called Holiday friendly. Now if it was Spring or Summer I’d probably be all over these but I look for more shimmery, lighter colors come the Holiday!

And finally four new shades of the shimmer/glitter vials are available for 2,000 yen each. The shades are blue, silver, purple, and an off gold. These aren’t appealing at all to me either.

It looks like a perfectly nice selection but I think I’ll be skipping on a majority of it as it just doesn’t hold any interest for me. The selections are available within Japan only however a few select online shops do have the line available for purchase if you’re feeling a desire to own it for your very self!

Recreating Anna Sui’s Royal Romp Look

Anna Sui Royal Romp Press Powder M Review

Mmmmm mmmm mmmm good! KATE’s website has been updated with the brand new KATE Gel Eyeshadows and the Muse couldn’t be happier!

KATE is a Japanese brand that is exclusive to Japan however if you take a look at my buying guide you can locate a few shops online that sell KATE.

The brand new gel eyeshadows are calling my name I’ll be indulging in quite a few of the shades plus the price is right at 8,50 yen. At that price I think it’s safe to say that these should be about the size of KATE’s Gel Eyeliner which is about half the size of a MAC Fluidline.

These shadows are quite similiar to gel liners released this past Spring as they look like they have a metallic finish with quite a good bit of shimmer but we shall see soon enough!

KATE Gel Eye Liners

I have my eye on the pink, purple, gold, and white. If hey end up being good, as I think they will be, I’ll grab the other colors as well!

Have you seen ‘em?

Lemming ‘em?

Tell the Muse!

KATE Summer Collection 2008: KATE Dual Carat Eye Shadow Review

KATE Glamtrick Eyeshadow Palette Review

KATE Spring Collection 2008 Review

For a more dramatic, punk’ed out Fall and Winter look you might want to check out the Gosh Fall and Winter Collection entitled Hot n’ Sweet!

Concentrating on pinks, purples, and greens, Gosh manages to create a punk-like edge to it’s brand new collection while concentrating on a bold, fun look for the Fall and Winter Season!

Released with the collection are brand new shades of Gosh Extreme Art Eye Liner for $16 USD each.

The shades are:

• Olive Green
• Fuchsia
• Warm Red
• Light Purple

Also available are brand new Gosh Light ‘n’ Shine Lipglaze which has a built in mirror and light for applications on the fly! Glosses are $20 USD each.

My personal favorite from the items released are the brand new shades for the Gosh Quattro Eyeshadow Palettes. Palettes are available for $18 USD each.

The shades released for this collection are:

• Hot Color
• Sweet Color

And finally brand new shades are available in the Gosh All Effects Powder which are:

• Pinkie
• Plummy
• Greenie

Each powder is $14 USD each.

The collection is on sale now on Gosh’s website! CLICK!

Although I love the looks of everything I won’t be indulging as my Holiday/Winter list is getting longer and longer so I’m being a tiny bit reserved with what I purchase.

I will be bringing you a review shortly, thanks to Zara at Kiss and Make-Up who recently sent the Muse some pressies, from Gosh cosmetics!

How about you?

Like the looks of the Fall/Winter selections from Gosh?

Planning on purchasing any?

Tell the Muse!

Gosh Cosmetics Spellbound Collection

It’s today, it’s today!

Lancome Oscillation mascara has launched live on the Lancome site! The Muse is ordering hers right now and a back up for her annoying little friend, Jai!

Go snag yours now before it sells out! It sold out mighty fast during it’s sneak peek this Summer so the Muse is taking no chances during this second release!

Check out the application video (CLICK!) while you’re visiting Lancome’s site so you can tutor yourself on proper application just in case you win a Lancome Oscillation mascara during the Muse’s giveaway (I’ll be announcing the winner later today!)!

Spend $35 USD or more on Lancome site and you’ll get a Deluxe Sample of Bi-Facil and Cils Booster XL when you enter promo code Oscillation.

Do tell the Muse if you grab a Lancome Oscillation! She’s curious who wants this!

Happy Shopping!

During my last UK Lush Order I failed to order Lush B Electro Soap which is Lush’s newest soap that’s available for a limited time, thank god for that.

I’m not the biggest fan of B Electro considering that it reminds me of another soap Lush used to make entitled Happy….I believe it was Happy don’t quote me on that though (many Lush soaps have come and gone through the Muse’s life and she can’t remember them all, especially if they sucked!).

It lathers really well however doesn’t offer any moisturizing as most Lush soaps do. I think about the only good thing about it, is it’s cool neon color and the neon suds it creates in my shower! I feel like I need a dark light so I can take a shower while my body is partially submerged in bits of neon green suds! During this time I could also play bad 80′s Cyndi Lauper songs and bop around the shower stall singing about how girls just want to have fun (stranger things have been known to happen in the Muse’s shower!).

I normally dislike shopping for Lush in store considering people put their grubby, sweaty hands on everything in the store which is about the time the Muse has a total freak attack over the germs…oh god the germs…..Ahhhh! Lord knows some of these people may have picked their nose prior to picking up that bath bomb!

You can relate if A. You’ve shopped at Lush before or B. Don’t dig strangers touching soap and other items that you’ll be using on your body or face!

I got sucked into the pull of buying a chunk of B Electro when an SA calmly explained to me that the entire slab was brand new and just put out, she promised, swore on her dear old dead grandmere, and on her unborn child that it indeed was new. I quickly took her word for it and decided ok I’ll buy a slice since I’m here already! Later on my friend Jamie reminded me that several people were in the store during this time and could have possibly touched it before I entered shop…thanks Jamie…Love you.

I quickly realized when I got it home that this wasn’t for me. Although it’s a nice enough soap and suds up beautiful and of course as I mentioned it’s freaking neon green (that along should make us all wet our pants in excitement!), this is sadly all it has going for it. I sniffed it casually when in the store but when I did finally get around to using it I just wasn’t digging the scent.

Sheesh I hate giving Lush a poor review. I love Lush but this just didn’t do it for me! I had hoped and wished for a bright, citrus scent and B Electro does have have a nice fruity, citrus smell but it also has an underlay of fennel and rose which pulls through way more prominently then it’s base of grapefruit. I don’t mind the rose but bringing together rose, fennel, grapefruit and jasmine and you pretty much have disaster in a bar of soap!

Sadly, B Electroc failed to do much for me and my $10 piece quickly made it’s way into the nearest trash can however I keep hope alive that one day Lush will create another masterpiece of a citrus soap like Sexy Peel and all will be right again with the world! Until that time no more exciting neon green shower experiences here!

Tried it out?

Want to?

Loved it?

Tell the Muse!

Lush Godmother Soap Review

Lush Lily Savon Soap Review

Ahhh water. Our body loves it and our skin needs it plus it’s cheap as day old chips! Skincare nirvana comes in a simple bottle or a flick of your wrist to turn on your faucet!

Did you know as babies we are made up of 75-80% water? As we grow older that decreases from 50-60% and as for our brain it’s made up of 85% water and our skin and bones 10-15%!

Helluva cheeky smart girl aren’t I?

When I seen Tricia Sawyer Skin Balancing Water Primer but of course the very first thing that popped out at me was WATER! I always look for water content in my primers considering how much I hate silicon based primers so anything that remotely resembles a moisturizing primer experience will end up in my greedy little hands instantly!

Tricia Sawyer Skin Balancing Water Primer contains silicon but it also has a unique cooling formula that’s water based which releases extra moisture when applied. The Muse likey! The primer is oil-free and glides gently onto the skin leaving behind a cooling, moist, dewy surface to prep your skin for foundation.

Although this didn’t do much to make my foundation last longer it did provide a flawless canvas for my coverage and made it easy to work with since it created a balanced, moist surface for my foundation. I think it successfully gave my skin a normal feel for a few hours of wear which was both shocking and delightful. Since my skin is combination at the moment, ranging from oily to dry in different locations of my face it was shocking to smooth some of this on, proceed to apply my makeup, and have my skin act normally for 8 hours. Obviously as per it’s name it does balance the skin.

The texture is extremely interesting as it does have a slight silicon feel but it does have a water base so it manages to feel very moist. I find silicon primers uncomfortable to wear and notice they pill on my face however the water base in this allows it to glide on perfectly well, absorb quickly, while feeling light and airy on. It creates a super moist feeling and in turn this provides ease of application for my foundation.

The primer comes in a really great pump style bottle that distributes just the right amount of primer with the first press.

All in all I really enjoyed this one and recommend going to try it out at your local Sephora. The texture and formula is truly dreamy plus eases application and creates a flawless finish to my skin for my makeup. I love the extra amount of moisturizer it provided and the way it eased my irritating combination skin was a huge plus!

This one looks like it’s shaping out to be a keeper!

You can nab yours at www.triciasawyer.com or visit Sephora to try it out before you buy it!

The Muse likey! I see it becoming a fast favorite and possible a staple product in my morning makeup routine!

Tried it?

Love it?

Want to try it?

Tell the Muse!

Lavshuca Perfect Base Moist and UV Review

Beauty Credit Lovely Q10 Pearl Shine Makeup Base Review

Fresh Twilight Fresh Face Glow

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer Review