October 17, 2018

E-Bay Is an Endless Source of K-Beauty, J-Beauty, and Other Fabulous Beauty & Makeup Finds

I was compensated by a brand or company but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

I started Musings of a Muse ten plus years ago and you have no idea how old that makes me feel! One of my first Etude House posts dates back to 2008 and I have Japanese Beauty posts that date back even further. It’s pretty crazy how much K-Beauty has evolved and how heavily it has influenced and infiltrated the US market. Facial sheet masks, multi-step skincare routines, doll lashes, and so much more have become fairly standard in the US makeup, beauty, and skincare world and a lot of it was influenced by Korean beauty trends. But one of the most important aspects of Korean beauty is the fact it is now so readily available in the US. Many brands like Etude House, Tony Moly, Skin Food, and others have their own stores, are sold at popular retailers, and have their own websites that allow you to easily pick up any of your favorite K-Beauty picks easily.

About five or so years ago that was impossible and one of the best and most reliable sources for K and J-Beauty was ebay.com. E-bay has and will always be one of the easiest ways to shop for obscure Korean or Japanese beauty brands easily and safely thanks to their money back guarantee and buyer protection. I mean don’t get me wrong, it a heck of a lot easier tracking down your favorite K-Beauty nowadays than it was five or so years ago but there’s still some delay in getting newly launched just available products from both Korea and Japan. The market is a bit delayed in the US and we tend to get certain skincare collections or makeup launches five or six months after Korea has gotten them. Needless to say for those of us, like me, who love instant gratification this isn’t an ideal set up.

I have spent many, many fine years finding great, reliable sellers on E-bay that ship quickly and most times for free with retail prices on some of the latest and greatest launches from abroad!

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October 17, 2018

Kaja Cat Nap Under Eye Brightener Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
4 stars out of 5

Kaja Cat Nap Under Eye Brightener ($19) is a new peach-toned corrector that acts to brighten up eyes which can be used alone or under your favorite concealer. This is probably one of my favorite pick up in the beauty world recently!

I typically don’t like using concealer and corrector because 1. I already use a very pigmented concealer and don’t feel the need to correct anything that’s already concealed by the pigmented coverage I already applied and 2. I feel like concealer and corrector is just too much product under my eyes!

This formula however, is the exception to my rule. I can’t believe how much I like this!

Here’s why.

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October 17, 2018

EcoTools 360 Ultimate Blend Kit Review

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
5 stars out of 5

EcoTools 360 Ultimate Blend Kit ($16.99) is a new trio of densely packed makeup brushes for blending foundations, concealers, and cream or liquid blushes. I picked this up on a whim last month from Ulta.com and I’m every soft happy I did as I’m loving this set at the moment. I think it deserves mentioning I was pretty disappointed with the Ecotool Complexion Collection that launched in 2015. Those brushes didn’t quite live up to what I was hoping for.

These new Ultimate Blend Brushes though are exactly what I was hoping for though and I may go ahead and pick up a second set with my Ulta 20% Off discount.

Here’s the deets on this set!

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October 17, 2018

Almay Lip Vibes Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
4 stars out of 5

Almay Lip Vibes Lipstick ($7.99 or Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off) are a new, permanent range of lipsticks that the brand released for Fall 2018 in 24 shades. I mentioned in a prior post I did on these how much these look and felt like the Sephora Lip Stories Lipstick that launched several months ago and after getting the shade I purchased I have to admit I still have the vibe going on. These are pretty cute and obviously quite fun for Almay.

Like many brands, Almay is trying to attract a younger demographic and I think this packaging will help that along. Because, let’s be real, Almay hasn’t really made any real effort to update their packaging in years and it’s pretty much straight forward and sterile. There’s nothing fun about it. However, Lip Vibes Lipstick does bring colorful cardboard wrapped barrels with names fun, funky names splashed across the front like “Dance Now”, “Treat Yourself”, and “Go Wild”. Not to mention they also launched some alternative shades like a bright yellow and an icy blue!

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