I recently got my greedy hands on Benefit B Spot while I was at Macy’s and although I wasn’t intending to buy after one sniff I knew I needed to have this.

I originally blogged about this but didn’t really think I’d indulge as I knew of a few other fragrances I really wanted to try prior to shelling out my cash for this particular scent however I sure am glad I decided to stop and sniff.

It’s simply gorgeous. I really should have know as such since Benefit’s Maybe Baby is such a roaring success with the Muse (and the Muse’s sister who possibly loves it more than me!).

The Muse’s stash of Benefit goodies!

Yay Benefit we have another winner!

I do so admit to thinking the notes on this particular scent were a bit wonky. I mean mangoes, freesia, peony and sandalwood sounds like ALOT to take on. Turns out they all work rather well together in a nice neighborly fashion to create Benefit B Spot.

I’m not great at explaining scent as you maybe noticed from my previous posts about perfume and such but I’ll do my best. The scent is very calming, very fresh, and very potent. The freesia is the most prominent note in the blend and it dominates however the edge of the sandalwood plus the floral and fruit take away from the cheapness freesia note to create a very unique and interesting blend. Freesia is a lovely scent however it does hold a certain cheapness about it simply because it’s used in so many body sprays around and after a while you begin to associate freesia with every $5 buck body spray you see hanging out on drugstore shelves.

However, the blend is very, very interesting and unique. It’s quite fresh but it holds a certain seductive feel about it. Interestingly enough spraying this on certain areas of your body will heat the fragrance and allow it to release the scent as your body temperature warms.

Benefit has always successfully created quality Eau de Toilette that holds well, lingers, and creates fantastic throw all day long. The lasting power on this is brilliant. It’ll take you from morning till night with absolutely no touch ups in between and in the case of Eau de Toilette that’s saying ALOT. The scent just lingers on and on!

Recently I was sitting in the back seat of the car with a colleague (and friend) from Chicago who asked what I was wearing. This was saying something as I had sprayed myself with B Spot at 5 AM and here it was going on 6 in the evening and I was obviously still smelling wonderful if she noticed! At $38 USD for 1.7 oz this is not alot to spend on a good quality fragrance that offers considerably long wear.

I think Benefit has ALWAYS excelled at creating super fragrances as Maybe Baby can attest to that.

Benefit B Spot gets a big rave from the Muse and a seal of Muse Approval for purchase!

Definitely head in to your local counter and try it yourself! I guarantee you won’t be able to walk out of the store without buying one for yourself!

Can’t wait? Click over to Benefit’s website and purchase one for your very self!

Wanna try it but not sure you wanna buy it?

No problem!

Contest time!

This one is easy enough I’d say maybe a bit tricky too!

I’m sure you all know the translation tool Babel Fish correct? I use it constantly as I am always browsing different Japanese, Korean, French, Etc…websites! When my nifty translation widget I have installed in my browser fails me I turn to the popular Babel Fish to do all my translating for me!

So here in lays the quiz question for your chance to win!

Where does the name and the “concept” Babel Fish originate from? Hint: Look to my profile and you’ll notice a hint and a clue that may help you solve this little puzzle!

What’s to win?

I have three small sample sprayers of Benefit B Spot to give away to those who comment correctly!

Comments will not be posted until Friday so if you comment and your answer does not appear right away that would be why!

Each person who guesses correctly will be entered for a chance to win a small sample sprayer of Benefit B Spot!

Good Luck!

If you’re loving Benefit B Spot check out the invite below celebrating this new fragrance from Benefit!

Check out dates and listings below to see if your area is having a Benefit B Spot event! You’ll receive a complimentary makeup lesson plus a free gift if you spend $65 USD or more on Benefit cosmetics!

Happy Shopping!

Click the image and print the invitation!

Enjoy some past posts about fragrance by clicking below!

Love Potion Magical Perfumeire Review

Beauty on a Budget: Twice as Clean Perfume Gift Set

Demeter Fragrance: The Tootsie Collection (Review Coming Soon….)

Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint Shimmering Body Spray Review

The Muse’s Obssession with Bnever Perfume

46 Comments

I’ve probably been on this topic for far too long so you’ll have to excuse me for squealing some more! I recently was featured on Etude House’s blog which was utterly thrilling for me! Soon after that a wonderful reader told me that I was featured in Etude House’s little in-store pamphlet which totally made me flip out!

Yesterday I got home and had a letter from Korea waiting for me. I was puzzling over this as I was expecting some packages from Korea but not a letter. I quickly ripped it open in curiosity and I realized that my very, very, very kind reader had sent me the Etude House in-store pamphlet which features your little Muse on the front page!

Can I tell you how exciting this is for me? I simply adore Korean culture and it’s just an honor to be included in the freaking Etude House newsletter! Sheesh, talk about super flattering!

I realize some blogs have made it into popular fashion magazines and others have even made it into the New York Times. Those are seriously great accomplishments but for me this feels ten times better than appearing in a US magazine or newspaper. Reaching out to international readers is something I truly love about my blog. I simply adore my Asian readers and truly to be recognized for my hard work in carving out a niche not many beauty blogs cover really makes me feel like Musings is just a little bit unique and different in comparison to other beauty blogs you read. You can read about the latest MAC collection across the blogsphere and get some seriously great reviews on awesome products. But it always pleases me that you can stop here at Musings, during your daily clicks, and read about the latest and greatest not only in the US but also Japan, Singapore, Korea, England, etc….I think that’s what makes Musings extra special and I take alot of pride in that!

Anyway, all gushing aside here’s some pics of the newsletter and the Muse smiling from the front page!

Enjoy!

A big thank you to that special reader who sent this my way! Thank you SO much!

And of course a really big thank you to the Etude House team who put this together! If you’re reading this the Muse sends her love and hugs!

Show Etude House some love by clicking through their awesome website! Clickie!

Here’s the inside of the newsletter! Notice they are advertising the Shebert Cool Party Summer Collection! I’ll be reviewing it very soon so do stay tuned!

46 Comments

Alot of hype surrounds NYX eye shadows. I’ve read many a review, many a post, and many a discussion about how wonderful NYX eye shadows are and how close in pigmentation they are to MAC.

I personally never purchased any NYX eye shadows until recently when I came across a display at Harmons and my eyes were drawn to the NYX eye shadow color in Hot Orange.

It’s such an awesome Summer shade.

Although Hot Orange is quite a gorgeous shade it’s not without it’s flaws. As I mentioned this is my first time purchasing an NYX eye shadow and being a MAC girl myself it’s definately difficult to compare MAC to NYX in quality but you can perhaps chalk that up to your Muse being very picky about cosmetics.

This particular shade is a bit gritty as it contains a healthy dose of what appears to be non cosmetic glitter, really chunky pieces of the type a glitter you’d use for some after school crafts are something….yak!

The pigmentation is pretty good on the shadow and it blended pretty well aside from the glitter getting everywhere. I did notice that the texture was not as silky as a MAC eye shadow and I did have to swipe a few times and build the color up to get the desired vibrancy that I’d get easily with one swipe from a MAC shadow.

On the plus side the color is such a great Summer shade. The orange is wonderful by itself or combined with some golds or yellows from your collection! Plus the price can’t be beat at $4.99 USD!

For the price I’d say it’s worth checking out and it’s a very nice Summer Beauty Budget Find! Will I buy NYX again? Possibly!

If you’re trying to keep your beauty budget tight this is a great little find to add a bit of wicked color to your Summer makeup routine!

The Muse working NYX Hot Orange (or at least trying to work it!):

Want another beauty budget find? Check out the review for the mascara the Muse is wearing in this Face of the Day picture! Wondering about my blush? It’s the cheap Bobbi Brown blush I picked up in Woodbury! Clickie!

Enjoy some other Summer Must Have Cosmetic findings by reading some past posts!

NARS Lipgloss in Misbehave

Too Faced Eye Shadow in Mess in a Dress

Redpoint Airbrush Effects Whipped Blush

The Muse’s favorites for Summer Sizzling Eyes

18 Comments

Finally I got my hands on some Aquafina Skincare after hearing SO much about it!

I’ll be reviewing an item a day from the collection starting tomorrow so stay tuned on whether the Muse thinks you should be stashing or trashing the new Aquafina Skincare Collection!

Tried it already?

Love it?

Do share!

Learn the best (and worst) options for taking good care of your skin with some past posts from the Muse!

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush Review

Artistry Essentials Moisture Plus Review

MAC Prep and Prime Review

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator Review

Keihl’s Skincare Review

6 Comments

I swear I must be the only girl alive that loves wandering down the aisles of Staples and thinking up strange and unusual ways to use office supplies for beauty storage purposes. At the moment I’m using various desk top organizers that I purchased online and in office shops as storage for cosmetics (I happen to do the same thing with kitchen draw organizers too!). Oh well I never claimed to be normal!

I needed a few items for my office this week so I hurried down to Staples in excitement in what I’d find in the Back to School aisle that I could use for beauty purposes. I love Back to School! It’s the best time of the year for locating little pencil boxes, small plastic bins, and other awesome little compartments and boxes that I can use for stowing away lipsticks, shadows, and the likes!

Sadly, I didn’t find too much in Staples Back to School aisle aside from three kids bawling there eyes out and one frantic mum trying to quiet them. I suspect they didn’t like the idea of shopping for school supplies in July but that’s just my theory of course.

However, I did find one cheap and cheesy find that I am loving for travel storage! A rather cute plastic pencil case that snaps open to reveal a little pull out draw. Obviously it’s used for stowing away pencils and such but I find it particularly nice for stowing brushes when I’m traveling!

Great idea right?

It has enough room to hold a ton of your eye brushes and you can neatly hold at least five or six face brushes inside maybe more if you don’t mind them being squished up.

At 79 cents I’d say it’s a steal and a deal plus convenient! The Muse highly recommends heading down to your local office supply store and looking at Back to School pencil boxes in a new light! Consider your makeup collection inside instead of a buncha pencils, pens, and erasers.

Simple ideas from your silly, old Muse!

How the Muse stores her stash!

Sephora Metro Traincase

Lori Griener Cosmetic Storage Solutions

Kawaii Storage

MuseTV: Revisiting My Storage Solutions

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