Missing in Action

Hey guys!

You may have noticed I haven't been posting much the last few days. I've had a few technical issues and I'm also getting ready to launch a new and improved blog for you which is taking a little bit of my time to get off the ground.

Give me some time and I'll be back in fighting force shortly.

Stila Holiday Collection 2009

Whoa tis the season to be early! But we love when get to hear about Holiday 2009 as early as September 1st right? The Muse knows she does.

Stila Holiday 2009? I'm on it.

Check ahead for the details!

The Stila Holiday Collection 2009 features four limited edition sets that bring together old favorites with new offerings making Stila Holiday 2009 as unique as a snowflake.

Stila Kitten Set ($18) Sephora Exclusive
The set features Stila Kitten Eye Shadow and a brand new Stila Kitten Lip Glaze.

I already have Kitten but I'm curious what they mean when they say a brand new lip glaze hmmm...better than the one I already have?

Stila Mini Lip Glaze Set ($25)
Includes eight shades of Stila Lip Glaze four of which are brand new, limited edition shades. LE Colors are Pinkle Twinkle, Marmalade, Candy, and Plum Fairy, Old Favorite Colors are Starfruit, Kitten, Cranberry, and Blackberry.

I normally pick this set up for myself almost every year plus a few as stocking suffers, looking forward to seeing the new shades and snagging one as it's a really good deal.

Stila 24K Luxe Lip Gloss Collection ($30)
Includes many of the shades released this Summer which are Radiant Sunset, Precious Coral, Golden Charm, and Vintage Merlot. This set is exclusive to Anthropologie.

I'm actually very excited about this as I simply adored these glosses so anyone that missed them it's a good excuse the grab them now in a set.

Stila Smudge Pot Set ($32)
Includes Kitten, Black, and brand new shade Starry Night with a mini brush for application.

Again another great deal. If you haven't hauled any Stila lately or missed out on Kitten this Fall it's a good time to snag these all together at a bargain price.

I imagine that this isn't the only thing we will see from Stila this Holiday Season. We'll have to be patience for the rest but this Muse is every hopeful maybe we'll see a palette or two as well? Fingers crossed!

What do you think of Stila Holiday 2009?

Share your thoughts!

Musings of the Day: Running Low? Restock!

Wanna Muse?

Today's Musings is about replenishing your stock of "things I use everyday". You know what I mean...you reach for 'em daily, like mascara, foundation, primer, etc....

I recently had to make a list of items I was running low on so now is a perfect time to Muse about what I need and hear what you're running out of and need to replace.

Check it after the jump!

I placed this HUGE crazy order for BB Creams with a very dear reader and friend (thanks Bora) and inside was many BB Creams I hadn't tried or had to replenish as I ran out...yes, I do run out of BB Creams, crazy right? I use 'em so often that I run out a fair bit so it was a rather good excuse to get some others as well which I hadn't tried.

On top of that I am also hitting pan on Benefit Lemon Aid ummm totally can't live with out it, it's like the air I breath. Also running low on Urban Decay Primer Potion so lucky I snagged some during the Friends and Family Event but dude what the hell? It didn't have the new applicator....does the large version not have it yet?

Aside from that I'm good to rock and roll. No mascara, powder, or base makeup refills needed here nor any color cosmetics. Just the basics I listed.

How about you?

What are you running low on?

Tell the Muse!

Lush Karma Promo Code: Free Stinky Karma

Lush has the Muse told you today that she loves you? She truly does. Has she also said how much she hates Karma? Seems it's so bad you have to give it away.

Jump for it.

Ahhh the sweet errmmm gross smell of Karma. Let me tell you about Karma. Picture this, oranges and dirt. Yes, indeed that's about the extent of what Lush Karma smells of.....some like to refer to it as a hippie like blend, me I may be too young to appreciate the scent of hippies. Honestly, I'm a free loving spirit but if hippies smelled like oranges and dirt in 1960's California I'd probably never had made it, damn.

The good news?

For those who absolutely adore Karma you can get a free Karma product of your choice at Lush simply by spending $60 bucks and using promo code FREEKARMA.

This Muse?

I'll enjoy it from a very far distance.

Share you love for Karma or your dislike.

I'm a listenin'!

Fun Fact: Karma is one of Lush's most popular scents (who are these people that love it so much!?)

Bath & Body Works' New Fragrance Widget

Anyone try the new Bath & Body Works' New Fragrance Widget? What I'm a geeky I adore stupid stuff like this.

Basically it works like a quiz asking you questions and the likes and than it proceeds to customize the perfect fragrance for you.


Check out the deets after the jump and find out which fragrance it picked for me.

The application basically allows you to create a customizable fragrance profile in a few seconds and offers you the perfect scent selection that it believes you'll love. It chooses characteristics that you describe to help you find your ideal scent.

After fiddling around with it a few times it recommended me Bath and Body Works Signature Collection Mandarin Mango. Obviously it works as I adore fruity, sweet blends. Mandarin Mango isn't so much sweet as more fruity, the harsh edge from the mandarin gives it a slightly sour base which dominates much of the blend but the fruity base of mango also provides that juicy, sweet feeling to keep the fragrance light and fresh. Likey. It's funny as I'd probably past this up for my normal scent at BBW so this totally allows me to try something different that was recommended to me, cheers!






You can try the widget (or install it on your blog and the likes) by visiting www.bbwfindyourfragrance.com

Stop back tell me what it chooses for you!

Curious minds.

Beauty Abroad: Lisa Eldridge For Boots No7

It's that special time of the year kids...or not (I know, it takes a special girl to love Boots cosmetics). It's when Boots No7 decides to launch a cool new collection at us. As you know the Muse is fond of the special releases over at Boots and does so wish they'd bring these things over to her side of the pond.

Jump ahead for a peep at the Lisa Eldridge for Boots No7 Collection.

British Beauty Blogger has the word on these new palettes from Boots No7 and after viewing her post the Muse is wriggling in her seat in hopes of collecting both brand new palettes.




The limited edition palettes will be released in November and based on 1930's Russian Art. As for this Muse she can appreciate cosmetic art. That gold one is screaming my name.

Get Your Free Here: Zero + Maria Cornejo Designs Exclusive Travel Bag Trio for Beauty.com

Oi! Free stuff chicas!

We likey free stuff don't we?

Check it:

Maria Cornejo Designs Exclusive Travel Bag Trio for Beauty.com has a slew of goodies inside to tempt and tease you into dishing out $100.

Take the jump for the details!

Now is a great time shop Beauty.com for your Fall hauls as you'll recieve this one of a kind designer bag filled with the following items:

• Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Plump and Thick Thickening Spray Gel with Collagen
• Origins Modern Friction Nature’s Gentle Dermabrasion
• Borba Gummi Boosters Açaí Skin Balance Confections
• Caudalie Paris Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream
• Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Seasilk Color Hold Moisture Shampoo
• Talika Paris Eye Therapy Patch
• Diana B. Scented Candle
• Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer
• Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara
• Paula Dorf Perfect Primer
• RareMinerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer
• Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum CleansTM Blackhead Extractor
• Phyto Phytodefrisant
• Bvlgari Omnia Green Jade Body Lotion
• Arcona Night Breeze Heal/Protect PM
• Urban Decay Lipstick in Sellout

The total content value is $140 bucks, w00t! Get your free on people.

"This bag is based on the three shapes that always inspire the collection – a circle, a square, and a triangle,” says Cornejo. “When I was designing the bag, I was thinking of busy women like myself who, when they travel, need maximum flexibility. I love the idea that each separate compartment snaps apart so that you can separate your products and just grab one item and go!" Sounds great Maria but honestly we really want to get our hands on those samples inside.

These normally go very fast so if you're wanting it go get it by visiting www.beauty.com/zeromariacornejo

Twilight Beauty Website Launches: First Impressions of the Line

As you read in my prior post, a new line of cosmetics has been recently released themed around the popular Twilight book and movie series. Might as well milk the cash cow with themed cosmetics. If you make them the fanpires errrr fans will come.

Honestly, I adore the idea of Twilight makeup. Hey, this is part of being a geek that never grew up. The idea of cosmetics themed around a favorite book of mine is always in style. Personally, I'm waiting for the WoW or Doctor Who cosmetic line but I'll settle for Twilight if I must.

Jump ahead for more of my initial thoughts on Twilight Beauty.

The Muse bets any amount of money that you are wondering if she'll indulge in some Twilight Beauty. To answer your question quickly without having to torture you too much through the babbling ahead I'll say yes. If you want to hear me rant to do read ahead, if you'd rather just leave it at yes and wait for my reviews stop reading now.

Ahhh so you're still here.

Here's the deal. I'm very grumpy that they launched the site and are taking pre-orders for about 50% of the makeup. I'm an instant gratification kinda girl I am not wanting to wait until October for makeup k? If you don't have it in stock please don't proceed to flaunt it at me, make me want it, but tell me I have to wait until the end of October to have. Not cool guys not cool.

That's my first rant...read more.

Ok, so I'm about to rant a little more here. Brace yourself.

I'm disappointed.

I'm kinda disappointed in most of the line. As I told you in a previous post it's split into two collections which are Luna and Volturi. Hmmm who loves the Volturi? Anyone a fan? Yea well not loving that idea but ok. I guess the basic concept is lighter vs darker and more goth. However, I don't see too many differences between the two collections anyway so I do believe they should have just left it at "Twilight Beauty" forget the entire Luna and Volturi concept.

Here's the low down...it breaks my heart to be so brutally honest....absolutely nothing in the collection is a must have in my humblest opinion. Nothing stands out or shouts at me to buy it. I am a tad disappointed that it wasn't something that wow'ed me. I honestly do not have a better idea for the collection but I just don't like it as is either. Aside from the lipstick nothing else really grabs me as a must have and my total cart is made up of four items costing around $83.....The Twilight Beauty Blushing Creme has some of my attention but it honestly looks to sheer in the photos but it's in my cart as I'm curious. I did see one color of Twilight Beauty Lip Gloss that appeals and one shade of Twilight Beauty Staining Balm. However, I can't really see anything special or unique about any of the items on offer. I'm particularly disappointed in the packaging which isn't quite living up to my idea of Twilight, dare I say it looks cheap?


So yes I'm kinda feeling all brokenhearted today....I don't know what I expected but it wasn't this. The good news is maybe after I decide on my final order and get the products I'll be wow'ed by the quality.

What are your thoughts?

Twilight Beauty Yay or Nay?

So far my list consists of the following:

• Twilight Beauty Staining Lip Balm in Rapture (Maybe Blush too)
• Twilight Beauty Blushing Creme in Swoon
• Twilight Beauty Lip Gloss in Butterfly Kisses (Maybe Myth as well)
• Twilight Beauty Gleam Metallic Mascara in Panther

What's your list looking like?

Indulging?

Share it!

Image Source

Thanks!

Hey chicas!

Thanks so much to everyone who replied and loaded up Musings. First off, apologies if you had any problems with the site today.

Secondly, I really appreciate the feedback via twitter, comments, and email to let me know if you had trouble.

And thirdly, I have no new posts for today as I didn't have time to watermark the pictures or edit my posts that are stored up for today's edition of Musings. Sorry guys, I'll be back with more stuff tomorrow.

Take advantage of the time to dig around the archives bet you'll find a post or two you never read.

I'm off for some dinner now with friends to de-stress...been a heck of a weird day.

Love you all!

See you tomorrow!

Few Technical Problems

Hey Guys!

I'll be back soon with new posts but seems Musings is being a bit weird today. Anyone experience any problems when loading?

I'd appreciate if you posted about it loading ok and what browser you are using? If anything weird happens do let me know.

Thanks!

bareMinerals Radiance Rocks

Innovative beauty? Possibly. bareMinerals Radiance Rocks are made up of three minerals in their most natural state.


Hmmm....

Interesting but what's it for?

Jump!

This set is made up of three mineral rocks in various shades for a sheer wash of refreshing, cooling color on eyes, cheeks, or body.

Possibly one of the most interesting cosmetic assembles the Muse has seen to date these do so appear interesting. They come packaged with a Kabuki Brush for application and three shades which are bronze, champagne, and warm rose. Honestly, they look gorgeous but the question is will they be messy or way too pigmented to work with?

Remains to me scene but this Muse did so plop 'em in her cart at Sephora and is eagerly awaiting their arrival on her doorstep...maybe they'll be as special as they look!

What do you think?

Available for Sephora Beauty Insiders for $35.

P.S. Bare Minerals has done "rock"-like cosmetics before with a bronzer rock this past Summer.

Tokyo Milk Lipstick

Cult favorite, Tokyo Milk, hits the cosmetic scene with a brand new lipstick. This Muse is charmed I'm sure as she simply loves Tokyo Milk.


Love it after the jump!

The brand new Tokyo Milk Lipsticks will feature four shades with an SPF 15 and Tokyo Milk's famous vintage packaging. Each lipstick is hand wrapped (as with their soaps) in a vintage-inspired paper and every lipstick comes packaged with mints...but of course darling who wouldn't need lipstick and mints together right?

Pucker up, Tokyo Milk steals the lipstick scene with these.

Each Tokyo Milk Kiss Me Kit is available for $24 from Beauty Habit.

Affordable indie makeup?

Likey!

Want 'em!

Source

Reader's Request: Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Balm Review

You know what the number one problem is when it comes to fine lines under your eyes? Dry skin.

The delicate area under your eyes can occasionally become very dry especially as you age this in fact causes fine lines to look worst than they actually are. At least that's been the case for me.

Your best possible defense against dry skin and fine lines is keeping things as moist and hydrated as possible. Believe me I used just about everything and the kitchen sink to keep the delicate skin under my eyes as moisturized as possible but sometimes even that isn't it enough.

Solution?

Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Balm...miracle in a glass jar.




Check it after the jump!

What is it?

It's a herbal scented balm that resembles vaseline but with a harder texture.

What's it do?

Depuffs, moisturizers, hydrates, soothes, protects, and erases signs of fatigue such as dark circles.

Does it work?

Hells to the yes!


Trust me I'm a Doctor, I think David Tennant said that at one point...but anyway....here's the scoop. Yes, it depuffs, yes it moisturizes, yes it hydrates, yes it improves fine lines (due to dryness) under your eyes, and yes it fights the signs of fatigue but no it doesn't erase dark circles.

So.....

I gave up everything I normally slather under my eyes aside from my AM eye cream to use this for a week and a half. Honestly, that's too short a time to really test it out but the fact is I seen such a dramatic difference since I started might as well tell you the good word now.

It sports a consistency of a balm or a salve hence the name eye balm doh. All you need to do is gently pat it under your eyes and go to bed. Next morning you'll be singing in praise how great you look. It gives an intense shot of good moisture to my dry skin, hydrates it, and does a slight depuff action, LOVE! It also makes me look quite refreshed. Actually when I wake up the following morning it isn't totally absorbed into my skin, it kinda sits around and moisturizes all through the night as I sleep. It's rather ideal if you have some serious dry skin going on. Fact of the matter is if I don't moisture well my fine lines look incredibly bad but when I do get proper moisture you can barely see them and thus the case with this balm. It gives me so much moisture that my fine lines virtually disappear making me look younger, fresher, and flawless.










It's not for everyone.

Thing is I love it but I know that people will likely feel it's like slathering vaseline under your eyes. Not the case as it's a balm and it has a harder texture with a bit of a tacky formula. It could prove to be uncomfortable for some or you may get an "ick" factor after use as it never fully absorbs. As for me I could care less since it gives me all the moisture I crave and than some. I can suffer through a little stickiness for that.

It comes housed in a heavy glass jar and yes sadly you'll have to be dipping your fingers around in there...hello bacteria...only thing I can suggest is to be sure to always use clean hands prior to use. I find that swirling my finger in it with gentle pressure will make the product easier to use as first try it is quite hard and feels like you're not using anything at all. A pressured swirl will get it "worked" up so to speak.

It's $60...honestly, that could be a bit much to drop on a simple balm considering for that chunk of change you can invest in a good quality eye cream. For me it's priceless since it simply works and hey that's what I'm paying for right?

So far, it's on my incredible list. After I'm through with this (which won't be anytime soon as the jar is huge with a ton of product since a little goes a long way) I'll be running to the store for another.

Very good stuff, Muse Approval for purchase.



Overall, if you need to tame the puff, erase the fine lines, and get a super dose of moisture under those tired, dry eyes, Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Balm does the deed and does it well.

Loves it.

Budget Mascara Alert: Avon SuperFULL Midnight Mascara

Hey chicas!

Budget friendly mascara alert here with the new Avon SuperFULL Midnight Mascara. Don't you dare tell Armani but this stuff works almost as good as Eyes To Kill....shhhhh our secret k?


Check it after the jump!

Avon has a brand new mascara for $4.99 that's pretty impressive. Honestly, there isn't a whole lot of special about it. It's a regular inky black formula and a plastic straight line applicator. See? Not really special.




However, it performs like a super star.

I'm unsure if it's the applicator or the formula but it's promise of longer lashes rings true. It doesn't offer much in the ways of volume but it creates really great lenght and curl. The applicator fits the contour of my eye nicely and grasps all the lashes in one go. It doesn't smudge, flake, and wears all day. I find the best results are when lashes are curled prior to use.

Overall, it's pretty impressive for a $5 buck mascara. If you're not willing to dish out a pretty penny for the new Armani mascara I say try this. Works almost as good, for serious.




Loving it!

Muse Approval for purchase.

Too Faced Lip Luxury Free Love Review and Swatches

Urban Decay single handedly convinced me I need more nude pink shades of lipstick in my life with it's newest color, Naked.

Suddenly, the Muse's dreams are filled with visions of naked, nude pink shades for my lips. And than Too Faced Lip Luxury in Free Love stepped into my life....!


Click it for the review.

Oh my god dude this lipstick is champagne-infused....w00t! I'm going to party like it's 1999 tonight. Ha!

But no seriously it really is inflused with champagne...interesting concept eh? I've been meaning to try Too Faced Lip Luxury for a fair while now so I'm happy to finally test it out.

It's quite a nice lippie. Good formula with a smooth application. Very creamy and moisturizing, good pigmentation as well. It's incredibly lightweight with a shimmering, sparkling finish.

Of course, the Muse is all about the packaging. It comes in metallic pink tube with a diamond colored rhinestone on the top of the cap. Loves it!






But after all this the very best part is the new shade for Fall entitled Free Love. It's a sweet pale pink shade that's incredible beautiful on lips. It's not dramatic, it's not bold, it's simply a sweet pink that makes lips look fuller, prettier, and just girlish.

Now it's not Naked by any means and the Muse does so think you need both Naked and Free Love in your beauty arsenal this season! Where as Naked is more of a perfect pale pink minus shimmer, Free Love is a sparkling nude shade that's subtle and mod chic.








If you're a lover of nude pink lips Too Faced Lip Luxury in Free Love will be your best girlfriend this season. Pair it up with a cat eye or a dramatic smoky!

Loves it!

Muse Approval for purchase.



I know quite a few of you already hauled this.

Do share.

Loving it?

Tell it!

Giorgio Armani Greige Collection Review: Giorgio Armani Manta Ray Eye Shadow Review and Swatches

The Muse told you all about the Giorgio Armani Greige Collection a week or so ago. Honestly, it wasn't exactly something the Muse was interested in when she finally got some products to test.

I received one lipstick and one shadow both of which looked incredibly dull and boring.

But wow...after I tried both out I was so floored by how simply pretty the shade on my eyes was and the lipstick just added to it.


Loving all over this collection!

Jump ahead for the deets!

Like I mentioned above, I wasn't particularly delighted when I got my hands on a few pieces of the collection. The first item was the Giorgio Armani Manta Ray Eye Shadow Duo in 3 which is a soft light lilac and a deeper purple lilac. Honestly, the shades totally devastated me as they seemed so terribly dull. Boy was I wrong.

The shadow has a wonderful silky texture which blends smoothly and evenly. Pigmentation is subtle nothing dramatic but just enough to fancy your lid up with a pop of color. Although I was worried about the dull factor the colors actually lent a certain mystery to my eyes that was very natural and fresh. I was honestly very impressed with the results. The color duo kinda of reminds me of something Farrah Fawcett would wear it has a certain vintage 70's feel. My brown eyes are just subtly touched with the colors, quite a nice effect.










Now Armani purposely created a subtle eye look for Fall as their focus was on lips. Bolder, dramatic lips are very in this season as they are the past few Fall seasons. Armani plays on this with a new shade of Armani Silk Lipstick in 92. 92 is the only release for Fall so it's perfectly suitable to pair up with any of the Armani Manta Ray Shadow Duos. It's a deep plum which can be applied sheer or layered for more intensity. I choose to apply it with a heavy hand and blended it down to a sheer layer using a heavy layer of gloss. The formula is quite beautiful and applies seamlessly. Darker shades are sometimes difficult to apply without getting it all over your teeth, face, etc...but this applies smoothly and evenly. The shade contrasts gorgeously with the shadow.








Overall, my first look at Giorgio Armani Greige Collection left me feeling meh but after getting a few requests to please swatch and review I ended up going ahead and testing out. Ever so glad I did as I'm truly pleased. I'm already filling my cart with too more shades of the shadow in hopes I'll have equally fabulous results as I did with shade 3.






Loves it.

Fantastic look for Fall, Armani.

Muse Approved for purchase.



Anyone indulge in Armani Beauty Fall 2009?

Share it.