New York Times Slams Beauty Bloggers

Someone had sent me a link to the New York Times article that is basically slamming beauty bloggers far and wide.

Click to read!

I thought I'd address some of what was being said in this article because I don't want Musings of a Muse to end up slandered by any of this.

About 99% of the products I review on Musings are items I purchased with my own sweat, blood, and tears. I work a daily 9 to 5 job as a self employed insurance broker where I make money. I proceed to take my money and splurge it on cosmetics! I do not give myself the title of beauty editor, beauty reviewer, or any other important title simply because I don't think of myself in such a manner. I'm more your average, everyday girl that's sincerely and seriously addicted to cosmetics in a major, sickening way!

It's rare I get products for "free" from companies and if I do you'll only ever get my truest opinion on those items. A majority of you already know that if I don't like something I'm definately not cutting corners when I give my opinion or review! I imagine some PR companies are scared to touch me because of my brutal slandering of a product when I hate it!

The moral of the story is I'm not here for free swag nor am I here to pimp products I don't even like. I am, however, here to interact with each one of you and tell you my truest opinion of items I purchase with my own money not products I've gotten free from companies.

I am not affiliated with cosmetics companies nor do I endorse them!

The Muse is and always will be simply an everyday girl that loves cosmetics with a passion! Getting to know each of you and talking to you daily about products and life is what Musings of a Muse is about for me. I think of each of you as a close friend and it saddens me many of you are far away (most of you are in different countries) and we can't sit down like normal folk, have a cup of tea, and chat.

Musings of a Muse started out as a silly form of entertainment for myself and to this day I am always flattered when I look at my traffic and I see how many girl's (and guys) come to visit me here!

This is my two cents on that article. It hurts and saddens me to think that the Beauty Blogging World is portrayed in such a shady light. The fact that this article is in the New York Times really disappoints me as it's a newspaper I read daily with great glee (especially the weekend edition).

The truth of the matter is that I've talked to many of bloggers across our blogging sphere and each one I've chatted to and become friend's with have always been sincere in their intentions to bring readers good, solid content about items they love to use or hate!

The next time you stop by Musings or any of your favorite Beauty Blogs think of all the hard work the writer does to keep you updated on current beauty finds!

Musings of a Muse will always stay true to it's origins, A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore.

Cheers!

Aube Winter Collection 2007

At the rate I'm going I could have reviewed Aube's Holiday/Winter Collection next season! Sorry about the delay getting this out!



I've had this collection for a while and I haven't yet tried any of it but last night I decided to finally crack it open and take a peek at the colors!

When the collection came onto the scene I wasn't too tempted but later on I decided that I needed to add some of it to my beauty arsenal!

They released a pressed powder with this that a friend of mine was unable to locate sadly so I missed out on that! Out of all the goodies I only ended up with three items which were the newest Jewerly Shower Eyes and the two loose shimmering powders!

The palette is quite gorgeous although not what I expected. Upon seeing the promo images it appeared the model was sporting a white sparkling baby blue look but upon getting the palette I learned the colors are a tad bit different and it left me slightly puzzling over the best way to get her look but that hasn't swayed me from loving it!

The main color in the palette is a cream gold sparkle followed by a beige bronze color and a dark chocolate liner color. The Shower part of the palette (and star of the shower in my opinion) is the light blue gold infused cream color! It's a beautiful shade and it really sparks up the main colors of the palette! I'm not going into detail about application here but if you're interested in understanding how the palette works do click here to review my main review on Aube's Jewelry Shower palettes! My sole rant about the palette was the packaging. I was slightly disappointed that the packaging wasn't the standard shiny metallic style. It seemed they changed the compact to a matte finish instead of the regular shiny metallic compact! I really liked the pretty pink shimmer to the old compacts!

Old Packaging vs New Packaging




The palette sold very well in Japan from what I understand as my mate had a difficult time locating it upon it's release!

The other two items I got were the loose shimmering powders which come in a nice glass bottle. I really love the presentation on these and the packaging is ultra cute however application is a bit messy! The powders come in a nail polish style bottle but they do not have an attached applicator. I thought this would come with a spatula applicator or a brush of some sort attached to the bottle topper but that's not the case sadly. In order to apply you have to tip the bottle while stopping it with a finger tip and then lightly dab the powder where you want it! It's a wonderful silky, sparkly powder that can used on your face, cheeks, or body however application is a tad bit messy with just a fingertip for applying. I guess you can use a really slim brush to fit into the bottle and take a little powder out at a time but I'm still wishing these came with an applicator of their own! The two shades available were gold and pink and both are well worth getting as they are truly beautiful shimmering shades!





Overall, I really like this collection and I'm glad I decided to get some of it! I highly recommend at least nabbing the palette if you have the means of locating it!

Have this collection?
Love it?

Want it?

K-Drama Ramblings

My evil readers recommended I try out Sassy Girl for size! Sadly, I believe it's no longer available stateside as I couldn't find it anywhere so I ended up buying a rather shady copy of it from an Asian video store in Queens. I really hate buying versions like this because the subtitles are awful. I normally wait and buy the English Version of K-Dramas but since Sassy Girl is so new an English DVD Set is unavailable. I believe the official release was available from YesAsia upon it's release in October or November but it's since sold out and it takes ages to get back in stock! Impatient as I am I wanted it now thus I ended up with this set!

So I got it!









Yay!

I just finished Coffee Prince and I'm happy to say it was rather awesome! As I was telling a reader in comments Coffee Prince isn't your standard K-Drama! All the normal ho-hom elements are definately in Coffee Prince. Example: Girl meets Boy. Boy is rich, Girl is Poor. Girl and Boy fall in love. Boy treats Girl kinda harshly. Boy's family strongly disapproves Girl's background. Yada yada yada etc..etc...typical Korean Soap! However, even though Coffee Prince follows the same old story plot as every other K-Drama I've seen it does have redeeming qualities that sets itself apart from your standard drama! The twist of the main character pretending to be a boy is one thing that makes the drama really different and interesting! Plenty of comic relief from a great supporting cast helps relieve the tension in the story! Quite a few sexy, romantic moments really add a nice touch of sweetness to 17 hours you're wasting on this! The beginning, the middle and the ending is very fulfilling thus when it's over you're actually feeling like you've lost some new found friends instead of wanting to bawl your eyes out that you wasted time on a soap that killed off one of the main characters!

Anyway! That's my little mini wrap up and review of Coffee Prince :)

YAY my copy of Coffee Prince's Soundtrack! Tis awesome you need it!






I'm now looking forward to watching Sassy Girl after all the rave reviews! I just ordered Witch Yoo Hee, SOS, Sweet Relationship, Foxy Lady and Heavenly Forest...so I guess this means my Resolution to NOT buy K-Dramas until I watch what I already have has gone out the window? Sigh. Oh well! I don't have enough hours in the day to watch all these but it's sure fun trying to watch at least an hour a night and failing miserably!

What are you watching right now?



Click here to read my past ramblings about Coffee Prince!

Reader's Request: Stila Cherry Crush FOTD

I'm not going to do the entire lowdown of what I used on this FOTD as it's 1. a boring look and 2. it was a reader request I use Stila Cherry Crush on my lips! So I'm posting this FOTD to show what Stila Cherry Crush looks like on!

You can check my review on Cherry Crush by clicking here!

@Cosme @ Your Drugstore!

I can't read characters but I still visit @Cosme for the pretty pictures! @Cosme is basically the same idea as MUA or Total Beauty. The website is the "it" place for up to date information about new cosmetics, collections, skincare, etc.....

It contains user created reviews for products and from what I can understand of the site it sure does a great job of keeping on the edge of Japanese cosmetic releases and more!

I ran across this gem recently on there site and I thought I'd share because I thought it was rather awesome!



From what I can understand these little machines will be installed in drugstores and basically you wave maybe?! either the product or your cell phone over it and it'll pop the review up on your phone!

I'm not sure how it works but it's basically something that helps with getting reviews from @Cosme to you prior to your purchase!

Why this might be exciting to you?

@Cosme contains user reviews which means that you'll get an honest, straight forward answer about the product you're purchasing from a girl that's already tried it and either hated it or loved it!

How awesome would it be to head to Sephora, pick a blush out (or any other product), and get a user review on the item instantly!

I love this idea!

More images:

Majorca Majolica: First Look at the Trick on Palette

A reader located this gem!

Click!

The entry has swatches of the new MJ Palette plus an FOTD using the pink variation (PK740)! She's created an outstanding look with the palette!

Check it out! I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my MJ Spring palettes! I'll definately post FOTD's when I get 'em!



Click here to read more about the MJ Spring Collection!

Click here to view my Holiday FOTD using one of the Winter MJ Palettes!

Too Faced Spring 2008 Collection: Galactic Glam

Too Faced is taking us too a galaxy far, far away with it's Spring Collection entitled Galactic Glam!

Much of the collection consists of quick fixes such as a new primer, liner and cleanser but some interesting eyeshadows and such have popped up too!

Borderline $18.50 USD


This pencil is a colorless stick that keeps your lipgloss from traveling all over your face and down your chin to your cheek...etc....you know what I mean right? It's been done before but Too Faced decided to jump on the bandwagon and do their very own version! I'm slightly curious. I've tried pencils like this before and haven't had much success to be honest.

Shadow Insurance $17 USD


Nothing can tear me away from my Urban Decay Potion Primer not even Too Faced's new shadow insurance. This primer promises that your eyeshadow will stick all day however I already have my trusty UDPP so I'm not really needing to try anything new plus my primer is $2 bucks cheaper! Ya Boyeeeeeee!

Lip of Luxury $18 USD


Now here's an interesting little lipstick. It's champagne infused. I wonder what the hell that means? Do you think they inject it with tiny doses of champagne? I'm in if they do! Nothing like a bit of bubbly on the side of my lipstick! I love the cute pink packaging with sparkly diamond topper!

The Hopeless Romantic Quickie Palette $29.50 USD


Meh...another quickie chronicle? I don't really like these too much to be honest as I find them messy! They are ok I guess if I can find them on sale but really to pay full price I'm not interested. The set includes two layers instead of the standard one layer so it's somewhat unique in that!

Lash Injection Antidote $23.50 USD


This is basically formulated to remove Lash Injection but they forget to mention how much Lash Injection sucks! I don't need a $23.50 mascara remover when the said mascara comes off without any help at all! Lash Injections sheds fibers like a cashmere sweater! You don't need a remover when it comes off so easily by itself!

Mood Swing $18.50 USD


Another lipgloss that promises to be your custom shade of color. Probably doesn't work. Just my humblest!

Galaxy Glam Eyeshadow $19.50 USD


Ahhh the star of the show! Now these are something to get hyper about! These shadows are infused with beautiful swirls of shimmering blues, golds, greens, and pink! They look rather awesome to my eye but I'm a tad bit worried that they won't give the desired look I'm hoping for and just turn black when on! We shall see!

Want any of this?
Love it?
Hate it?

Discuss?

Comment box open!

Laneige Darling Big Eyes Palette

Laneige released a Limited Edition Palette a few months ago entitled Darling Big Eyes. I originally saw this on Kathi's reviews (Click here to visit her) and I knew I had to have it!

After searching for this in a few countries (Singapore, China, Japan, Etc...) I failed to locate it. It's like Where's Waldo to locate this damn thing! Seriously, I've had problems locating cosmetics in the past but this particular palette was ridiculously elusive. After some serious hard work I ended up giving up on it and chalked it up as being something I'd lem for life but never own (how dramatic am I?).

A week ago I got a random package in the mail and low and behold when I ripped open the envelope out spilled the very difficult to locate Darling Big Eyes Palette!

Oh Joy! I was crying in excitement! Turns out a "virtual" friend of mine on MUA had sent it to me as a little present as I gifted her a bunch of tarts and a warmer a few months ago so she remembered how much I was wanting this palette and came across it and got it for me!

I now have in my possession this ultra cute palette!

Behold:
















You can't honestly say this isn't the cutest thing you ever seen! The palette is ultra tiny and has a little hanging loop on th end which I guess you could use on your cell phone but I'm not so nuts I'll be using this as a cell phone charm!

This contains three shimmering shades of shadow in silver blue, pink, and cream. It flips open to reveal the three shadows and mirror plus it has a sweet little draw that pulls out to reveal two sponge applicators!

I haven't yet used the shadows but I have dabbed my finger in and it appears they are quite pigmented! I think most of the appeal of the palette is it's size and cute design!

Overall, it's definately a really cute collector's item and I'm properly chuffed to finally have it!

I wish I could tell you the price but I failed miserably at ever locating this so I don't know it's original price tag! This particular one is a gift and I don't want to be rude and ask how much the person paid for it!

If you happen to live in Asia definately have a look around and see if you can locate one!

I'll be doing an FOTD shortly with this and I'm eager to try it out for size! I'm also slightly hesitant to use it as it's too cute to spoil by dipping my brushes into it! Sigh!

Have this?
Tell the Muse what you think!

Want it?
Good luck finding it as I had the devil of a time locating one!

Laneige Slide Compact in Light Pink

ZOMG! How much do you love the baby pink slide compact from Laneige? I freaking adore this thing!

I have the standard boring blue slide compact but I so want the baby pink one as it goes so well with my iPod and iPhone!

Ooooo so pretty!


This compact is so geeky chic! I really like the formula of the moisture foundation plus it has SPF which makes me a happy Muse and now even better we got the awesome pink sliding compact!

The Muse needs this!

Images of Spring in Japan

My very awesome mate and reader, Betsy, has gotten her Japanese Spring haul in! Lucky duck! I'm still eagerly sitting by my mail box awaiting my Spring goodies!

Betsy was kind enough to e-mail me last night and give me a low down on her goodies plus pictures!

You have Betsy to thank for these gorgeous pics!

Have a lookee:

You might remember me blogging about Beaute de Kose's Cyber Shining Eyes Palettes that were released this Spring (You can click here for details on the release).

Betsy ended up getting the 002 variation of the palette and I'm drooling! The palette is absolutely gorgeous! She says that the palette reminded her of YSL's White Gold Palette and I must say I agree!

The colors look very metallic and quite sparkly! I love any LE's that Beaute de Kose does as the always end up something special and this palette is most definately yummie!



Betsy picked up two of the new Jill Stuart Seductive Eye Palettes as well. I've dodged the Seductive Eye palettes bullet for a while now convincing myself the colors would be matte and boring but after seeing these images I'd say I'm back on board and the lemming force is strong! I guess they aren't so matte after all! Looks like lots of chunky glitter, shimmer, and sparkle! Betsy says indeed they are full of beautiful sparkle and the only color that's a bit matte would be the 2nd shadow which can be used as a base for the other shadows in the palette! As you can see from the pictures below the palettes are astoundingly drool worthy!





Finally we have one of the new Lunasol Palettes and as always it's gorgeous! I'm impressed with the newest palettes this year as they have many good, solid color combos that mix well together and I want at least two!



Overall, Spring in Japan is turning out very nicely!

Thanks for the pics and impressions Betsy!

KT Tunstall Butchers Walk Like an Egyptian

I want to bury my head in the Egyptian sands after watching this video!



I really love KT Tunstall. She's honestly a very talented singer but damn she totally murdered this song!

I'm just somewhat happy they got the whistling part right at least......! I'm gonna go wash m ears out with soap now.

Remember kids there is a valuable lesson to be learned here: Never sing "Walk Like an Egyptian" acoustic!

Am I too brutal? I dunno...maybe....but damn if it didn't sound bad to my ears!

The Muse's two cents:

Bangles with an S. As in plural. As in a group of chicks singing a song. Why KT Tunstall thought she could pull off all the lyrics on her own with two other girls doing the "o e o" solo is beyond me!

Sephora Steals and Deals

Nab a chic metallic clutch filled with tempting little samples when you spend $50 or more at Sephora! Use coupon code GLAMBAG!

Happy Shopping!

Bobbi Brown on QVC

Bobbi Brown was on QVC yesterday and like the strange little person I am I Tivo'ed the show as I wasn't home last night to watch it for myself!

Everything looked quite yummie even though I'm not a huge fan of Bobbi Brown I did end up ordering the Face Touch Up Palette which came with a Mini Concealer Brush.



The price tag is ridiculous at $58 USD but I've read on MUA how very amazing Bobbi's concealers are that I was tempted to buy this!

If you watched this you might have seen the really sh*t job Bobbi was doing applying this to the model's face! I seriously thought she was doing a really crummy job with application however it didn't sway me from totally wanting the palette!

As of late I've noticed my eyes appear very tired and my dark circles are showing quite badly. I've no idea what changed but that's about the gist of my eye area lately.

I normally use Benefit Bo-ing and I truly can't recommend it enough but lately I've found that I need something more creamy so I've started to use the Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen. This pen has been sent from the Gods above to conceal my wrinkles, my dark circles, and make my tired eyes pop! Yes, it is better than Guerlain's standard click pen! For serious! I love this thing but I hate the freaking price tag! The pen is $33 USD and I've never actually used a concealer pen so I'm not sure how long this is going to last me! It feels like it may go quickly which is why I'm wincing at the price tag where as Benefit Bo-ing is $18 USD and it's lasts me for a year I seriously doubt that the Booster Pen is going to last me that long!

I decided that I'd try something different. I'm a creature of habit with concealers, foundations, and skincare. I rarely change or try anything new and I stick with what works for me. However, this palette intrigued me and I decided that I'd go ahead and dive in and try something new!

I believe this little palette is exclusive to QVC. I'm not familiar enough with Bobbi's standard offerings but I looked on her site and I see no mention of this little compact anywhere so I think it's safe to say this may have been introduced before but is no longer available and now exclusive to QVC.

At $58 USD the pricetag is making me cringe in agony! I don't mind shelling out that much for an eyeshadow palette but for some reason dropping $58 on a concealer palette gives me nightmares!

The palette consists of 4 colors plus it comes with a brush!

I haven't yet gotten this as I just ordered it yesterday but expect a review shortly!

Want this for your own? Head on over to QVC and get it while the getting is good (Item Number A73667)! It appears it's selling out uber fast!

Have this already?

Tell me are you loving it?

Fafi and Heatherette

Coming soon to a credit card near you:



Can anyone say broke?

If that isn't enough to make your credit card smoke how about:



Ok. I'm off to see how many more organs I can sell off to afford all this stuff (I'm running out I can tell you that much!)! Nothing this addicting should be legal....sigh...........!

How about you?

What are you REALLY wanting from these two color stories? How much are you thinking of spending?

Bubblegum Pink

I find myself completely fascinated with Bubblegum Pink glosses and lipsticks as of late!

It all started after seeing an FOTD of Lancome's Seashell on Vanessa's lips over at Nessasary Makeup! Seashell has popped up on everyone's blog as of late including our lovely little cookie, Lilan, from the Daily Cookie who I believe the Seashell craze originated from! Lilan is busy converting the blogging community to the delights of Seashell! Thanks Miss Cookie we love you for it!

Now your Muse normally stays away from Bubblegum Pinks because they aren't so flattering on my very full face but nothing could keep me from purchasing two shades of bubblegum pink this season! The new Dior gloss plus the Lancome Seashell has started me on a downward spiral of collecting as many flattering shades of pop pink as I possibly can!



I found myself falling deeper in love with such a silly shade of pink when I noticed Yoon Eun-Hye wearing it in her Joinis promo images! You probably already have heard that Yoon Eun-Hye has replaced Kim Hee-Seon as the new face for Joinis. I came across some of her promo images and I just fell in love with Bubblegum Pink all over again!

As you can see in the photos below she's wearing a lovely mod pink which definately wouldn't work on me but it's cute none the less and has since changed my mind about lighter pinks!







I'll be doing some FOTD's using different pinks very soon so do keep your eyes peeled!

Loving all this pink?

Got some pinks you can recommend the Muse?

Tell me!