Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from my Haunted House to yours!

Stila Surprise & Shine Palette Review & Swatches

I'm such a cheese but I totally dig the Stila Surprise & Shine Palette simply because it has an option that allows you to record a personal holiday message and play it back! Hey, it's the little things in life that thrill the Muse to pieces!









After testing this out I promptly headed onto Stila's site and ordered three more as stocking stuffers for a few of my good friends! Soon after receiving them the Muse sat down, hit record, and started singing along with Andy Williams as he sung "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"! Nothing says personalized gift giving like the Muse singing while you apply your makeup! Gifts like this are priceless. Too bad for you the Muse won't be sharing her rendition of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" but she will share a review with you of the Stila Surprise & Shine Palette!

I dig the simplicity of Stila palettes lately and the Stila Surprise & Shine is just that, simple. The palette includes everything you need to create a really simple yet beautiful Holiday look no prior brain surgery training required. Truly I love Holiday palettes but honestly sometimes (Yes, I'm talking about you MAC) you really do need to be uber creative or just an amazing makeup artist to understand and use some of these palettes! If you're looking for simple, quick, and easy I'd say that the Stila Surprise & Shine palette is ideal for you!





The palette comes with a base eyeshadow shade which you'll be using as an all over color wash on your eyes and a prep for the primary shadow shade. The base shadow is a nude, flesh color with a tiny bit of golden sparkle that's barely noticeable so you won't have the disco ball shimmer effect with this but just a tiny hint of shimmer. The primary color you'll be using on your lid and blending up to your crease if you like. Completing your eye look you'll be using the darker liner shade which can double up as an eyeshadow if you like. Finally add a bit of the Stila Convertible Color to lips and cheeks and away you go!






















The finished result is a natural look that's pretty and flattering for a day or evening look! I'm particularly partial to the palette as it makes my eyes look quite fresh and I highly recommend it if you're a bit older and starting to experience fine lines around your eyes or puffiness! The colors manages to diminish the look of shadows, fine lines, etc...while making your eyes more awake and fresh looking!





I think the novelty of recording my own personal message was what really snagged my attention about this palette but the colors included and the simplicity of use most definitely kept my interest!

If you're not great at makeup application and you're looking for a nice little palette that easy to use the Stila Surprise & Shine Palette is worth taking a peek at! If you're looking for a creative little gift to tuck into a friend's stocking or to give as a little gift this is fantastic as well!

The Muse thought this was a cute little palette for the Holidays and recommends checking it out for yourself!

The palette is available now at Sephora and Stila cosmetics.



Stila Step out and Shine Gift Set Review and Swatches

Stila Look Book Palettes 1-4 Review

Stila Kitten Eyeshadow Wash and Stila Kitten Lipgloss Review

Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Collection: Shea Cashmere Body Lotion Review

When I first seen Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Collection I was on the fence about whether or not I'd like it or not. I'm normally a foody/fruity type of girl which means I prefer my bath and body products either sweetly scented or scented like some sort of food. I'm a real girlie-girl when it comes to scents and I'm really peculiar and particular about what sort of scents I enjoy using to scent my bath, body, and perfume products.

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Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere looked like something more along the lines that my sister would like. She normally loves comforting blends and I normally prefer a bit more of a sweet factor to mine which is why I was so surprised when I tried out some of the Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Collection! I liked it! Alot!

It's a rather comforting scent that really appeals to my nesting side. When the colder weather sets in the Muse goes into nesting mode and likes to stay home cuddled up on her couch with good friends or family to watch a movie on TV or catch up on some Tivo. I think we all have that rather strong urge to just veg out when the colder weather sets in and nothing feels more comfortable than laying up in bed under a warm comforter and reading a good book or watching some telly! This is the vibe I get from the Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Body Lotion I recently tested out!





The scents is a comforting blend of beautiful vanilla with a really fresh, comforting base. It reminds the Muse of fluffy towels, soft cotton sheets, and plump down comforters! It's not your typical Bath and Body Works vanilla blend it's more of a cocktail of really warm vanilla with faint traces of cake or vanilla frosting. It's just a super comforting smell that's too complex to really explain. I've only tried the lotion so far and I must say it's quite a luxe moisturizer and keeps my rough elbows and knees happily moist and soft! The formula is quite thick but it manages to absorb easily into the skin leaving behind soft skin and a beautiful, lingering scent.





The Shea Cashmere Collection also includes hand cream, foot cream, shower cream, and more! It's worth heading into Bath and Body Works to have a peek and a sniff plus right now they have a slew of gift sets that are too tempting to resist.

The Muse liked this one alot and thinks it's especially lovely for the Winter! Do check it out for yourself at www.bathandbodyworks.com or at your local Bath and Body Works.

Oh by the way L@@K:


Lambie Socks! Ahhhh! The Muse's feet are so happy!



The Muse's Wishy List: Bath and Body Works Lambie

Bath and Body Works Liplicious Lip Color and Lip Sugar Scrub Review

Bath and Body Works Holiday Collection 2008

Bath and Body Works Sleep Collection Review

Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder Review, Swatches, & Photos

I'm almost positive that I'm not the only one excited about the Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder. Like for example I know this guy is super psyched about it:

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme More Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder baby!


The Muse stands behind the right to say that one can never have too many gold powders and in the case of Estee Lauder's Shimmering Jewel Powder that rule becomes law! Have you seen this powder yet? If not you should be running over to your nearest Estee Lauder counter for a peek because it's sincerely gorgeoussssssssss!









The Muse likely.

Alot.

Plus it's affordable gold powder too! Even better!

One of the main attractions of the powder is of course how beautiful it is but honestly, most important right now with the economy in such a slump, the price is pretty darn appealing as well at $32 USD for a huge compact of shimmering, sparkling, twinkling gold powder for your face, cheeks, and body! Divine!

The powder comes housed in a large golden compact which is about a third or so larger than a normal size powder compact, I think the size is what attracted me to it to begin with as seriously where can you get such a beautiful sized compact for this kind of price? Inside you'll find silky, beautiful, luxurious shimmering gold powder that you can use on your face, cheeks, or body!

Larger than my Urban Decay Baked Bronzer


Although the powder looks like it's shimmer overload it's actually quite buildable so you can do a very light dusting of gold or you can get crazy and cover yourself in shimmering gold from face to foot!

The Muse prefers the head to toe option herself!










Once I applied it on my face I thought the finish was very subtle and lovely. It casts a nice shimmer across my cheeks and face creating a twinkling gold effect. The powder actually has a dual layer as it contains a nice spray of shimmer across the top but once that's swiped away you're presented with a second layer which is much less shimmery.

Top Layer




Bottom Layer




Top Layer Swatch


Bottom Layer Swatch




Here's a simple look I did using the powder! I kept my blush very light and natural so that the powder could really show through!





If you're a big lover of shimmering powders you're going to want this one! It's truly a stunning piece and the Muse happily approves it for purchase!



With it's inexpensive price tag and it's gorgeous shimmer who could resist Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder?

Not the Muse that's for sure!

Loves it! The perfect shimmering powder to keep you all bling'ed out the entire Holiday Season!



Gorgeous Pictures of Estee Lauder Vintage Jewels Collection

Estee Lauder Vintage Jewels Collection

Shimmer, Glitter, Sparkle, Oh My! Aube Glamorous Jewel Powder Review

Dior Night Diamond Review & Swatches

Smashbox Flash Powder in Gold featured with Smashbox Gift of Glow Review

Jelly Pong Pong Crystallize Powder Review

Laneige Snow Radiant Blusher Review