Musings of the Day: Economy Beauty Woes

The Muse was wondering how is the current economy influencing your beauty purchases?


Are you cutting back on your normal hauls? Saving more?

I'm very, very anal about setting budget goals for just about everything in my life. I plan cosmetic releases (and non cosmetic things) down to the last penny but occasionally I do go over budgets that I set for myself but it's quite rare. I think present economic situation has definitely influenced my purchasing as I'm not so quick to jump on board purchasing every single shade of aqua eyeshadow put out. I'm a tad bit more conscious of asking myself do I really need this or do I have two dozen of the same thing at home? I'm also pretty tame with my MAC hauling late. I honestly don't think this has too much to do with the economy so much as it has to do with scaling back some as sometimes I do realize that I have a bit TOO much stuff hanging around!

How about you?

Majorca Majolica Girly Erotica

Majolica Majorca Girly Erotica is up and active on the MJ website!




I LOVE the new story! The goth element plus the little spider made me giddy! I think it's one of the simpler stories they have done on the site as there is nothing to "find" and everything is right there to click on, open, and view.


Nice!

I also noticed they now have a great option as soon as the first page loads which allows you to click a link and this opens the entire general catalog of items available. Great feature.


Love the goth element, love the spider, but the collection is meh at best! Pretty disappointed about the lack of items available but I'll survive.

GWP? Cutes! Love me some spiders!

Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus is the brand new mascara releasing for Spring which I will pick up for sure.


Also available are two new Majolica Majorca Honey Plump Glosses and finally Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover Face Powder.




Spidey nails!


So you can obviously why I'm lacking excitement. I'll be snatching up the mascara and I'm debating on the powder as I have several powders from MJ already and I'll def skip the Honey Plump Glosses as I have at least six to get through already. Very disappointed at the lack of palettes or lack of virtually anything for the eyes aside from the mascara.

It's really a bare minimal collection and I'm a tiny bit shocked they didn't go further with it.

Economy do you think?

Hmmmm...the Muse is sad. I need a hug!

If you're interested in reading the story you can check back to see if the Singapore site updates as that will be in English. At the moment the I am Gorgeous promo is still live so you'll have to see in a few weeks if it changes.

Zirh The Warrior Collection Shower Gels

The Muse MIGHT be easily amused, it's hard to say really with her sense of humor but she did so find it slightly funny that Zirh has a Warrior Collection of Shower Gels available at the moment for men.


If your man's ego isn't bloated enough you can now buy him Warrior Shower Gel that will make him feel like Alexander the Great, Ulysses, and dare I save even Julius freaking Caesar.

Feed his ego with these fine shower gels from Zirh and I'm postive he'll be charging into your bedroom with a toga wrapped around his body yelling "All Hail Caesar!"

How oddly exciting....

Sephora Brand Power Mask Collection

Remember how fond the Muse is of ranting about the lack of face masks available without the US? Asian markets are flooded with all sorts of facial masks and it's a common part of skincare regime to use these masks for extra moisture, whitening benefits, and a number of other reasons. Almost all masks are commonly found in drugstores at quite an inexpensive price tag.

Now US women are quite deprived of these great treatments and if you're seeking such a face mask a few select brand such as Shu make these masks but with a high price tag.

I was excited to see that the Sephora Brand Power Mask Collection has popped up at Sephora! Wow finally a company within the US was finally jumping on board the face mask craze.


Don't get too excited, read ahead to find out why!

The idea behind the Sephora Brand Powder Mask Collection was quite exciting as I loved the idea of finding masks locally at my Sephora store. Cool!

Three masks are available for use one of which is a face mask that delivers extra moisture to the face! The Muse can always use as much moisture as possible on my face. Also available is an eye mask that also delivers moisture, comfort, and cooling to the eye area.

And finally another face mask option is available that nourishes tired skin and creates a more fresher, newer you!

Are you excited yet? I was.

Until I seen the price.

Umm hello expensive how are you?

The masks are not sold in bulk such as ones from Asian companies which means you're getting a SINGLE mask, ONE time use for a price tag that starts at $8 and ends somewhere at $12.

Come.
On.

Say word!

Even Shu Eye Masks run cheaper at $45 for a box of 8 which adds up to around $5.65 per a mask.

$8??? $12??

Um no my face does not need moisture at that cost! Especially moisture that isn't even from a high end brand name.

Check it:






Needless to say you won't catch these in my cart until they are on clearance for a buck ninety nine. The Muse is all about playing it cheap with these masks! Love the idea, no likey the price.

Lower your prices Sephora and they will come.

Beauty Blast from the Past: Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood Cheek Stain

One item the Muse truly misses is Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood Cheek and Lip Stain.


Take a blast to the past with the Muse to hear why she misses Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood Cheek and Lip Stain!

Sigh...dontcha just hate when your fav products get up, walk away, and never return? So be the case with the limited edition run of Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood.

These fabulous little tubes of color were available in four shades, were cheap as day old chips, and nicely pigmented! Many stains are too red or too pink but Flesh & Blood managed to captured a true blush of color and added a beautiful finish to lips and cheeks. The gel formula was easy to blend and melted into the skin leaving behind moist, dewy color that was both natural and flattering.





I sure do miss these and wish that Majolica Majorca would bring them back or at least do a similar release! For now I'm forced to blast into my past with the two remaining tubes I do have stashed away and I'll mourn the day they are gone!

Have you every tried Majolica Majorca Flesh & Blood?

Have a few stashed away for a rainy day?

Tell the Muse about your Beauty Blast from the Past holdings!

Jillian Dempsey for Avon Essential Beauty Palette Review

I know I'm such a cheese with all my Avon reviews lately but I can't help but stop and say that Avon has vastly improved lately and I've embraced all the great new items they are offering item.

Recently when I seen the Jillian Dempsey for Avon Essential Beauty Palette I was kinda hopping around as I really liked what Jillian has pulled off for Avon lately. Away I went with indulging in one of the two palettes on offer, after all it promises me a full face of makeup in a cute little palette...who could resist?



Zomg! Bad idea Avon. No likey this palette at all!

I'm somewhat shocked in all honesty that this was such an epic fail. The Jillian Dempsey for Avon Essential Beauty Palette comes in a cool and warm version and run around $4.99-$7.99 per palette. The palette is a cute little cardboard flip design with a full size mirror and all the makeup you need for a complete look such as lipcreams, blush, shadows, and an applicator! Sweet.


Not so sweet.

The entire lot of makeup included in the palette is utterly, completely, and devastatingly bad. I'm not sure what went wrong as Jillian Dempsey is a rock star with her Avon creations but this was terribly wrong. The shadows included are both cream and apply sheer and streaky! The lip colors aren't as bad but they aren't easy to blend and just sit on your lips and finally the blush gives a tiny hint of color but isn't nearly pigmented enough to create a wow inspiring look.







I'm pretty sad about this one! I think they honestly put effort into making it but didn't anyone test it before they slapped it up for sell?


The Muse says:


No likey.

At all.

La Mer The Powder Review

What was it that kid from Jerry Mcquire was so fond of saying?


Did you know that a jar of La Mer The Powder weights as much as a human head? Well, maybe not but damn-yum it feels like it!



Talk about super luxurious! La Mer The Powder comes housed in a .88oz frosted glass jar that weights as much as that human head the kid was talking about. This must be what it feels like to be rich....I wish I was rich but at least I have La Mer The Powder to make me feel all wealthy, fabulous, and J-Lo like (I heard she slathers herself, head to toe, in La Mer cream!). I once dreamed I was fabulous but than I woke up. Darn it.



No seriously though the jar is super gorgeous and vanity worthy, count the Muse impressed. Needless to say what's inside is just as lovely as what's outside. It's possibly the nicest and the most expensive powder the Muse owns at the moment. I'm not much of a powder user especially around this time of the year (dry skin and the likes) but La Mer could change my mind.

At $65 USD it doesn't come cheap but the fact of the matter is it's going to last you this lifetime and probably your next as it's huge so in fact your $65 USD is an investment for your powder future. This is alot of product for the price so you can feel a little less guilty when indulging.

The powder is available in four shades and the one I've been using is the lightest shade Cream. It's a lightweight, very finely milled, silky powder that helps my foundation last out a majority of the day and into the evening. I've been using mine for a while now and I can safely say it does wonders for keeping the evil oily forehead at bay during hot, humid days. The powder manages to give my skin an airbrushed, flawless look while giving my skin a fresh, awake finish. I honestly wouldn't suggest it for using as a sole foundation as it's a bit sheer but working as a finishing or setting powder it's truly ideal.


The powder is developed with symmetrically shaped, uniquely coated particles that magnetically attract to the skin for a perfect fit...hey it's not my words...go read it on the La Mer site. I have no idea what that means but hell it sounds important right? No seriously, it does have a rather wonderful way of conforming to the skin and blending in leaving behind that no makeup feeling while offering a beautiful sheen to the skin that can only be classified as flawless. I will say even on my dry skin the powder still manages to settle onto my face without caking, flaking, or just creating general drama which is always a plus as I do like to set my foundation occasionally with a good powder so it remains fresh all day.


All in all I think it's a luxury item that's affordable considering how long the product will last! The presentation of the product is gorgeous and the powder's formula is equally as wonderful. This one the Muse suggests checking out for yourself it has the potential to for holy grail material membership!

Tried La Mer The Powder?

Love it?

Got a favorite La Mer product?

Tell the Muse!

Givenchy Spring Collection 2009: Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick Maharani Rose and Maharani Henna Photos, Swatches, and Review

Yesterday I gave you quite a chunk of the Givenchy Spring Collection to chew on. Did you enjoy those bites of goodness?

Your Muse sure hopes so!

Today I'll be introducing you to the two new shades of Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick.

Excited?





Two new shades of Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick were introduced to compliment the Indian inspired Spring Collection and both are rather stunning. Maharani Rose is my favorite of the two as it's a unique shade of rose that gives my lips just the right touch of natural pink. I was a tad bit disappointed with Maharani Henna as I thought it would be a deeper shade of red. Although Maharani Henna is advertised as a warm brick red I felt like it was more of a deep peach shade and easily duped by other colors in my lipstick library. Kinda bummed about this one as I was hoping for some sort of popping red to match up well with the bright hues of the Givenchy Sari Glow Blushes BUT the good news is I actually think the shade is quite lovely and a nice touch for Spring or Summer looks.









Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick are all quite matte at least the shades I've tried however even though I'm no great lover of mattes shades I must say that every shade I've purchased has always pleased me since the formula is so great. The formula is a luscious moisturizing blend that leaves lips with glossy and full of color thanks to the great pigmentation of the product.

Both of the new shades compliment the Spring Collection perfectly and even though I was slightly disappointed with one I still felt like it was a welcome addiction to the entire line up.

All in all Givenchy Spring 2009 could be shaping up to top this Muse's favorite list for the Season!

See a few FOTD's using these items by clicking below:

Givenchy FOTD 1

Givenchy FOTD 2