bareMinerals Pure Platinum

Last year Nordstrom offered the bareMinerals Pure Platinum Gift Set for the Holidays and the Muse was pretty delighted with the kit.


It's long since been gone though and I'm sure that those who didn't indulge may still be yearning for it.

Have no fear the Muse can show you how to get your very own bareMinerals Pure Platinum!

Get the deets how after the jump!

QVC has gotten the bareMinerals Pure Platinum Kit in stock for $59 USD (same price as last year w00t score!)!

Type in item number A81855 to snag yours!

The kit includes:

• Bare Escentuals Blush in Posh Blush
• Bare Escentuals Gossamer Body Powder in Platinum
• Bare Escentuals Glimmer Eyeshadow in Silvery Hue
• Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Periwinkle
• Bare Escentuals Natural Lip Color in Ripe Fig
• Bare Escentuals Double-Ended Mascara with Classic Black Mascara and Platinum Luminous Lashes
• Bare Escentuals Flawss Face Brush
• Bare Escentuals Tapered Shadow BrushBare Escentuals Crease Defining Brush

The kit is well worth picking up since it's one of the older kits which includes full sizes of virtually almost everything in it where as nowadays Bare Escentuals has decreased the size of products drastically in new set releases. It also includes quite a variety of items where as, again, BE has chosen to scale down not only the size of products in it's newer kits but also the quantity of items.

This is a rare gem well worth picking up especially if you missed it last year!

Ghosts of Christmas Past Collections

"Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?" asked the Muse.

"I am!"

The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside her, it were at a distance.

"Who, and what are you?" the Muse demanded.

"I am the Ghost of Christmas Collections Past."



The Muse is quite fond of rehashing her past and remembering collections that caught her fancy over the years. Take a step back in time with her and remember Holiday Collections from 2007 that brought joy and excitement to us all!

The Muse has always had a special fondness for Aube Shower Jewelry Eyes, just the name along has been an endless source of joy and amusement for this Muse and she did so love and adore the Aube Shower Jewelry Eyes Holiday Palette in EX02. Cool shimmering shades of light blue, white, and brown topped with a grayish liner created the perfect sophisticated holiday eye! With the release of the palette Aube also gifted us with two loose shimmering powders which came in a lovely little glass bottle! Truly a Holiday Collection that excited this Muse!


Step into my past and check out the Aube Holiday Collection 2007 Review

On the heels of Aube's release came Majolica Majorica's Holiday Collection which granted our Christmas wishes and brought to us two shimmering Majolook Palettes that would later become my very favorite shades when brought together with my other MJ palettes. Keeping in the theme of sparkling colors MJ also released a shimmering silver mascara overcoat and a sparkling white face, eye, and body powder! This collection has since topped the Muse's list as a favorite collection released from Majorca Majolica!



Follow the path to a review of Majorca Majolica Holiday Collection 2007

Jill Stuart always keeps a special place in my heart even though many releases are quite repetitious of colors past. This year I didn't feel the need to indulge in the Holiday Coffret but last year I did get tempted by all the sparkling, light hues of the Christmas palette!


Remember Jill Stuart's Christmas Coffret 2007

Although the Muse sometimes gets a bit ranty and disappointed over Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks she's almost always on the bandwagon to purchase a new one, especially limited edition ones, as soon as they release. Last year she dove fully into her purchase of the Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick and although she never truly made proper use of it she still looks at it fondly and is happy it graces her collection.


A glowing ranting review on Bobbi Brown Pink Quart Shimmer Brick

This year the Muse liked but didn't love the Bare Escentuals Ruby Collection but last year she fondly recalls loving each and every release that Bare Escentuals graced us with! The Holiday Collections from BE last year were something that the Muse still can't forget!



The crisp coolness of the Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection thrilled the Muse to bits and she still gets hyper each time she whips out her BE Diamond Gossamer powder!
A tale and a review of Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection

Following closely behind Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Collection was the QVC release of Bare Minerals bareGold Luxury Color Collection and soon after the Nordstrom release of Bare Escentuals Pure Platinum Collection!

The amount of gossamer powder that the Muse ended up hauling with each gift set should last her well into the years to come!

Read on about Gold!

Read further about Platinum!

The Muse let the holiday get away from her this year and in doing so she forgot a few small pieces here and there she wanted to pick up! The NARS Holiday Palette this year was on this Muse's list but never quite made it into her cart (maybe soon) but she does so remember getting her NARS Night Series Palette last year and holding it in her greedy, sweaty palms as she gleefully smiled down at it!



Drool over a review on the NARS Night Series Palette

Thinking back on the Lavshuca Winter Make Collection the Muse recalls her excitement however she does feel kinda let down that the cardboard palettes from this collection didn't fair well into 2008! But it doesn't keep her from recalling how truly lovely and brilliant she thought they were when she first laid eyes on them.



Recall beautiful things with the Lavshuca Winter Make Holiday Collection 2007

To this day the mystery behind Stila's "Asia" Only palettes amuses this Muse...Asia only? What? Huh? Confuddled am I! Even though the mystery remains the Muse still loving caresses each of those palettes as they brought back her beloved Stila girls! The packaging was too delightful to resist and the Muse pleads with Stila please more Stila girls! Some of us, after all, miss them crazily!


Enjoy a review on the release of Stila "Asia" Only Palettes from last Holiday Season!

Disappointment sometimes reigns supreme with MAC Holiday if you're an old school collector but the Muse does still give thanks and praise for the release of the MAC Royal Assets Metallic Eyes Palette!



MAC Royal Assets Holiday 2007

It wasn't too much of a problem falling deeply in love with a few items from MAC's Antiquitease Color Collection. The Muse was particularly thrilled to bits and maybe pieces too by Red Romp Lipglass, Queen's Sin Lipstick, and Uppity Fluidline! The Muse sends blessings to MAC each day for introducing to red lippie items that actually work well for this Muse!




Jump ahead to a review on MAC's Holiday Color Collection from 2007

Fall in love with Red Romp and Queen's Sin!

Is there any ever doubt that perfection and luxury is housed in all Guerlain compacts? Purple was the order of business for Guerlain Holiday 2008 but last year gold...gold reigned supreme over Guerlain Holiday 2007!



Learn about all good things gold by reading my review on Guerlain Holiday 2007

Diamonds were a girl's best friend this year and they happened to be just as friendly last year when the Muse got her claws into the Givenchy Diamantismme Holiday Collection! To this day the Givenchy Prisme Solitaire All Over Diamond Powder holds a special place of honor on my vanity!



Learn what true love is all about by visiting my review on Givenchy's Holiday Collection 2007

The Muse hopes you enjoyed her trip through Christmas Past! Check out last year's Christmas Past post and read up on all good things the Muse loved from 2005 and 2006!

Don't forget to share what collections you absolutely loved from past holiday releases! The Muse is dying to hear all about it!

Can't get enough of Holiday '07? That's ok neither can the Muse! Check out all good things under the Holiday 2007 category! TAG! You're it!

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?
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Want it?

Bath and Body Works Sassy Strawberry Three in One Shower Gel Review

I was doing some Christmas shopping last night so I happened to drop into Bath and Body Works of course! I promised myself this year I would NOT get sucked into the evil lure of Bath and Body Works simply because I was feeling quite cheap! Yes, I said cheap. I know cheap and the Muse are something that don't go well together but indeed I was being cheap and if you may I was also being...frugal!

Indeed. Tis true.

So why was I being cheap and frugal?

Bath and Body Works has the biggest array of awesome Holiday gifts and they are all so pretty and sweet and I want everything (for myself) however the evil lure of all these goodies did not even phase me! I didn't even blink a little eyelash upon viewing all those wonderful, bright packages and colorful shower gels!

Are you screaming blasphemy yet?!

When it comes to gift giving for friends and family I truly have no problem shelling out cash however I would not be tempted by all this wonderful bath candy last night simply because the past few years I've given into the temptation to buy tons and tons of Bath and Body Works all to have it be given away practically for FREE on Boxing Day and the entire week after Christmas!

I'm talking major deals! $6, $5, $4, even a $1! Items are normally price tagged at $12 and upwards! being reduced to $4 and $3 totally makes me fall on the floor and convulse in anger that I paid the original price tag for these things! MY GOD It's a CRIME!

So what did I do last night?

I boycotted Bath and Body Works and told myself I'd not spend a dime for anyone in that shop simply to avoid the drama of tears and anger (ok maybe not tears but I love the drama don't you?) later when it was all reduced and placed on clearance.

A few items that most definately tempted me to spend, spend, spend was of course all the new Temptation 3 in 1's! I adore Twisted Peppermint and really wanted to stock up but I was being a smart shopper (pat, pat on the back for this Muse) knowing that these $12 bottles would be $6-$4 after the Holiday was over!

However, the force and lure of Bath and Body Works is strong and I did spot a sign that simply red 50% off in big red letters. I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest at this point so I slowly went over to investigate (my best mate Jen was with me at time and she can vouch that I was literally tiptoeing over to see what the sign was all about! She calls me the "passionate shopper" and says I should have my own show amply named that)!

And to my utter delight it was Sassy Strawberry that was on sale! That meant it was $6! I was nabbing a real steal here! I had to have it immediately at this price! So I snatched up two bottles (one for me and one for my sister who loves the Temptation line as well)! I made sure to be quick because there was about 5000 bottles there and god knows at any second a big crowd might wander in and grab them all before I got my chance to get a bottle for my very self (drama kids drama).

Bath and Body Works Sassy Strawberry Three in One Shower Gel on Sale for $6


I mistakenly didn't bother smelling Sassy Strawberry before purchasing it. I have this system where I avoid smelling things because I know I'll want them. So when I stopped into the shop last night I encouraged myself NOT to smell any of the Temptations because I'd definately want them as soon as my nose tickled with the aroma of Mint Chocolate, Peppermint, and Gumdrops!

When I seen Sassy Strawberry on sale I just assumed that Strawberry and Mint would be a lovely marriage so I didn't smell it prior to buying.

Big.
Mistake.

You know cheap shampoo? Suave Strawberry Shampoo, V05 Strawberry Shampoo, and hell if you're as old as me dare I say White Rain Strawberry Shampoo.

That's what this smells like. Really, really cheap shampoo.

Wow.

So disappointed.

I can't believe it. To be honest when I originally read about this on the site I literally we'ed myself in excitement at the thought of Strawberries mixed with delightful mint! I thought for sure this would take over my love affair with Twisted Peppermint and make it onto my "must have at all costs" list!

However, I don't get any mint I simply get a very plastic, fake Strawberry smell. I've never met a bottle of Temptation 3 in 1 that I didn't love but this would make it on my "do not want", "do not love" list.

Sorry Bath and Body you missed the boat on this one.

Who in the world thought this was a good idea? I'm just wondering where the mint went?!?!?!

I convinced myself that my batch must have went off so I opened my sister's bottle to smell and again just a strange plastic strawberry smell.

I'm so disappointed I may just spit or cry (or neither but it sure sounded good!).

I'm really somewhat shocked as I've truly had great experiences with the line up until this catastrophe! I've even went so far as to say the line was better than Philosophy.

The Muse says avoid the Sassy Strawberry and spend your hard earned $6 bucks on something else!

I'm going to go meditate to make myself stronger against the lure of Bath and Body Works!

Don't give in people! It'll be on sale before you know it! Be strong!

Have this?
Hate it too?
Loved it?

Tell me! Your Muse is curious what you thought about Sassy Strawberry!

Shu's "Simple" Gift Sets

The lovely Mr Uemura has granted us three Holiday Wishes with some lovely gift sets in Simple Sophistication, Simple Glamour, and Simple Drama!

Ok..so...hate to say it....total snore for me. These aren't exactly something I need or want. Colors are really washed out and the price is a little tiny bit scary (wouldn't be that scary if the colors were a bit more vibrant).

I guess if you love really natural looks this is a great palette for you. As for me, I'm skipping 'em.

I see only four brushes pictured but I think you're getting six total brushes (ok so this is starting to sound like it's worth the price tag now!) plus you'll get a compact holding two shadows and one blush and finally a pouch to hold it all in. I might have to take back my earlier comment about it being a bit too pricey maybe this isn't so bad after all! But colors oh god the colors....can't we get something with a bit more sparkle and something more festive for the season!? I heart you Mr Uemura but I'm not so keen on washed out browns, grays, and blacks!

Simple Sophistication


Simple Glamour (Hmmm the green looks nice!)


Simple Drama


Want 'em?
Love 'em?
Tell your Muse all about it!

Majolica Majorca Holiday 2007 Collection

I'm so utterly guilty of calling MJ Majorca Majolica sometimes! I utterly reverse the name! If you see me do that call me out on it as I'm bloody confused most days of my life!

Anyway!

I got my MJ haul a while ago and haven't had a sec to blog about it. My most beautiful friend Iris has already gotten her haul from Japan and reviewed it. If you missed out click here to visit with Iris and read her impressions and review on the new Holiday set!



For me this is a must have set. It's inexpensive plus it's cute as a button so go you, now, get it!

First in the line up are the Limited Edition Majolook Eyeshadow Palettes in SV801 and PK122. Both are quite gorgeous!

SV801 and PK122


SV801 contains a shimmering white, a shimmering light silver, a darker silver, and an eyeliner. These are of medium pigmentation so really you can create a beautiful natural look with the palette but nothing too dramatic!

PK122 contains a shimmering cream white, a shimmering light pink, a shimmering darker pink, and an eyeliner. These colors are also of medium pigment and can create a very nice frosty winter look!

Both palettes are very pretty and I'm excited to try them out for a look!

Up next the MJ Snow Carat Powder which is very pretty! It's a beautiful white sparkling powder that's inexpensive and perfect for giving you a touch of sparkle on your cheeks and eyes! However, I'm not too thrilled that this has a rather large opening for distribution. It would be easier if it had a siffer style with tiny holes instead of a big large hole which will cause a ton of waste for me. I like to slowly build up sparkle not have a ton dumped on the puff! But overall it's really cute and sweet! This quite reminds me of the Kesho Wakusei highlighter powder I got a few months ago! Click here to view the powder and compare!

Snow Carat Powder




And finally last but never least as this is my favorite item would be the MJ Lash Freeze. I was going to get two of these but decided one was plenty but now I'm wondering if I should have grabbed some more. This is a sparkling silver glitter base for your lashes. Apply your mascara as you normally would and add Lash Freeze on top to make your lashes sparkle and shimmer with little bits of Silver!

Lash Freeze


I really love Japanese overcoats and this is soon making an appearance on my favorite list as I love the easy comb applicator and the effect is brilliant! Quite an inexpensive version of Givenchy's Lash Sparkles!

Overall, in my humblest opinion this is most definately a must have collection! It's cheap, pigmented, and sweet! If you're a grand collector of Japanese cosmetics you're going to want all of this rather badly!

Got it already?
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Tell the Muse!

NARS Dolce Vita Set

I did a CP order for a mate when the Friends and Family Event was taking place at Sephora and of course I couldn't just go in and buy her stuff I had to dig around for me so I ended up nabbing the NARS Dolce Vita Set.

It's quite a nice set! I'm in love with the blush and highlighter included with the set and I'm slowly liking the gloss as it's a bit too natural looking for me!

Overall, it's a fab set at a nice value $40 ($32 for me as I got 20% off) so if you're looking for a nice posh gift for a friend this would be something she'd love!

Jill Stuart Christmas Coffret 2007 First Impressions

I got my Jill Stuart Christmas Coffret a few days ago. I had promised myself I wouldn't bother with it but I must say I am happy I went ahead and purchased it because it's quite gorgeous!

My favorite item out of the gift set is the very cute satin pouch it came with! It's really roomy and just gorgeous for storing little treasures in! I love this!



The coffret isn't anything to write home about to be honest. It did include some great items but it's nothing you absolutely need so if you missed out buying this rest assured you'll be fine and won't die of lemming. I promise.

The set also included Shimmer Tint Face Gloss which is scented with a beautiful rose. The gloss comes in a mirrored compact that slides easily opened and closed. Very nice item but pointless a bit as it's a balm and I don't particularly care for using balms on my face.

Jill Stuart Shimmer Tint Face Gloss




The lipgloss included is a gorgeous shimmering red color which is quite nice. Packaging wise it's very beautiful with the standard jewel look of all Jill Stuart glosses. As I said the color is gorgeous but I'm slightly worried about the applicator. It comes with a sponge applicator but it doesn't appear to pick up much product upon first look! This remains to be seen as I have to smooth some on my lips before judging fully!

Jill Stuart Lipgloss in Rose Gleam


You'll also get a cuticle oil which also comes in the gorgeous Jill Stuart packaging with the gem encrusted topper! This is something the Muse can really use as her cuticles are in terrible shape in the winter!

Jill Stuart Cuticle Oil


Another favorite of mine is the scented choker! It's quite a nice choker and they give you plenty of ribbon with it so you can tie in snugly around your neck with a bit hanging down for a nice effect! It's quite a pretty piece!



And finally last but never least would be the Brilliance Eyes Palette in the special Christmas packaging! This is a lace palette with ribbon and quite lovely! If you're a collector of the Brilliance palettes this will be something you'll definately appreciate! I somehow fail to get excited about these palettes as the colors tend to leans towards the same thing over and over. The only colors in this palette that really shout at me and are "new'ish" would be the pinky rose color and the bright yellow. The other two shades are similar to what I already have in previous Jill Stuart palettes. This is not to say that the palette isn't lovely because it truly is but I do wish that they'd release some newer shades!

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes Palette Christmas Edition






Overall, a beautiful Coffret from Jill Stuart this year but I'd say you can safely skip it unless you're a die hard collector and fan! It's beautiful yes but nothing to get too hyped over!

Cyber Colors Jewel Amour Eyeshadows

Cyber Color is a Korean brand that's pretty much available all over Asia such as Singapore, Japan, Etc...

It's a pretty inexpensive brand of cosmetic and I have some of their shadows and can say they are pretty pigmented for the price!

Sasa just got in some of the new Holiday Collection Eyeshadows which are entitled Jewel Amour. I must say I am pretty tempted by these and they look yummie!

Cyber Color Jewel Amour Eyeshadows Available from Sasa.com


Some colors that are tempting me:

Amethyst


Aquamarine


Peridot


Citrine


These are a whopping $11.30 which is quite expensive as they are about 75% cheaper if you purchase them in store but I have a funny feeling after the holidays they'll be marked down! So as tempting as they are do wait on these if you're wanting them as they'll be on clearance sooner or later!

Although, the colors are making me want them right now rather badly!