The Muse's Japanese Fall Collection Wish List for 2009

For what seems like a very long time I've fallen out with many of my beloved Japanese cosmetic collections. If you're a collector or fan or Japanese cosmetics you probably know what I mean as it's been a rather long, hard road of reruns and repetitive products and colors.

This year I'm actually quite excited to finally haul some new products from some of my favorite Japanese brands that have captured my interest.

Jump ahead to hear the Muse's Wish List for Japanese Collections 2009.

Although my love affair is not nearly over with T'estimo, I have gotten used to the idea of Coffret D'Or. One thing I am excited about is the release of sixteen shades of Coffret D'Or Eye Shadows Singles. These shadows all look quite exciting to me and carry an inexpensive price tag so indulging in a few won't break my bank.




It's been a while since Lunasol really caught my interest. As beautiful as many of the pieces are, I admit that the price does put me off every so slightly. However, cost aside this year's Lunasol Star Shower Eyes have me in fits of joy. I see at least three color combinations I'll be hauling!





KATE almost always has my heart and it hasn't been so long since my last haul from the brand. Kate Reflect Mirror Eyes look positively delightful with three shades of shadow for a contrasting, sparkling eye look!


And finally Lavshuca Light Mix Eyes garnered some of my attention as these are a tad different from what Lavshuca has been pulling off lately. Although the color selection is pretty the same ho-hum shades, I still feel they may be worthy of a pick up.




Overall, Japanese Fall is looking up this year. Although many of the shades and products have been done before a few items did warrant a further look and since I do feel ever so slightly excited about these releases I think, finally after a long, dry spell, I'll be indulging in quite alot of Japan's Fall cosmetic offerings.

How about you?

Fill In the Beauty: Smoky Eyes

Fill in the Beauty blank above with your answer in the comment box and click ahead to read what creates my favorite smoky eye look!

This wasn't a hard one for the Muse. I know at least a dozen people who will shout MAC Carbon Black! But for me the perfect smoky eye comes housed in a dual palette by Japanese brand, KATE. KATE Dual Carat Eyeshadow in BK1 has two shades that create a simple and easy smoky eye that always comes out flawless for the Muse and with just the right amount of shimmer (I love shimmer in my smoky eyes).


Count my beauty blank filled with a bit of KATE!

See the the Muse wearing BK1 by clicking here.

Beauty Reflections: Summer Collections 2008

Step back in time with the Muse and re-visit with some of what was happening in Summer 2008.

Bobbi Brown taught this Muse a thing or two about the benefits of combining pink with beautiful bronzes to create a killer Summer look! Check out the Muse's review of the Bobbi Brown Bronzed Pink Collection from 2008.


Much excitement was afoot when the Muse discovered the new Stila Kitten goodies but sadly they did so disappointed. Gather round and listen to a tale of Stila Kitten Silk Shimmer Gloss and Stila Kitten Silk Eye Shadow Wash.


MAC Solar Bits were somehow easy to forget after the Muse originally purchased them and you'll understand why after reading my review!


What was the deal with Too Faced Mineral Water? Find out by reading my review.


Bless Be! The KATE Summer Collection 2008 was absolutely a joy for this Muse! She was partial to her favorite shadows being released in three new shades. Japan never looked so good.


Urban Decay taught the Muse how to love bronzer! Check out her review of the Urban Decay Summer Collection 2008 after this jump.


Please MAC won't your bring back Volcanic Ash this Summer?


Small but lovely was the Majorca Majolica Summer Collection 2008.


Vincent Long Liquid Shadow had a Muse crying nay! Check out her review on these shadows introduced in the Summer of '08.


Addict? Sure definately an addiction when it comes to the Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect shades that were released last year. Loves 'em!


Cooling off with Etude House Aqua Sherbet Skincare was easy especially since it smelled so pretty and looked equally gorgeous.


Hope you had fun clicking through some of Summer 2008. Maybe you came across a few reviews you missed from last year or discovered something new.

The Muse is a wonderin'.....

What's your favorite releases from last Summer?

Share 'em with me!

Product Musings: KATE Glamtrick Palette GN-1

Since I was busy musing about KATE today I couldn't help but bring out my very favorite KATE palette of all time to muse over. KATE Glamtrick Palette in GN-1 holds a special place in my heart and is possibly the greatest palette in the world for creating a smoky green eye look in a few steps!

Loves it!

Released with the KATE Spring Collection 2008, GN-1 contained a beautiful selection of greens to create a sexy, flirty green eye look that's made my eyes sizzle with life. I absolutely adore this palette! It's since made many of my all time favorite lists and has been the source of plenty of posts here!






See the Muse wearing GN-1 by clicking here!

I couldn't help but share the love today for GN1! Truly a great little palette that does an incredible smoky eye. Gorg! See my Musings on KATE Glamtrick Palettes for further information!

Tried it?

Love it?

Tell the Muse!

KATE Gradical Eyes S in BG-1

KATE Gradical Eyes Palettes are nothing new as they were released a year or two ago but for Spring 2009 KATE extended the line to release a new shade. I believe that this is the first time that KATE introduced a new shade to the collection, either that or I haven't been paying much attention.


Jump ahead to see the newest shade!

Now I should mention I have pretty much all the shades from the KATE Gradical Eyes Palettes and I believe they were released for Spring 2007, correct me if I'm wrong. At the time I got them I was really quite pleased as they were pigmented and had some great colors however woe followed soon after. Out of all my KATE palettes, and I'm a big KATE fan mind you, Gradical Eyes is probably the worst ones they have in the line up. The texture of the shadows are a bit too chalky and don't blend too smoothly. Anyway, the reason I'm telling you all this was because it would take alot for me to indulge in any new shades they released but this Spring they caught me! The newest shade release is BG-1 and it's simply stunning! I seriously couldn't resist the shade and I convinced myself it would be a great palette regardless of the crummy formula.










Wrong, but I'll get into that shortly.

KATE Gradical Eyes Palettes contain a base shade of shadow, a contrasting shade, and a lid shade all in a powder formula. It also includes a highlighter or a base if you like in a cream formula. I've grown to hate these style of palettes as I don't like the cream and think it's an utterly wasteful item as I never use it. The basic application is applying the lightest shade as a base, the medium shade all over the lid and crease, and applying the darkest shade on the lid which you'll blend slightly upwards. The final step is using the cream as a highlighter for the highbrow. Using the creamy shade as a base makes the shadow crease and just causes a major mess so I stick to using it as a highbrow highlighter.


As I mentioned above the lure of the newest shade got a hold of me as it's quite pretty. The shade selection is called blue-green by KATE but for me it's pure aqua. I'm a big lover of aqua which is why I decided to indulge.

Ado...even a new shade can't take away from how crummy a formula the shadows are. Although all the shades are pretty and plenty pigmented they still blend badly. You can't contrast much of your look as the shades are difficult to blend and end up turning into one big gob of aqua. Meh.






Although the palette is gorgeous shade it's not worth purchasing in my humblest as the formula is simply too crummy to work with. KATE makes some great palettes but it's an epic fail for the Gradical Eyes line.

No likey.

How about you?

Fan of Gradical Eyes?

Not so much?

Tell the Muse!

Up and Coming at Musings

Be curious no longer! Look inside the Muse's schedule to see what's up and coming at Musings!

I have a packed schedule and a slew of things to get to so brace yourself as they are all up and coming as soon as the Muse can get them to you! Here's a peek at what I am working (and testing out now) on!

KATE Spring Collection 2009 Review
Lipstick Queen Oxymoron Matte Gloss Review and Swatches
Lipstick Queen Big Bang Theory Review and Swatches
Eye Wrinkle Cream Round Up: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in the Eye Cream World
Stila Indian Summer Review and Swatches
More Kenzo Skincare Reviews
Pacifica Bath and Body Collection
Dior Summer Collection 2009
More Dianne Brill Reviews
More Taiwanese Brand Cosmetic Reviews Plus a Taiwan BB Cream you won't want to live without!
My brand new Etsy Musings Category!

This is just a sneak peek for what's ahead! Believe me their is a ton more to get too! I'll be pumping the reviews out as quickly as my little hands can get to 'em!

If you have suggestions of product reviews you'd like to see e-mail 'em or comment below! I'll be happy to consider your suggestion for use!

Hope you're as excited as I am about the upcoming posts!

Stash Spotlight: KATE Dual Carat Eye Shadow Palettes

KATE is one of Kanebo's many sub-branch cosmetic lines available within Japanese drugstores in Japan and if you're lucky in various parts of Asia. Many of you already know most of this already but for those new to Asian brands a few quick facts about KATE lay ahead.

KATE is a rather inexpensive, mid-range priced cosmetic line that sports a variety of edgy compacts and cosmetics with fantastic color payoff and quality. The line is darker and has a certain flair that many Japanese cosmetics don't sport. Where as many of these brands sport kawaii, girlish, or very feminine packaging, KATE brings the edge to it's brand.

One of my very favorite items from the line are the KATE Dual Carat Eye Shadow palettes!



Jump ahead for my stash!

KATE Dual Carat Eye Shadow Palettes contain two contrasting shades of shimmering, pigmented shadow in a small slim line case. The shadows are silky smooth with fantastic color payoff and most important pack a nice shimmery finish that the Muse favors!




I'm a big lover of these little guys and I believe I've collected all the shades that KATE has released so far. I'm ever hopeful when a new collection pops up that they'll either add to the current catalog of Dual Carat compacts or introduce a similar line up as KATE is known for revamping there palettes while keeping certain aspects of the old.






They are a true favorite with this Muse as you can see from my vast collection!

How about you?

Love KATE Dual Carat Shadow Palettes?

What's your favorite KATE palette?

Tell the Muse!