Musings of a Muse

A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore

May 13, 2009

Beauty Items The Muse Just Can't Live Without


You ever have those very favorite products that seem so amazing, so great, so incredible that you feel like you couldn't possibly live without them? Indeed, the Muse knows that feeling well!

Jump ahead for a few Beauty Items that I can't live without.

Shills BB 6 in 1 BB Cream (review coming sometime soon) is something I can't possibly live without. It's one of thee best BB creams I've had the pleasure of experiencing! So much so that I've forsaken most every other BB Cream in my collection for it. This is love people.

Speaking of BB Creams no question that Etude House Magic Cream and InnisFree Trouble Care BB Cream are two of my other favs in the BB Cream world!


Benefit Coralista omg! I can't think of three letters that explain how great Coralista is other than O M G. This pigmented peachy powder is my very favorite blush of all time.


On the topic of Benefit let's not forget the awesomeness that is Thrrrob and my staple product, Benefit Lemon Aid.




I find that lately I can't live without the very beautiful Ella Dean's Beautiful Twist Lip Balm in Winter's Cherry Snow Slushie Kisses. Who doesn't like slushies? Especially cherry ones! Yum!


Although it's sticky and tacky and ooey and gooey I probably couldn't live without Lipstick Queen Shine Gloss. It gives my lips such incredible slippery shine plus it makes them look twice the size! Loves it!


The day NARS Super Orgasm entered my life I think the angel's sung! What an incredible blush. Needs no commentary from me about it's awesomeness.


I can't live without Urban Decay Primer Potion and I don't want to think about it not being in my life. 'nuff said.


Bobbi Brown Blush in Apricot entered into my collection quite by chance when I happened upon it at my local CCO. Ever after it's been my staple blush and favorite shade!


Oh Bobbi your name is on my lips today! Let's not forget how I went from feeling unsure about the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer palette and quickly having it become a staple product for me. I NEED this in my life.


Shu you know how to treat my lashes right. The cadillac of lash curlers would be my trust Shu Uemura Lash Curler, we be best buds.


Although it's meant for aging skin I absolutely love Lancome Absolue Makeup. Flawless perfection comes to mind after use!


Speaking of perfection that would also come in my jar of Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer, nope can't live without, can't go for that!


Another beautiful foundation that graces my daily cosmetic regime would be Lavshuca Creamy Liquid Foundation, we loves each other for about a year now with no end in sight!


It's Summer again so the Muse is hauling out Urban Decay Baked Bronzer in Glided Gold. Indeed, this product single handedly changed my mind about bronzers!


Life isn't worth living without Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy in my life, golden perfection.


Mally Concealer System, worth it's weight in gold peeps.



Majorca Majolica Mascara
probably couldn't live without that and not willing to try either!


Ok that's Beauty Items that I can't live without! Any of 'em match yours? Name a few you can't live without!

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May 5, 2009

Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Eye Definer


Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Eye Definer? K, sign me up!

Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Eye Definer available in four shades is a brand new gel liner to create a precise line on eyes or use a base for creating a perfect smoky eye look! I believe this comes with a brush as well for $27 USD, super duper, def has me with the brush option!

Although only four shades are available I'm a fan of Kevyn Aucoin so I'll overlook that minor flaw. Count me curious! Wants to try this one!

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Feb 3, 2009

Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Eyeshadow

Whoa Kevyn Aucoin has single eye shadows now!




Available in 12 shades Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Eyeshadow look stunning to say the least! I have my eye on at least three of the shades available.


The Muse likey! $28 USD and available in liquid metal or baked clay formula for bold or serene looks. Oh my!

They are available now from www.drugstore.com or kevynaucoindirect.com

Whatcha think?

Want 'em?

Love 'em?

Tell the Muse!

related posts

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Nov 6, 2008

Sephora Friends and Family Checklist

It's today people! Sephora Friends and Family starts today with a whopping 20% off your entire order! I always look forward to this time of year since it's a fab time to try out new makeup, stock up on staple items, purchase gifts for friends and family, and of course indulge my own sweet tooth for more makeup! After all we all know the Muse can never have too much makeup!

For a while there I was worried about whether Sephora Friends and Family was going to actually happen but thankfully soon after we got good news and today we are ready to shop till we drop hopefully!

I can't speak for this year but I did use the code three times last year when I forgot to purchase various items that didn't end up on my wish list, or I seen something else that caught my interest, or I ended up grabbing a few items for friends, and so on and so forth! This year I'm hopeful I can do the same thing just in case I forget an item or want to go back for second helpings however I've prepared myself just in case I can't and I thought I'd share some of the items I think you should be considering or things that you may already have on your wish list or things you might want to quickly write down since your Muse loves 'em and we all know what the Muse loves is probably awesome...right? Am I putting too much importance on how uber fabulous I am there? Probably but my ego knows no bounds!

I took a few pictures and I've included links to reviews if I already reviewed an item here on Musings. If you need help or have a question about any of the items I mention here do shout it in my comment box as I'd love to be of service! I'd also love to hear what you're hauling so share, share, share! Please? The Muse loves hearing about hauling as much as she loves to haul herself!

Considering Sephora is busy stocking up on palettes and gift sets the Muse thinks it's a great time to stock up on these items considering the discount! Some of the ones she thinks you should keep your eye on are below!









Bare Escentuals Rocker Eye Kit
Urban Decay Book of Shadows
Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box
Vincent Longo Diamante Quad
Bare Escentuals Ruby Collection
Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit
Urban Decay Essentials
Too Faced Glamor 2 Go Palette
Too Faced Pink Diamond Jewelry Box Palette
Pop Rose Belle Blush Palette
Too Faced Smoky Eye Palette

Now you might not even be thinking about staple products at the moment because you're so excited about getting new makeup but don't forget that now is such a great time to grab some staple items that you use daily and may be running low on or better yet to have a back up handy when you are! At 20% off it's a great time to nab concealers, skincare, foundations, primers, etc....Some the ones the Muse thinks you should have on your list are below.







Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough
Philosophy Microdelivery Wash
Cargo Blu_Ray Concealer
Benefit Lemon-Aid
Benefit Powderflage
Benefit Boi-ing
Dior Radiance Booster Pen
YSL Touche Eclat

Laura Mercier Concealer
Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer
DERMADoctor Wrinkle Revenge Eye Balm

Of course, we're all hyper about makeup! We want as much makeup out of this deal as we can get! Right? Glosses, shadows, blushes, the more, the merrier!

The Muse has selected some of her personal favorites that she thinks you might like too! Check it out:



Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Eyeshadow
Bare Escentuals Glimmer
theBalm Overshadow

Mascara, mascara, mascara! Now is a rather great time to grab some mascaras you've been dying to try out but not wanting to splurge on! The Muse picked out a few that she thinks you might love:



Lorac Visual Effects Mascara
Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara
Bare Escentuals Big Tease Mascara
Bare Escentuals Brushless Mascara
Givenchy Phenomen' Eyes Mascara

Nothing can begin without foundation! The Muse knows of some she thinks you'll want to nab at a discount!



Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Keyvn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
Too Faced Illuminating Magic Wand Foundation
Benefit Play Sticks

Primers can be costly so now is a great time to stock up on old favorites or try out a new primer at a discounted price!



Tricia Sawyer Skin Balancing Water Primer
Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
Make Up For Ever HD Primer
Urban Decay Primer Potion

There are so many powders and blushes that the Muse absolutely loves but some are rather costly! Now is a great time to update your blush wardrobe with some new shades! Check below for ones that the Muse loves!



NARS Blush
Bare Escentuals Blush
Stila Convertible Color

Can't forget lipsticks and glosses can we? Many have run across the Muse's path this year and some of her favorites are on her list to stock up on during Sephora Friends and Family!





Urban Decay Lipstick
NARS Lipgloss
Too Faced Mirror Mirror Gloss
Stila Lipglaze
Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited
Dior Addict Ultra Reflect Lipgloss

Finish up your greatest eye look with an equally fab liner! The Muse choose a few she loves below!



NARS Eyeliner
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner

Last minute bits and bobs can quickly be added to your cart! Some items the Muse suggests nabbing are Benefit's powders such as Dandelion and Dallas! Don't forget stains! The Muse swears by a good stain and listed a few favorites below!





Benefit Face Powders
Stila Cherry Crush
Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Stain

Well I think that's all for now guys! Plenty more awaits you I'm sure and your lists must be as long as mine! Better check 'em twice and make sure you have all the yummie goodies in place and start shopping!

Happy Days!

Don't forget to stop back here and tell the Muse all the deets on YOUR order!

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Aug 4, 2008

Reader's Request: Kevin Aucion The Sensual Skin Enhancer FOTD

As requested after my review of Kevin Aucion The Sensual Skin Enhancer here's a Face of the Day using it.

I have nothing on my face aside from some mark Glossblossom since my lips are busy being chapped yak!

As stated in my review a little goes a very long way. I used the product as both a skin prep and a concealer for under my eyes.

This is the amount I used on my total face including under my eyes!


And this is what I came up with....no blush, no eye makeup, no mascara, concealer, or anything else. As you can see the product does a great job of making my face look fresh and my dull spots have disappeared!

I have very little to conceal on my face as my skin doesn't have large pores, acne, or anything else however I do sport dull spots which drive me bats thus The Sensual Skin Enhancer creates a beautifully fresh look, erasing my dull spots, and prepping my face for the rest of my makeup!

I also happened to take this picture without using flash so you can get a better look at how the product works.

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Jul 29, 2008

Reader's Request: Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Review

It's so ironic that Kevyn Aucoin's Makeup Collection has just recently been added to Sephora's website for purchase.



You see I just purchased Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer while I was in Atlantic City a few weeks ago! Pretty funny that not even a day later Sephora pops me a newsletter to tell me that the line is now being sold through them!

I've been waiting to try out The Sensual Skin Enhancer for a while now after my friend and reader, Taryn, had mentioned it. For one reason or another I never got around to purchasing it and I really should have brought it as soon as she recommended it as she has excellent taste in cosmetics.

Turns out this is amazing stuff and finally, after much searching, I've located the perfect all in one product to replace quite a few items that I use daily.

The process of looking flawless does take a considerable array of products as I'm sure most of you already know. Good concealer, good powder, good foundation, etc....etc..... The road to a flawless face is a long, painstaking, and time consuming task.

Although I slather myself in SPF come the Summer I still find that I do get a shade darker than I would like when I am outside for long periods of time. That's just the way my skin is I guess and even an SPF of 20 doesn't protect me from developing a brown luster to my skin.

Normally when this occurs I feel like my complexion takes a nose dive for the worst and my skin begins to look dull and loses the sign of that healthy glow I normally sport. Lately I've been experiencing major dull skin days. It could be due to any number of reasons really. Too much sun, too little sleep, not drinking enough water, etc....

But yes indeed it's dull.

Since it's decided to become rather dull-like I've found myself hunting through various foundations to regain complexion perfection. I've experienced some relief with a few foundations I've tried but not total nirvana until I finally took the $45 USD plunge and purchased Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer





$45 USD is an obscene amount of money to spend on a tiny jar that promises to deliver me into breathtaking beautiful skin. The pot is 0.63oz in size which accumulates to about the size of a small lip gloss pot. Think small. Think really small. You know me I've spent far more on product than that but this stuff is tiny!

Turns out $45 USD isn't too bad a price and 0.63 oz is actually bigger than I realized. Why? You only need a smidge of the product to gain pure skin perfection. A tiny, tiny amount smaller than a pea will cover your entire face and create the most gorgeous canvas for your makeup.

The Sensual Skin Enhancer quite reminds me of a BB Cream without the huge hype of ingredients that BB Creams normally carry mind you. It performs just like a BB Cream would in the fact that it gives you a workable canvas for your blush, shadow, an d other makeup or you can easily wear it alone to cover up dull, uneven skin, problem skin, etc.... In a similar vein as BB Creams it replaces not only your foundation but also your concealer.

The Sensual Skin Enhancer multi-tasks its way onto your face by not only prepping your face for makeup but also doubling up as a concealer for your under eye area. Dark circles, fine lines, dry skin, all disappear with a tiny amount patted gently under your eyes.

Simply an amazing product! It's probably the holy grail product each of us have been searching for our entire lives! I've never run across a more pigmented foundation product, if it can even be called foundation, that's beautifully light, long wearing, and natural with amazing concealing power.

Considering the product is so pigmented I did fear that it would feel heavy on and you'd notice right away that I was wearing a heavier product. Not the case at all. It's light, not greasy, and blends beautifully with your skin. It feels like I have virtually nothing on at all.

When it comes to foundation I don't follow the conventional rule of shades. I normally take a shade or two lighter than my normal skin tone and although I get strange, puzzled, and horrified looks from various Makeup Artists when I purchase a foundation in a lighter shade I know for myself that's how I prefer wearing my makeup. It could be completely wrong but I don't think it's done me bad yet and I blend it well enough that you'd never notice my coverage wasn't my natural shade of skin!

I'm mentioning this because I did have a minor problem when selecting the color for The Sensual Skin Enhancer. I was going for the lightest shade available when I swatched on my arm it appeared just right however the MA from the Cos Bar, which is where I purchased this, quickly said it was absolutely the wrong shade for me. I got a tad bit peeved as I always get that snotty "That's NOT your shade" whenever I am purchasing a lighter foundation. However, I was in no mood to bicker about it and I calmly told her I preferred a lighter shade. She nicely explained that the best shade for me would be SX5 and I was quick to disagree however turns out she was very right. SX5 was the most flattering of the several shades and she was indeed spot on with the color. I am curious what the lightest shade would look like on but she did assure me that it was very, very pale so I think I'm quite happy with SX5 as it kept my skin nice and pale plus it looked natural so no sense complaining right?



The texture and formula is a very heavy creamy base so a little definately goes a long way at concealing dark circles, skin imperfections, redness, etc....If you happen to sport dry skin this will likely be ideal for your skin type. If you're skin is oily I think a little amount followed up with powder should work beautifully as well. As per the Kevyn Aucuin's website and the product's packaging you can also mix a tiny amount with your moisturizer to create a beautifully light foundation. One key advantage to using this was a I noticed that it not only had very long wear but it didn't go ashy or gray on me.



All in all this is a rather highly priced item and a great indulgence but I don't mind paying $45 USD for a pot that will last me ages (a little goes along way) plus something that works truly well!

For me, makeup like this, is priceless! Alot of hype surrounds Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer and his makeup line in general. The Muse is here to say the hype is all true. It's quality makeup that delivers on it's promises in full!

I give it my highest Muse Approval for purchase! Definitely grab a pot! Your face will thank you for it!



If you're not loving the idea of $45 USD makeup you might want to stay tuned for the Muse's upcoming review on Jelly Pong Pong's Nicola Roberts Dainty Doll Foundation which is nearly half the price as Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer but is it as good? We'll have to find out! Review Coming Soon....



Find out about other products for creating flawless skin by clicking through some past reviews!

Tarte Peaches and Cream Oil Free Powder Foundation Review


Prescriptives All Mineral Makeup Review

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Duo Review

Bourjois Paris 10 Hour Sleep Effect Review


Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Primer Review


See an FOTD of the Muse wearing Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer

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