Sonia Kashuk

The Sonia Kashuk Demi Lash Curler, and the Quest for Lifted Outer Lashes

August 16th, 2019 by Karen 8 Comments

First thing I’m going to do after I return this to Target and get my $9 bucks back is go to In-n-Out for a vanilla shake… Then, I’m going to pour a little out on the ground to mourn my lost homies (otherwise known as “the lashes that unexpectedly fell out when I tried using it”).

I’m also going to order a bucket of fries and a cheeseburger to comfort myself, since I can’t get back the minutes I lost this week trying to actually curl my lashes with the thing.

Why was it so hard to figure out how to properly angle the black rubber pad along the outer corner so it nestles the base of my lashes…? And why did it pinch my skin every time I clamped down on the curler?

OUCH!

I eventually figured out that if I squint my eyes and lift my lid with a finger, I can get down to the base and give the curler a good squeeze, but even then, the curler only bends the base of the lashes ever so slightly, and those few curled hairs relax back into their natural straight state within minutes.

Y’all…this thing just doesn’t work.

But I’m not about to let it rob me of my curled lash dreams. My desire to find that elusive tool that’s able to lift that outer fringe, coupled with the spark of hope (and perhaps another double cheeseburger?), will continue to fuel me on this beauty quest.

We will prevail, people!

Until then, extra fries and ketchup for everyone. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

5 Awesomely Affordable Makeup Brushes for the Face

June 10th, 2016 by Anna Oh 15 Comments

I love having LOTS of brushes at my disposal, so for me, affordable makeup brushes are the way to go! But all makeup brushes are not created — or priced — equally.

For face makeup brushes, here are a few that have earned my gold star sticker of approval.

5 affordable face brushes — Some of the affordable — and still awesome — makeup brushes in my collection

1. Sonia Kashuk Star Struck Large Powder Brush (Disc.)

The Sonia Kashuk Star Struck Large Powder Brush is one of the softest natural hair brushes I own. In fact, none of my higher-end brushes can apply bronzer as well as this one.

I like this full rounded brush because I can really work powder into my skin with it. Unfortunately, the set I got it with has been discontinued…and I also didn’t love any of the other brushes in the set. Still, I would re-buy the set just for this one brush.

2. Sonia Kashuk No. 29 Domed Blusher Brush ($17.99)

Another Sonia Kashuk brush, except that this one IS still available (it’s permanent). My nickname for the No. 29 brush is “the bunny butt” brush because it’s so round and soft! It’s the perfect medium size to fit into the cheek contour or right on top of the cheek as well.

This one is a little bit pricier than my other brush recommendations, but I think the plastic handles hold up very well over time.

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Getting Fancy With the Wearable Glitter in the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Textured Nudes 4 Eye Couture Palette

May 17th, 2016 by Adia Goss 13 Comments

sonia kashuk eye on textured nudes eyeshadow palette — Wearing the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Textured Nudes 4 Eye Couture eyeshadow palette ($19.99, available at Target)

The Sonia Kashuk Eye on Textured Nudes 4 Eye Couture palette just screams “fancy night out” to me. It has a nice variety of nude colors, including four really pretty glittery shades.

The matte and satin shades have been great for everyday, but I knew that I wanted to save the glittery colors for a special event.

Like…

My mom is on the board of the Alameda Health System Foundation, which raises funds for the public hospitals and clinics in Alameda County (go, Mom!). I was going to attend the annual gala at a winery (fancy, right?), and I knew that the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Textured Nudes would be perfect.

sonia kashuk eyeshadow palette — This Sonia Kashuk Eye on Textured Nudes 4 Eye Couture palette has all of the nudes!

Nude palettes aren’t exactly uncommon, but I like how this one has three different textures. There are the matte shades for everyday blending; the satin shades are nice for easy washes of color, and the glitter shades are perfect for when you want a bit more drama.

The shadows don’t have names, but here are swatches. These are according to finish, and from bottom to top in the picture above.

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Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colour in Fig and Shine Luxe Lip Colour in Sheer Delicate Nude, New for Spring 2016

May 11th, 2016 by Adia Goss 20 Comments

new sonia kashuk lipstick — New lipstick shades from Sonia Kashuk and another gorgeous Sonia K makeup bag!

Sonia Kashuk’s Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colour and Satin Luxe Lip Colour lipsticks are sooo good!

I’d never tried Sonia Kashuk lipsticks before, and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. They’re super pigmented and beyond comfortable (which is actually a hard combo to come by, and from a drugstore brand, no less). After trying these shades, both of which are new for spring, now I want the rest of the range!

The first new shade here is called Sheer Delicate Nude, and it’s part of the Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colour collection. It’s soft, creamy and has a really pretty gloss to it, and even though it’s semi-sheer, it has a heavier finish, almost like a lip balm, so it’s also highly hydrating.

The texture reminds me a lot of the Palladio lip balms that I mentioned in my post about my makeup bag essentials.

It’s just a really pretty nude. Plus, it’s incredibly comfortable. When I wear it I feel like I’m pampering my lips.

Sometimes with lipsticks I have to layer a lip balm under them (like the Murad lip treatment I reviewed a while ago) to add extra moisture, and I don’t mind doing that, but it is an extra step… With the Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colours, though, they’re so moisturizing that I can happily wear them alone, which is really impressive. I’m always down for anything that will save me a little time in the morning.

Sheer Delicate Nude and the other eight Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colours are available now at Target for $11 each.

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Brush Up on Bright With the New Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Brush Set

May 3rd, 2016 by Adia Goss 13 Comments

Now, I thought the Zoeva Complete Brush Set brushes were/are gorgeous, but I was floored by the brushes in the Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Brush Set ($21.99)!

The brushes in this four-piece set all have colorful floral-print handles and coordinating bristles, and they’re a sight to behold, but looks are nothing when it comes to brushes. What I want to know is how do they work? Do they make it easier to apply my makeup? Does my makeup look better when I use them? Let’s see…

The Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Brush Set comes with a domed powder/blush brush (purple), synthetic contour/buffing brush (orange), tapered powder/highlight brush (pink) and a duo fiber foundation/concealer brush (yellow), and I think we can all agree that these are some super cute brushes.

Are they as good as they look?

Well, the domed powder/blush brush works nicely as a blush brush. It’s a little smaller and more dense than what I typically reach for, but it picks up pigment nicely and is very, very smooth.

Here’s a comparison of it to other blush brushes in my collection:

The Sonia Kashuk domed powder/blush brush is larger than the Zoeva Luxe Highlight Brush but smaller than the Zoeva Luxe Cheek Finish Brush, so it’s on the small size for a blush brush. That being said, it does a fine job of applying my blush.

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My LoTD With the Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Rosey Nude and Twist Up Longwear Liner in Black Diamond

March 30th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 16 Comments

sonia-kashuk-velvety-matte-lip-crayon-top — Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Rosey Nude ($7.99) and Twist Up Longwear Liner in Black Diamond ($7.99)

Do ya’ll ever just try a product, no matter what kind of product it is, and realize…

“How did I live my life before this? How could I possibly have functioned as a human being before I had this [wonderful thing] in my life?”

That’s how I felt when I discovered the Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayons.

I recently got my first Sonia Kashuk products, her Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Rosey Nude and Twist Up Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Black Diamond, and I haven’t been disappointed.

I’ve always been curious about the line, eyeing it every time I’m at my local Target store, but nothing had ever pushed me toward one thing or another (with the exception of this brush cup).

Then this happened.

Sonia’s Velvety Matte Lip Crayons have completely changed my faith in the entire lip crayon philosophy and model.

I’ve always found other lip crayons to be so hit or miss. If they’re too big, they can feather easily, and if they’re too skinny, they feel very dry, but to me the Velvety Matte Lip Crayons are comparable to, if not better than, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils.

I’ve been using and loving them in one of my favorite looks, which is a simple cat eye with a bold lip. Even when I’m just going to a coffee shop to write or get some other work done, I try to put a little makeup on because it makes me feel good, and since this look was so easy to create in a matter of minutes with these lip crayons, I thought I’d share my quick LoTD (Lips of The Day).

sonia-kashuk-velvety-matte-lip-crayon-face — Rosey? Yes. Nude? Not a chance.

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What’s New in Makeup Bags? New Spring Makeup Bags From MAC, Paul & Joe and Sonia Kashuk

March 30th, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

I’m pretending right now that these new makeup bags by MAC, Paul & Joe and Sonia Kashuk are filled with food, PMS tea and tiny little blue-eyed teacup kittens.

Because I’m hungry, and I don’t want to have to cook.

And I’m PMS-ing.

Yes, I know that’s TMI. But it’s true.

Paul & Joe Cosmetic Pouch IV ($40)

The MAC Mia Moretti bags are actually part of a set. For $46 there are three — one Large, one Medium and one Small.

My favorite is the Paul & Joe bag because, hello! — ponies happily prancing in their special outfits.

When I finally get MY pony (which will be on my farm on The Big Island of Hawaii, where I intend to make handcrafted organic goat cheese), I’m gonna make it a special outfit. 🙂

MAC Mia Moretti Makeup Bags: Set of 3 in Large, Medium and Small ($46)

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Comment to Win $86 in Awesomeness From the Sonia Kashuk Holiday 2014 Collection

December 26th, 2014 by Karen 398 Comments

***The giveaway is officially closed.*** CONGRATULATIONS, ALESIA AND PRINCESS ANYAIBE! You’re the lucky girls! Check the email addresses you used in your comments, and reply to me with your full name, age and mailing address by Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. Happy new year. 🙂

Hmm… That space beneath the tree is looking sadly empty now that Christmas is officially over.

We should totes fix that.

One of my favorite holiday collections this year has been Sonia Kashuk’s ( review right here). She did this luxurious gold and black Chanel-esque art deco theme, and the makeup was to die for, of course.

I got to thinking… You know what? This would be a great one for a giveaway!

The prize…

Four of my favorites from Sonia’s holiday 2014 collection (an $86 value).

The Sonia Kashuk Eye Palette in Deco Starlet ($19.99)

Sonia Kashuk Nude Lip Palette in Jazzed Up Nudes — The Nude Lip Palette in Jazzed Up Nudes ($19.99)

Sonia Kashuk All That Jazz 10-Piece Brush Set — All That Jazz 10-Piece Brush Set, $34.99

Sonia Kashuk Decadence Shimmering Body Souffle — Decadence Shimmering Body Souffle, $10.99

Get it, gurl!

Win the Sonia Kashuk Holiday 2014 collection

Two (2) lucky ladies and/or gents will win a prize package with the following…

The Eye Palette in Deco Starlet ($19.99): a very Chanel-esque palette with shimmery dark brown, black, gold and beige powder eyeshadows.
The Nude Lip Palette in Jazzed Up Nudes ($19.99): a lip palette with five satiny lipsticks in warm and cool nude shades.
The All That Jazz 10-Piece Brush Set ($34.99): a set of fabulously fluffy and luxurious full-size brushes that includes a domed powder brush, a flat-top multipurpose brush, an angled duo fiber multipurpose brush, a foundation brush, eyeshadow brush, blending brush, angled duo fiber crease brush, domed pencil brush, synthetic pointed eye liner brush, and a lash/brow groomer.
Decadence Shimmering Body Souffle ($10.99): a shimmery golden body lotion.

Le Rules…

They’re easy. Just leave a comment below. About anything.

Seriously, anything at all.

Like, what’s been the coolest conversation you’ve had over the holidays so far? Where are you at this exact moment? Have you seen any good movies lately? Did you receive any awesome beauty booty/loot for Christmas? Did you cook or bake anything you’re particularly proud of for the holidays? What’s been the highlight of the holidays for you so far?

That’s it!

Terms & Conditions
Enter by leaving a comment below about anything at all.

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific). Entrants must enter using a valid email address to win.

The giveaway is open to EVERYONE EVERYWHERE who has reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).

Tabs and I (heretofore and, as always, referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select two (2) winners at random from the entries left in the comments at the bottom of this post.

Void where prohibited by law.

May the forces of fabulosity be with you (aka, good luck). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have you already entered these other two giveaways? Because you should… I’m just sayin’.

Comment to Win $152 in Fragrances From i smell great and the Maker of CLEAN Perfume (deadline to enter is Dec. 31, 2014)
The Purina Pro Plan Cat Christmas Treats Giveaway (this one’s deadline is also Dec. 31, 2014)