bargain

I’m Hooked on Sonia Kashuk’s $6 Bent Eyeliner Brush

February 17th, 2010 by Karen 100 Comments

Lately I’ve been hell bent on finding a new eyeliner brush, one that gives good cat eyeliner flicks and costs less than the MAC 209 ($17.50) and Laura Mercier Flat Eye Liner Brushes ($25) I’ve been using for a while.

They’ve been fine brushes for lining my lash and water lines, but I’ve never been completely happy with either of them (for one, they’re kinda expensive).

Enter Sonia Kashuk’s $6 Bent Eyeliner Brush.

I picked it up from Target last week, and I’m already hooked. 🙂
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15 Reasons to Love Drugstore Beauty Products

February 6th, 2010 by Karen 47 Comments

DAMN! Drugstores rock… Imagine how much damage you could do with $150 at a CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreens. You could get all 15 of these drugstore beauty gems and still have a little left over for candy. 🙂

Here are 15 of my favorite drugstore beauties. Each of these gets an A+ from me.

Yes to Carrots Lip Tints

“They cost a mere $4.50 each (that’s my mid-morning latte, yo!) but have a super smooth, buttery texture that makes ’em feel a lot more expensive than that. Texture-wise they remind me of the $22 Guava lipsticks by Korres. That’s how slick and creamy they feel.”

Full Review | $4.50

Johnson’s Body Care 24-Hour Moisturing Body Wash and Lotion

“Moisturizing Body Wash … rinses clean and doesn’t leave a noticeable residue. Now, the humungo 20.3 fl-oz. bottle is bigger than Ernest Hemingway’s ego, but because it’s so big I feel like I’m getting a good deal. I even tried to see how it would work as an emergency shave cream, and it worked great.”

Full Review | $6

EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush

“Compared to department store brushes costing $20 and up, it’s a bargain superhero — affordable, with dense, super-soft bristles that deposit just the right amount of color on my skin. Not only that, but it’s quite the multitasker, too…”

Full Review | $12

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Blusher Brush

“BOW DOWN before the mighty Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Blusher Brush. Marvel at its multi-tasking prowess and how it applies blushes and foundations with ease. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself trembling — with glee! — at the cash register. Not only is this brush amazing, but it’s also cheap — $14.99. Holla!”

Full Review | $15

Soap and Glory Off Your Face Cleansing Cloths

“These wipes work overtime! You know how after you use some wipes you feel like you have to rinse? Like they’ve left a residue? I don’t feel that way after using Off Your Face. After wiping down with one of these … my face and neck feel squeaky clean.”

Full Review | $7

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Yes, Clairol Herbal Essences, You May Tousle Me Softly

December 16th, 2009 by Karen 46 Comments

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Since my haircut a few weeks ago, I’ve been on a kick to try new hair products and different styles, like the messy, sexy hair look (controlled chaos) common on Victoria’s Secret runways.

Hoping for hot-mama hair of my own, I started using the shampoo, conditioner and spray gel from the new Clairol Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Line ($4 each).

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The answer, Ry-Ry, would be “yes.”

I honestly didn’t think anyone would notice, but you gals have such a good eye! After I put up this face of the day, a few of you asked in the comments what I’d done differently with my ‘do.

holiday party makeup tips urban decay book of shadows 2

The Tousle Me Softly shampoo, conditioner and spray gel are part of a six-piece line of cleansers, conditioners and styling products made to work together for soft, sexy, mussed-up hair.

A fine line…

But here’s the thing about the messy hair look: there’s a fine line between “just messy enough to be socially acceptable,” and “plain ol’ jacked-up, busted bed hair.”
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Yes to Carrots Lip Tints Say YES to Affordable Lip Color

August 17th, 2009 by Karen 52 Comments

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Just a quick note to say hi, ladies. I fell behind this afternoon, but I still wanted to tell you about Yes to Carrots’ line of pigmented C Me Blush Lip Tints.

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Sunset Pink

They cost a mere $4.50 each (that’s my mid-morning latte, yo!) but have a super smooth, buttery texture that makes ’em feel a lot more expensive than that.

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Ready Red

Texture-wise they remind me of the $22 Guava lipsticks by Korres. That’s how slick and creamy they feel.

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Chocolate Kiss

My favorite thing about them? — how pigmented they are (for lip tints). These puppies pack *lots* of color, applying with semi-sheer to medium coverage.

The resulting lip’s a casual look that I can see myself wearing a lot on weekends or to the gym.
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Do $8 Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayons Give the $22 Bobbi Brown Lip Crayons a Run for Their Money?

August 8th, 2009 by Karen 34 Comments

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Seriously, let’s just hand Sonia Kashuk the keys to the drugstore makeup queendom already.

SK consistently creates quality makeup able to pass for department store stuff, and the best part is it’s *always* affordable.

Like her $8 Velvety Shine Lip Crayons from last spring…

They’d be almost dupes for Bobbi Brown Lip Crayons ($22) if it weren’t for the fact that they cost a fraction of the price.

sonia kashuk velvety shine lip crayon swatches
Swatches from left to right: Sonia Kashuk Pale Pink, Bobbi Brown Posey, Sonia Kashuk Luscious Pink

Sonia’s lip crayons even feel like their far more expensive Bobbi cousins, with a similar non-sticky texture, opaque coverage and super shiny finish. Plus, like Bobbi’s crayons, Sonia’s last all day without drying out my lips.

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Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayon in Luscious Pink

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Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayon in Pale Pink

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Luscious Pink

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Pale Pink

Bobbi’s lip crayons do come in a wider selection of colors, though, and I like the faint cooling sensation they produce.

But I’m not sure those make them worth the extra cost…

Sonia Kashuk’s Velvety Shine Lip Crayons come in three shades (Hot Pink, Pale Pink and Luscious Pink). I’ve tried Luscious Pink (a creamy rose) and Pale Pink (a creamy pinkish coral).

I’m totally in love with Pale Pink; it’s almost twins with Bobbi Brown’s Posey, which I wore a few days ago in my look for Ivy League. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A-to-the-PLUS!

I didn’t see the Velvety Shines available on the Target website, but they should be carried in your local store.

Saturday plans?

It looks like the fog took a day off today here in the Bay Area, so we just might get a sunny day.

No big plans for me other than a run around the neighborhood, and then maybe a trip to the mall to do some window shopping.

I promised myself that I couldn’t have any fun, though, until I got my laundry done, boo! The only clean shirts I have left either have holes in ’em or look like they’re made out of cat fur. 🙂

Four loads o’ laundry, here I come!

What are you up to today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. For more on Sonia Kashuk’s recent spring makeup line, check out Face Candy’s review here.

Outlet Mall Makeup: Big Discounts on MAC at The Cosmetics Company Store

August 17th, 2008 by Karen 45 Comments

MAC rarely goes on sale, but if you live near an outlet mall you may be in luck. Legend has it The Cosmetics Company Store chain of outlet shops is one of the few places that regularly stocks discounted MAC makeup, brushes and skin care products, as well as discounted products from other department store cosmetics brands. To see for myself, I jumped on the computer this morning and pulled up Outletbound.com to find the nearest outlet mall with a Cosmetics Company Store.

Paydirt!

I found one an hour north of me in Napa, so I took a drove up there today to check it out.

A somewhat mysterious chain store with at least 70 locations across the US, The Cosmetics Company Store sells discounted makeup, skin care, brushes and fragrances from several of the Estee Lauder lines including MAC, Origins, Bobbi Brown and Clinique. I say “mysterious” because I couldn’t find a website for the company.

MAC at The Cosmetics Company Store

The sales staff at the Napa Valley location informed me that each Cosmetics Company Store maintains a different inventory of products. MAC treasures will vary. The store I visited had two MAC displays — one with makeup and another with skin care and brushes.

I got the impression that colors and product choices are kinda hit or miss, but I was surprised to find a lot of products from past launches like MAC Fafi lipsticks for $10 (originally $14), Beauty Powder Blushes for $12.25 (originally $17.50), and the Lipglasses from the Stylistics collection for $14 (originally $20).

If you missed a limited edition release (like I missed the Stylistics collection when it first appeared for the holidays in 2007), and it’s no longer available on MAC’s website, you might get a second chance at The Cosmetics Company Store.
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The $29 Drugstore Beauty Roundup

July 17th, 2008 by Karen 44 Comments

I love drugstores, and not just for the ice cream. Entering Walgreens is like entering another realm. I love everything about drugstores — the soothing soma-esque music, how they lock up the perfume in glass cases, the weird seasonal lawn gnomes, the Christmas ornaments, the kiddie pools — I love it all.

And weird people always hang out at drugstores in the middle of the night. I know this because I am one of them, and I’m never the only person there. 🙂

No self-respecting drugstore is complete without a beauty section, and here are some of my favorite drugstore beauty finds, all together costing a whopping $29.

Bag Balm is Udderly Fantastic, $6
“[From the label]… thoroughly wash treated teats and udder with separate towels before each milking. To avoid contamination after each milking, bath the udder with plenty of hot water, strip milk out and dry skin. Apply BAG BALM freely and massage gently with this proven ointment twice daily. This product contains no alcohol.”

Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20 Lipgloss, $6
“At $14 bucks a pop, I’m not about to risk losing Glosswear, so on beach trips I’m bringing along my tube of Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20 in Sheen ($6). This lil’ tube of gloss works like a charm, costs half as much as Glosswear does and still provides great SPF protection.”

Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in Jungle Green, $3
“This beautiful emerald eyeliner is soft, glides easily, has all-day lasting power and gives a shimmery pop of color. And it’s only $2.99 at Walgreens, hello! If you’re feelin’ the itch to try a jewel-toned green liner, this is the perfect way to test the waters without having to spend a lot of money.”

Freeman Papaya and Lime Overboard Shine Conditioner, $4
“I got softer hair this week for $3.99. I think that’s quite an accomplishment. I’ve been conditioner washing with Freeman Papaya and Lime Overboard Shine Conditioner, and now my hair is so smooth and bouncy-looking that I feel like I belong in a hair commercial, running like a fool with my arms up through a field of flowers while dappled sunlight caresses my new $3.99 hair. Fo’ reals.”

Maybelline Pure Makeup Foundation, $6
“I lurves my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, but truth be told my cheap ass hates having to pay $42.00 for it. There’s got to be a decent drugstore foundation out there that doesn’t cause break-outs. Could the answer be Maybelline’s Pure Makeup foundation?”

Crest Vivid White Toothpaste, $4
“Just when I thought that I met the coolest dentist ever, she frightened the bejeebus out of me by giving me a totally scary lecture on the importance of gum health. There were many, many, many frightening pictures of gingivitis and swollen gums. It ain’t pretty, folks. I’ve been touting the virtues of mint floss ever since.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen