Tag Archives: cosmetics

Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Moroccan Dunes Eye Shadow Palette

Posted on May 23, 2013 | Leave a comment

SK ES 3sk compact

I remember seeing this palette not long after it first launched in Target and thinking, “I really don’t need this.” I didn’t buy it, but then saw a post Karen did at Makeup and Beauty Blog and decided I did need it. It is limited edition (of course), so I was concerned I wasn’t going to find any, but, lo and behold, my Target had one just for me. I snatched it up and I haven’t looked back.

SK ES 1DSC_0997

SO PRETTEH. These shades are some of my favorite colors to wear, and I most certainly love a shiny, metallic eye shadow.

SK ES 2DSC_1009

I swatched these dry, over a primer, and I love the way they look. There is definitely some fallout, and the two bottom shades have glitter, which tends to wander around my face. That doesn’t bother me, but it might bother some. (Clean up any fallout with your foundation brush that still has some residual product on it, and do your under-eye concealer after everything else.)

The deep brown shade is fantabulous (see what I did there?) and is the perfect accent shade to add some drama to the other three colors. The brown is a satin finish, while the other three are obviously highly metallic.

These have easily lasted all day for me without much fading and no creasing until after 10 hours of wear.

The formula of these little gems works well when applied wet, too. Just dampen your brush with some water and be amazed at the saturated awesomeness on your eyelid.

SK ES 2DSC_1000

SO PRETTEH.

You can still find the Moroccan Dunes palette in Target stores and at Target.com for $16.99.  I think it’s ultimately overpriced and there is way too much bulky packaging, but I’m still happy I purchased it. (I’m a glutton for shiny, I know.)

I am really into Sonia Kashuk right now. It’s not a brand I’ve delved into too much, but the more I do, the more I’m impressed!

What do you think about these shadows? Anything you plan to pick up?

-Laura

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Eye Palettes, Limited Edition

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

New CoverGirl Shadow Pots: Yay or Nay?

Posted on May 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

Happy Wednesday!

I spoke a little bit on Monday about how underwhelming I find 95% of CoverGirl’s products. That being said, when they introduced new products recently, I couldn’t NOT try them. Just in case.

CG ES 1DSC_0016

I picked up one of the new Shadow Pots, primarily because I hated the existing singles so much. (So negative on this Hump Day!) I wanted to see if they were any different.

CG ES 1 BackDSC_0017

Apparently these shadows don’t have names, only numbers. The one I picked up is this bronzy-brown, numbered 330.

CG ES 1 OpenDSC_0019

I don’t feel like the quality is as suck-y as the existing ones (are they still out there?), but it’s not a dramatic improvement. I intentionally picked a shade that is usually easy to do, regardless of the brand, but CG didn’t nail this one. SO NEGATIVE, NELLY.

I will wear this one, though. I like the easiness of the color, and how it’s incredibly versatile.

CG ES 1 SwatchDSC_0023

See? Pretty, after a few layers (over primer).

CoverGirl Shadow Pots are available at drugstores, Target, and Ulta stores. I think I paid $4.99? I haven’t found them online yet.

Have you tried any of these? I’m interested in swatching other colors, but I don’t think I’m willing to buy them to do so.

What say you?

-Laura

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Eye Products, New Products

Tagged , , , , , ,

On the Brow with Sonia Kashuk

Posted on May 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

DSC_0972
Brows are one of those features that can be tricky, yet we overcomplicate them more than we ever should. Between over-plucking (NO), super-black tattoo brows (DOUBLE NO), and everything in between, we seem to stumble over what to do with the frames of our face.

While there are definite obstacles for some, like naturally not having any brows, most of us do have some brows going on and today’s product is a great tool to keep them in line.

DSC_0980
The Arch Alert Brow Kit from Sonia Kashuk is a cream-based palette with colors that will suit most hair colors.

DSC_0975
I’ve been using this product for a little over a week and I am very  happy with it. I appreciate that the dark colors are cooler-toned and aren’t actually that dark. Unless you have jet-black hair and jet-black eyebrows, black is never a good look. A good rule of thumb is to go a shade or two lighter than your natural color.

I use my Real Techniques Brow Brush from the Starter Kit to apply the darkest shade with. I follow my natural brow shape most days, depending on the look I’m going for. Some days I want a fuller look, so I’ll just barely go outside the lines to give the illusion of a stronger brow.

DSC_0987
The palette is universal, and to my knowledge, there is only one offered by Sonia Kashuk. The brand has done a great job of covering the bases, color-wise. The darkest shade (top, left) is perfect for us brunettes. I mix the second darkest shade (bottom, left) on those days where I want my brows to stand back a bit.

The blonde shade (bottom, right) is perfect for fair-haired beauties, and the last shade is a gorgeous auburn red for natural (or wannabe) redheads.

Now. For the reason I love this palette the most: the wear time. I’m very happy with the texture, which has the hold of a lightweight wax and the semi-matte finish of a cream. It’s like the Prius of brow palettes; it’s a great little hybrid.

You can pick up this palette at Target and Target.com for $9.99 (the new packaging is black instead of white, just FYI).

*****

I know I don’t normally post consecutively, but I’m trying to challenge myself to post more. I have so many great products to talk about!

Much love, y’all,

Laura

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Brows

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

CoverGirl Clean Glow Blusher in Peaches: Yes, Please

Posted on May 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

DSC_0007
I hate to start off the week on a negative note (it is Monday, after all, so why add to it?), but I have rarely been impressed with CoverGirl’s products. I’m a tried-and-true fan of LashBlast Volume mascara, but that’s really it. So when CG started introducing new products recently, I was skeptical, but because I’m a junkie, I had to try some anyway.

The first product that I gave a go is this Clean Glow Blusher in 110 Peaches. You can see it has three different shades of powder, including a bronze-ish shade, a true peach color, and what would appear to be a highlight shade on the bottom. The compact seems to be the same size as their powder compacts, in case you’re curious.

DSC_0006
DSC_0011
I bought this because I’ve been into two kinds of blush colors lately: bold bronzers and soft shades that simply add warmth. This Clean Glow blush definitely falls into the latter category. She’s a soft, pretty little thing, yes?

DSC_0014
When I say soft, I mean it in several ways, not just the color scheme. The pigment for each of the individual shades varies, but even still, they aren’t that rich. The texture is soft and smooth, and when the colors are swirled together, the color is a glow-y and super flattering peach shade. But again, if you’re looking for a super bold product, this isn’t it.

I was impressed with how easily it applies. I’m so used to having to grind into CoverGirl blushes and shadows just to get some product to transfer, so when I can swirl a brush around once or twice and get all I need? Happiness and joy.

DSC_0116

Wearing CoverGirl Clean Glow Blusher in Peaches

I look so angry in this photo… The light was fading, so maybe I was?

I have been really impressed with the wear time of this little lady, as well. I easily get 8 hours of wear with minimal fading over my cream foundations. Wasn’t expecting that from CoverGirl!

Overall, I think this is a decent product that would be worth the money if the parameters fit for you. I’m happy to say that I now enjoy two CoverGirl products!

I can’t find these blushes online yet and I can’t remember what I paid ($7.99?), but I purchased mine from Ulta, so I know they’re at least sold there. I think they’re sold in drugstores and Targets as well.

*****

Even though I do NOT enjoy warm weather, I do enjoy the produce it brings. Today’s breakfast included some massive strawberries and some golden cherries!

cherriesstrawberries
I hope you have a great week! We can do this!

-Laura

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Cheek Products, New Products

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Born to Glow with NYX Liquid Illuminator

Posted on May 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

DSC_0061
Let’s end the week with some sparkle, shall we?

I fully believe in shimmer. A dab on the cheekbones, in the arch of the eyebrow, or the inner corner of the eyes can do wonders for a Dull Face Day. What’s a Dull Face Day, you ask? You know what it is… One of those days where your skin is rebelling in 15 various ways, you need 6 more hours of sleep, and you could probably stand to drink a gallon of water every hour. One of those days.

Bring on the highlighters.

The NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Sunbeam was introduced around the beginning of the year and has been sitting around my desk since I purchased it. I’ve used it a few times and have come to several conclusions:

  1. I appreciate a break from my usual powder highlighters on occasion and find this option easy to use and to blend.
  2. It doesn’t have straight-up glitter, but it’s perilously close to having chunks, and a chunky highlighter equals no bueno.
  3. I don’t care for how it looks blended into my foundation, but like the effect it gives when strategically applied with my fingers.
  4. Though the color appears to be a light pink, no color shows on the skin, just shimmer, making it useful for almost all skin tones.
  5. Over my cream foundations, this product wears a standard 6-8 hours before fading into the night.

DSC_0063
DSC_0066
DSC_0070
Highlighters are one of those products that can go wrong very, very quickly. Too large of particles leave every pore visible from a 20-yard distance. Too much pigment and you have an extra stripe of color on your face. And too much shimmer/glitter in general and you look like a showgirl. There’s a very fine line here, folks.

Sunbeam walks the line well enough to make the $6.99 price tag well worth it, especially since it will work for so many skin tones. As I go through it, I’ll let you know if I would repurchase it or not. :) Find this product at Ulta and at NYXCosmetics.com

HAPPY FRIDAY! Any amazing weekend plans I can live vicariously through?

-Laura

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Cheek Products, Highlighters

Tagged , , , , , , , ,