Sonia Kashuk Spring Treasures Collection For Taget

I have been a fan of Sonia Kashuk's beauty products for Target for years and years. In fact, my ultimate fav blush/bronzer brush is one I bought from her collection like 7 years ago. It is still super soft and hasn't started losing its bristles hardly at all. Sonia Kashuk seems to develop good quality products at VERY reasonable prices. So I was thrilled to try out a few things from her limited edition spring 2009 collection. The limited edition collection marks Sonia Kashuk’s tenth anniversary with Target, celebrating ten years of providing quality cosmetics and professional beauty tools at affordable prices. Wahoo.

The spring 2009 collection is inspired by the ocean, combining innovative design with exotic marine life and high quality materials... at really recession-friendly prices! I got to try out the Hidden Treasure Brush Set ($19.99) and the how to create the "Freshness of Spring" palette ($19.99).

The brush set is a little on the cheesy side with the silver coral handles, but it would make a

 really cute gift. The quality of the brushes is top notch, as I well know. The set includes a blush/powder brush, large eye shadow brush, angled eye shadow brush, nylon concealer brush, crease eye shadow brush and small eye shadow brush. The set of brushes come in a chic, coral-print case with luxe silver lining that can double as a clutch.

The "Freshness of Spring" palette is actually a very well puty together palette. I'm often not very found of palettes that include lip glosses, since they tend to get messy or are never used. But the eye colors and blush color makes up for it on this one! The palette includes step-by-step instructions on how to create a soft look that is perfect for spring. It includes three shades for eyes, pale pink, lovely deep lilac and a highlighting shadow that adds a serious shimmer. Lacquer your lips with three varied lip colors including an shimmering pink, a sheer rose and a flirty red. A soft pink blush completes the look for a fresh, flawless face that just screams spring.

Spring Lovely!

MAC Holiday 2008

The other day I got sucked into another pre-order at Nordstrom for a couple limited edition items from MAC's Holiday collections:

From the Passions of Red, I got an Eye Shadow pallet in Cool, of course, since that is what I always pick. But I really love the colors, especially the purples. I like mixing the matte colors with the shimmery ones, for a multi-dimensional look. The case is actually in pink, unlike the other ones which are red. It is so gaudy, but very glamorous and fun.


From the Adoring Carmine collection, I got the Basic Brushes set. I didn't like the bag they came it at first, but the mix of ruby satin and red patent leather, but it grew on me. It is quite cute, although it doesn't hold a lot of products. The brushes are all great. I actually got the set just for the eyeshadow brush (239SE). I like the smaller size and I literally use it everyday. I figured it would be wise to have another one around.

Any of the pallets or sets would make great gifts for Christmas, so check them out before they sell out, cuz they always do!

Gift Lovely!

Great Hair Needs Great Tools

While a great hair dryer is an important aspect of achieving hair greatness, a great brush is also vital. I found a great round brush that allows me to dry my hair into a decent shape and get as much volume as possible from my extremely fine, flat hair. I picked up my round Spornette brush at a Pure Beauty shop downtown, but you can find them online at Folica.com or any other beauty supply store. My Spornette is from their Provo collection, which uses boar and tourmaline enhanced nylon bristle. The contour of the brush allows for easy styling without un-due pulling. I have the 3" diameter size but it comes in four sizes, so you should pick the one that is appropriate for your hair length. It really is lightweight and helps to dry my hair faster and with style. Try one out yourself!

Brush Lovely1

Sephora Haul!

You know how much I love Sephora... and it had been quite awhile since I did a lunch time trip there. So off I went yesterday to pick up a few things I had been lusting after and to see what I fancied. I showed an enormous amount of restrain, but here is what I walked out with:

I finally picked up a full sized Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36). I opted for the original formula, even thought my skin can get oily at times. I have raved about it in previous posts, so I won't bore you again and again. But if you have never tried a primer, I would seriously recommend checking this one out. it will change your life... or at least your makeup routine!

I also got a new brush: a Sephora brand small shader brush. they don't have the exact one on the web, but it is similar to this one. It is a small round tip, fairly stiff. I use it to pick up a darker color and shade the corner and crease of my eyelid in a sideways v-shape. This look always makes my eyes pop and people always go "how you do that???" Its easy with a great brush like this!

My random find for the day was an eyeliner from Clinique. I have used their liners in the past, but not in a long while. Not sure what brought me over to their display but the Cream Shapers automatically caught my eye. I dislike sharpening eye pencils and I really hate when they are too hard to get a quick line on the eye. These seemed creamy (obviously!) and smooth and I love the hint of sparkle, not too much but just enough. I got it in Egyptian, a fun dark olive. Something a bit different to play up my blue eyes.

Best of all: I hit $100 in my Beauty Bank as a Sephora Insider so I got a free deluxe gift! I opted for a cute little bottle of J'Dior by Dior. It not really my kind of scent, but its a nice addition to my perfume shelf... and maybe a fun little gift for a friend. I just love free stuff!

So, it might be a few weeks until my next Sephora visit, but I promise to continue to share my purchases.

Haul Lovely!

Bonus Time! Sephora Here I Come!

Although dull at times, working in finance does have its perks: Holiday Bonus time! After receiving my check today (of which the government took almost half! sniff, sniff), I heading over to Union Square. I had to go pick up tights to wear with my cute cocktail dress tonight at our company holiday party cause its so darn cold in SF right now. Once they were purchased, of course, I beelined over to Sephora to treat myself on a job well done this year:I got NARS's Night Series Mini Palette($55), something I have been lusting after for months! It's quite pricey, but definitely a must have for my eyeshadow collection. All the colors are so shimmery and fun, perfect for creating holiday looks. I don't usually wear green eyeshadow, but I am going to experience with some new color combos and it will be fabulous, I just know it.I also picked up a small bottle of Smashbox's famed Photo Finish Foundation Primer($15.50). Everyone raves about this so much, I knew I had to try it. Not quite ready to invest in the full size, this one is perfect for me to test it out. I have used products with silicone in them, so I know how lovely they make your skin feel. I have a feeling this is going to be a winner!I also got a new brush ($9) for my gel eyeliners. It is actually a Sephora Professional lip brush, but I am going to use it for my MAC Fluidline tonight, since I forgot the brush I usually use at home. The brush is stiff enough for eyeliner and just becuase it says its for lips, doesn't mean you can't use it on your eyes. Think outside the box, ladies.

Of course I am a Sephora Insider, so with my purchase, they gave me a free sample of Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist(full size $22.50). Maybe that will liven up my hair this afternoon before the party. Hope so!

Shop Lovely!