Sonia Kashuk: Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer Palette. Fall 2013

I have long been a fan of the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Matte Palette. It seemed that every time I visited my local Target, these were completely sold out. With that, I quickly came to the conclusio that this must be one HOT item! I finally spotted one while on a trip to Target, and I had to get my hands on it since it was the last one in stock. After playing around and using the palette for weeks, I realized what all the buzz was about.
This palette really does pack a punch! Included are twelve matte eye shadows with amazing color pay-off and outstanding pigmentation. And these shades are so soft that they make blending an ease.

I have been gravitating towards this palette every day as my "go to" palette, so much so that my beloved LORAC PRO Palette has taken a backseat to this one. The various looks that can be created are limitless, making this one really versatile palette. And given that it consists of all neutral matte shadows, this palette really does work well as a companion palette to others that provide more shimmer but lack in matte shades. For me, the cherry on top for this purchase was the price point. Retailing at $19.99, I really couldn't pass this one up.

Oftentimes Target will run coupons for Sonia Kashuk products on their website, so keep your eyes open for those if you're interested in trying out some of her products.

                                        Sonia Kashuck. Eye on Neutral Palette

After having fallen completely in love with this product, I was curious to try out the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Palette Shimmer. Again, every time I have visited my local Target, this product had been completely sold out! So when I was browsing through the Target website, I noticed that Sonia Kashuk has released a Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte and Shimmer Palette for the Fall of 2013. I quickly clicked my mouse and added that to my cart, anticipating that this product would be out of stock at my local store.

This Limited Edition Palette is much smaller in size compared to the regular Eye on Neutral Matte, and retails for $29.99. These are not full sized eye shadows as you would find in the other palettes offered by Sonia Kashuk, but I think it's a good introductory piece for anyone who is looking to try out a variety of neutral shades. In this palette, you're getting 24 shadows, equally divided into matte and shimmer shades.  

                       Sonia Kashuk. Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer


This palette is configured in such a way that every other color alternates between matte and shimmer. The shades vary from your light creams for highlighting to your mid tone shades in varying shades of brown, taupe and grey, and finally two very dark and highly pigmented blacks. One in the shimmer variety and the other in matte.

Now, let's get into some swatching shall we?

                                 Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer
                                 Top row.

Out of these, I found the matte cream (third color) to be difficult to swatch as well as the matte pink (fifth color). With that said, I can still see these working great if you're looking to use them as highlight colors. The shimmers in this row really do pack a punch.

                                         Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer
                                         Second Row.

I did not experience any difficulties swatching the second row. None of these colors delivered poor pay off. The colors are intense and highly pigmented. The glide on buttery soft, deliver excellent pigmentation and were easily blendable.

                                         Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer
                                         Third Row.

Once you get to the third row, you start to see the colors deepen a bit. Again, I experienced no problem swatching any of these colors. The texture on these colors still remain soft and as you can see, and they still deliver excellent pigmentation.

                                         Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer
                                         Fourth Row.

With the exception of those two colors on the top row, I find this palette to be a great value. You're getting 24 trial sized shadows, 12 in matte and 12 in shimmer, they offer exceptional pigmentation, and are ultra soft, making for blending these shades super easy.

I can't rave enough about this palette. With the holidays right around the corner, I can see this being a budget friendly gift for the beauty lover on your list! Due to it's compact size, shade variety and versatility, this palette works wonderfully for travel. I also think that this palette would be a great staple piece to any woman's makeup collection.

So what are your thoughts? Have you been able to find the Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Eye on Neutral Matte/Shimmer at your local target?


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2013 Sephora VIB Sale: An exercise in restraint

I am a little behind getting this post up. The 2013 Sephora VIB Sale has come and gone, however, it's never too late to share some of the things that I purchased. Weeks before the sale, I browsed around online at sephora to really give myself some time to think about what items I was really curious to try. Going overboard on purchases was something that I was trying to avoid.

After taking inventory of the items already in my collection, I came to the conclusion that my lipstick collection was lacking. I have what appears to be a plethora of neutrals, yet I lack bright fun colors. Now, I admit, I am not really one to wear a bright pink fuscia lip, especially at the office where things tend to be a bit conservative.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to experiment with some bright lip colors that are still relatively sheer enough to be able to wear to the office. I settled on two of the Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy lipsticks. I chose the colors in #4 Succulent Pomegranate and #5 Mouthwatering Berry. I also picked up an Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte lipstick in #3 Beige Ultimate (mostly because I'm still in search of that "perfect" nude).

                                         From left to right: YSL Sheer Candy #5, YSL Rouge Volupte # 3, YSL
                                         Sheer Candy #4
In keeping in line with new lip colors, I also picked up the Fresh Sugar Stars Mini Lip Collection gift set. This set comes with 7 of the Fresh Sugar balms. 

The gift set includes: Sugar Rose, whcih is a rosy tinted balm.
 Sugar Honey,  A warm nude.
 Sugar Passion,  sheer rouge
 Sugar Berry, a sheer berry color
 Sugar Petal, a sheer pink
 Sugar Cherry, a sheer red which is a NEW shade to the FRESH Sugar line.
The set also includes an Advanced Therapy balm to correct, nourish and repair lips, and a regular FRESH Sugar to proctect, smooth and nourish lips. Both of these minis have no color, so you have the option of wearing this under or over the other colors that are included in the set.

I find that all of the colors glide on very sheer, but can be built up for more intensity. Perfect for anyone who is just dipping their toes into the world of lip color, also very appropriate for conservative offices.

I have long been a big fan of the FRESH Sugar Rose as it is the perfect light pink sheer color with just the right amount of hydration needed to keep lips smooth and chap free all day. I'm excited to try out the other colors that came in this collection!

So what did everyone else snag during this year's Sephora VIB sale?