Sonia Kashuk Contour brush (No.30) + Precision Pencil brush (No.31) review + photos

           Can I say that I'm obsessed with the shape of Sonia Kashuk brushes? The curvilinear and ergonometric shapes are amongst the coolest out there. Of course, their functionality has earned them quite a following as well.

          Today I have two new additions to the brush lineup to share with you : the Sonia Kashuk Contour brush (No.30) and the Precision Pencil brush (No.31).

          The Sonia Kashuk Contour brush ($15.79) has an interesting paintbrush shape. It's a shape that isn't available in every brand's lineup, but seems to be more popular as of late. (I have one from MAKE UP FOR EVER, which I've actually used quite a bit). As suggested, this brush is handy for contours. It can be used on the thin edge for highlights or as a broad brush for bronzer/contours. In a pinch, I've used this kind of shape for finishing powder as well. The brush itself is made from natural fibers, with a soft and dense head.

           The Sonia Kashuk Precision Pencil brush ($9.79) is one of my personal favorite shapes, as I love to use pencil brushes for softly smudged liner/shadow. It can also be used for inner-eye highlighting or even to apply concealer. The brush comes to a decent point without much splaying, which is what I look for in pencil brushes. I believe this is natural fiber as well.

        Both the Sonia Kashuk Contour brush and Pencil brush are lovely additions the Sonia Kashuk brush collection. They're both shapes I use often, so I'm happy to add this to my current rotation. (The aesthete in me wants to grab the whole lineup - if only they made more of my favorite synthetics!) If you're interested, be sure to check out the Sonia Kashuk brush lineup next time you're at Target.

       Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Sonia Kashuk brushes? Do you buy singles or brush sets?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Sonia Kashuk 'Art of Makeup' 10pc. brush set + roll review

          Here's a cool collision between art and beauty! Sonia Kashuk has a limited edition 'Art of Makeup' collection for Spring 2015! It's a collaboration with Linda Mason, makeup and visual artist, and mentor to Sonia Kashuk herself. The collection features a number of beauty tools and organizers, created with splashes of bright color.

         Today, I have two highlights from the Sonia Kashuk 'Art of Makeup' collection to share with you: the Ten Piece Brush set and the Brush Roll!

         As an avid pink-lover, you could say I'm pretty excited about the Sonia Kashuk 'Art of Makeup' Ten Piece Brush set ($35.99). The pink ombré bristles are going to provide a great pop of color on my vanity! Of course, I can also tuck them neatly away in the matching Sonia Kashuk Art of Makeup Brush Roll ($19.92) as well.

           I like the addition of a brush roll to the 'Art of Makeup' line; it's not often that you see rolls available! The Art of Makeup brush roll is a 12-pocket roll that's both sturdy and cute. It keeps my brushes separate and in good shape. There's a protective top flap to keep brushes from falling out; it does take a little finagling to roll up flat, but otherwise works well. Each pocket is quite roomy and can accommodate large handles. In a pinch, I think I could fit two little brushes into a single slot!

The face brushes have a lip print handle, which matches the Art of Makeup design on my brush pouch!

           I've photographed an up-close look at the brushes in the Sonia Kashuk Art of Makeup 10 peice brush set! When it comes to brush sets in general, it's so important to take a look at what exactly is included. My must-have list typically includes a powder, liquid foundation, angled eyeliner/brow, and blush brushes; it was nice to check of all my basics in this set.

          The brushes included within this set include: powder, blush, pointed foundation, dense powder, concealer, pointed blending, crease shadow, medium eye shadow, angled eye shadow, smudge. There are a mix of natural and synthetic fiber brushes. Overall I find them to be of good construction; the heads are soft and don't seem to actively shed! It's worth noting that the box notes that the pink bristles do require a little care to maintain color. Mainly, gentle brush cleaner is recommended (as opposed to strong detergents and hot water).

Appropriately, the eye brushes all have an 'eye print' handle.

            Overall, the Sonia Kashuk 'Art of Makeup' collection is a fun one for those who love art, beauty, and color. I'm always up for more pink, so the brush set is a fun way to spruce up my routine this spring! The brush roll is a nice compliment to my brushes and should come in handy for travel and storage. If you're a fan of the print, there are a number of organizers and train cases available in it as well. The Art of Makeup collection is limited edition, and available at Target.

           Thanks for reading! Would you use pink bristled brushes? Have you seen the Sonia Kashuk Art of Makeup collection in-store?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset collection review + swatches

         There's something so mesmerizing about Sonia Kashuk's Sahara Sunset collection. The reflective gold, terracotta, and onyx drew me in like a desert mirage! However, unlike the aforementioned, this collection does not disappoint; inside the pretty packaging, I found that this spring collection to be a neutral lover's dream.

         Thanks to Sonia Kashuk, I have three pieces from the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset collection to share with you today. If you love warm neutrals, I have a feeling you'll be in for a treat!

           First up is Sahara Sunset Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Nirvana ($11.99). I'm kind of obsessed with the glowy gold packaging! The lipstick is a sheer warm peachy-beige, which I've swatched for you below. The formula is smooth and has nice shine.

           Next, I have the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Bronzing Blush Stick in Marrakesh ($11.99).

            I wasn't sure what to expect from the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Bronzing Blush Stick in Marrakesh,  however I was pleased to find a glowy bronze shade within! I think this product reminds me somewhat of my NARS Multiples. When applied, it can deposit an intense, pigmented bronzy glow. However, it can easily be blended out to any amount of sheerness. I found that the formula tends to be softer and blendable for longer than my multiples. I'd use this for adding bronze highlights to the face or perhaps collarbones.

           The stunner of the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset collection has to be the Sahara Sunset Eyeshadow Palette in Desert Escape ($19.99). The palette contains bronzed nude, sand, shell, pink, and terracotta paired with matte deep eggplant. (I think the eggplant tinted matte shade is such a great pairing with the warm sandy glow of the shimmers). The formula is smooth and quite soft. I noticed that each brush swipe left a small depression in the palette.

          I've swatched my pieces from the Sonia Kashuks Sahara Sunset collection for you below! The Sahara Sunset Eyeshadow Palette in Desert Escape ($19.99) has five sandy / earthy shimmers and one matte eggplant brown. I've compared Sahara Sunset Bronzing Blush Stick in Marrakesh ($11.99) to my NARS Multiple in South Beach. The former is more bronze and less orange tinted than the latter. Sahara Sunset Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Nirvana ($11.99) is a sheer peachy beige nude. I'd say it swatches similarly to NARS Love Devotion. However, I think Love devotion is sheerer and wears much more coral, while Nirvana is more pigmented and beige-leaning.

          This glowy desert-inspired collection is perfect for those who love warm neutrals. My favorite piece has to be the Sonia Kashuk Lip Color in Nirvana. It's an easy to-wear nude, and it has the prettiest packaging! I wouldn't be surprised if the Sonia Kashuk Desert Escape eyeshadow palette gets the most love, though. It's a great set of glowy shades perfect for the warm months ahead. The Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset is now available at Target (both in store and online!)

         Thanks for reading! Have you had a chance to play with Sonia Kashuk Spring? What pieces are you loving most?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Sonia Kashuk White Etheriana fragrance collection review

Mimosa + Bamboo + Lime.

            Sometimes, it's ok to judge a book by it's cover. (Or, in this case, perfume). The gorgeous parrot tulip patterning on the new Sonia Kashuk White Etheriana fragrance line certainly captured my fancy. However since then, I've come to realize that the scent within is twice as nice! Here's why I've been giving White Etheriana a lot of love this past week...

          I love the scent of tulips. There's something so very spring about them! In perfume, though, its not a common accord, as it can't be harvested and has to be created in lab. Hence, there's not that many tulip perfumes out there. In my opinion, Sonia Kashuk White Etheriana has taken a cool abstract approach to the tulip, approximating its spirit with soft florals and green citrus-like freshness! I'm going to go a little perfume-nerd here and give you the full breakdown of how I experience the scent:

         At it's essence, Sonia Kashuk White Etheriana is an uplifting combination of mimosa, lime, and bamboo. First, comes the crisp watery green of the bamboo. It's followed by the soft, rich scent of mimosa which gradually builds in intensity to become the body of this perfume. Brilliant hints of lime (and if you smell closely, acai) add alacrity and dimension to what otherwise would be a powdery perfume. The florals are grounded by a touch of violet, and seem to coexist continuously with a soft, clean base. There's no standout base note, which I like. Instead, I find it to be a nice admixture of patchouli, musk, and even oakmoss (one of my favorites). There's a nice peachiness at the base as well, making this an even nicer skin scent.

          Just like parrot tulips, this fragrance isn't your garden variety. I love how the rich mimosa is livened by green bamboo and lime. It's a creative combination as far as fragrance is concerned. Overall, I'm really loving this scent (though it should be said, I'm a spring perfumista at heart) and would definitely recommend Sonia Kashuk White Etheriana if you're looking to freshen up your fragrance routine!

        Thanks for reading! What Sonia Kashuk scents have you tried? What fragrances or notes are you loving this spring?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. Sonia Kashuk White Etheriana is available at Target for Spring 2015. The line includes: the Eau de toilette ($19.99), Crème Body Wash ($8.99), Body Lotion ($8.99), and Hand Crème ($6.99). My personal favorite is the body wash; I feel like the mimosa is amplified when it hits hot water!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Shine Lip Crayon in Pink Lily review + swatches

       Hi everyone! I hope your day's been off to a relaxed start! I'm writing this post at the gym in-between yoga sessions, with a mug of Starbucks Kenya in hand. I also have a stack of May magazine issues to catch up on, and have been working my way through the latest issue of InStyle...

         Speaking of Instyle, the bright pinks on covergirl Reese Witherspoon brought a big smile to my face. (Though ruffled velvet and sequins do seem a bit more Elle Woods a la Legally Blonde than real-life Reese). It's worth flipping through the article within; there's a montage with movie sets and space suits, as well as inspiring quotes!

       Anyhow, back to beauty! I think a relaxed morning calls for a relaxed pink (don't you think?). Lately I've been playing around with Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Lip Shine Crayon in Pink Lily, a brand new shade for Spring 2015. Light pinks are my love, so I've been all over this rosy hue!

The color of Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily is a touch (or two) warmer than suggested by the cap color!

           The twist up crayon is packaged in sleek black with color capped packaging. (It's nicely reminiscent of the popular NARS velvet mattes.) The formula contains myrrh resin for plumping (a nice alternative for those who can't do peppermint), as well as broad spectrum UVA and UVB filters. The formula goes on smoothly for a semi-sheer finish with soft shine.

           Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily is lovely light warm pink. Though it appears to near the pink coral spectrum, I'd say not quite. It's a still a solid, albeit very warm pink.  When compared to CHANEL Dedicace (reviewed and swatched here), you can appreciate the warmth of Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily.  I was surprised by how closely Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily swatches to NARS Niagara. However the former is more pink than the latter, which is more coral. The difference is much more noticeable on the lips. Niagara is quite bright, while Pink Lily is a more demure rose. MAC Sunny Seoul is a lighter yellow-pink.

            Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Lip Shine Crayon in Pink Lily ($8.99) is a lovely warm pink thats wearable without being wallflower! It's one of those shades that can get a lot of use (though I may be biased as I do love my light pinks!). I'd love to see more light shades like this in Sonia Kashuk's lip crayon lineup. They're such an affordable, portable way to get lip color on the go!

        Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Sonia Kashuk lip shades or products? What lip crayons are you loving lately?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Loving right now : Palm Print

          Lately, I've been all about leaf prints. Perhaps the verdant patterns seem particularly fitting given my upcoming vacay to subtropical climates. (Or it's possible that I never outgrew Fern Gully...). Regardless of the reason, I had to get my hands on the new Palm Print line of makeup organizers from Sonia Kashuk Spring 2015!

           Thanks to Target, I've gotten my 'palms' on a Sonia Kashuk Palm Print Makeup Organizer ($9.99); it's been a constant companion since! Let's revel in a few photos...

        The pouch itself is pretty roomy. I've photographed it with my tag-along beauty products to give you an idea of size. What you can't see are two zip pockets within. It's a natural shoe-in for my personal care products en route to the gym everyday. However, I've seriously considered using it as a clutch. It's the right shape and size, as well as made of a pretty stiff material that holds some shape.

           When it comes to botany, the cutout shapes of Monsterosa leaves have always fascinated me! (Though truthfully, there's something beautiful about all broad-leafed shade-casting genera.) As you might imagine, I absolutely adore the leaf-print patterning here which features the iconic Monsterosa Deliciosa. 

          As you can tell, I've been all about the fronds lately, so I love my new Sonia Kashuk Palm Print Makeup Organizer ($9.99)! The pouch is bigger than I expected, which is handy for storing all those beauty extras I might need during the day. I may have to check out the 'Weekender' size next time I stop by Target; the zig zag version (reviewed here) was such a key piece during last winter's travels!

         Thanks for reading! What prints are you loving lately? What are your Sonia Kashuk staples?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Sonia Kashuk Holiday 2014 collection review + swatches

         This past week, I visited my old stomping grounds in the northeast. New England has such a special charm with its huddled houses and snowflake filled skies. Needless to say, I put a vintage Max Mara and my trusty Uggs to good use!

          Today, I'm dreaming of warmer weather, with a sleek collection inspired by Miami Art Deco. The Sonia Kashuk Holiday 2014 collection sports jet black casing with gleaming gold accents, with an overall theme of smoky eyes and nude lips. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

          The Sonia Kashuk Golden Age Four-Piece Brush Set with Clutch ($19.99) consists of a two-zip tasseled case, accompanied by a powder brush, duo fiber shader, angled eye brush, and smudge brush. The two-pocket pouch is quite flat, so it's going to hold an edited amount of goods. That said, I can easily fit the brushes into one pocket and my two holiday palettes (see below) into the other. I believe the brushes are synthetics. They're full and fluffy and best for a soft (as opposed to precision) effect.

          I love how the Sonia Kashuk Eye Palette in Deco Starlet ($19.99) contains colors molded together for decorative effect, a technique typically employed by high end lines. The shimmery brown, matte black, metallic gold, and cream shades combine to create a lovely smoky eye. Overall the shades are well pigmented; the formula is on the softer end with easy kick-ups by your brush.

          My hands down favorite from the collection has to be the Sonia Kashuk Nude Lip Palette in Jazzed Up Nudes ($19.99). As someone who wears nude lips 99% of the time, I couldn't wait to dip my brush (also included) into this one. The palette includes light to medium shades, including a blush nude, beige nude, pink nude, peachy nude, and mauve nude (that can, of course, be combined to create a multitude of shades). The shades are perfect for complementing the smoky look of the deco palette, however great for practical everyday use as well. Overall the formula gives a medium opacity finish and runs more on the satin (as opposed to glossy) end of the lipstick spectrum.

        I've swatched both the Sonia Kashuk Deco eye palette in Deco Starlet and Sonia Kashuk Lip Palette in Jazzed Up Nudes below. Of note, colors tend to pull warmer on my skin (since I do run a little pink!) I've also noticed that the overall collection pulls a bit neutral to warm in tone.

        Finally, I wasn't sure how much I'd reach for Sonia Kashuk Decadence Shimmering Body Souffle ($10.99) however, I was pleasantly surprised. The product is not nearly as frosty or strong as your typical facial highlighter, making it more appropriate for body use. The lightly shimmery cream adds much needed luster to winter skin. It's hard to overdo, and is flattering when applied to bare arms/legs etc. I like  that it's more champagne toned, which I find to be much more natural than the multitude of bronze iterations that typically come out in the summer months.

         Overall, I've been finding the art deco inspired Sonia Kashuk Holiday Collection to be both a pretty and practical one. My favorite piece has to be that gorgeous nude lip palette (perfect for toting in my purse), with the rich colors of the Deco eye palette coming in at a close second. Like the rest of your Sonia Kashuk favorites, this limited edition line is available at Target and online at Target's Sonia Kashuk shop! Thanks for reading!

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

A few of my favorite things - Travel edition

          After a brief stint at home in Chicago, I'm on the road again! This time, I'm writing from Midway Airport, en route to ATL. It's been an eventful morning, to say the least. I got here bright and early, only to find out my 8am flight had been cancelled! After some mumbles and grumbles about booking a later flight (and drowning my so-called sorrows in sweet tea), I've found a comfy spot where I can relax and piece together a post! (I'm running on three hours of sleep, so hopefully, I can keep things together and typo-free.)

         Today I thought I'd put together a travel edition of my A few of my favorite things posts, as that seems to be mostly what I've been doing lately! While I don't have a set of bright copper kettles of warm woolen mittens in my luggage, I do have a number of my travel sized beauty and skincare essentials to share with you today. Everything is pictured in my Sonia Kashuk Zig Zag Weekender travel case, which I was sent recently. It's colorful, got tons of pockets for organization, and has been a constant companion during this time. You could say I'm a fan. Now, on to what's within...

         I have a reputation for being a bit of a high maintenance traveler. I feel like my things are well edited, but somehow I always seem to have more bags than anyone else. I'm pretty proud of my makeup edit above, I feel like the combination has worked well for me these past few trips. (I've also linked a lot of my reviews below, so you can read / see more if you're interested)

         I never compromise on my foundation, so I always have CHANEL Perfection Lumière, CHANEL Double Perfection Lumière, and CHANEL Poudre Universelle. It seems like a lot, but I do use all three, usually lightly layered. My current cheek essentials include NARS Gaiety and NARS Oasis, which I've been liking as a contour. I take MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Brow for a long lasting brow. Urban Decay NAKED 3 has been my BFF for eyes; I love how the lightly pink toned mattes in this palette make me look more awake, especially when I'm behind on sleep, like today. NARS Larger Than Life Mascara and MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner, are of course holy grail products for me.

         I try to throw in a few miscellaneous minis for fun. Right now you can see Benefit Watt's Up, a Bobbi Brown shimmer gloss, and TopShop Cream Blush in Afternoon Tea in my bag as well. And of course, I have a number of lip products and mini eyeliner pencils rolling around in my purse on a usual basis.

         In terms of brushes, I try to stick with synthetics, both for cruelty-free and cleansing reasons. It's tough to bring around my beautyblender, so I've been using my Bobbi Brown Foundation brush instead. I've been using MAKE UP FOR EVER 132 (wavy flat brush) for powder; I've become quite the fan of this one. Other essentials include MAKE UP FOR EVER 148 (stippling brush) for cheeks, MAC 263 (angled liner), Bobbi Brown Eye Liner brush, and my Shu curler. I usually take other brushes at whim, usually this includes an EcoTools Angled liner and Concealer brush. I don't like bringing too many or too expensive brushes with me, as they seem easy to lose (knock on wood). However, I do prefer full length handles, so it's not often that I'll pack mini brushes to save space.

These two clear zip pockets conveniently attach via velcro to the second compartment of my Sonia Kashuk travel case. 

        Confession: in terms of skin / hair care, I actually have a lot more random little items (a la Q-tips, etc etc) than shown above. However, they're usually stuffed into the non-clear pockets of my Sonia Kashuk Zig Zag Weekender.

       Hair is another one of those things I just cannot sacrifice on. My curly hair is so frizz prone and capricious that I bring my ghd 1" to straighten it out and thereby keep it under control. Which means, the right heat protection and shampoos are necessary. Lately I've been all about Living Proof, so I purchased a Living Proof 'Full' travel size set, and a mini Living Proof 'Straight' hair spray to keep things under control.

        I've shown a few of my skincare favorites as well. Avalon Organics Vitamin C serum is an old favorite that I've used on and off over the years; I actually picked up this bottle during my trip to Alabama. I love Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate for it's high Vitamin C content as well; it's my preferred foundation base (as opposed to primer). TATCHA Cleansing oil is one of my favorite cleansers and a great way to remove the makeup. The miniature size was a part of the TATCHA Jet Set Travel Kit. It's nice to have a good shower gel as well; I happened to find this little bottle of Bliss Lemon + Sage at Marshalls.

        I hope you've enjoyed this edition of A few of my favorite things. Southern weather is beckoning, and it looks like I'm finally getting on a flight! If you have any questions any of the products above, let me know! I've linked a lot of them to my original reviews for convenience. As for my Sonia Kashuk Zig Zag Weekender ($29.99), I believe the zig zag pattern is currently available at Target, if you're interested!

       Thanks for reading! What are your travel must haves? What case do you pack your beauty and skincare necessities in?

Love, Dovey.