Yikes, tomorrow’s Friday already! This time I’m going to do three mini-reviews. On Friday in the summer, everybody seems to already be in weekend mode.
Sonia Kashuk 15th Anniversary 15 Piece Brush Set
I managed to score the last set of these beauties at my local Target store. They are sold out online. But another store in my general vicinity has a couple of sets left, at least as of today (meaning yesterday). So if you want to find them, you can either search on the Target website or app and enter the store(s) near you and see if you can do “Pick up at store”, or call the store directly and ask.
I’ve been getting along with a mishmash of makeup brushes that I’ve picked up here and there. I also have a set of Crown synthetic brushes that I take with me when I travel. I heard good things from the makeup artists in one of the Facebook groups that I’m basically a lurker in. These are folks who have expensive and/or well-made brushes to use on their clients. If they thought these brushes were worth owning as part of their kit or for themselves, then I needed to check them out. Did I mention that the set of 15 brushes is $39.99?
The brushes are very thickly packed with bristles and appear to be well-made. They are a mix of synthetic and hair. Best of all, they are sooooo soft!
In my mishmash of brushes, I own a few Sonia Kashuk brushes and they have worn well and do the trick. These limited edition brushes seem even better made than the ones I own. I look forward to getting a lot of use out of them.
If you can find a set in your local Target, grab it fast! At less than $3 a brush, you can’t go wrong.
I picked up a new apothecary jar at Homegoods to store my growing brush collection. It’s the perfect size, and I like the way it looks.
NYX Above and Beyond Full Coverage Concealer
To cover up the red-looking skin on my eyelids and in my crease, I usually use an eye foundation. For years, I used a fabulous eye foundation from Georgette Klinger, but that brand is long gone. About a year ago, I picked up I Love Stage from essence. It was easy to apply with a wand, and it cost $3.49. Quite amazingly, the single shade available was a light shade that worked well for me. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, essence seems to have darkened the shade, and it doesn’t work for me at all now.
Instead, I picked up NYX Above & Beyond Full Coverage Concealer.
It comes in a variety of shades. I bought Light. $4.99 at Ulta and other retailers. It does a great job of covering up my redness. I’ve also used it on the fading sun damage on my face. It is definitely full coverage, and I like it even better than the Amazing Concealer that I bought for more than $30 a few months ago.
Grey-free By Guiliano Touch Me Up (Root Touchup)
Now not all of you need this product. But for those of you who color your hair and are beginning to see grey in your roots, this is a product to consider. Because my hair is colored red, finding a match for my roots is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I can’t use the vast majority of temporary fixes to cover grey because there are no red shades. My colorist suggested that I come more frequently than every 4 weeks. Not gonna happen.
Probably out there in cyberspace, there’s only one or two women who both read my blog and have red color-treated hair, but Grey-free By Guiliano has an auburn shade that is the best match for my shade of red that I’ve found yet. And it comes in 9 common shades that go from blonde through black. Plus, it’s so quick and easy to apply with the mascara-style wand. It washes out with your next shampoo.
I’m dying at the price. It cost me $16.99 at my local beauty supply store for a 0.25 oz. tube, but it’s for sale on Amazon for $5.97, regularly $7.00. Even if I had to pay shipping, it would’ve been less on Amazon, lol. Oh well, next time.
Hi Allison, I’m curious about the brushes, perhaps for Christmas gift for my daughter. BTW hubby and I will be in your neck of the woods this weekend. Sat. Night in Portsmouth, NH then driving to Ipswich for clams and Glouscester for the atmosphere. Oh and of course we will hit a brewery for him & ice cream for me. Be well, Linda
Linda, the brushes would make a great Christmas gift. Call your local Target and see if they still have any of the sets left. The store in Salem MA had one or two left. Your weekend plans sound fab! You’ll have to let me know where you stay in Portsmouth, and how you like it. Portsmouth is such a lovely small city. I hope the line for clams in Ipswich at The Clam Box isn’t too long. That place is so cool! The atmosphere is quite wonderful in Gloucester, but I hope the weather cooperates! Cape Ann Brewery in Gloucester is a fun place to go for a beer and a burger. Ro’s Ice Cream in Gloucester near Good Harbor Beach has good ice cream. Have a great time on your road trip!!
I love what you did with the glass jar for your brushes, great way to keep dust off of them, too!!
BeautyJudy recently posted…Enchanted Collection by Precision Nail Lacquer
Thanks, Judy. I love it!
I love the purple color of those brushes. So pretty. Thankfully I own too brushes as it is that I never seem to use. Lemming avoided. 😉 Or is it more like I am still trying to convince myself of that?????? 🙂
You are wise, Laura, to hold on to your cash, if you don’t need them! But I actually think I did need them! 😉 I have a motley crew of brushes, none of which match, that I’ve picked up on the cheap here and there. I know the SK brushes are probably not quite as good as MAC, but for the money and my skills, I think they’ll do just fine. They’re so thick and soft. I love ’em!
Fun brushes! I’ve had a few nice brushes from SK before, but will no longer be finding new ones since my local Target store closed. I’m a bit miffed with the entire company for that move, but I’ll save the soap box for another day. 😉 Lately most of my brush purchases have been from EcoTools.
Been curious about that NYX too! I might pick one up to try sometime (thank goodness I still have Ulta!) and see if it agrees with me. Or rather I should check the ingredients list and THEN pick one up to try. Hahaha! I love finding inexpensive products that also work really well. If I can find cost-effective base products then I don’t feel so bad when I get lured in by a Chanel lipstick. 😀
That’s a shame that Target left, Rach. I don’t go there a ton, but sometimes they have really unique and worthwhile things that for beauty and for home at decent prices. Glad you’ve got that Ulta, at least. Here’s the list of ingredients for the NYX. Usually I would include that but since they were mini reviews, I skipped it: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Mica, Ceresin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Aluminum Starch, Octenylsuccinate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Polycyclopentadiene, Isododecane, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Chromium Oxide Green (CI 77288), Iron Oxide Yellow (CI 77492), Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491), Iron Oxide Black (CI 77499) I like it so far, and it suited me better than their eyeshadow base. I tried a terrific Eye BB Cream from Dio Hydra-Life but the shade was slightly off for me, and it only comes in the one shade I think plus it’s very pricey. I agree with your thinking completely! Buy that Chanel lippie!
I love how you stored the brushes – awesome idea!!!!
Jess Scull recently posted…Amp Up Your Style with a TRESemmé® Saturdate at Walgreens! (WIN $100 Walgreens Gift Card!)
Thanks, Jess!
I cannot WAIT for my SK brush set to get here!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…July 2014 GlossyBox Swatches & Review
I’ll be interested to see what you think/read your review, Brooke! I love them so far 🙂
I need to get my review of the brushes up. They rock!
Actually, I’m eager to read your review. Mine was more of an announcement to those who don’t know about them before they’re all gone. A couple of my subscribers snagged a set today!
This glass jar for brushes looks very stylish! And those brushes look so pretty, too bad I don´t live in US and so I can´t purchase these 🙁
Leelo R recently posted…FOTD: Ianthe Concord
Thank you, Leelo. I think they look so pretty in the jar!
Those brushes look amazing
Phyrra recently posted…Colour Pop I Heart This Fantasy Tutorial
I’m loving them so far!
That brush set looks super cute!
Eugenia recently posted…Sleek i-Divine Acid Palette Review and Swatches
I think so too! and it’s well-made.
The way you stored the brushes is just so fun!! I love it – I think I may need the brushes from your review because the one I found was loose, but it sounds it might’ve been a fluke. :/
Shipra recently posted…Milani Bella Eyes 01 – 05 Photos, Swatches, and Review
Was it purple, too? These definitely came in a set of 15 in special packaging. Shipra, if you need brushes (which you probably don’t), this is an amazing deal!
Love the glass jar–great idea!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…New! Fresh Sugar Tulip Lip Treatment SPF 15
I think it looks so nice on my countertop!
The brushes look so nice displayed like that!
Miranda recently posted…Monthly Favorites: July 2014
Thanks, Miranda! I love the jar 🙂
Fantastic set of brushes my dear!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…Cowboy Baked Beans with Hot Sauce
Thank you, Laura! I needed some decent brushes, and I was lucky to get these affordable but good ones!
Oh I want those brushes! I like your apothecary jar, great storage idea!
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum BB Hydra+ (Moyen/Medium): Review, Swatch, Before/After
Thank you, Kathryne!
yeah, those brushes look nice and they are real pretty…
Kendra recently posted…Pretty Little Things {Vol. 1}
Yes, they are!
That purple is a great color! I love how it makes the brushes look.
Destany recently posted…7 NYC City Samba collection nail polishes swatches+review
Yes, the purple is really pretty and eye-catching…though I would’ve bought them even if they were black! What a good deal 🙂
I’ll have to see if my local Target still has those. I just picked up some of her brushes on clearance a little while ago. They were SUPER stinky when I unwrapped them, but after several washings, they’re finally normal. They are soft and gorgeous.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Glitter Flakie-splosion!
These have no smell at all, Nidia! And they are super soft and yes, gorgeous! Well worth the price!
I’m so glad I found the SK brush set! I love the holder you have for them!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Sheswai Good Vibes, Stoked & Babe Swatches & Review PLUS A Love Bag Giveaway
Thank you, Lisa. Glad you found the brush set, too! Enjoy 🙂
Such a pretty set. I love how they look in the jar.
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries recently posted…Nivea – Pure Effect Thermo Daily Warming Cleanser Review
Thanks, Kimmi 🙂
I love that NYX concealer – it’s pretty much perfect!
I like it a lot so far!
Oh I was wondering about that brush set, I was worried because the bristles don’t look so soft but I’m glad to read that they are!
Mai recently posted…Hakuhodo G5526BkSL Eye Shadow Brush Review/Comparison to MAC 226
They’re super-soft, Mai!
I still need to photograph my brush set before I use it. #beautybloggerproblems. I can’t wait though!
Melody recently posted…How I ACCIDENTALLY Dyed My Hair Purple!
Do it! You’ll love ’em, Melody 🙂