The Ravings of an Insomniac

Let's start with skincare, starting with the Almay Oil Free Eye Makeup Removing Pads - These are nice. I bought these in a pack of two these bottles. I like them, but would not purchase again - they leave sort of a sticky residue on my eyes and don't remove mascara well. I don't really wear mascara that much, mostly eyeliner, and this does the trick with eyeliner, but I wouldn't repurchase.

The Body Shop Shower Gels for Earth Lovers - Fig & Rosemary scent - This was a rather nice shower gel, albiet a very watery texture. This didn't bother me, as it foamed up well and was pretty cleansing. This particular scent didn't smell like either fig nor rosemary to me, and smelled like sage - a scent I love dearly that brings back wonderful memories. It's a sharp, spicey scent and I would certainly repurchase if I ever, ever run out of the millions of other shower gels I have sitting around waiting to be used. 

Boots No7 Melting Gel Cleanser - I was certain I wrote a review on this but now can't find it. I have featured it in a few posts, the most detailed description of it is here. I like this, and it smelled very nice, but I will not be repurchasing. It was just kind of a hassle to use.

H20 Marine Toner - this toner has long been discontinued by the company. I think the full bottle of it costs $18, which is definitely not worth it for this product. It's not bad, but definitely not life changing. I wouldn't repurchase even if it was still out.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Night Cream - I loved this moisturizer, loved it so much. It was thick and moisturizing, but sunk in very quickly. It smelled nice and soothing, and always left my skin happy and satisfied. I would definitely repurchase, and probably will. 

Mary Kay Timewise Firming Eye Cream - this little bottle cost $30!! I got it as a present and luckily did not pay that much, and I definitely do not recommend. It took far too long to sink in and did literally nothing for my skin; didn't moisturize or plump up the area. The pump, while a nice touch, was also very difficult to control. If you pumped out all the way you'd probably get enough product for your entire face. That being said, there's a lot of product in the bottle, considering how little you really need to cover your eye area. 

Meishoku Organic Rose Moisture Cream - this was a light moisturizer that smelled lovely and rosey. I liked it and would recommend; if I get the chance to buy this again I will, but I didn't love it enough to go out of my way to purchase it.

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve - this is my favorite lip product of all time. It's the only one that really seems to work for me, giving me deep, long lasting moisture. I have repurchased since then and will probably never leave this lip balm.

Mary Kay Suncreen SPF 50 - this was a weird, thick cream that never seemed to sink in and would leave my limbs feeling oily and strange. Would not repurchase.

Yes to Cucumbers Daily Calming Moisturizer SPF 30 - oh my god, the things I could say about this. Bad things, to clarify. It was a thick, white paste that took so much effort to spread in; it smelled like cardboard, always left me ghostly white, and didn't sit well/feel good on my skin. I suppose one could argue that this is more of a sunscreen than a moisturizer, but I'd rather just stick with my Coola sunscreen. I will not be repurchasing.

LO'ocitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - Personally I don't like the scent of shea butter, as it smells too much like diaper ointment to me. This is a really thick hand cream that does deeply moisturize, but the scent just bothered me too much. It also separated into a strange oil/cream mixture towards the end. Will not repurchase. 

I write too many reviews on Sonia Kashuk products. What can I say? I just adore the line. I'm not sponsored by the brand in any way; the company probably isn't even aware of my existence. This product came out in the Spring 2014 line (which was launched fairly recently actually, in early May if my memory renders me correct).

What it is: pressed powder

Where: Target stores and the Target website

Price: $9.99

This brand is cruelty free!

I have dry skin that gets shiny. It's not oil, it's just shine. Sometimes I get confused and annoyed at this because without a powder there's no real way to get rid of this, as I can't blot it away because there's no oil. Because my skin is on the drier side, I'd never really felt the need to powder. But now that it's summer and I'm sweating all over the place the shine is more and more apparent, so I picked up this powder.

Sonia Kashuk says that "this weightless formula glides on effortlessly; delivering even coverage while a soft focus complex reflects light to minimize skin imperfections. This formula also contains a natural polymer that helps to regulate sebum production for a shine free, flawless complexion. Powder puff included for on the go application." This product contains .17 oz (5 g) of product and only comes in one translucent shade.

The packaging is nice and sleek. It comes in a matte black flip-top compact that has a magnetic closure and two levels, one for the product and one for the included brush. There is a decent sized mirror inside. The included brush? Thin. Flimsy. Weak. Very soft. Much like my biceps, or lack thereof. It's much too flimsy to be of much use. I don't think the mirror flips out far enough, but to be honest this is because the mirror I use for my makeup application used to be a powder compact and the mirror flips out to 180 degrees. This one flips out to maybe 150. Totally eyeballing it, but you can tell from the picture that it doesn't go out entirely.

In the pan, this powder appears a little peachy. This initial color sheers out to translucence when it is applied and blended out, so this powder would be suitable for all skintones. While it doesn't cover shininess entirely, it takes out enough to make your skin look semi-matte, and rather natural. I find that some powders are so mattifying that your skin doesn't look like skin. This matteness doesn't stay all day, but it lasts for a good three/four hours. I would recommend carrying it around to touch up with if you usually do something like that.

As you can see from my powder, it looks a little worse for the wear. I have like, a film over the product. Sometimes powder products (eyeshadows, face powders, etc) can tend to have some sort of film over the product, and that film prevents you from getting annnyyyyyy product. I scratched it off. As you can see, where the product isn't scratched there's no product on my finger but where it is there is. However, the film seems to refilm over the scratched off product after a few days and I have to scratch off another layer. I'm very annoyed by this. I might just crush it into a loose powder. When it works, this powder claims to be weightless and weightless it is. There's zero cakiness, no powdery face, nothing. It just seems like skin.

Overall, totally conflicted. I would be in love with this if there wasn't the issue of the film. That pisses me off to no end. This is the first SK product I've had any sort of beef with, and honestly I wasn't expecting to ever encounter this magic crappy SK product.

What it is: liquid concealer

Where: Target stores + Target website

Price: $8.99

Sonia Kashuk does not test on animals!

So since the spring SK line launched, I've had this product in the back of my mind. I stopped wearing concealer under my eyes for a little bit because I ran out of my usual under eye stuff and I can't bear to use cream around my eyes, so I just let the dark circles shine through. I don't really mind them, but when they are concealed my face looks ten times brighter so I figured I'd pick these up and give them a try. 

Sonia Kashuk says that "The moisture infused formula contains a hydrating complex with hyaluronic acid and black tea extract to enhance skins texture, radiance and color to impart a healthy glow. The perfecting fluid offers buildable coverage and seamlessly blends into a second-skin finish that softens the signs of fatigue and aging." This product contains 0.117 oz. There are only two shades available (09 Halo, and 10 Aura) and I have them both. 

 In my mind, SK is associated with great products in great packaging. While this packaging is a little unhygienic, it's pretty much the typical liquid concealer doe-foot packaging. I'm not sure what makes this look any different, but I keep thinking that the plastic with the concealer is glass. The handle is a matte black handle, which is nice and sleek. If you're grossed out by the doe-foot packaging, you can always apply the product to the back of your hand and then dab on with a brush or fingers. In the tubes, the two shades look pretty similar although they are rather different shades.

Like mentioned earlier, the two shades look quite similar in the packaing, but when applied you can see that they aren't close at all. Aura, the darker shade, is a pinkish toned medium tone. I think this shade would be really good for dark-medium to light-medium shades. Those of you with a darker medium skintone could use these under the eyes and those of you with a lighter medium skintone could use this on other spots of the face. The lighter shade, Halo, is a brightening shade that could suit a range of light medium to light skintones. I use Aura on my scars and around my nose and Halo under my eyes.

These have a really nice formulation. As the name implies, the formula is very light and creamy. They're so easy to blend and don't crease. This concealer doesn't have a lot of coverage, but both shades are brightening and reflect light away from problem areas. I like to set it, but that's unnecessary. Application is super easy; apply to problem areas and use pretty much anything to blend out. I love using a fluffy brush to blend it out as it looks so airbrushed and pretty.

What it is: cream eyeshadow

Where it is: Target stores + Target website

Price: $8.99

Sonia Kashuk is cruelty free!

Sonia Kashuk says that "these luxe, longwearing cream metallic shadows deliver a gilded look and brighter, more youthful-looking eyes. Light diffusing properties in the pigments impart a smoother finish while sesame, neem and Indian senna seed oils offer restoring, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. The weightless formula glides evenly with a wand applicator and lasts for up to 14 hours." There are four shades available, and I have Diamond and Moonstone.

The packaging is pretty basic for a cream eyeshadow, despite being a little unhygenic it's perfectly functional and SK's matte black packaging always looks so nice and luxurious. It comes in a doe-foot applicator that you can either apply straight onto the eyes or dab off on the back of your hand and then apply it like that. I don't mind applying it straight from the tube, but I always apply it onto clean skin.

Let's talk formula before we get onto the shade descriptions. This is incredible. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I do. Nothing against Sonia Kashuk - we all know how much I love the products - but I was just expecting it to crease and a fade a bit. But I was so so so so soooo wrong. These cream shadows, despite being super creamy, lightweight, and easy to blend, don't crease, smudge, fade, run, smear, or anything else you'd expect it to do. They're so easy to blend but once they set, they ain't going anywhere. Speaking of so easy to blend, I absolutely love how easy this is to use. Apply colors where desired and either pat in with finger or blend out edges with a fluffy brush and you get a beautiful, effortless shimmery eye look that will last you all day and all night! You can either blend out the color a lot if you think it's a little much, or really build it up for max color payoff. Incredible.

So this shadow is available in four shades: Diamond, Moonstone, Quartz, and Tiger's Eye. As you can see, all of them are very shimmery, but there's absolutely no glitter. They have quite a metallic, almost wet finish, but I don't mind it - I actually kind of love it!

Diamond is a lovely creamy champagne shade. It's so pretty popped in the inner corner and browbone. Moonstone is a pretty cool light brown that borders on being taupe. It's a great everyday shade.The two make a really nice everyday look; pop Moonstone on the outer corners and Diamond on the inner corner and blend away.

Thanks for reading! What's your favorite cream shadow?

Hi, all! Today I've got a rewrite of an old review, specifically on my beloved SK Eye On Neutral Palette! The pictures are so crappy; lighting was super weird today. I tried to adjust it as best as I could but to no avail ): Read on to get a detailed, in-depth review with swatches!

What it is: a 12 color eyeshadow palette

Where: Target stores + online

Price: $20

BTW: SK does not test on animals!

Sonia Kashuk says that "the formulas have are extremely blendable with a velvety soft touch and superior color release." The shadows are paraben and fragrance free. This palette has three shades available; one is a 'limited edition' that I've seen around for at least seven months, one is this matte palette, and the other is the shimmery sister of this palette. 

Packaging is small, plain, and functional. It comes in a small snap shut palette with twelve smallish pans of totally matte shadow. The formulation of these shadows varies a lot from shadow to shadow. They swatch very pigmented but blend out sheerly, which I love (makes it hard for me to go overboard). Without a primer they last up fairly well, but do tend to crease a bit. Lasting power and crease resistance increases significantly with the use of one. This palette contains a wide variety of shades, from a peach to a black, making it perfect for travel. Read on for individual color and formula descriptions.

This picture is so damn blurry. I'm so sorry!

1: Nearly-white cream. Kicks up powder in the pan. Neither dry nor buttery.

2. Light beige. Perfect for a base color to even out eyelids. Dry formula.

3. Peachy light beige. Also good for base color for warmer tones. Dryish formula.

4. Yellow toned peach. Fantastic formulation; buttery and smooth.

5. Pink toned peach. Also very buttery and soft!

6. Light taupe. Great for a contour shade for warmer toned pale gales! Super smooth and buttery. 

7. Warmed toned medium brown; it's almost bricky. Dry formulation.

8. Neutral medium to dark brown. Really great brow color. Buttery and smooth formula!

9. Neutral dark brown. Also good for eyebrows. Buttery and soft.

10. Slightly warm toned taupe. Soft and buttery!

11. Appears gray on the pan and on the fingers, but when applied has a slight brown undertone. Hard and dry formula.

12. Black-ass black. Soft as a baby's butt!

Final verdict: really great budget palette. The formula differences and almost overblendibility might annoy some people, but I don't mind. This palette is a must have for matte lovers, and really great for traveling. I highly recommend!

As you can see, Diamond Life consists of a greigey taupe and a glittery warm toned silver. All the pictures make this duo to be a lot prettier than expected. Not to say that it's not lovely - it is - but I expected a champagne shimmer and a matte light brown instead of these colors. The formulation of the matte is incredible, very buttery and smooth. The glittery color isn't amazing; it's a little chunky and causes fallout. As you can see from the swatches, the glittery one isn't very pigmented either, I think because it's just so packed full of shimmer that the base color doesn't really have a chance to show through. The matte shade is pigmented, but it's not far off from my skintone so it appears a little washed out on me. As for lasting power? These are very nice, but I wouldn't call them great. They definitively do require a primer for creasing, but they last pretty well on their own.

Final verdict: nice eyeshadows, especially for the price point. I would recommend if you like one of the duo's colors!

What it is: a powder

Where: Target stores and the website

Price: $10.39

BTW: Sonia Kashuk is cruelty free!

All I ever talk about is how much I love SK products. I'm aware how annoying it is, sorry ): But my oh my these products are amazing. Packaging, formulation, and price point are always spot on. I've heard that this is a great dupe for the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder. I don't have any proof on this, it's just some information I heard on the blogosphere.

Sonia Kashuk says to "apply this super sheer, silky powder over concealer or as a highlighter to brighten skin for a radiant and refreshed look. The velvety, creamy texture contains properties that moisturize and protect skin against light induced damages. Recommended for all skin types and contains Orchid extract that softens and moisturizes with antiseptic properties." It's only available in the one shade.

The packaging of this product is pretty basic. It comes in a clear screw off container. A sifter keeps most of the product out. Nobody seems to like the packaging for loose powders because they're just kind of messy; personally I don't mind, but I would like to see the old packaging. SK is currently repackaging all their products, and before this product was in this simple container apparently it was in a compact with a mirror and locking mechanism. The powder came with a puff, which I tossed because I don't like applying powders with a puff.

In the jar, this product is totally stark white - a bit shocking, but it sheers to near translucency, leaving a more lightened applied area. You don't look lighter where you put the powder, more just... brighter. This powder is very finely milled; it doesn't settle into fine lines or accentuate any texture flaws. It's got a liiiiiiittle bit of shimmer in the powder. The shimmer particles aren't quite noticeable, but they do produce a very brightening effect on the skin. (I had a lot of trouble capturing the shimmer, sorry!) In combination with the almost-translucency color, the shimmer produces a really nice, healthy glow. SK recommends to apply this as a setting powder over concealer. I don't like using this around the nose because one, it highlights my nose which I am not a fan of, and two, it doesn't really help prevent creasing. I do really like this under the eyes an on the cheekbones because it really lifts the face and makes you look healthy and awake.

If you look at the cap, you can see the shimmer!

The verdict? I think this is a nice powder and good highlighter. It's not for everyone because of the shimmer, but if you're a fan of brightening products I would def check this out.

Thanks for reading! What are your favorite powders? Please let me know, I'm not a big powder fan but I'm looking to expand my boundaries.

What it is: a lip crayon

Where: Target stores

Price: $7.59

FYI: SK products are not tested on animals!

I've had my peepers on these guys for ages. It's literally been on my makeup shopping list for six months. I just never really got around to getting any. I totally would'be bought more - but I was running out of time. Damn! I've heard that this line is an exact dupe of the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. Keep in mind that I don't have anything to prove that theory but they seem like a budget friendly option for the $25 Nars pencils. 

Sonia Kashuk says the "Creamy texture ensures an easy glide on application that will not feel dry on the lips and instantly coats with rich pigmented color. Each of the six mattes shades offer extra long wear to keep your smile looking gorgeous! Contains fig aroma." Out of the six shades, I have Blossomy Nude

Packaging, although simple, is quite nice (like all SK products!). A matte lip crayon that needs to be sharpened. The shade of the pencil is on the bottom. The only problem I have with it is that you lose a lot of product in the process, and because the pencil is jumbo sized you might have problems finding a sharpener. The tip of mine had actually fallen off in the cap and I had to sharpen it completely... what a nightmare.

Blossomy nude is a dark mauve pink. It's a "my lips but better shade". I tend to gravitate toward those because my comfort zone is very tight-knit. Anyways, the formula for this is incredible! Super pigmented, creamy color that glides on without tugging the lips. It wears comfortably and doesn't dry out the lips at all, despite being a pretty matte finish. There's a sliiiiight sheen, but something only you'd notice if you were inspecting the lips. The color lasts a good five hours or so. It does tend to go a bit patchy at the end, so be careful. The color doesn't collect in the corners of the mouth or settle into the creases. 

Highly recommend! Go get yourself some. I'm def going to own the entire range by the time I return from my next Target run.

Hi, everyone! How are y'all doing? Today was weird and gross and rainy and cold, but nothing like last week's high-of-12-degrees-Fahrenheit weather. Anyways, today I'm writing a review on a product that I've mentioned a few times, always saying good things. I'd taken the pictures months ago and forgot I had them until today.

What it is: a brow pencil

Where it is: Target stores

Price: $5.79

BTW: Sonia Kashuk is cruelty free!

Let's talk about brows for a second. Brow pencils are really hard to get right. Sometimes they're too hard, too soft, not waxy enough, too waxy. Some of them don't brush out, some of them brush out too much. This pencil hits the spot. Everything is so nice. SK claims that this pencil is " non-greasy and highly heat resistant. Use it to lengthen the light and particularly thin eyebrow hairs or with more thinner and closer perpendicular marks, to re-size a sparsely haired eyebrow arch." There are two shades available, Taupe (which I hear is wonderful for blonds) and Haze, which is the shade I have and am reviewing.

Packaging for this pencil is very basic but nice. It comes in a matte black pencil that has to be sharpened. More hygienic, but also wastes a little bit of product. The color on the end of the pencil corresponds with the shade. It doesn't come with a spoolie, which is the only thing I would change. Packaging is average and plain.

As you can see, Haze is a fairly lightly pigmented pencil. It looks a tad ashy in the picture, but it's very neutral toned - not too red, not too brown. I think this would suit a large range of brunettes, from dark blonds to people with soft black hair like mine. The formula for this pencil is really nice. As SK claimed, this pencil is non-greasy and very long lasting. You know how some brow products you have to set or the color will fade? Not with this little guy. He holds color really well. It's also easy to brush out with a spoolie or brush, but not to the point where it brushes away. 

This pencil checks all the boxes, and it has an affordable price! Highly recommend.

Thanks for reading! What's your favorite brow product?

What it is: a cream blush

Where: Target stores

Price: $9.89

BTW: Sonia Kashuk is cruelty free!

I've actually had this blush for quite some time, I just haven't mentioned it at all. Why? I'm not a big blush girl. My cheeks have a natural flush, they're always just a tad rosy and pink. But before I picked this up I did keep glancing at it whenever I went to Target. Sonia Kashuk says that this blush's "crème formula easily blends into cheeks for a beautiful finish that lasts all day. Whether you're looking for a natural glow or a dramatic flush this crème leaves skin looking radiant and fresh, never greasy. It transforms from a very creamy, soft texture into a beautiful soft powder veil with an end result that is incredibly natural and smooth. Actives include White Lily Bulb Extract & Peach Extract for their anti-oxidant properties." This blush is available in three shades, I'm reviewing Blossom for you today.

Like every other SK product, the cream blush's packaging is lovely. It's white and has a magnetic closure that's relatively strong. Currently Sonia Kashuk is repackaging their products to be black, but I think either are really pretty and nice on your vanity or desktop. Ypu can see through the top, which is good if you've got several of these.

What it is: a bronzer/blush duo

Where it is: Target stores

Price: $12.99

Other info: SK is cruelty free and is sold exclusively at Target

Sonia Kashuk is easily one of my favorite brands. Everything I try from the brand is a total hit. The affordable price and luxurious packaging always draw me in, and my SK wishlist is ever-growing.

This bronzer/blush duo comes in three shades. I'm reviewing 51 Glimmer. The bronzer half of this is available by itself, but the blushes only come in the duo. Sonia Kashuk says that this duo's "hybrid texture combines all the best features of baked, powder, cream and fluid formula to easily blend, protect against dryness and deliver buildable color payoff that lasts up to 12 hours without fading."

As always, the packaging is really nice. The outside is a pretty bronze color, with a magnetic closure that's pretty strong. There's no wasted space that has a brush/puff or mirror, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on personal preference. Personally I don't care if it has a mirror or not, but at least now I know I won't be paying as much for packaging.

Look at the alligator pattern! Isn't it pretty?