If you’ve been reading this blog for any part of the last 5 1/2 years since its existence, you know that Fab Over Forty is a big Sonia Kashuk fan,a fan of the Sonia Kashuk Beauty and as a makeup artist. She’s a fellow former Minnesotan, and once several years ago when I was working downtown Minneapolis I swear I saw her at the Target store downtown with some corporate Target heads. I was being a bit too shy to introduce myself as a fan, which is so untypical of me and I could have kicked myself ever since. But, recently I did get the opportunity to have Sonia Kashuk answer a few questions for Fab Over Forty – and be sure to stay tuned tomorrow for her beauty tips for women over 40!
I hear you’re from MN – how did you get started in the beauty business?
I got into the business by accident. I was doing the wardrobe for the video Funkytown and at the last minute the makeup artist cancelled. Steven Greenberg who wrote the song told me, you’re going to have to do the makeup. I did the makeup and loved it so much, I dropped what I was doing and informed my parents that I was going to go to beauty school. That was what catapulted me into the beauty business. Every time I hear that song, it’s a lot of memories and a big turning point.
How did your collaboration with Target come about and how many years have you been together?
I simply called Target with an idea! I wanted to partner with Target because I knew they would understand my aesthetic and bring the best possible products, so that all women could have access to high-quality, affordable products. There was no compromise because I was going to mass and I loved being the first makeup artist at mass with truly luxurious products. My collection first launched at Target in 1999.
What are some of your beauty must-haves?
I believe everyone’s makeup kit should include core basics, just like a good wardrobe always has a white shirt or black dress. Of course a good foundation is key, it can really change the whole face and create the basis for the rest of the makeup. I am never without my All Covered Up Concealer. It’s a high coverage cream to completely smooth fine lines and eliminate darkness and sometimes I even use it as a touch up foundation too. A bronzer and blush are needed to add tone and color to the face, giving you a healthy glow and brightened flush. I always keep my Eye Couture Palette in Eye on Neutral on hand to create any look necessary from a natural wash of color to a dramatic smokey eye. When it comes to lips, a great nude and universal mauve are my two most frequented shades. My Satin Luxe Lip Color with SPF 16 in Roseberry is a berry mauve lip color that looks like your lips only better and my Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Sheer Seashell is perfect for a sexy, muted mouth. Finally, my five must-have makeup brushes are my Small Multipurpose Powder Brush, Blusher Brush, Spoolie, Pointed Foundation Brush and Smudge Brush. With these tools you can achieve any look!
You have great beauty bags, well thought out sizes, shapes, colors and such fun prints – what was your inspiration for them?
I get my inspiration everywhere, from seeing a great bag or print in a magazine, to a beautiful silverware set, to the bamboo calligraphy brushes I found in an antique store. The opportunity for inspiration is everywhere, you just have to take time out to look, watch, and listen. As a woman, I also think about my own personal needs. Product development is such a creative process and something that I am very passionate about. I love being able to do things that no one else is doing.
Tell us why your brushes are just as good as others that are so much more expensive (I personally own several)
Brushes have been a defining category in our brand as I was absolutely the first brand to introduce affordable brushes. Brushes used to be unattainable to most women because of price point so we have an ownership in the brush category and have a huge offering of many different types of brushes and brush sets.
What’s in the future for Sonia Kashuk for Target?
We started as a makeup line, progressed into a beauty brand, and will soon become a lifestyle collection!
What are some of your must-have travel items?
I always pack a blanket for the plane, workout clothes, a leather jacket and some of my cosmetic bags in fun patterns to keep all of my beauty items organized. I also never leave home without my Completely Organized bag, it holds all of my everyday essentials and allows me to switch seamlessly from purse to purse.
Did your mother ever teach you anything that you have passed down to your daughter?
When I was younger my mother would always tell my sisters and I to go put on a little lipstick. However, as I’ve gotten older what really resonates with me is how she used to talk about her face and always say “I’ve earned these wrinkles” and has instilled in my sisters and I to be proud of who we are, what we look like, and to embrace aging… gracefully.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for Sonia’s beauty tips for women over 40.
Here’s the info on the beauty products shown:
Sonia Kashuk All Covered Up Concealer, $9.99 each Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Eye Couture in Eye on Neutral, $19.99 Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color with SPF 16 in Roseberry, $9.99 Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color, $10.99 Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Spoolie $1.99, Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush, $10.99 Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Smudge Brush, $4.99 Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Pointed Foundation Brush, $12.99Target, Target.com
Sonia Kashuk Small Duo Fibre Multipurpose Brush, $10.99 Target, Target.com
I have followed Sonia’s career from the very beginning. She is one of those women that just keeps getting more and more beautiful as she gets older. I love her aesthetic and I think her products can stand up to any of the higher-end brands. In fact, when I used to sell for a high-end brand that shall remain nameless,if my customers couldn’t afford to buy a brush set, I’d send them to Target for Sonia’s brushes!! (shhh…..!)
Thanks for the wonderful interview!!
I love Sonia Kashuk!! Great interview and she is so beautiful!! Great job:)
xxoo
Ann-Marie
I enjoy Sonia Kashuk products and all her tips. Thanks for interviewing her.