Are the New Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses Dupes for Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimers?
Wed, 07/1/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Makeup, Product Reviews
If somebody blindfolded me, slicked the new Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Formula Lip Gloss ($9) on my pucker and then asked me to guess which gloss I was wearing, I would guess an expensive Glossimer from Chanel.
Beauty
Chanel Aqualumiere de ja vu/vu ja de
With its thin, non-stick formula that’s both taste- and fragrance-free, Sonia’s new $9 gloss feels surprisingly like a $27 tube of Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimer.
And the similarities don’t stop with the texture.
The rich (yet sheer) colors and glossy shine of Sonia’s Ultra Shines also make them look like dead ringers for Aqualumieres.
Whisper
Elegant, practical tube
Tubes of Sonia’s new gloss may not wear those vaunted Chanel double C’s, but I think they still look elegant in their sleek silver cap. The tube is compact and practical, too, fitting easily into my favorite Coach Wristlet with room to spare.
Beauty on lips
Are they hydrating?
Ultra Shine has *a lot* going for it, but there is one thing I’d change…
The formula isn’t as hydrating as I’d like, and after reapplying and wearing for about half a day, my lips start to feel slightly dry. A hydrating lip balm worn beneath Ultra Shine should help to remedy the sitch, but in a perfect world…
Whisper on lips
Limited colors and availability
Ultra Shine glosses are so new that only two colors are currently available — Whisper (a shimmery nude peach) and Beauty (a shimmery hot pink). They aren’t yet available online through Target (Sonia Kashuk’s premier retailer in the US), so you may have to visit your local Target store to take a closer look.
Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss
Price: $9 for a .27 oz tube
Use: A thin, non-stick gloss with Chanel-like color and shine
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Swatches from left to right: Whisper, Beauty
Sure, I wish Sonia’s new Ultra Shine glosses were a little more moisturizing, but the price is right. For a third the cost of Chanel Aqualumieres (for comparable quality), I think Sonia’s new glosses *ultra shine*.
Lifestyles of the easily amused
I need some new hobbies…
Last night I spent at least an hour teasing playing with Tabs and his favorite black ribbon toy. My new favorite thing is blasting MJ’s Working Day and Night while I dangle it in front of his face.
There’s something incredibly amusing about seeing Tabs and his low-hanging tummy leap and lunge at things while MJ belts “Got me workin’, workin’ day and night!” in the background. 
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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1. Dao said, on July 1st, 2009:
LOL, you got Tabs working hard, aren’t you? Hopefully with your teasing and MJ music, Tabs will lose some weight?
Beauty looks like a good color I can wear. All of the sudden, I want bright lippies, after so many years of wearing nudes.
Dao’s last blog post… Q-tips Vanity Pack: When Cotton Buds Go Cute!
2. Shiny said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hahaha the first thing I did this morning was poke and annoy the dog till he came out from under the table (he was napping) to play with me.
Those look so good! Do you pair them with liner at all or just put em on your lips solo? I always put balm on first before applying any gloss.
3. Vampy Varnish said, on July 1st, 2009:
I am really liking the way Beauty looks, I just may try this out. Lord knows you can never have too many pink lip glosses!
Hey what do you wear under your MAC lipsticks for moisture? My lips get SO chapped wearing pretty much any of them and I don’t really have anything non-glossy in a lip balm to wear under them. Thx!
Vampy Varnish’s last blog post… My Furry Friends
4. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Vampy Varnish,
Most of the time I don’t wear anything beneath them, but on the days when I need a lil’ something-something I’ll pop on some Philosophy Kiss Me beforehand. Mariah from the comments mentioned that she likes MAC Lip Conditioner, which is clear. — I’m thinking I’ll probably like it, too, since I’m a big fan of the tinted version.
5. ParisB said, on July 1st, 2009:
Ooh I love how Beauty looks – too bad we have no Sonia Kashuk here
ParisB’s last blog post… Bluunis Facial Salon – My experience and it was not great
6. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Shiny,
Aww, you know he loves when you wake him up to play! What is his name?
I wear these glosses on my lips solo (laziness!).
7. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Dao,
LOL, I hope so… I am trying to get him more active. I guess I’m just jealous that he gets to sleep all day.
8. lesley said, on July 1st, 2009:
Those are some pretty lip glosses!!
I might see if I can snatch Whisper later at Target~ The packaging looks really practical for those nights out and it’s good to hear that they’ll fit into a Coach wristlet 
9. redhead said, on July 1st, 2009:
Beauty looks like a nice hot pink! I was hoping that Whisper would be this awesome gold shimmer gloss, but in the lip swatch it just looks like a plain sheer shimmery nude. No prob, though, Beauty more than makes up for it
10. ines said, on July 1st, 2009:
we don’t have the house of tar-ghay in canada. oh well. i guess i’m stuck with the $30 chanels!
ines’s last blog post… Top 5 – Office Beauty Emergency Kit
11. gio said, on July 1st, 2009:
Beauty looks gorgeous! Unfortunately we don’t hav this brand here though
gio’s last blog post… QOTW: Do you match your makeup to your outfit?
12. Sally said, on July 1st, 2009:
$9…the price is right! I am all about drugstore beauty, ha ha.
Karen, I have a really great idea for a post! You may have already done it in the past and I just didn’t tune in yet, but I think you should take a picture of your makeup collection! I was just thinking about how ridiculously expansive it must be. I would love seeing it!
13. Kate & Zena said, on July 1st, 2009:
Ha ha, I do quite the same thing to Zena only with her squeaky squirrel or rabbit toy. It’s hilarious as she’ll be jumping up and down and racing after it when I throw it. Then we have a little tug-of-war fight (I always win) before I throw it again and she (sometimes) slams into the cabinets trying to put on the brakes!
14. Marina said, on July 1st, 2009:
thank you for swatches, Karen
Whisper looks amazing!
Marina’s last blog post… One more Collection & Black Lipstick by Chanel for Fall 2009
15. Tiera said, on July 1st, 2009:
Can you believe that we’ve had Target here in Hawaii for almost 4 months and I’ve still never been? I have to get my hands on these glosses (well, Whisper, at the very least).
I know you’ve done some other Sonia Kashuk reviews, Karen, but what are your must-haves? I’m definitely headed to Target soon!
Tiera’s last blog post… 10 Resons I’m Blogging at Side Culture
16. Catherine said, on July 1st, 2009:
Oh how pretty! It’s probably a tad too drying for my lips though, which are like sandpaper now. =/
Catherine’s last blog post… FOTD – Fresh Purple and Pink (3 days in a row!)
17. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Catherine,
Yah, I like these a lot too. I hope your lips get soft soon!
18. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Tiera,
If you can find it, get your hands on the flat top blush brush. It’s always sold out for a reason!
19. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Marina,
You’re welcome!
20. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Lesley,
I hope you find it… Whisper is my fave of the too. Can you see it with some gold eyes? Oh baby!
21. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Redhead,
Yah, it’s much more neutral than it looks in the tube. It’s still pretty though. Do you think you might try Beauty?
22. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Ines,
Oh well — that’s not a bad habit to have, I s’pose.
23. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Gio,
Bummer! Sonia Kashuk is one of the best drugstore brands here… hopefully you’ll be able to try it someday.
24. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Sally,
Thanks for the idea. Maybe I’ll do that someday — my stuff is literally all over the house, so if I ever get around to getting it in one place I’ll do a post like that.
25. Karen said, on July 1st, 2009:
Hi Kate & Zena,
Too funny! Next time you play with her put some upbeat music on in the background… trust me, it’ll be a hoot!
26. Alexzandra said, on July 1st, 2009:
Whisper isn’t really rocking my world, but I’m in love with Beauty
I think I may have to take a trip to Target this evening.
Also, my cat has a bit of a ponchy tummy too. He didn’t get it until after we took him to get neutered. I wonder if there’s a correlation (?)
Alexzandra’s last blog post… Nars Fall 2009: Lolita
27. Marmar said, on July 1st, 2009:
I am very much trying these out. I love, love Target’s exclusive goodies- Sonia Kashuk is one of my favs, but honestly, it’s “pixi’s” goodies I love even more. A little pricey but the quality is well worth it. Have you tried their Target line? Their lip/cheek stains are A+ material.
Marmar’s last blog post… why I (heart) Girls Generation
28. Tiffany said, on July 1st, 2009:
These look so pretty! I heard there are some great new SK blushes – have you checked them out yet? I might try to run by target this weekend!
29. Stephie said, on July 1st, 2009:
Oooh! That nude one looks very pretty. I def need to check this out the next time I hit up Target. Working does not give me the freedom to roam through Target aimlessly like I used to
Have you tried her eye make up remover yet? I am thinking about picking it up to test out after I finish my beloved Lancome Bi facil <3 Haha.
30. Fabulous Over 40 said, on July 2nd, 2009:
I picked up the Vivacious shade the other day – love it!
Fabulous Over 40’s last blog post… Bronzing Beauty Babes – Estee Lauder
31. Shiny said, on July 2nd, 2009:
His name is Elmo.
32. Karen said, on July 2nd, 2009:
Hi Shiny,
Cute! I bet he’s all fuzzy and cute like Elmo, too.
Tabs decided that it was payback time this morning. He came into the room, climbed up all over my chest (stepping on all my tender girl parts, of course), and then parked directly on my very full bladder. Yup. Good times.
33. TaLaisa said, on July 2nd, 2009:
Thanks for the swatches! I headed to my Super Target and guess what, they had 8 different colors of these gorgeous lippies.
I picked up Precious (a frosty coraly pink), Flawless (a glossy brownish nude color) and Sexy (a deep plummy purple with blue and pink sparkles). My little ‘helper’ tried to talk me into a faint purple-y pink shimmer (I think it’s name was fairy) and Vivacious and they didn’t have any of the 8th color, but the counter color swatch made it look like a non-sparkly nude.
TaLaisa’s last blog post… Happy Valentines
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