Sonia Kashuk went big with her Matte Oil Blotting Papers ($7), not only making them significantly larger than comparable ones from MAC (about a quarter of an inch longer on all sides), but also giving three times as many sheets for just about half the cost (100 sheets for $7, versus 30 for $13.50 of the ones from MAC).
If you’ve never used blotting papers before, they’re usually just thin sheets of tissue paper used to absorb oil and remove shine from skin without the need for additional layers of makeup. Lots of different brands make ’em, including MAC ($13.50), Shiseido ($17), Too Faced ($12) and Clean & Clear ($6).
You wouldn’t think there’d be much difference among different brands of blotting papers, but there can be, both in terms of size and performance; some feel softer than others, too, and use different kinds of paper or fabric. Some even contain absorbent powders or clay.
Sonia’s feel stiff to me, which I like, similar to Shiseido’s Pureness Blotting Papers. Unlike MAC Blot Film, which has a pliable, tissue-like and almost waxy feel, Sonia’s feel sturdier, like stepped up versions of toilet seat covers (which, fyi, can be used as blotting papers in a pinch). 🙂
My sensitive skin likes that these are just paper — big pieces of it — and don’t contain any bells or whistles, because sometimes those bells and whistles, like the absorbent Kaolin clay added to Shiseido’s sheets, can sometimes give me breakouts.
I usually need a couple sheets of MAC Blot or Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing papers to get rid of shine, but I’ve been getting by with just one of Sonia’s. They excel at lifting oil without disturbing my makeup, too. Great stuff. I’ll be keeping a packet of them with me in my purse. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Sock it to ’em!
Some ladies wear socks with their high heels to make fashion statements … and some ladies do it to break in new pairs of Franco Sarto sandals.
I found the sandals for half off at Marshall’s the other day. HALF OFF! Man, I’ve been loving Marshall’s lately. The cork wedge platforms give me a little height but still take it easy on my feet… Can’t wait to wear these in summer!
Oh, this month’s Real Simple magazine mentions that March is the best time of year for great prices on sandals, so keep your eyes peeled, and let me know what you find. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hazel says
March 1st, 2010 at 3:35 pmYay i’m gonna have to get those blotting sheets! and it’s $7 for 100! that’s a really good deal! good find, karen! and looooove those shoes! i love marshall’s and t.j. maxx <3
.-= Hazel's last blog post… TWO-MIX / JUST COMMUNICATION =-.
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:16 pmOooh I wish I had a TJ Maxx nearby!
The best part about the Marshall’s is the shoe section. 😀
Ashley says
March 1st, 2010 at 3:37 pmMy mom & I just started planning our next trip to Seattle yesterday. Now I know what to get from Target when and if we go (ie. everything/anything Sonia Kashuk)!
And your heels look great! Fashionable AND best of all, comfortable. I remembering snatching a pair of heel for $4 at The Ross, they were alright but now I notice platform heels are better. Much, much better.
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:15 pmPlatforms are comfy, especially when you can get ’em in a wedge. 🙂
Amber says
March 1st, 2010 at 3:40 pmNice! That is a price point on par with Boscia papers. This is great because I live super-close to a Target, and Sephora is just not as convenient.
.-= Amber’s last blog post… On knowing one’s strengths =-.
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:13 pmI live super close to a Target too! I swear they might as well charge me rent because I’m over there so much.
Vanessa H says
March 1st, 2010 at 3:43 pmThank you so much for this post! I need some new blotting papers and love the price/qty of these!
Fab shoes btw, yay for spring!
My mom has wider feet than me so I have her walk around in my new shoes when she’s home to break them in 🙂
.-= Vanessa H’s last blog post… This just makes me laugh… =-.
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:13 pmAww, that’s so nice of your mum! My mom won’t touch my shoes… her feet are too small and I think she’s afraid she’ll fall over.
lexi says
March 1st, 2010 at 3:53 pmI don’t use blotting papers but wanted to share that I bought the Sonia Kashuk bent eyelining brush. Haven’t got the hang of it just yet but I know it’ll be love once I mastered it. I also picked up the large blending brush – also a good one! SORRY to thread jack
Carry on..
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:12 pmHa! No worries. What method are you using? I like to start at the outer corner and work my way in with small strokes, and then re-trace the line going outward to solidify it.
lexi says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 amI’ll try that! thx!!
heyhey says
March 1st, 2010 at 3:58 pmMy Guess:Helvetica Neue LT Standard 35 Thin? That’s the PC name, I know the mac one is different.
I have often swiped bathroom seat covers to emergency de-shine but at $7 maybe my broke-a$$ needs an upgrade. Thanks!
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:11 pmYou’re welcome! These really are pretty great for the price… I’m bet you can even make them last longer by ripping each piece in two!
As for the font, I think it might be Helvetica Neue Ultra light.
Devs says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:01 pmThis sounds great! I am going to pick them up! And the best part is that they are crazy cheap!
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:07 pmAren’t they though? Gotta love a good deal. 🙂
Jasmine says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:32 pmThese are my fave blotting papers because they are so big, I can get away with using one too! Always have them in my purse.
Jayme says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:36 pmIs it comic sans? or possibly teletype
heyhey says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:41 pmLol. I want to see a high end beauty product use Comic Sans effectively. THERE’s a challenge!
Jayme says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:50 pmI dont know why i said comic sans hahaha
i ment to say courier new
Tiffany says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:43 pmLove the shoes! And I think I need to pick some blotting papers up for vacay. I have dry skin, but always look shiny in photos when I go to the beach 🙁
Catherine says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:43 pmOoooh, nice! I have a few backups of the Boscia ones left from when they were $4.50 at Sephora, but when I run out I’m definitely checking the SK ones out. I don’t really like the rubbery ones like MAC or Clean & Clear either – they’re actually too drying for my face!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Rock & Republic Beauty on Hautelook today! =-.
Summer Staff says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:51 pmLove the sandals! I know this post is about blotting papers but anything summery/springy makes me so excited 🙂 These shoes will definitley be making their way into my closet this
season. But, if only I had an extra 180 in my pocket…
Jayme says
March 1st, 2010 at 4:53 pmokay scratch my last guess.
I think it is the font i use as the headers on my blog (so i went and looked up what that font was)
my final guess is Century Gothic
pinksoysauce says
March 1st, 2010 at 5:09 pmI too use the Boscia ones, which are fiber-y and were $4.50 during Sephora’s sale. They’re back to $9 for 100 sheets now, so I’ll have to try the Sonia Kashuk ones out when I’m done with the Boscia. Am I the only one who feels happy at seeing the papers change color as you use them? Lol. 🙂 Kind of gross, but I love using blotting sheets because I can see the instant transfer of oil from face to paper.
brooklynshoebabe says
March 1st, 2010 at 5:43 pmSuper cute sandals. And, I bet with the right outfit and joie de vivre, you could even wear them with the tube socks. 🙂
Karen says
March 1st, 2010 at 6:45 pmBrooklynshoebabe, you’re the best! Your comments always make me smile. 🙂
amy says
March 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pmThose are some cute shoes!
.-= amy’s last blog post… Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland 16 Eyeshadow Palette Product Pictures =-.
reeny says
March 1st, 2010 at 7:01 pmHelvetica?
Celine says
March 1st, 2010 at 7:11 pmOooo I gotta try those. I have a giant forehead, and oily skin, it usually takes 2-3 of the normal sized ones.
.-= Celine’s last blog post… maravi: My cat is darting around the house nervously. I just want to grab her, shake her, and tell her to summa donna. =-.
Marce says
March 1st, 2010 at 7:16 pmOH MY GOD Karen, I love your shoes! They’re amazing! On another note, I don’t use blotting paper, if I feel I get too shiny I’ll just press some tissues against the oily parts 😀
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Look – The Girl with Kaleidosope Eyes =-.
Olga says
March 1st, 2010 at 8:42 pmThere’s a great alternative to buying blotting paper. The tissue paper that you find in the bathroom of a starbucks works just as well as the blotting papers that you can get in stores, but it’s free. Give it a try, it’s the regular brown paper that is dispensed for you to wipe your hands off after you wash them, (without the starbucks logo).
marisol says
March 1st, 2010 at 8:45 pmI think the closest TJ Maxx to you is in Rohnert Park. I believe that it’s still there so if you ever feel the need to drive up north.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Showing my Kindle some love =-.
Dani says
March 1st, 2010 at 9:02 pmThese are my favorite oil-blotting sheets! I much prefer them to the ones from Clean & Clear and MAC. So glad you discovered them, too!
K says
March 1st, 2010 at 9:28 pmI hadn’t thought of wearing socks to break in heels. I wonder if that would work with some of mine…
.-= K’s last blog post… Losing Your Voice =-.
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:04 amTry it! The fatter and squishier the socks the better. I like to use my running ones.
Annieee24 says
March 1st, 2010 at 9:44 pmSo happy to read about this awesome deal! I’ve been using the rice paper ones from Sally’s which are awesome but 100 for $7 is a deal I can’t pass up. I’m totally blotting all day er’y day!
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:59 amYAH! Gotta love a good deal!! 🙂
Lindsey says
March 1st, 2010 at 9:45 pmSocks to break in heels is a brilliant idea!! I’m about to go put some on right now 🙂
I usually wear new shoes around until they start to get sore, then I take them off and try again the next day. It doesn’t really work but it makes me feel better.
.-= Lindsey’s last blog post… The Makeup Show LA 2010 =-.
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:59 amThe thicker the socks the better, usually. I like to wear my running ones!
noemii says
March 1st, 2010 at 10:25 pmi’ve got these blotting sheets and man, will they last you for a while !
100 sheets, yo .
i ain’t complaining .
i love the simple, white packaging but i hate it at the same time . it’s so flimsy !
marshalls/ tj maxx are my loves .
i found my first korres and philosophy products there for crazy low prices last year and even today .
mucho love to marshalls !
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:51 amThat’s hot. I’ve looked in the beauty section at the Marshall’s near my house and it’s lacking. The perfumes are pretty good though!
Jen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:00 amI am so grabbing these the next time I’m at Target. I should make a list.
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:41 amLOL, remember when Target first came to the island? It was like the second coming…
NINA says
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:40 amAwesome shoes!
The Sonia blotting papers do look interesting but im drowning in oil control film right now – my best friend sent me a bunch of Asian oil control film and ive resolved to not buy anymore until I use them all up.
The blotting films are Gatsby brand from Japan and work pretty well …. 😀
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 amThat’s good to know. If I ever have friends traveling through the country I’ll ask them to pick me up a few. 🙂
NINA says
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:42 amps — I also got a great deal on Franco Sarto sandals @ Marshalls (or was it TJMaxx) — one was for 20.00 and the other for 8.50. Will wear them to the two weddings im scheduled to attend in the summer!!!!
Gotta love Marshalls!!!!
Karen says
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 amThat’s a really great deal! Seriously, LOVE that store. 😀
NINA says
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 amThe hubs can never understand why I can spend four hours (min) at a Marshalls and come out stillw anting for more …. 😀
Steph says
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 amI use Mary Kay blotting papers. They are only $4.50 I think, for 75. Quite cheap. They work great, and are almost exactly like tissue paper and nothing else.
So how does wearing socks break in your shoes? I might have to try that…
diane says
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:56 amThe sandals are great! And you can do a fashion statement with them. An “around the house fashion” :))
kiss
Trude says
March 4th, 2010 at 10:34 amI’ll have to check those out! I’ve been dependent on the Clean and Clear ones for years now, and I really like them because they don’t have any powder added like some do and they feel more plastic-y than like tissue. Plus they’re in a pack that’s small enough to always have in my purse!
.-= Trude’s last blog post… A Day at the Getty =-.