Mustard coloured nail polish. Pair it with a giant faux-emerald cocktail ring and its a colour clash made in heaven.
Cat eye sunglasses care of Forever 21
(Insert goofy picture here)
and..
Smashbox eyeshadows.
The other night as I was perusing the aisles at Sephora I clapped eyes on this trio - part of the eyelights series it's selling point is the highly metallic shadows.
So far so good.
So I got the Flash trio. I loved the peach, the pinky toned middle colour and the shiny moss green.
Three days later and I have to report that I still feel positive about it but there is a but.
There is always a but.
Not all shadows are born equal it would seem. That shiny moss green takes a bit of effort to get pigmentation from, as does the peach. You have to attack them the same way you do MAC's Solar Bits to an extent. Grab a bit of the shadow and really crush it to release the colour depth before applying. Looking at Sephora.com's reviews, it seems that I am not the only person to find that securing payoff can sometimes be a tricky affair.
However, despite this the effort is worth it, particularly for the spectacularly pretty middle colour, incidentally the one that requires zero effort.
Swoon.
Today I paired it with mutiny pigment by MAC on the lower lashline and applies wet on the waterline. I love this way of wearing colour - very Doe Deere/Xsparkage-esque.
Wrapping up
This is my first venture into Smashbox shadows. I can't lie to you and say I am "absolutely bowled over and looking forward to getting more" but I am a sucker for a metallic finish and I am happy with this set.
What has your experience been of this Smashbox range?
Any must-haves or, conversely, must-not-haves that you care to share? :)
48 comments:
ooo! always love that burgandy shade with your colouring.
I think Smashbox is the type of brand you go to if you want subtle-subtle-subtle! Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth the $, if the payoff is so slight. However, I do think they are King (Queen?) when it comes to highlighters.
Fizz is a nice brow highlight and inner eye highlight.
I just got their Halo Perfecting Powder which is really subtle and is apparently anti-ageing, there is a post about it on my blog from Today but don't want to link-spam you lol! Hope you are enjoying the sunshine x
you look lovely, you're gorgeous. but you know that, lol. great post
@Liz - i am obsessed i tell you with that colour family at the moment :) will check out fizz and the highlighters thanks :)
@Sarah - link spam away! :) anti-ageing? get in there! okay, going to see what that's all about. :)
@itarisita - haha those glasses were hiding some pretty nasty bags :)
I actually really like Smashbox cosmetics. I find their eyeshadows blend super well, but their range of colours is not very big. I use their light face primer and Halo powder and love both! But my ultimate fave product of the moment from them is their lash primer. It actually works!
PS. How did the straigtening go today? xo em
@lollipop26-
You look about 12 in that picture, lol!
I haven't tried anything by Smashbox. I might pop along to Sephora, but I won't hold my breath, it's a sort of shadow-Sephora here in Saudi-land!
@emily - thats tomorrow morning..ooh the big moment :) i am sure its longer but only a photo can tell :)
@Safiyah - definitely keeping the cats eye sunglasses if they make me look 12 ;)
I think I might get some myself - twenty years younger in an instant.
:-D
I agree with @Liz completely. If you can find it, check out the Artist Eye Palette that came out with the Muse collection...I've found that all of the colors are great and easy to work with. Since it's come up, I'll post swatches on my blog this evening if anyone is interested :)
Love those glasses! Very fun look. As far as what I'm loving right now...Hard candy's plumping serum volumizing lip gloss. Bought it at Walmart for $7. It is a must have for your next trip to the states!
I am a bit of a Smashbox fan I love there cream eyeliners and the Halo powder Sarah mentionned especially x
If you're going for subtle metallics, you might as well go for Coastal Scents' 26 piece e/s blush pallete. It has a lot of shimmery metallic e/s that end up as a subtle wash of color rather than uber-pigmentation. And it costs very little for the amount of products you get.
http://clearlybeautiful.blogspot.com/
I would truly love to see a snapshot of your mustard nails with emerald ring. :)
Love those glasses! I honestly haven't been super wowed myself with smashbox. I've tried their gel liner and a few other products and haven't been bowled over. Those shadows do look pretty though, but it's always kind of a let down when you really have to work for it to get the color to show up.
Smashbox shines in various aspects 1) primer .. loves it!
2) softlights ...they are always great!
3)Eyeshadows..love the colour ranges but they never seem to give any payoff..last year i got the muse palette and had to return it ..sadly there was no colour in any of the shadows.
Lipsglosses are good less sticky than most and very high shine.
lastly, their moisturizer is great for those grocery no make up-make up days..
...i heard the WISH eyepencils for winter are rocking ..Im on that one next ! tee hee
so thats my smashbox sum up!:)
The eyeshadows look gorgeous hun, and they look amazing on your eyes!
Also, the glasses are definately a winner!
<3 xox
I have a Eyelights trio too, the one in brownish tones. I absolutely love it too as the colors are amazing. I especially love the middle color!
you should have posted a picture of the mustard nails + green ring combo :)
Your eyelashes are beautiful! <3
Hi Lollipop please post a pitcure of the nail polish and a ring. Dying to see it xxx
Loving the eye make up!!! xx
Oh shoot..I thought you were going to include a pic of the ring and the new nailpolish...you MUST show a pic..it sounds...fun! hahaha
I love their tinted moisturizer... and their pout lipstick is pretty!
I love Smashbox's lipsticks and lip liners, they are so nice!
Love the glasses btw!:) x
I'd like to see the mustard nail polish too. I am on a 10 pan project though so not sure that's quite a goob idea !
Omg Laura I totally love your sunglasses I can't wait to come to the us (in about 10 days lol) and buy the whole forever21 store =)
I have tried SB, but tell myself I'm not buying it again, each time. I think the products are good-ok, but should be great for the $$$$ it costs. I tried te HD set & it was all way to shear, zero coverage. I was looking at a new palette 2day, & walked away, Yay for will power. the Halo powder is good, but I think there are better things for $60.
I love your glasses, so sassy!!
oohhh.. i saw this at sephora in Singapore but due to lack of customer service at that time i was put off in trying them out.. saying that i think it's great coz i've over spent on MUFE :P
PS. i like the middle colour too and was a little bit sad about the green one.
that colour on your eye looks gorgeous!! =D and i'm curious as to what your mustard nail polishes look like... hehehe
oh and yes, i love doing inner eye highlight like that with lining the waterline =D
http://blushfully.blogspot.com/
I don't really like smashbox for eyeshadows or foundation products. I prefer it for lipglosses. Illumine is ma favorite shade.
I hope to see tutorial from you soon ! I love them :D
I think that the Smashbox blushes are amazing! Plus they have a little flip out mirror, so they're perfect for tossing in your purse. Love them! I haven't tried the eyeshadows though.
I do quite like smashbox cosmetics they are affordable compared to some of the other brands and go on nicely. However I do find that some of there shadows do need more pigmentation like the Tokidoki eyeshadow quad I was disappointed in, but other then that , I love smashbox. Oh and I am a big fan of the lip plumper they have (but I have not tried many other brands)
I love the Flash trio! I started buying it back when I was 17, 6 years ago and it's been a constant repurchase for me. I LOVE the shades, you are completely right about the green though. I also have the trio in Beam pale gold, peach, and brown a neutral palette but with that metallic finish. I recommend it. I love Smashbox shadows.
your bottom lashes are sooo amazing! your top ones too but omgosh ive never seen such awesome bottom lashes!
I adore Smashbox shadows, even though I only have two; 35mm and Sienna. I'm wanting Oyster as well, it's so pretty!
I would love to see a picture of your mustard nail polish, I am having a really hard time imagining it, but I am sure it looks very chic :)
OMG L - I'm so glad you tried Smashbox e/s. I have some absolute HGs from them (did a video on it). You're right about the trios - it's the single e/s that you want : D They given a gorgeous metallic sheen - especially wet.
My fave is Siena but I love loads more such as Bliss, Champagne, Cinammon Toast, Platinum.....Champagne and Siena look great together for a bronze look.
They've just opened Smashbox counter here in Debenhams too!
Smashbox is a brand that is hit and miss IMO (don't like their halo powder or primer for e.g.)but the stuff I've liked, I've loved!
Definitely also try their brushes....not the softest but a really good set.
Thanks for the post!
Really loving the cranberry eyeshadows =)
the pinky colour looks very similar to the pink in gthe original sleek pallette, is it?
Hey Laura, have you ever tried the NYX Trio's? I've got about 5 of them so far and all are brilliant - great colors and pigmentation! I think you'd like them! xoxo Anita
I was into Smashbox before MAC actually. Switched to MAC foundation as it was cheaper. Anyways...
Smashbox is at my local drug store boutique and I had a makeover one random evening (like 10 PM). I ended up getting the flash trio, foundation, eyebrow filler with wax... that was 4 or 5 years ago now..
I absolutely love, love, love the middle burgendy/pink shade. So mush so that I ran out and was scraping around the edges to get more on my brush. Now I still have lots of the green and peachy colour left. So it makes sense that I would write to Smashbox and ask for a refil of the pinky colour only... of course they don't sell it as an individual. In fact, the reply said the closest to the colour in individual pots was a wine red colour (cabernay - sp?) soo ya I already have that lovely buttery texture, beautiful colour and they are not the same at all.
I went into Sephora to get a colour match but they were unable to find or create one...
Anybody know of any dupes for the pinky one? Any brand welcome.
OH and my tip for the green colour - Try using a sponge brush . Picks up the colour much better. :)
I am obsessed with the smashbox primer and smokebox trio in the eyelights. I've found the trio colors more soft/blendable then their regular shadows. the smokebox gives me the perfect, no muss smokey eye I've ever done!
This Smashbox trio looks amazing and I love the look you did!
Have never tried Smashbox (yet another brand we don't have here), but would love to try "Pout" lipgloss!!!
By the way I 'm totally intrigued by that mustard nail polish.... ;)
xxx
Wow.. excellent dear, great post!! there is so much information on this blog keep posting good information like this so that I can come back every day for some new info...
High Fashion Designer
Thanks for sharing...
your eyelashes look like they could do with a brush, they lok a bit straggly! :)
I had the EXACT same problem with that palette ... Flash my ass ... I wanted to throw it away but it currently sits at the bottom of my makeup cabinet ... where it has laid for a year plus
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