Musings of a Muse

A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore

Aug 26, 2009

Steal It: Smashbox Eye Shadow Duo


Not sure how good this is but it's only $5 bucks on Sephora at the moment!

Score!

It's rather a great little deal for tipping your cart into the free shipping zone. I've used Smashbox single shadows before and they are pretty nice so I'm sure duos are pretty fab too.

Either way, a rather nice little steal.

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Jul 30, 2009

Smashbox Reign Collection Review and Swatches


"The Smashbox Reign Collection is inspired by the ruling era of the English Tudors—an imperial court mired in salacious scandal and royal indulgence. The products featured in this collection are luxe, sexy, and indulgently sensorial, giving a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of royalty..."

Actually I think Smashbox was thinking "Oh my gawd that Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the hawtness let's base a collection around all that eye candy!" Or at least that's how interpenetrated it. The Muse has a one track mind when it comes to loving me some JRM.


Jump ahead for the review on the smashing Smashbox Reign Collection!

Oh baby I'm a need the two palettes that were released with this collection so stay tuned for the review on those but for now I'm going to show you three pieces from the collection that created this rather awesome, elegant, super easy look for me yesterday.

Check it.

I got my hands on the Smashbox Reign Jet Set Palette which is hello all kinds of gorgeous. Really they put alot of effort into this collection so props and applause to Smashbox. The palette is a slick faux leather affair with a flip top, full size mirror, two wells with liner duos, a mini liner brush, and a "tudor" Smashbox themed coat of arms design. The palette is quite elegant, don't expect cheap here, it's a very nice piece of palette and alot of love and consideration was put into the design, likey! This particular palette houses two wells with snap closures. Inside each well a duo of Smashbox Jet Set Gel Eye Liners await you. You'll get a deep, dark rich chocolate brown and light brown on one side and a golden metallic bronze and light metallic bronze brown on the other. I'm not the biggest fan of Jet Set liner as a prefer Smashbox regular cake liner from yesteryear but one thing I do love about Jet Set is the ability to use it as a shadow. The colors aren't deeply pigmented so they blend wonderfully on the eye for a sheer wash of color or build it up for deeper color payoff. I got creative with this palette to create my look as I didn't want to go all boring on you and just line my eyes using it. To create my look below I used the liners on the right side of the palette, the bronze brown and golden bronze. I placed a bit of the brown on my lid and blended out and proceeded to layer the golden bronze on top. Presto done. I lined my lower waterline with tons of the deeper chocolate brown on the opposite of the palette to set off my brown eyes. It's a very simple, understated yet incredibly elegant look. Granted I'm doubtful that Smashbox had any intention of creating such a look with the collection but I was feeling all creative. It's worthy of a pick up in my opinion as it's travel friendly (hello four liners in one chic case! I likey you to come with me on holiday!) plus the shades all work as a shadow as well.
























Now my new best friend is the Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color Pencil. This really beefed up my look with a bold splash of rich red on my lips. Brace yourselves for a moisturizing lip experience as Smashbox has perfected this one. The pencil is dual sided with a liner on one end and a lip color on the other. I braced myself for a rather blah experience as normally pencils aren't all that fantastic. However, I was simply shocked at how juicy, moisturizing, glossy, and pigmented the lipcolor side was! Whoa! I didn't use the liner but I did use the lipcolor all over my lips for my look below and as you can see it contrasts amazingly well with my more subdued eye look.












Finally I tried the one gloss that was released with the collection. Again very elegant packaging as this has a tiny charm attached to the gloss with the Smashbox coat of arms emblem. Slightly disappointed with this as the color quite reminds me of the shade released with Smashbox Muse. I personally prefer the bolder look they decided on with the duo lip pencil as this more subtle nude peach is a tad boring however I imagine it'll go very well with the bolder eye palettes that I hope to review for you soon!












Overall, the Smashbox Reign Collection definitely has royalty stamped all over it. It's a tad on the expensive side for Smashbox but I must say I'm quite impressed with the packaging, the overall look, and the beautiful shade selections. If you're looking for a rich makeup look this season do settle on Smashbox Reign. Loving all over it at the moment and Muse Approving it for purchase.



The Muse's Smashbox Reign Look







So far it's a love!

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Jul 29, 2009

Smashbox Reign Collection Sneak Peek


The Muse was happily playing around with the new Smashbox Reign Collection this morning and was quite delighted with the results. I'll be bringing you the review later this week but for now here's a quick sneak peek of a look I created and snapped with my camera phone this morning.



Smashbox Reign is now available at www.smashbox.com

Anyone haulin' from this collection?

Leaves it?

Leaving it?

Tell the Muse!

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Jul 9, 2009

Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation Review




I've been flirting with Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation for over a month now, probably longer. No one has said it yet and it needs to be said. Why the hell do we need HD foundation anyway? It's not like we are on TV or doing photo shoots all day. At least I'm not, lucky you if you are.

In a bid to be the latest to jump on board the HD makeup craze bandwagon Smashbox has introduced a brand new HD ready line of products including foundation and concealer.

What do I think about the foundation?

Check it after the jump!

Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation is an oil-free liquid foundation that promises flawless skin.

Here's the deal it's advertised as providing the perfect finish for use with high definition film, so I can look great on film, television, and in my photos. But the fact is...my life is obviously boring...because I'm not on TV nor am I in the movies.

Damn.

But...I do want flawless skin anyway, I'm shallow like that.

The formula is oil free but in fact feels like a hot oily mess on my skin. Ugh totally a gross feeling. It's a bit of a silicon nightmare going on here. Smashbox HD Foundation has a similar texture to Smashbox Photo Finish Primer but with a runny formula. We've established how much I hate silicon by now. It feels very strange on my skin and dry down takes a good deal longer than with my regular foundation.






Hmmmm...

It's difficult to explain but the foundation does feel like it sits on top of my skin rather than absorbing. I chalk this effect up to the silicons that are in the product. Although I absolutely abhor the feeling of the foundation I really can't deny the fact that my face does look smoother when it's finally applied and in place. The foundation is weightless but does leave a tad bit of an oily residue on my skin.

I don't recommend it for anyone with oily skin as this has the potential to be uncomfortable for extremely oily skin types. If you have dry skin or combination skin this should work a treat. The product contains an SPF 15 which isn't substantial enough for me but I do appreciate SPF is included.

Overall, I wanted to love this but I just found too many faults with the formula. I love how smooth it makes my skin and the illusion of perfection it hints at but the uncomfortable oily formula makes me second guess it.

No likey.

Anyone try?

Loves it?

Leaves it?

Tell the Muse!

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Jul 2, 2009

Smashbox Fall Collection 2009: Smashbox Reign Eye Shadow Palette

What is it with these incredible Fall Collections? I dunno why and I dunno how but I was thinking I wouldn't be impressed this Fall but man, oh man it's one great thing after the next lately!

Check out Smashbox Reign Eye Shadow Palette:


Click for the deets!

Smashbox Reign Eye Shadow Palette is a mix of shimmery and matte shades enclosed in a beautiful leather case. The shadows are baked and in a trio however they are split as a duo which means you're getting six shades of shadow to work with. Quite interesting really. The palette is available in two shade selections, Majesty and Monarch.

Majesty seems the smoker, Fall-ish of the two with shades of peach champagne, plum burgundy, and black. Where as Monarch is the lighter, friendly palette with shades of light gold, bronze, and taupe.

The Smashbox Reign Collection is inspired by the ruling era of the English Tudors—an imperial court mired in salacious scandal and royal indulgence. The pieces in the collection are all royally themed in nature. I just say they are simply beautiful.

Both palettes look delicious and are on my Fall wishy list.

What do you think?

Worthy of a haul?

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Jun 29, 2009

Smashbox Fall Collection 2009: Smashbox Reign Collection

Whoa! Temptalia just scooped the Smashbox Fall Collection 2009 and it's stunning! Check it!


My eye has been roving over a few Fall Collections here and there but I admit my mouth dropped opening at the Smashbox Reign Collection which is the Smashbox Fall Collection 2009. Smashbox really outdone themselves with this one. Just look at those shadow palette, gasp!

The release includes:
  • Smashbox Reign Collection Eye Shadow Palette (Shadows $42)
  • Smashbox Reign Collection Jet Set Palette (Liner Duos ($48)
  • Smashbox Reign Collection Fusion Blush ($32)
  • Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara ($19)
  • Smashbox Reign Collection Lip Gloss ($18)
  • Smashbox Reign Collection Lip Color ($22)

Overall, a regal collection of Fall goodness from Smashbox. Well done. Can't wait to swatch and try for myself! I'm salivating at the mouth already!

Anyone else duly impressed with this collection?

Source

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May 26, 2009

Smashbox 20% Off Coupon Code


Enjoy 20% Off Smashbox Cosmetics with Free Standard Shipping now until May 29th!

Haul it!

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May 5, 2009

Smashbox Untamed 3 Piece Set @ QVC

If you're been a lemming Smashbox Untamed but couldn't quite justify the cost at the moment do check out the Smashbox Untamed 3 Piece Set on QVC. Killer deal!


The kit includes three pieces from the brand new Smashbox Summer Collection, Untamed. Purchased separately the items would run you $71 USD plus tax. You can snag three of the items for $46 (plus shipping) from QVC by using item number A91013.

The kit includes:
  • Smashbox Untamed Trio in Savage
  • Smashbox Untamed Lipgloss in Flesh
  • Smashbox Cream Cheeky Color in Untamed

Nice little deal if you ask the Muse's opinion.

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Apr 23, 2009

Smashbox Untamed Photos, Review, Swatches, and FOTD

Oh baby the Muse was busy visiting the jungle. Ok, so maybe that isn't true it probably wasn't the jungle but my bathroom vanity. Hey, it's a jungle in there too sometimes with products all over the place so I firgure it qualifies!






Anyway! Speaking of jungles I was visiting one with the new Smashbox Untamed Collection rawrrrrr baby!

Jump ahead for the goods!

Although Smashbox Untamed reminds me of a Fall Collection, I'm still feeling a bit of love for it. The Muse guesses that after two years of blogging beauty that she has to realize that sometimes brands will release really weird shade selections during the Summer, in this case weird for me would be smoky, exotic eyes that look more suitable for Fall than Summer. But I'm at peace with that and I can dig it. The Muse thinks she's hip enough to pull off sexy, smoky eyes in the Summer....yeah, sure, sure. I've already told you the good word of Smashbox Untamed but if you haven't familiarized yourself with the collection you can check it here. I tried out Smashbox Untamed Waterproof Shadow Liner Trio in Savage and Smashbox Untamed Lip Gloss in Raw.


Smashbox Untamed Waterproof Shadow Liner Trio multitasks as a liner and a shadow. Ok, waterproof I'm not really buying that as these are super creamy. Long wearing yes when your eye is prepped and primed well but not waterproof I don't think? They seem a bit too creamy to suffer through some swimming say. The trio contains, yes you guessed it, three shadows. The colors are a golden olive, a bronze brown, and a neutral beige. The shades go well together which is always delightful as sometimes trios or palettes contain wonky colors that don't go well together but these three just go well together. The formula is quite nice as both a shadow and a liner but they are very sheer so you do have to layer a good deal to get a good pop of color. The colors are very subtle so if you like a lighter makeup this should be quite a pleasure but if you're in it for a pigmented, bolder look this won't do. I got decent color payoff with a few layers but honestly nothing major dramatic. I did love how easily these blended and they'll make a killer base for shadows. If I'm wanting a light, no nonsense makeup they are ideal. The compact has a flip top lid to keep the shadows nice and fresh and mess free. I know everyone wasn't particularly excited about the packaging but I think it's nice. I'm digging the "jungle" theme hehe!


















I also got Smashbox Untamed Lip Gloss in Raw which is a nice sheer red brown. Quite a nice color, very sophisticated and grown up for the Muse. It matches up nicely with the Savage Trio as well. The gloss is nicely pigmented although not super duper glossy but I find that's the standard with Smashbox glosses.








If you're seeking nice work friendly makeup with a tiny bit of an edge I think you might like some of what Smashbox Untamed offers. It doesn't shout Summer to me but maybe with a hint of a tan you could rock that wild jungle look.

I created two looks using the palette. My first look I used the green on my lid and the lighter beige as a highbrow highlighter. My second look I used the brown on my lid and the lighter beige as a highbrow highlighter. I'll try and get a post up shortly of a look created using all three shades as they work rather well together. And yes that's Raw on my lips in both pictures.








What do you think?

Yay or Nay?

Tried any of the Smashbox Untamed Collection?

Tell the Muse!

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