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Smashbox’s Summer Collection for 2010

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July 9, 2010   22 Comments  

Smashbox Cosmetics launched a new line for the summer called Naked Beauty. The basis behind this line is barely there colors that are meant to enhance your own natural (naked) beauty. The collection includes: eyelid primer, bronzer, blush/highlighter combo, and eight mini lip glosses.

I’ve heard of Smashbox Cosmetics, however I’ve never used their products until now. Needless to say I was very eager to be able to review this collection; so let’s get started.

Photo Finish Lid Primer in Golden Nude ($20) This is the second eyelid primer that I’ve tried and it is simply gorgeous. The color is a perfect golden nude with a hint of shimmer. You can use it as a base for your eyeshadows or wear it alone for a more natural look. The primer really helps to keep your shadows in place which is extremely essential during the hot months. Just dab a bit onto your eye (or finger) and gently rub/pat it to help blend it over your eyelid.

Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer ($39) I tend to not use bronzer because I am so fair skinned; even in the summer I can’t achieve a tan. However, I gave this one a shot. I love that it gave my face that sun kissed glow and it didn’t feel heavy or cakey on my face which is a huge plus. According to Smashbox Cosmetics, this bronzer helps to fight the signs of aging. What woman wouldn’t love this? To use, just twist the container to release the desired amount of powder for a single use. Apply to your cheeks, bridge of your nose, and your forehead. Think of places where the sun naturally kisses your face.

Naked Beauty Lip Gloss Collection ($25) These mini glosses are very sheer, but they look and feel great! The shades in the collection include: Nude (pinkish brown with little shimmer), Bare (very sheer light pink), Exposed (bubblegum pink), Sun Kissed (shimmering brown), Naked (shimmering light brown), Buff (light peach), Pure (sheer hot pink), and Natural (sheer mauve). Each tube of gloss is 0.04 fl oz. Please note, the description of each shade is my personal description not Smashbox’s.

High Lights/Creamy Cheek Color in Naked Beauty ($26) Having never used a cream blush or highlighter I am a big fan of this duo. I feel as if I have more control over the application as well as the intensity of the color. The creamy cheek color is a pretty sheer red that gives your face a beautiful flushed look. Simply apply the creamy cheek color to the apples of your cheeks and blend outward. Then apply the high lights to the top of your cheek bones, down the bridge of your nose, and anywhere else the sun naturally kisses your face.

Overall, I am a big fan of this collection. Although this line is pricey, I think the quality speaks for itself. This collection is absolutely perfect if you’re looking to achieve a natural, beachy look for the summer. I recommend this collection 100%.

If you have this collection or some products from it, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Smashbox Cosmetics can be found on their website and at Sephora, Ulta, and now Nordstrom.

*FTC Disclaimer* This product was given to me, free, for review. I am not affiliated with this company nor am I receiving any compensation for my review. Everything posted here is my honest opinion.

**Photo courtesy of Tractenberg & Co.**

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Hard Candy’s Sheer Envy Tinted Moisturizer

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June 30, 2010   11 Comments  

I’ve always thought about trying a tinted moisturizer, but I never really looked into which one to buy. Making a decision can be pretty confusing since there are so many brands out there.

I received Hard Candy’s Sheer Envy Tinted Moisturizer and decided to write a review on it.

The packaging is wicked cute. I love what Hard Candy has done to their line in regards to all of its packaging. It is quite funky, but girly at the same time. I love that the bottle is see through that way it is easy to tell when the product is running low instead of having to guess. The flip top cap also makes it easy to squeeze out the product and recap it without the hassle of screwing the cap back on while you have product on your hand. Lastly, I love that the font is bold and easy to read so that I know exactly what the product does and how to use it.

The product itself is awesome. The tint of the moisturizer is very sheer. I received it in tan and I am very light skinned, but this shade was just a bit too dark for me. So pay attention to this when you’re trying to pick out a color to match your skin. The moisturizer feels great, but I wouldn’t suggest using it alone if you have really dry skin.

My current foundation routine is as follows:

  • apply a small amount of moisturizer
  • apply Hard Candy’s Sheer Envy Tinted Moisturizer
  • apply foundation
  • apply powder to set foundation

This may seem like a lot to you and it very well may be, however my skin tends to dry out in the summer so I can take advantage of the extra hydration. Also, Hard Candy’s moisturizer doubles as a primer so it helps your foundation last all day long.

Overall, I’m in love with this moisturizer. I plan on purchasing one that is closer to my skin tone so that I can wear it alone on days when I don’t feel like putting on a lot of makeup. I definitely recommend this to anyone who has wanted to try a tinted moisturizer, but is unsure about which brand to buy.

If you’ve already tried this product or are planning on trying it I would love to hear your thoughts. You can view all of Hard Candy’s products on their website and you can purchase their products from Walmart.

*FTC Disclaimer* This product was given to me, free, for review. I am not affiliated with this company nor am I receiving any compensation for my review. Everything posted here is my honest opinion.

**Photo courtesy of DNA Public Relations**

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Urban Decay Primer Potion Review

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March 15, 2010   2 Comments  

Urban Decay’s Primer Potion (UDPP) has got to be the most raved about primer for your lids. It retails for $18 at Sephora for 0.34oz and it comes in three shades: Eden (matte nude), Original (sheer nude), and Sin (shimmering champagne).

Packaging: I understand wanting to make the bottle match the name and looking at the bottle it is really cute, however I despise the packaging! The wand to apply the primer has been redesigned since it first came out so why can’t they change up the rest of the bottle? Personally, I don’t like the wand either; I think it is much easier to get the product off of the wand and apply it with my finger. Urban Decay should hold a contest for its fans to design the new bottle for it’s Primer Potion; anything will be better than what they have now.

Product: I love the primer! I haven’t used any other primer except for my foundation and my concealer, but this primer really makes a huge difference! Not only does my makeup last for hours, my eyeshadow becomes more vibrant.

Overall: Even though I love the product the bottle has me so annoyed that I probably won’t buy it again. I don’t think the frustration is worth $18. Not to mention I’m not even sure if I’ve used up all of the primer because there is no way to see inside of the bottle.

*Stay tuned! I am planning on de-potting my primer potion to see if there’s more product inside that the wand simply can’t get to. If this is the case then I will take pictures and make a blog that explains how to de-pot your UDPP.*

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