Recently I was invited along to Boots in Brighton to spend the evening with the Smashbox Cosmetics team and trying and testing out their products as well as finding out about all the new releases. The main thing I've tried from Smashbox in the past is their iconic photo finish primer but apart from that their products haven't been on my radar too much. This evening really got me excited about the kind of make up they create and the quality too! I met up with fellow bloggers and friends Holly and Tania and we had so much fun playing with make up, catching up with each other and eating a ton of Haribo!
I came away from the evening with my bag full of products that I was so pumped to get trying. Overall I think Smashbox are killing it at the moment with all their new product launches and relevant collaborations, I can't wait to see what's coming next!
The Cover Shot Eye Palettes is a collection of 7 high-impact eye shadow palettes are slim-line, portable and have the most awesome packaging! The colourful explosion image on the covers appear to actually move as you tilt the palette - much like those collectable cards we used to get when I was a kid (anyone remember those?) anyway, it was a throwback and I loved it! These palettes have been created in association with Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell (that in itself was enough to get me interested I must say because she's fab!) and you can see here on YouTube her modelling make up looks created using each of the palettes plus a Behind the Scenes Vlog look on her own Channel.
Metallic | Fierce foil finish
Matte | High-coverage, velvety
Golden Hour | Creamy, lit-from-within shades
Softlight | Soft-focus, wearable shimmers
Smoky | Effortless and modern
Bold | Transformative and electrifying
Ablaze | Hot, desert-inspired shades
I ended up choosing to buy the Ablaze Palette as I'm really enjoying experimenting with warmer tones like oranges and pinks on my eyes at the moment as oppose to sticking to my usual safe neutrals and taupe shades. I think they work really well and aren't half as scary as I thought! Apparently the Ablaze and Golden Hour Palettes have been by far the two most popular.
Always On Matte Liquid Lipsticks - I really liked the shade Babe Alert which is a nude rose.
As Smashbox are part of the Estée Lauder group we were joined by it's sister brands Bumble & Bumble and Glamglow and were able to try out their products too! I've never owned anything from either of these brands before but have heard amazing things about them particularly from other bloggers. I especially enjoyed playing with this new silvery toned Glam Glow Gravitymud firming mask (pictured below). It contains marshmallow & licorice leaf so smells amazing and is a peel off formulae which I find incredibly satisfying and if I had an extra £39 to spare I definitely would've got one!
We were each given a goodie bag containing a lovely selection of mini samples!
There was even a selfie station set up for us complete with Smashbox Backdrop and a ring light - something I've decided I need in my life!
Here are all the pieces that I picked up as well as what was included in my goodie bag! I've fallen back in love with Smashboxes iconic primers again. Having only tried the original before, I got a sample of the Poreless one and - oh wow! - it's SO good. Open pores is definitely something I struggle with and they can be really noticeable when I put make up. However putting this product on very much helps minimise them, it has a beautiful velvety texture that you can just feel will make a great base for your make up.
A sample sachet of Glamglow Youthmud.
If you bought two items (which of course I did!) you received a make up bag and a miniature lipstick in the colour of your choice! I picked the shade Primrose which is a mauve pink. I'm definitely going to need to get some full sizes of these lipsticks they're creamy and comfortable and this particularly colour is so wearable!
Of course I had to buy one of these Spotlight Highlighting Palettes! Created in collaboration with YouTuber Casey Holmes there are two variations, Pearl & Gold. I opted for the pinkier toned one which is called Pearl and I think it's stunning. Not too glittery, with most of the shades you just get a beautiful subtle glow which is exactly what I want from my highlighters.
The beautiful Ablaze Cover Shot Palette I bought.
I have samples of the Bumble and Bumble Sumotech Styling Product and Thickening Hairspray which I'm looking forward to gibing a go. Let me know if you've tried either of these and if you have any tips!
Wearing all my new Smashbox goodies! Including the Ablaze Eye Shadow Palette, Pearl Highlighter Palette & Primrose Lipstick.
JUST ARRIVED: Are these super exciting new Liquid Lip Metals & Pigments. Metallic Lipsticks are definitely all the rage at the moment and I'm looking forward to seeing what Smashbox's take on this trend is. From the swatches I've already seen online they look gorgeous, particularly Mauve Squad & Crimson Chrome.
Have you tried Smashbox? What are your favourite products from the range?
*I was invited to the event by Smashbox but all opinions are my own, please see my Disclaimer*
