Smashbox – Page 4 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Get Glowing With Smashbox Soft Lights

I know this season is about bright pops of color on the face such as fuschia, orange and coral. Those shades may be great for special occasions, but I am loving pale pearls and golds for everyday wear. They remind me of soft sand beaches and shell, making me long for hot summer days on a beach…

I know, wake up Lorena! It’s only March. But at least I can make my skin glow with these two pretty Soft Lights powders from Smashbox.

I am in love with the Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Stardust. It is a palette wheel of 2 of each shade — bronze,golden tan, soft pink, pale sand and soft white shimmer.

You can use this so many ways. Mixed all together as a light bronzer, just mixing the light shades for a highlighter over the cheekbones, nose, under the eyebrows. Using the darker colors as contour. But, one of my favorite tricks is to use the separate shades as very soft eyeshadow. This is a beautifully subtle day look and I love it for running to the store or to my kid’s school — so pretty!

The Soft Lights in Shimmer is a pretty peachy nude that is perfect for the face and body. Brush this on your cheekbones, breast bone, shoulders…anywhere you wish to emphasize. And it is shimmery, NOT glittery. Perfect for spring and summer!

To purchase visit www.qvc.com, or www.sephora.com

Enjoy!

Fall Makeup Guide Part 2 — Complexion Perfection

Time to get your complexion ready for the fall and winter! The following products well help you look flawless in the cold months ahead!

Get ready for a smooth ride with Napoleon Perdis renowned Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer ($39.00 USD). The lightweight and gentle formula is scientifically formulated to allow your foundation to automatically glide over the skin, creating a flawlessly smooth complexion. Helps makeup stay put longer.

What I think: This is a light, but effective primer. I apply this over moisturizer, under foundation and it does help my make up stay on all day! Visit www.napoleonperdis.com to learn more and purchase.

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer ($42.00 USD) The key to healthier, younger-looking skin? Hydration, as any studio artist will tell you. The latest addition to Smashbox’s legendary primer family immediately quenches skin and seals in moisture for hours after, thanks to Hydraplex, an extract derived from desert plants. Benefits are oil-free and lightweight, smoothes fine lines and pores, and extends makeup wear.

Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation SPF 10 ($42.00 USD) Hot studio lights usually mean lots of complexion touch-ups-but not anymore! Stay picture-perfect for a full 15 hours with our breakthrough long-wearing formula, developed to withstand intense on-set conditions. Skin is hydrated and shine-free, while imperfections are blurred with light-diffusing spheres. Benefits are buildable medium-to-full coverage, water, sweat, humidity and transfer resistant, plus it is oil-free, and helps control oil.

What I Think: If you have dry skin, this combo will be perfect for you! The primer is extremely moisturizing. It is oil-free which is perfect for all skin types, but it does feel a bit heavy on my skin. I think it will work better for me in the winter, when my skin becomes drier.

The foundation, though, is fabulous! It smooths the appearance of the skin, making my pores and fine lines less noticeable. I find that it really lasts all day long and looks flawless. The shade I have is 2.3, and it is a bit darker than I usually wear, but I smoothed it onto my neck and chest and it looked so natural! You can purchase at www.smashbox.com and www.sephora.com.

Pixi Flawless Beauty Fluid ($30.00) — Can you fake flawless? Actually, with this oil-free foundation from Pixi™, you can! The lightweight, water-based formula creates an impeccable complexion. Conceals imperfections while minimizes the appearance of pores and redness. Provides sheer to medium coverage. Vitamin E and B5 protects the skin. Long-lasting matte finish.

What I think: This is very light weight and it is matte — which I love. I don’t need to add shine to my face! This lasts all day and is full coverage. Visit www.target.com to purchase.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF15 (Available in the UK only, currently) — The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range.

What I think: This is a dewy tinted moisturizer that is lightweight, but covers well. I love the skincare benefits that I receive while wearing it. The release day for the United States in unclear, but when it becomes available, it is a good base for those who like light coverage! Visit www.uk.lizearle.com.

Fall 2011 Makeup Guide Part One — The Eyes Have It!

Yay for Fall eye makeup! I always look forward to this time of year because I love the dramatic colors — plums, forest greens, midnight blues, chocolate browns. I feel like a kid and the bold liners, shadows and mascara are my coloring tools!

Smashbox, Josie Maran, Make Up For Ever and Sue Devitt are introducing Fall 2011 collections that include a dramatic eye and soft cheeks and lips. I have tried at least one eye product from each collection and I have found that beside the beautiful jewel tones, many of the products have really cool features like being long-wearing.

Here is a little description of each collection and a product that I have tried from each:

Smashbox’s Fall 2011 color story is a celebration of the studio’s heritage. It’s about the magic of capturing the perfect close-up—the moment when you see that impeccable shot of a beautiful girl and everything just clicks.

Smashbox Girls On Film Cream Eye Liner & Travel Brush ($28.00 USD) — Create the perfect frame for eyes with this cult-favorite liner that provides totally customizable eye definition. Wait 60 seconds for it to dry or immediately smudge with shadow for extra intensity. Apply it with the included travel brush for perfectly defined eyes in a flash. Cream Eye Liner can also be used as a long-wearing cream shadow for a sexy smoky look.

What I think: This is available in two shades: Blacklight (black with blue pearl) and Sepia (midnight brown with gold pearl). I have the Blacklight and love how the color easily lays down and the fact that the blue pearl is not too noticeable, so it can be used day or night. And it is very long-wearing. Visit www.sephora.com or www.smashbox.com to purchase.

Josie Maran’s Fall 2011 Collection contains three Argan-rich products — A 4 eyeshadow and 1 eyeliner compact, a serum foundation and the eye makeup pen described below.

Josie Maran The Rapid Eye Makeup Pen (REM) ($32.00 USD) features long-wearing Argan gel eyeliner on one end and a mini liner brush on the other. The middle houses a perfectly coordinated Argan eye shadow in a spring-loaded sponge tip applicator for single stroke eye definition. Infused with Josie’s signature ingredient, Argan Oil.

What I think: This is a perfect for a dramatic on-the-go eye look. The shadow easily applies with the sponge and the eye liner brush dips in the liner for a great thick line. Perfect for a cat’s eye look. This is available in 6 color combinations. I’ve tried the Black liner/Amethyst shadow and love the look. Visit www.sephora.com or www.josiemarancosmetics.com to purchase.

MAKE UP FOR EVER introduces Smoky Couleur, a new collection of eye make up essentials inspired by the rich, jewel tone fabrics seen on the fall 2011 runways. This vibrant new take on an all-time classic provides a number of different ways to wear the eye-catching look and adapt it to every mood, occasion and outfit.

The Smoky Couleur collection includes a limited edition Smoky Eye Shadow Palette, four new shades of dramatic
Smoky Lash mascara and three new ultra-creamy Khol Pencils — all in an array of bold, yet wearable colors.

New Smoky Lash Couleur ($22.00 USD) — The ultimate mascara for volume, length and curl is now available in four new hues. Boasting the same lash boosting formula and unique elastomer fiber brush as the original best seller, Smoky Lash Couleur delivers a dramatic faux lash effect in seconds. Each new shade is extremely concentrated with brown, green, blue and plum pigments so the mascara instantly coats the lashes with intense color.

What I think: Very cool mascara that is extremely volumizing and really colors lashes, even dark ones like mine! I have the Dark Blue and the Pearly Deep Blue Khol pencil. They work great together for an intense shot of color or mix them up. Fun! Purchase at www.sephora.com or www.makeupforever.com.

Sue Devitt’s Nordic Trek, inspired by Iceland A new Eye Palette in muted tones of Deep Moss Shimmer, Glacial Aqua, Arctic Blue, and Nordic Nude was inspired by the deep blue sky meeting the mossy earth and ice along the horizon. And a new Defining Eyeliner in three pigment rich, long lasting, waterproof shades- rich black, chocolate brown and silver-glides on to give an edge to a softer palette. The collection of Color Luxury Lipsticks echoes the colors of the autumn flowers of the lowlands.

Sue Devitt Defining Eyeliner ($20.00 USD) Inspired by our star product—Eye Intensifier Pencil—NEW Defining Eyeliner is an ultra thin, twist-up pencil designed to create a precise line in vibrant colors for an intense look. Its unique formulation hydrates while defining, glides on smoothly in a soft, velvety texture, while locking in color that is long-wearing, transfer resistant, water resistant and smudge proof. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres and Nylon-12 lock in moisture, and expand and contact with facial expressions without creasing. No sharpener required.

What I think: I love this in the chocolate brown. It is a deep color and is a nice change from black for daytime. It glides on smoothly, and doesn’t need to be sharpenend. This liner lasts a long time, too. Visit www.suedevittbeauty.com to purchase.

Whatever you choose to try, I think you will enjoy your Fall look!

Soften Your Makeup This Summer With New Offerings From Smashbox

Looking for a soft, yet long-lasting look this summer? Smashbox has some fab new offerings that will take you from the office to a night out — or even to a trip to the pool or the beach! Read on for some of my faves:

Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm ($23.00 USD) It’s a lip revelation! On one side of this innovative, two-in-one product: a feather-resistant stain that won’t budge for 8 hours. On the other: a very emollient balm that can be worn alone or over the stain for a lustrous touch. The vibrant tint of color is designed to mimic the look of photo gels on set at the Smashbox studios.

Softbox Eye Shadow Palette ($48.00 USD) Forget piling on eye makeup in the heat of summer. Pro artists have handpicked all of these hues (including 7 new shades and 4 bestsellers!) with soft, naturally gorgeous eyes in mind. Includes FREE step-by-step guide for creating 3 looks and a mini Photo Finish Lid Primer!

Includes:
• 9 Eye Shadows
• 2 Cream Eye Liners
• Double Ended Brush
• Mini Photo Finish Lid Primer
• Get the Look Guide

New product feature! A video tag is printed on the back of this palette—just scan it on your phone, and watch Pro Lead Artist Lori Taylor take you through the application right in front of your mirror!

Full Exposure Mascara ($19.00 USD) — Inspired by the on-set technique of layering a lengthening fiber mascara over a volumizing formula, our new studio-tested mascara exposes your longest, fullest lashes. No clumps, no flakes. Just maximum-impact, scene-stealing lashes.

• 104% increase in lash volume
• 32% increase in lash length
• 34-degree increase in lash curl

So try these gorgeous products and more at www.smashbox.com. You will get a photo-, night out-, and even beach ready look for your summer!

www.sm

Smashbox Cosmetics In Bloom Collection

I love spring makeup because of its ability to freshen and brighten my pale winter skin. The colors this season are romantic and much softer than the bold winter hues.

A fab collection that embodies the new lovely spring colors is the In Bloom collection from Smashbox Cosmetics. The look on the spring runways were delicate and girly –from radiant, lit-from-within skin to hazy, neutral eyes and glossy nude pouts. With light, luminous looks for eyes, cheeks, lips and skin, In Bloom is your ultimate spring beauty update.

The In Bloom Collection includes:

IN BLOOM EYE SHADOW PALETTE & BRUSH ($48.00 USD value $180.00 )-ballet pink, lavender grey, golden pink, warm taupe, bone, soft violet, marine blue, shimmering copper, moss, nude — Spring beauty is in full bloom with this ten shade palette of ultra-luxe shimmers and wearable mattes, arranged vertically in duos for effortless customization. Apply with the included eye shadow brush for a flawless finish.

CREAM CHEEK DUO in BLUSHING/PEONY ($26.00 USD) -soft pink/bright pink — This duo of creamy, rose shades offers a sheer natural flush to cheeks and lips anytime, anywhere. Wear alone or pair together for a rush of custom color. Apply with fingertips or a Foundation Brush and blend.

SOFT FOCUS POWDER EYE LINER ($22.00 USD each) -heather grey or dark brown — This innovative powder formula creates a soft smoldering look in seconds. Before using, shake well and tap off any excess powder before lining the lashline.

LIMITLESS LONG WEAR LIP GLOSS WITH SPF 15 ($21.00 USD each)-Timeless (soft pink) or Endless Kiss(coral pink) — Get juicy color and long-lasting shine with added pout protection from SPF 15. Packed with vitamins and minerals, this unique formula benefits and boosts lips. Apply to bare lips or layer over your favorite Smashbox lipstick for gorgeous color and shine that lasts up to six hours.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT LUMINIZING POWDER ($20.00 USD) -shimmering soft nude — Inspired by top-selling Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion, this soft shimmering powder highlights and brightens for a radiant glow. Apply to inner corners of eyes, down the bridge of nose, above brows and to the tops of cheekbones with the targeted applicator. It can also be mixed with body lotion and applied to arms, legs and décolleté for a subtle shimmer.

I have tested the Timeless lip gloss and the cheek duo. Both products give beautiful color. The lip gloss is sheer and so pretty on. It is a bit sticky, but does last a long time and is moisturizing on dry lips. I also love that it includes SPF, which is perfect for sunny spring and summer days. The cheek duo looks brighter in the pan then on the face. It is so soft and pretty on. I love the glow that cream blush gives, plus you can put it on your lips for a pretty monochromatic look.

WHERE TO FIND IT: Smashbox.com, Sephora, Sephora inside JCPenny, Ulta, Nordstrom, Beauty.com, and select Macy’s — Enjoy!

Give The Gift Of Beauty With Stila, Smashbox and Laura Mercier

Makeup palettes are the perfect gift for makeup lovers. Stila, Smashbox and Laura Mercier all have fabulous sets for all of the beauty junkies on your list!

Stila’s Eye for Color Palette($18.00 USD, $130 value) features 13 new, ultra wearable eye shadow shades for countless, easy-to-create looks! Great gift for that Stila lover on your shopping list! Shades include: Petal Pink, Burgundy, Bronze, Coffee, Moss, Green, Blue Green, Navy, Lilac, Orchid, Porcelain, Bisque and Black. Visit www.stilacosmetics.com or www.ulta.com to purchase.

Smashbox Wish For The Perfect Palette ($59.00 USD, $260.00 ) No wonder this mega palette sells out every year! It’s the biggest, boldest gift you could give any beauty junkie, with nearly 80 shades for endless color combinations of eyes, cheeks and lips. You’ll even get a FREE step-by-step guide to create a festive holiday look. A portion of proceeds benefits the Children’s Miracle Network.

Includes:
49 eye shadows
10 cream eye liners
6 brow powders
1 brow wax
8 lip glosses
2 blush
1 bronzer
1 highlighter
4 mini brushes (eye shadow, eye liner, angled brow and lip)

You can purchase this at www.smashbox.com.

Laura Mercier Eye Colour Sampler ($48.00 USD) Mix, match and be merry with this amazing selection of fun and festive Laura Mercier Eye Colours – packaged in a portable case with a double-ended Eye Colour/Smudge brush for on-the-go application. Shades Include: Sparkling Dew, Chocolate, Latte, Pink Tulip, Ultra Violet, Pink Copper, Mica and Black Ice. Available for a limited time at www.lauramercier.com.

Smashbox Fall 2010 Masquerade Collection

For Fall 2010, Smashbox has introduced the Masquerade collection, which includes soft, shimmery shades for the lips and cheeks and dramatic metallic shades for the eyes. The collection includes:

Masquerade Lip Enhancing Gloss ($19.00 USD) — Drench your lips in dazzling, shimmer and shine. A beauty editor’s favorite, these lip-pampering golden glosses are ultra-nourishing and moisturizing. Guaranteed to keep lips looking gorgeous all night long. Available in two shades — Reveal, a golden nude and Disguise, a golden pink.

Masquerade Liquid Liner & Lash Overlay ($19.00 USD) — Amp up your eyes like never before! This innovative dual-purpose product gives you the kind of intense metallic color at the lashline and at the lashes. A truly unique way to add glamour and mystery to the eyes! Use the specially designed combination brush and rod to line lashline first. Then apply your mascara and finish by using the rod to sweep hints of metallic teal or bronze onto the tips of your lashes.

Masquerade Eye Shadow Palette ($35.00 USD) — This opulent, limited-edition palette is brimming with a collection of matte and metallic shadows in a range of shades from super subtle soft peach and glowing gold to an ultra dramatic metallic cabernet and shimmering navy. Organized horizontally in trios, the palette is beyond user friendly. Shades can be worn solo, paired with those in the same row or can be worn with other shades. Sleek and chic, this shiny navy blue mirrored eye kit is an absolute must-have for every makeup artist.

Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush ($29.00 USD) — Soon to be a backstage favorite. A luscious, creamy cheek product formula on one side with a built-in blending brush on the other. Get a gorgeous rose glow with this ultra-luxurious, long-wearing creamy cheek blush. Packaged with cheek color on one side and a built-in blending brush on the other, it’s the perfect tool to turn to for on-the-go touch ups.

Masquerade Baked Fusion Soft Light Palette ($32.00 USD) — This award winning, silk-like baked bronzing powder infuses skin with a soft veil of rosy champagne shimmer. These multi-hued shades can be used alone or swirled together for a luminous, long-lasting glow. You can purchase these products at www.smashbox.com or www.sephora.com. Enjoy!

Perfect for Summer: Smashbox Naked Beauty Collection

When I heard that Smashbox was introducing a Naked Beauty collection for the summer, I was intrigued. It sounded sexy of course, and simple — which is just the look I go for during the hot summer months.

The Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Kit — ($20.00 USD) — is the perfect light touch on the lips. My anti-aging lip secret? No dark colors, especially in the warmer months. Light colored lip glosses are perfect for a youthful look as long as you keep them a your lip color or just a shade or two darker. Too light looks too young (frosty pink 80’s gloss anyone?) while too dark ages.

This kit contains soft nudes, corals and pinks and leave as soft shine to the lips. And they are all new shades! Includes: Bare, Buff, Naked, Nude, Exposed, Natural, Sunkissed & Pure.

Naked Beauty Photo Finish Lid Primer ($20.00 USD) — Probably my favorite product of the bunch. I have slowly been becoming more comfortable using primers and am really enjoying this beautiful eye lid primer. It is the same formula as Smashbox’s best-selling lid perfector, but in a new shimmering nude shade. I sometimes wear it alone and it gives a soft, nude sheen to the lid. I also wear it under shadows to help them stay on longer.

The Smashbox website states, “this revolutionary formula contains Phytomoist™, a plant-based hyaluronic acid for ultimate moisturization plus skin perfecting amino acids. Soft focus pearls help diminish the appearance of fine lines and discoloration on the lids, while the patented delivery system ensures effective results.”

Naked Beauty High Lights/Creamy Cheek Color ($26.00 USD) This duo of sheer, creamy cheek color and soft highlighter instantly gives cheeks a sexy flush and your complexion a radiant glow. The pink is a warm tone that I think would look great on everyone. It is very summery. The highlighter is very subtle and pretty. Try both on lips and eyes as well — I love doing sexy monochromatic looks in the summertime!

Visit www.smashbox.com to learn more and to purchase this fabulous products!

Get a Matte Pout with Smashbox Lip Tech

I love to try different lipsticks and glosses, but recently I’ve been using a lip product that is like nothing that I have ever tried. It is called Lip Tech by Smashbox ($24.00 USD).

This cool little pot of product is touted as “an innovation in lip color”. It is a lightweight satin-matte formula that has Vitamin E and emollients to protect and make lips soft, but the finish is definitely matte.

This is packaged in a a little mirrored compact with a silicone applicator that looks like a plastic eye shadow wand. I brush it across the lip color and it applies just enough product to my lips. The applicator is really pliable and is fun to use. Lip Tech is available in 4 shades: Nude (creamy nude), Peony (rosy pink), Sangria (berry fuchsia) and Maple (deep warm nude). I really love the Peony and the Nude. They are soft and pretty for spring. I also like the matte finish, it is so different from the shiny gloss that I usually wear. and gives me a whole new look!

Visit www.smashbox.com or run into your nearest Sephora or Ulta and try it out. Enjoy!