One of the biggest news this week is that the Estee Lauder group of companies has just finalized a deal to buy over Smashbox Cosmetics.
There are pros and cons to this. On the one hand, I’m guessing the distribution channel for Smashbox just doubled and tripled and the brand will become more accessible and visible to the masses. On the other hand, its another indie brand swallowed up by a giant. I hope it doesn’t go the way of Stila!
But lets look on the bright side. I recently tested some Smashbox products from the Smashbox Try Me Vol. 2 Smashbox Superstars set (link) which includes 2 iconic products, the Photo Finish Primer and O Glow gel blush. I’m going to buy the full size Photo Finish primer – I liked it that much! So you can expect a full review soon of that in time to come with some tips on how else you can use it :)
So, this post will be mostly about O Glow Intuitive Cheek Color – Smashbox’s iconic gel blush that starts out clear and self-adjusts to your skin tone. On me, O Glow is a significant pink as I will show you in my look below.
This gel blush is chockful of silicones. If you are allergic to any form of silicone, you will not be able to use this – sorry! It also is supposed to contain goji berry complex and to suit all skintones because it self adjusts. It applies super smooth and glides on the skin like erm… gel. In the tube, its clear. Once it touches your skin, it starts turning pink.
I found that although the pink is quite bright, its easy to manage, unlike many liquid blushes or cheek stains. I start at the cheekbones and apply in light circular motions until I get my desired blush color. It actually takes quite a bit before it shows up, to my surprise, and you know I’m quite fair to start with. You can layer it for more intensity which I do. Here’s how O Glow looks on me once I’m done with my look.
I like to dust a touch of Baked Starlight over it for more glow which is very pretty. I do find however, that I have to be careful when applying it over concealer because it seems to cause my concealer to slip a little, effectively wiping out my concealer as it were. Its a little strange so now I pat it in and lightly wipe it in small circles with a very light hand which helps.
Being silicone based, it does not make you oily and on me, lasts the whole day but it fades a little by the end of the day. Using a light pink blush over it, or the Starlight Fusion lights does help with staying power. I do like how portable this is and how easy I can use it while on the go without having to fuss with brushes etc.
Pros: Easy to use, Portable, Nice color on my skin, Does not make me oily
Cons: Takes quite a bit to show up on my skin
Mine is the mini size that came in the set. Will I purchase the full size? Maybe yes, maybe no. This little tube will last me a while so I still have time to decide – I do like how fresh and kawaii I look with O Glow on though :P What do you reckon – keeper? :D
Have you tried the Smashbox O Glow blush or are you keen on trying it? I like the Smashbox Try Me Vol. 2 Smashbox Superstars kit. It allows you to try many key products at a good price and I think its RM165 here (I can’t remember – it was a while ago when I got it) which is a pretty decent deal.
Paris B
If you are interested in the breakdown of my look above here it is (a very work friendly look):-
- Face: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Revlon Beyond Naturals 2 way foundation powder, Guerlain Meteorites loose pearls Mythic
- Cheeks: Smashbox O Glow, Smashbox Baked Starlight Fusion Softlights
- Eyes: Dior Silver Look, Clinique Lash Power Volumizing mascara
- Lips: Smashbox Heartbreaker Lip Shine Berry Hot
Hey ya Paris!
Hooooray!! U will be posting a review on Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer??
hope you could post it by this month.. i’m lemming for it.. :P
oooo.. the O Glow is a keeper!!! itz just the right pink for you too!! looks very naturally kawaii on you.. thx for this review.. i’m getting this one soon.. need to fork out more moolah.. :P
xoxo
Gosh girl! That gives me just a couple of days to buy it! Haha… I’ll try to oblige but the Smashbox counter is just so inaccessible for me. I’m actually really liking the O Glow too. Just that it fades off by day end so thats a bit of a bummer.
AAAAAAHHHHH YOU EVIL WOMAN!!! Now I feel another lemming coming. T.T looks great on you though! So pretty…: But do review the primer!!
Thank you :) And yes primer will come soon.
I think you should repurchase! The pink’s perfect on your fair skin!! I really like it on you!! :D
I’m intrigued by this one… might actually buy it when i come across it!! :D
Next time you come to KL, give us a holler and we’ll all go raid the Smashbox counter ;)
You look fresh, PB!
I wonder how this one would look on me! I definitely don’t want PINK cheeks though :p I know they have an O bronze…
I suppose this would be a great product for “no makeup” days
I let you try next time I see you! Lets see if it’ll work on you :D Yes its quite perfect for no makeup days – literally with no makeup!
Definitely a keeper babe! You look so fresh and gorgeous with this work-friendly look! And oh no, I feel a lemming! :P
Thank you! And I think it will look good on you too!
OMG! It’s a keeper!!! you look so pretty and glowing….it’s like you are blushing on your 1st love…. totally love it!! Totally tempted me to get me one of those set….
Ooh i love your description :D Thanks! The set is worth the money – you get to try a few of the star items at one go.
Pretty! Definitely buy it : )
I will have to consider it when I run out!
sigh. u look so pretty. i like ur freckles, somehow adds to the cuteness of the look. hehe!
but just curiously…how does this compare to Benetint? i’m using it now and i find it’s really value for money as u use just a teeny little bit.
Haha you noticed the freckles! >.< Personally I don't quite like Benetint. I have a sample bottle that I've been meaning to review for the longest time, but never got round to doing it. Benetint is very strong and dries very fast so you have to work very fast with it or risk having 2 red patches on your face. Used properly, its very pretty. But if you make a mistake, boy are you in for it!
This Smashbox O Glow is more forgiving because its not so strong going on the skin and for those who aren't so good with using cream blushes or stains (like me) its easier to apply because you can easily smooth mistakes over.
yes i’ve always wanted some freckles! but seems those who have it dont want it…to me freckles are a sign that you are fair and have nice skin, cause u hardly see people with freckly pimply skin. it’s either 1 or the other.
hehe yes benetint dries fast. but so far has been working ok for me. i only use it at the sides of my cheeks as i have a round face and if i put blush on the apples of my cheeks i look like a peach. a real peach. er. a white peach.
But growing up, I HAD freckles and acne! You just can’t see the freckles for the acne :P And I LOLed at the peach reference. You crack me up!
Looks nice and fresh. U got my vote on this one.
Love the primer too! I’m a little confused though cuz they seem to have different variants- the regular one, Light, Oil-free and some others and the textures are all different too. Can’t wait to hear ur thoughts on this.
Thanks Krissy! I am only using the regular one that is opaque which seems to work well enough for me :)
This is quite pink, but it turns out quite prettily on my skin. Very travel-handy and worthy :)
Yay! Glad you think the same – now do I buy full size? :P
It lends you a really natural blush. I’m not sure if you have reviewed TBS Cheek Stain yet. It also looked nicely natural when Nicki from AMW tested it.
Nope I haven’t tried the TBS cheek stain. I’m not much into cream blushes as you can probably tell :D
I have been procrastinating opening my tube because I don’t know when to use it. I use loose powder to matte my sunscreen. So it feels strange applying this over powder. But if I apply this after sunscreen, then use the loose powder, I think the powder will cover it up. At which step of your routine do you use yours?
I use O Glow after I’ve done my base foundation + powder. It goes on top of powder quite nicely because of the texture I think. I’ve stopped using loose powder now that I’m using the Meteorites. But if I were using loose powder, I’d do the same – O Glow over a completed base. You could use it under loose powder if you like – its just that the colour is quite light so loose powder might cover it up.
I was so excited when I purchased Smashbox O Glow that i decided to try it the night i got home, luckily, before i showered. It stained my finger when applying it and then stained my face a bright barbie pink. I was able to wash most of it off but when I got out of the shower my cheeks were the desired color I would have originally wanted… I will be returning product as soon as I get a chance. This could be user error and nothing to do with the product, I just thought i would share my opinion :-)