Ever since I saw pictures of the Smashbox Masquerade collection for Fall 2010 I was smitten. I’ve learnt that I like Fall-Winter colours best because I have a penchant for dark eyeshadow and deep colours. Light shades just work better as highlighters or accent colours but I do much better with dark colours for the eyes. Hence my love for the new Smashbox Masquerade Eyeshadow palette.
I showed you this one before I left on holiday. I used it throughout my holidays but since my camera’s gone, I have no looks to show you 😛 Which is why I had to wait till I got back to work and started using makeup again to show a couple of simple looks.
I’ve got a couple of simple looks and swatches after the jump below.
Here are the swatches of all 9 colours in the same manner in which they are laid out in the pan. In my tilted picture above, tilt your head to your left and you should get it.
The dark colours all tend towards having a touch of shimmer (nothing glittery) and are very nicely pigmented. The matte shades do come out a little flat but they work well with the other shimmery shades. I’d recommend that you use this palette with eyeshadow brushes. Fingers do not do it justice.
And here are a couple of looks to show how it looks on the eyes. In all the looks below I used the Smashbox Illusion blush from the same collection. I thought I’d review it in this post but decided to give it its own post.
Look #1 – Khaki Green and Gold
As you can see, the grids are laid out in such a way that you can easily find a colour match by going across the grid. Perfect for newbies who aren’t sure how to mix and match colours. I only used 2 colours, one light and one dark. Its fast and easy – and I should have blended it more before I took the picture 🙂
Look #2 – Navy Blue and Cream
This was done in a hurry and possibly shows the Illusion blush at its best. I did add a pop of Benefit Coralista on the apples of the cheeks to bring out the colour.
Look #3 – Brown and Cream
The Masquerade Eyeshadow Palette works for day time work looks too! I used the brown and cream for this one. Its not too obtrusive and looks more natural.
At RM149 for 9 colours, you’re looking at just RM17 a colour which is really good value 🙂
Pros: Lovely pigmented colours, Good colour selection, Colours are easy to match, Lovely texture, Best used with a brush
Cons: Limited Edition, Shiny compact case is a fingerprint magnet
I have been using this palette for more than 2 weeks now and am still not tired of it. The range of looks you can come up with is limited only to your imagination and I think its a lovely palette with which to start experimenting with colour.
Yeah I really like this one. Sue me. 😛
Paris B
Smashbox Cosmetics Masquerade Eyeshadow Palette retails at RM149 at the Smashbox Cosmetics counter at Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. It is limited edition for Fall 2010.
WAH! It’s Limited Edition? How am I gonna get to Pavillion to get it??? :'(
Hmmm, I was planning to get this, along with the Smashbox all-star kit that you mentioned before… HAIH… T.T
Try finding your way there this weekend? 🙂 I think you’d really like this palette 🙂
Been waiting for your review of this! Looks like a versatile palette.
The blush looks like Bobbi Brown shimmer brick a little yeah?
Its a very versatile palette! I love doing smokey eye looks with this because its just perfect. The blush does look and perform a little like the shimmerbrick but less shimmery 🙂 Its actually reminiscent of the Clinique Shimmering Highlighter/blushes if you remember them 🙂
I wasn’t too keen on this palette looking at it in the pan, but seeing it being put to work – one word : wow. It’s really versatile! 🙂
Oh you should see it in person. Uber gorgeous! 😀
i disagree with thou statement that u look better with dark colours! i think u look amazing in the brown n cream photo, really radiant and fresh!
and i love the colors in this palette, i bought a similiar travel set of colors by Dior, 8 colors for 176, but i got it at 20% discount.
but so far i’ve only used the brown n peach. =.=
Teehee… Thank you! (Thanks the Heavens for good *yellow* lighting 😉 ) The colours are really a good mix of fancy and everyday which I think is great. I think I know which Dior palette you mean and getting it at a discount is awesome! Time to go beyond the browns and peaches m’dear!
I’ve had my eye on this for a while and with such a review, I’ll probably grab the palette when I go to KL next. I also want the Masquerade cream blusher as it seems like a very pretty colour but have no idea how it looks on the skin. I’ve only seen the item on the Smashbox website.
Haha oops! Sorry for creating a lemming! I’d been watching out for this one for a long long time too. I’m so pleased it works well! The cream blush is cute. A warmed peach pink but that brush at the end? Useless 😛
LOL I wasn’t placing hopes on the brush side of it!
Nope don’t! But the cream blush is pretty 🙂
You’ve got me swayed…I’ve a penchant for falls smokey looks too.
I use smokey looks all year round.
It’s either I get this or the ud black palatte!!
Which do u recommend?
Yay for smokey eye looks! I do them all year round too! Helps my eyes look bigger 😀 If you are choosing between this palette or the UD Black palette, my suggestion will be to get this one for the following reasons:-
1) Its more versatile – the colours show up pretty much as they look. UD’s shows up mostly black
2) There are lighter shades which makes for easier usage – you have to find other colours to mix the UD one with
So if you want versatility, get the Smashbox Masquerade palette 😉
AAAH! Yo’ not helping!!
*Please excuse faux Afro American accent*
You’re excused and no I really am not helping 😛
Oooh nice palette. I like look #1 🙂
PS: Dammit, now I can’t get that song outta my head! 😛
Don’t worry. When I thought it up yesterday I couldn’t get it out of my head the whole night! 😛 Thanks Tine!
wow looks nice! i m tempted …
but i just bought myself the UD naked palette 🙂
have you tried it??its a really versatile palette too!
I have it but haven’t tried Naked palette yet. Its certainly one for the ladies who like neutrals. This one’s more for those who might want to play with colour 🙂
I can see many possibilities with this palette! Though, I’m not too keen on the white in it
Its not white – its a light beige-cream. Camera isn’t behaving 😛