We all have seen the gorgeous Smashbox Masquerade Eyeshadow palette, and the O Glow Noir gloss and maybe even the Intrigue cream blush and lipgloss. But I have noticed a void.
No one seems to have any love for the Masquerade Baked Fusion Softlights palette in Illusion. No one but me anyway. Try doing a search online – there aren’t many reviews on this and I wonder why.
Admittedly, this palette is a throwback to the ones from Clinique back in… was it 2006 or 2007? You know the “dark ages” 😛 Time moves so fast these days! But you might remember them. I have the ones from Clinique and they were great. But they were limited edition. There were some drugstores ones too (Jane and the like) Anyway, this one’s from Smashbox and its called Illusion, and I like it.
Smashbox has what they call the Baked Fusion Softlights which is like a highlighter and blush in one. If you are pale enough, they act as blush. If not, they act as highlighters. Illusion is a pale peachy gold highlighter that can pass for a peachy gold toned blush if you are fair enough.
Although it is shimmery, it is not glittery (there is a difference) so it is wearable and it applies prettily over cream blush, or over any blush to accentuate cheekbones. Just be careful not to overdo it, and you’ll be fine. I like using a fluffy brush so you don’t overdo things.
I like how this gives a lovely glow to the skin. I have old acne scars and still, this one does not accentuate marks on the skin. It does not look shiny and oily and its a lovely highlighter/illuminator. No one seems to love it but me but I hope you’ll give it a shot because its quite nice! 🙂
Cons: Design is a little boring, Colour is light
Here is the Smashbox Illusion palette with the one from Clinique (Shimmering Berries) and Jane (Tahiti) Clinique’s was limited edition whilst Jane is not available here in Malaysia. Smashbox is 😉 So if you think you might like this, check it out. I don’t think it particularly expensive 🙂
Paris B
Smashbox Baked Fusion Softlights palette in Illusion retails for RM119 at Smashbox Cosmetics’ counters – Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur & Parkson 1 Utama. It is part of the Smashbox Masquerade Fall 2010 collection and is Limited Edition.
Nikki says
November 17, 2010 at 9:09 amWow, this is such a lovely glow! YOu know what? I had a makeover at The Body Shop and they used a similar highlighter and it gave such a gorgeous Glow that i can’t stop staring at my skin when I got home! So i kinda have the idea why you like this! Great day!
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:12 amThank you Nikki! This is one of the best highlighters I’ve used to date 🙂 no oily look!
Mari Ohira says
November 17, 2010 at 9:21 amThe swatch looks really boring on your hand but it turns to a glorious sheen on your cheeks! It seems to work on fair complexions beautifully – maybe I should get myself one!^^
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:12 amThank you Mari! Do take a look at it and make sure you try it on your cheeks. It looks so normal otherwise
Sam says
November 17, 2010 at 9:26 amI think it’s gorgeous- I remember the Clinique ones but I was a poor student at the time and couldn’t afford them. The glow of the Smashbox one is so pretty.
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:13 amThanks Sam! The Clinique ones are more pigmented and more shimmery. This Smashbox one is much more subtle which is better when it comes to highlighter 🙂
Hanny says
November 17, 2010 at 9:34 amIt’s pretty! But I’m just learning how to use a highlighter, so I wouldn’t drop such a huge amount of money on a product I won’t know how to use correctly… yet. ^.^
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:14 amWell with price sometimes does come quality especially in something like highlighters which can get crazy glittery if not done right.
shuaddict says
November 17, 2010 at 10:20 amI’ve always wanted one of these. Think there was a drugstore brand Physician’s Formula that had these highlighters back in the day. The Smashbox one looks so pretty. I’m loving all the new Smashbox stuff that’s been coming out recently.
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:16 amYup I think when Clinique came out with theirs there was a flurry of copycats 🙂 I gotta agree. The new Smashbox collections are looking amazing
Shay says
November 17, 2010 at 10:51 amWow, that is so nice!!!
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:16 amYep it is! 😉
makeup.addict says
November 17, 2010 at 11:10 amI’ve never been a fan of Smashbox due to bad experiences with their products (superbly cracked lips from the O-Glow and breaking out from the Photo Finish Light Foundation Primer) but their latest collection (especially the eyeshadow palette) does seem worth checking out. But I might pass on this item as I am quite tan and won’t be able to pull of pink highlighted cheeks. I prefer yellow-toned highlighters like my HG Dior Amber Diamond (for day) or NARS Albatross (for night). Love the look of the blush/highlighter on you though.
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:17 amYou’re absolutely right. I don’t think it’ll work well on tanned skin either. I love Dior shimmer powders too although you can risk a bit of glitterball if you’re not careful 😉
Marie says
November 17, 2010 at 1:01 pmOkay I think I am quite off topic here as I dont own or tried any cosmetic products from Smashbox but I only have their Smashbox Foundation Brush 13 and I super super love it hehe, as much as I love all my Eco Tools Brushes!
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:18 amI have a Crease eye brush I love too! 😀
Jen says
November 17, 2010 at 2:02 pmMasquerade Baked Fusion Softlights palette in Illusion is–without a doubt–my favorite powder highlighter. So I guess it’s just you and me! 🙂
ParisB says
November 24, 2010 at 2:44 pmYay!! I found a Illusion soul mate! 😀
gio says
November 17, 2010 at 5:12 pmThanks for the review, I was wondering about this. It looks so pretty and glowy on you!
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 4:18 amThanks Gio! It really is very pretty 🙂
Rebecca says
November 18, 2010 at 4:31 amits pretty and subtle!
what happened to your old pros and cons format? :O i miss the other one 🙂
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 2:32 pmOh you mean the format? Its the same thing – just looks different. I thought this way its actually clearer 😛
Petrina says
November 18, 2010 at 7:03 amLooks pretty! I use the Guerlain Meteorites – how does this compare as a highlight?
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 2:35 pmIts totally different. Guerlain Meteorites give a pretty but very subtle glow that many complain they can’t see. This is obvious. Use too much and it can get shimmery and you can use it as a blush too as I do sometimes
rinnah says
November 18, 2010 at 9:47 amYou look stunningly lovely in the pic! Me likes! *thumbs up*
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 2:36 pmThanks dearie 😀
plue says
November 18, 2010 at 11:39 amhm… i have thinking about this for a while and never really bothered to look at it. Not sure why.
But you look pretty with it! How does this compare to Guerlain Meteorites? XD
ParisB says
November 18, 2010 at 2:42 pmThank you. Its totally different from Guerlain Meteorites. Think of this as a blush/highlight like a more subtle Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick. Meteorites are more like finishing powder to me.
plue says
November 18, 2010 at 3:50 pmoh okies, now i get it. I think this is comparable to Laura Mercier’s Shimmer Bloc? Am eyeing on that one too! LOL
I guess Meteorites has got no possible dupes so far, at least for you! 😛
ParisB says
November 24, 2010 at 9:22 amYes this is similar to any shimmery highlighter out there. I think I can safely say everyone using Meteorites will agree there are no dupes
makeupmag says
November 25, 2010 at 12:44 pmI swatched this at Sephora and really liked it! 😀 That photo of Jane Tahiti brings back memories. I used to own it but have since given it away. 🙂
ParisB says
November 25, 2010 at 12:57 pmYay you liked it too 😀 everytime I look at the “oldies” it always looks just that bit better 🙂