If you’re wondering why Smashbox Cosmetics has this whole camera/movie vibe about their Christmas sets this year, it is worth noting that Smashbox Cosmetics was born out of Smashbox Studios, a photo studio in LA. By having all these references like “Click You’re It” and “Snap You’re Fab” you could say that Smashbox Cosmetics is going back to their roots 🙂
I only got this very recently but decided to push this one out quickly for a few reasons. It’ll probably sell fast, and I was reminded about it by reader Shay who asked if I would be telling you about the Smashbox eyeshadow palette this year. Yes I am! 😀 Its a bit of a whopper too, and comes in this bright red box which sits nicely on your dresser but doesn’t fit into any other sort of storage I can discern. Trust me, I’ve tried.
Let’s take a quick look. You may need a little time because there are a few photos to get through 🙂
The palette is a bit bulky but if you don’t mind, or don’t already have a ton and a half of eyeshadows then yes, I do think this is a good palette to consider mainly because there is a very good selection of colours and textures for you to play with. Naturally the converse is true. If you already have a truckload of shadows, you may go “Oh boooringgg! I have a dupe in x, y and z” So a lot of it boils down to expectations and practicality.
I will have to say right off the bat that I think that this year’s Click You’re It palette is better than last year’s Eye Wish palette in terms of colour selection. I’ve set them side by side you can gauge for yourself. Don’t you think so too? The colours look brighter and more cheerful.
The red case is a little larger than the gold of last year’s palette and the pan sizes are a little smaller this year. However, you also get 20 colors this year and one lid primer vs last year’s 16 shadows, 1 lid primer and 1 mascara. I personally prefer that they did away with the mascara because mascara dries up so quickly that it looks weird to have an empty hole in a palette when you’re done with it.
The Click You’re It eyeshadow palette has 20 shadows of 3 distinct textures – matte, shimmer and cream. The cream shadows are the ones right at the bottom are eye liners and may double up as cream shadow. The shimmer shadows are fairly pigmented without too much shimmer and there is absolutely no danger of looking like a disco ball. Shimmer is subtle and the colors blend very easily.Colours are distinguished by numbers which is similar to that last year.
The top row of shadows are light base shades. They would be good to go on the lid first, as base on which to build color. I find the matte shades a bit too sheer so it’s probably a good thing that there aren’t many matte shadows. The shimmer colors make up the majority of the colors but as I have noted, they aren’t super blingy. The swatches below should tell the story better 🙂
(1) Light pink – matte (2) Light pink – shimmer (3) Light grey – shimmer (4) Light peach – matte (5) Cream – matte
(6) Golden Pink – shimmer (7) Fuchsia – matte (8) Dark grey – shimmer (9) Orange – shimmer (10) Gold – shimmer
(11) Dark taupe -shimmer (12) Aubergine – shimmer (13) Dark Blue – shimmer (14) Golden Brown – shimmer (15) Emerald green – shimmer
(16) Deep purple – cream (17) Black – matte cream (18) Dark blue – cream (19) Dark brown – cream (29) Gold – shimmer cream
As with many Smashbox palettes, you may notice that the colors are arranged such that they blend and match well whether when you select colors across the grid or down the grid. If you do down the grid, the colors are arranged in grataional shades. Across, they are complementary shades. As you go downwards, the colors get progressively darker and vice versa.
Personally I found the darker colors swatched better. They were more pigmented and we’re easier to apply. The matte formula is a little chalky and it was harder to get the colors to show up. Its ok used as a base but is a little disappointing otherwise.
The cream liners were smooth and easy to apply. I found it creased after a days’s wear and I don’t have oily lids so that’s saying something. If I wear the powder shadows alone, they are fine but for me, they don’t pair well with the cream colors. You can also try wearing the cream colours as base and then apply the powder over for intensity. But then, perhaps that’s why Smashbox included their best selling lid primer to help those with oily lids 🙂
In a nutshell
A good starter eyeshadow palette if you do not already have a lot of eyeshadow or many eyeshadow colours. It’s good quality and gives you room to experiment with a wide variety of colours and textures. The inclusion of a lid primer is very useful for those who may need it or just to help intensify colour and help the shadows stay on longer. Some instructions are included to help give you an idea on how to use the colours or to create certain looks.
Pros: Good selection of colours this time, Lid primer is useful, Useful palette for the beginner or for experimental purposes, colours are not too shimmery yet are easy to blend, Dark colours are pigmented and easy to apply
Cons: Matte shadows are a bit chalky, Cream shadows creased after a few hours, case is a bit bulky, no brushes included
Here’s a quick eye look I did with numbers 11 (dark purple) 15 (emerald green) and a touch of 10 (gold) and lined with 17 (black cream).
And here’s how I wore the whole look. The eyes came out a bit more dramatic than I expected so I kept things light for the rest. But this also goes to show that you can create some lovely dramatic looks with this palette 🙂
If you have always wanted to try working with colour, I reckon this is a nice set to have. The colours are safe enough to wear to work if you use the right combination and they don’t sparkle too much, but you can be a little more adventurous is you prefer. However if you already own lots of palettes or different colours then maybe you would be less interested. But it does make a pretty good gift for someone just starting out – she’d be a lucky girl indeed to receive this 😉
Does this catch your fancy? 🙂
Paris B
Price: RM249 Availability: Smashbox Cosmetics Parkson Pavilion, Parkson 1 Utama, Sephora Starhill and KLCC Limited Edition: Yes
xin says
December 16, 2011 at 9:28 ampretty (referring to you)! i am liking the last row of colors. it’s a really nice palette if you don’t have many colors.
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:13 pmAww thank you 🙂 (psst. what do you want? 😛 ) I think its a great little palette for a starter palette mostly because its not all sparkly like UD palettes 🙂
Cas says
December 16, 2011 at 9:44 amParis, I hate you! I saw this on Sephora’s website and was tempted then. Now you post this up and tempt (okay more like convinced) me sumore!! You look smashing in that color. The color payoff looks good. A pity it doesn’t come with lippies or does it??
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:15 pmLOL I hope you don’t *really* hate me 😛 Its a nice palette, and very blendable and very nicely everyday. It is just solely for the eyes – no lipsticks, no face 🙂
rinnah says
December 16, 2011 at 9:58 amYou’re right PB, this looks way better than last year’s palette. The colors are pretty too and I really like how they arranged the grid – so neat! 🙂
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:15 pmI liked that too! It takes the pain out of trying to figure out what colour goes with what 😀
rinnah says
December 19, 2011 at 9:55 amJust popped back to say that I saw it IRL at Sephora on Friday and didn’t like it cos the tester set was icky. 🙁 Such a pity cos the colors look lovely and wearable! But on the bright side, I save some money. Hahaha. 😛
Jyoan says
December 16, 2011 at 9:58 amwow, think I agree with you that that this is great if one doesn’t already own tonnes of colours.
It is expensive. The Urban Decay Book of Shadows is slightly cheaper I think. Not sure I’ve seen this in Sephora in the last two days, but I saw Snap You’re Fab. Hmmm, I like the little white Smashbox palette from a long long time ago. But for these large collections, seems like still Urban Decay has better quality.
haha, so many on the market now! There’s even Too Faced fairytale mirror thing… …
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:17 pmI did think of the UD Book of Shadows but I don’t think that as good a starter palette because its too shimmery and glittery as most Urban Decay shadows tend to be. So those wanting something friendly for work or a more conservative office will have trouble wearing Urban Decay but will have less issues with Smashbox 🙂 That said, it boils down to preference of course – I’ve only really liked UD’s 15th Anniversary palette and the textures in the Naked palette 🙂
Lily says
December 16, 2011 at 10:02 amDramatic eyes suit you 🙂
I’m weary of the creams drying up a little faster than those in pots though. I’d rather keep powders and creams separate. So I tend to shy way from palettes that have both. However, if there’s a separate lid for the creams (like Dior’s), it’s a different story…
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:20 pmThank you Lily 🙂 I have to agree with you about the mix of cream and powder items in a palette. I don’t usually like that unless they’re covered (clever Dior!). The cream liners from last year’s palette still work well though so although I expect them to dry out in time, we can be assured that they’ll last at least a year 😉
Jess says
December 16, 2011 at 10:05 amA very colorful palette! I love you with darker eyeshadow on the eyes, Paris! It defines and gives more depth to your eyes. 🙂
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:21 pmThank you Jess! And yes indeed! My mom asked if I had my eyes enlarged -__- I told her no and she said, Oh, your eyeshadow makes it look bigger LOL!!
ksuan87 says
December 16, 2011 at 10:11 amGorgeous look, PB! Now I’m inspired to fiddle-diddle about with my Storm palette to see what I can whip up 😛
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:22 pmThanks! The Storm palette is a nice one to mess with for a lovely stormy smokey look – go play! 😀
Hanny Daforcena says
December 16, 2011 at 10:13 amEeeks! What a sweet look! ^.^
Wait, I think there’s another Smashbox Xmas offering which has a lot of shadows… Er… The Photo Op Mega Palette http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A217751.desc.smashbox-Photo-Op-78-Shade-Mega-Palette?&cookie=set
Are we getting this?
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:23 pm*looks kawaii* 😛
We aren’t getting that palette and I’m sort of glad. I think it looks waaayyy too big and cumbersome and reminds me of those cheapy palettes I see at pasar malam 😛
Eli says
December 16, 2011 at 10:24 amLovely! I like the look you did.
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:23 pmThanks Eli! 😀
Kahani says
December 16, 2011 at 11:34 amY’know for someone reluctant to show her face on her blog for ages, you’re quite the expert poser! =D Gorgeous!
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:23 pmI know *hangs head in shame* The poseur in me just had to come out 😛 Thanks sweets!
aiyu says
December 16, 2011 at 1:11 pmThanks for the review!
I don’t know if it’s the lighting or what, but your skin looks amazing in the picture, glowing!
Pray tell what base you are using?
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:27 pm*blush* Thank you Aiyu 😀 I used the Dior Forever Foundation topped with Guerlain Meteorites pressed powder 🙂 (psst! Its also lighting 😉 )
aiyu says
December 18, 2011 at 3:06 pmthanks for sharing 😀
beetrice says
December 16, 2011 at 1:26 pmloving the colours, and more pics PB! moarr!! 😀 *must…not…give…in…to…Smashbox…purchase…before…defiling…UD15…palette…*
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:27 pmLOL!! No no, stick to the UD15 and what d’ya mean you haven’t defiled that one yet??!! o_O
beetrice says
December 16, 2011 at 4:48 pmdoes it count if I haven’t defiled ALL the colours yet? 😛
peach_ says
December 16, 2011 at 1:42 pmAHHH I absolutely love the look you did! BA at the Dior counter told me khaki green colors suit Asian skin tones really well, and you proved this! 🙂
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:28 pmThank you Peach! I think any green looks gorgeous on Asian skin – we were MADE to wear green and look gorgeous while doing it 😀
gio says
December 16, 2011 at 3:13 pmWhat a wonderful palette, much better than last year’s. But I already have similar colors so I’ll have to pass. Thanks for the review.
Paris B says
December 16, 2011 at 4:28 pmYep its a great little starter palette but less so for most of us who already have a lot of similar palettes or shades 😀
lavender says
December 17, 2011 at 3:03 pmThis is a lovely palette and I really like your eye makeup!
Paris B says
December 18, 2011 at 3:57 pmThank you!
Mari says
December 18, 2011 at 5:40 amI loved the aubergine toned eyeshadows! I’m in aubergine mood these days (though I also adore golden brown hues). And the classic black smokey eye is fantastic on you – and we all!^^ Few things can overcome the simple beauty of a little black dress.
Paris B says
December 18, 2011 at 3:59 pmYes indeed! Sometimes, simple is best 😉
milktea says
December 20, 2011 at 11:00 pmeh! your eye makeup very nice lah!! real hot! smokin’! did u use fingers or a brush to apply?
Paris B says
December 21, 2011 at 12:49 pmThank you 🙂 I use a brush these days. Fingers are good in a pinch but they don’t usually get the sort of finish I like 🙂