Some I LOVE and a few I wasn't so keen on so here's my assessment / mini reviews:
Hits (will buy again, will recommend):
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30 foundation - this is super lightweight and gives amazing sheer coverage. Easy to apply using a damp Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge or a brush and lasts all day. It covered my dry patches and my spots beautifully and didn't go cakey or wear off. It has a small pipette to drop product onto the back of your hand / straight onto your sponge or brush which is very handy for getting just the right amount. Thumbs up.
Smashbox LA Lights blush & highlight palette in Pacific coast pink - I love this! The two matte pinky blush colours look gorgeous and can be built up for a strong look or just a small flush of colour. My favourite is the paler shade in the middle. The highlighter is a perfect complement and has a subtle golden shimmer which is perfect on cheekbones. Love.
Smashbox photo matte eyes palette with shadow, liner and brow powder - This is such a little compact palette and I adore it. Probably my favourite buy of the haul. All the colours are matte and work beautifully together. Easily blendable the texture is powder but seems quite creamy. I have used these as eyeshadow and eye liner and not as yet in my eyebrows but am super happy with the staying power and the subtle, everyday shades.
Smashbox 24 hour photo finish eye shadow primer - OMG I love this stuff! A teeny blob goes a long way and is easy to pat onto the eyelids and blend out. Shadow sits incredibly well on top and does not crease or budge all day. Absolute winner!
Smashbox be legendary lipstick in coffee run - I adore lipsticks from this brand and this chocolate brown is no different. It glides on, stays put, doesn't fall into cracks or wear off in patches. A dream! This shade is tricky to pull off but with pinky cheeks and golden eyes it looks great. It has a glossy finish and barely any scent (hurrah!). The sturdy packaging is perfect for nights out when it's rattling around in a handbag.
Smashbox photo finish primer water - I have only used this after make up application to set my look and as a refresher, it makes skin look healthy and hydrated and gives a dewy finish over foundation and powder.
So-so (might purchase again, will definitely use until finished):
Smashbox photo finish foundation primer - I was buzzed about using this product as have read so many positive reviews about it but for me it made my foundation slide straight into lines around my lips and lines in my forehead. On my cheeks and smooth areas my foundation did look flawless and smooth but a primer for me should keep foundation in place and should hide flaws like wrinkles and lines rather than highlight them. Will keep experimenting though as perhaps I used too much setting spray or not enough or maybe it works better when foundation applied with a brush rather than a sponge etc.
Smashbox halo hydrating perfecting powder - I like this powder, it's light and a fine dusting is all I need to take down shine and set foundation. Is it hydrating? Not sure... Does it perfect my skin more than any other loose powder? Not really. It does work great with the BB water foundation so I'll definitely keep using it until the end. Also way too much powder comes out when you 'shave' it so just be careful to only move the dial a teeny amount each time or tap off excess as otherwise be easy to over powder.
Smashbox photo finish hydrating under eye primer - I was expecting big things from this as I was the primer but it is just ok. It definitely brightens my undereye area but it doesn't stop concealer gathering in fine lines. And that for me is why I would use a specific under eye primer. My concealer definitely stayed in place but almost immediately creased into lines and I have to pat it out all day / reapply.
Misses (definitely won't buy again and unlikely to use again):
Smashbox X-rated mascara volumateur - this was a sample size so possibly the full size is better however I really disliked the brush. It has three lines of bristles (so looks like a triangle) and I couldn't angle it to coat my lashes without touching black dots all over my eyelid or undereye. Urgh. And then when finally on it didn't seem to lengthen or thicken or volumise my lashes and wasn't the blackest of blacks. Disappointing.
Smashbox always sharp clear lip liner - this does a mediocre job at stopping lipstick bleeding into fine lines but as it is invisible when applied it is near impossible to get a precise line around the lips. Plus the sharpener doesn't quite work to produce a fine point, more a blunted end which I have to 'sharpen' a couple of times during each application as the waxy product seems to wear down v quick and occasionally break up and form tiny balls which I have to pick off otherwise would get caught in the lipstick as lumps. Will stick to my MAC subculture lip pencil.
In general I love the Smashbox brand and I will always recommend it to others and be loyal to a few of its products :-)
