Beautiful intrigue: The Smashbox Masquerade Collection
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A we heart this review
photos: we heart this
We know Smashbox has already moved on to their Winter/Holiday collections (and they are fabulous), but we’ve got a closer look at the Fall line that is VERY worthy of your attention…
Smashbox has done it again: created a captivating collection packed with twists, turns and surprises. Billed as being “full of provocative hues and mesmerizing formulas,” how perfect that they’ve named it Masquerade!
As any faithful wht reader knows, we heart Smashbox, and with good reason: consistently high-quality product in solid packaging, every collection delightful in its own unique way. Smashbox’s Fall collection is a wonderland of rich fall colors that work on every skin tone.
I got to test two products, each surprising me, working a little differently than I expected.
The Masquerade Eye Shadow Palette ($35) made me breathe “ooooh” when I opened it. The colors range from nude to green to plum (with a gorgeous shimmering navy thrown in for good measure), in both shimmer and matte, and packed with pigment. I couldn’t decide which colors to try first, I was so excited. I finally settled on a color that looked yellow-green in the palette– almost olive. But on my skin, a deeper, richer color appeared, nothing like the light, yellow-based green in the palette. I found this to be true with the other colors, too, like the yellow with gold undertones that didn’t appear until I applied the shadow.
The colors are organized in trios to highlight, contour and define, but I found I could combine the shadows in so many different, exciting ways. Colors include matte soft peach, shimmering black plum, matte taupe, metallic khaki, shimmering gold, bronze, metallic cabernet and matte bone: a truly versatile range of hues and formulations.
Since its arrival in my makeup collection, my other shadows have been sadly neglected. Nothing is as exciting as Masquerade!
Lip Enhancing Gloss in Reveal
Lip Enhancing Gloss in Reveal ($19) looks like a pretty, golden nude gloss in the tube. The last thing I expected was pigment-packed color that behaved more like a lipstick than a gloss. Just the perfect level of sheerness, and gorgeous, luminous color made Reveal unique among my countless collection of glosses.
The gloss contains Vitamin E and Sunflower seed oil for moisture and nourishment, and it really lives up to its ultra-moisturizing claims. After falling in love with Reveal, I know I must possess the other new color, Disguise, too!
wht testers got to sample the entire Masquerade line, including…
top to bottom: Lip Gloss in Disguise and Reveal, Liner and Lash Overlay in Bronze and Teal
Liquid Liner & Lash Overlay ($19)
An innovative, dual-purpose formula for use as an eye liner and for the tips of the lashes, available in jewel tones of Bronze and Teal. The brush is specially-designed for this dual purpose. How beautiful is that Teal?!
Baked Fusion Soft Lights Palette ($32)
A palette of shimmering shades (champagne, soft gold, and rosegold) called Illusion, a pretty checkerboard design of product that will make you glow.
Creamy Cheek Color & Brush ($29)
Intrigue is a cream blush containing antioxidant Vitamin E, housed in a novel container featuring a built in brush.
Testers, what surprises did Masquerade have in store for you?
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. It also may contain an affiliate link, a link that gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
My face is about 2 inches from the screen reading this review. I too am a sucker for palettes- especially eye shadow. This Masquerade collection looks like a fall must have!
Thank you @Turboterp for a drool worthy review!
Oooo, SO pretty. That gloss is calling my name. And those shadow colors…I’m drooling. Great review, @Turboterp!
I’m really curious about the overlay and the blush. Is it a cream blush that you blend with the brush? If so, that’s brillant. And then overlay sounds SO fancy…
That eyeshadow palette is to die for! I love shadows that surprise once on the skin, and the shades are perfect for fall into winter! And I’m with you on those glosses- must have!
Great review @Turboterp !
I love the eyeshadow palette! Oh man, that’s purty!!
How about that Baked Fusion Soft Lights Palette for only thirty two bucks!
I’m such a pattete person.. that sounds funny.. and have a love for shimmering shades like these-Illusion looks gorgeous in champagne, soft gold, and rosegold -What a cool looking checkerboard pattern! I would love to get my mitts on them all!
That eyeshadow palette looks so versatile! I love Smashbox shadows, they are great quality. That cream blush is seriously looking quite pretty over there…I’m intrigued!
I’m so in love with everything I tested! 5 stars from me, but I’m sure you’ve figured that out already! This is such a nice collection.
@lyssachelle, I didn’t test the overlay or the blush, so hopefully the tester will answer your question.
I want this palette so much! I’m so glad to hear it lives up to it’s hype. I’m going to probably be getting it as soon as I get paid, after the week I’ve had I deserve a new treat. Great review!
I got to try the baked fusion soft lights palette. I really loved this product. It is subtle but, adds a little something extra when highlighting your checks, face or décolletage. You know it is a fabulous product when it creates a need to your makeup routine that you did not even know that you had. Now, I do not even think about applying blush without using this highlighter.
I was in Anchorage for a conference two weeks ago with a terrible cold. This palette completely saved me from having that pasty white, no color look. The checkerboard warm tones of champagne, soft gold, and rosegold brought me back to life.
I give this 5 stars.
I got to test the O-Gloss Noir and I can definitely say: EVERYONE MUST OWN THIS NOW!
Smashbox’s “Intuitive Lip Gloss” comes in berry for the Masquerade line and it’s fantastic! Just as it describes, it goes on black, yes black (although a very VERY sheer black), and reacts with your body’s chemistry to make a lovely sheer berry color that is individual to you! I found my shade of berry a warm dark raspberry color. It’s flirty and fun, with a hint of shine, but sheer enough that it can be worn during the day as well as night. Think “I just ate a popsicle” level of sheer.
O-Gloss Noir also boasts the use of Goji berry complex, gingko biloba, pomegranate seed antioxidants and avocado oil. So your lips are getting a nourishing boost of moisturizing ingredients!
Definitely 5 stars and can not wait to go buy the rest of the line!
I had the same question about the cream blush and brush, is the brush for the cream? Very intrigued by that little duo, and LOVE the shadows! I’m always a fan of Smashbox!
I didn’t receive any of the Masquerade for review but I did purchase the cheek color on my own the moment I saw it in stores. This blush is the MOST PERFECT blush ever! Creamy– but not too creamy–with a velvety finish. The short, squat brush works very well at distributing and blending the color exactly where you want it. And the color! Oh, the color is fantastic. It looks just like the rise of color in your face as you are begining to blush naturally. I can’t imagine any face that this wouldn’t look good on. I was a little perplexed at there only being one shade of blush stick but I see now the reason why: no need to tread on perfection!
There’s also no oiliness about this blush—it stays put and doesn’t fade. The color is also highly pigmented so the stick lasts and lasts and lasts. This surely must become a forever item in Smashbox’s inventory (please?(!
I received the Lash Overlay/Liquid Liner in Bronze for review. I was very dubious when I opened the package. I am embarrassed to admit that I rarely if ever wear eyeliner. I am always terrified of poking myself in the eye or worried about making a mess. Also my eyes tend to be sensitive because of allergies. But I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this innovative/double duty product.
First of all the color was outstanding. It is a rich brownish/bronze that truly sparkles. I can see it enhancing just about every eye color. I have brown eyes and they just popped with this.
Because I am a bit of an eyeliner novice I had a few messes during my practice time. But once I got the hang of it the eyeliner went on very smooth and was long lasting with no irritation. The overlay part is a little more tricky. I say that only because I think that your level of enjoyment for this will depend on how thick you like your mascara. I found that the heavier my mascara was the less I liked my results with the overlay. But when I wore little to no mascara I felt that the overlay made my eyes truly special with a touch of sparkle. Just work with it until you find your ideal comfort level.
I highly recommend this product as it is truly two great products in one. What a bargain! I call that 5 stars for sure!!
I must mention that I am now dying for the O-Gloss Noir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That blush is calling my name. Love that it has a brush on the end. This collection looks perfect for fall. Guess I know what I’m going to be shopping for tomorrow!
Sorry I’m late to the party on this—I’ve been knocked out w/ a virus for the last couple of days–it wasn’t a zombie virus, so no worries, folks…
I got to try out the gorgeous Creamy Cheek Color & Brush. As Sherri mentioned, it is the MOST perfect shade. Seriously, folks. I own probably 40 or so cream blushes (that’s being conservative—I LOVE cream blush) and this shade is pretty much perfect. It’s pink with a hint of coral–it applies differently on my cheeks than it looks in the tube–this is one that would work for any and all skin tones. The color really looks like you’re blushing from within, but in a way that brightens up your whole face and shaves a few years off your appearance. Yes, ladies, it’s THAT kind of PERFECT. If you don’t have this one already, get it before it’s gone. Smashbox has a way of making the most awesome products limited edition…
As for the brush at the other end–Meh. Completely useless for me. It didn’t blend as well as my own fingers do and the hairs from the brush shed all over my cheek. Just pretend that end doesn’t exist.
But the awesomeness of the blush is enough to negate the dud of a brush—5 stars!!!
So good to know! I was really curious about the O-Gloss Noir….it seemed so intriguing but I wasn’t sure about how the color actually look on! Yay!
I have last year’s holiday gift set of Smashbox lipglosses and just found them to be okay. But after hearing you rave about the ones in the Masquerade collection, @turboterp, I really might have to give Disguise a try!
Oh, @krista, I loved the brush! I didn’t think I would since I never found reason to use a brush with my cream blushes before, but I do! I didn’t have any brush hairs falling out at all and the softness of the bristles coupled with the firmness of the brush really worked the blending perfectly: no streaks or lines like sometimes when I use my fingers. And since the blush has that velvety finish there was no messiness on the bristles either (though I still clean with antiseptic brush cleaner).
Actually, the first few times I used the blush I didn’t even bother to use the brush. Finally, after giving it a go, I was amazed at what a good tool it was! My advice is to at least give the brush and this blush a go. If the brush confounds you or sheds you still have your fingers (but I’m thinking you may love it).
I got to test Disguise, the other lip gloss in the collection (and the berry stunner shown above). This is what I’m calling sophisticated glimmer. Not quite glitter, but more than shimmer. It’s really quite sparkly, but it doesn’t migrate at all. It’s like an adults version of a party gloss! And as @turboterp said, rather pigmented. It’s a pinky berry with gold glimmers. Really pretty, and it enhances my natural lip tone really well.
Love me a doe foot applicator too! I absolutely prefer them to brushes. And this has a very subtle scent and no taste (hooray!)
The shade isn’t anything I haven’t seen before, but it’s really quite pretty. 4 stars.