Smashbox 24Hour CC Spot Concealer (Fair/Light): swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

My skin has been changing lately, for the better, and I'm breaking out a lot less. But I still have a lot of hyper pigmentation spots to cover. I wanted to find a spot correcting concealer specifically for them and I remembered reading some great reviews on the Smashbox 24Hour CC Spot Concealer. I remember reading that this not only conceals, but it treats them as well (to help fade them). Plus, it's waterproof, sweat & humidity resistant, and transfer-proof! It sounded like a dream, so I went ahead and ordered it. Keep reading to find out my full thoughts.

Smashbox 24hour CC Spot Concealer Info & Review

Cost: $25.00 (0.08 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the Smashbox website, at Sephora, at Ulta, and everywhere else Smashbox is sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!


PRODUCT DETAILS AND CLAIMS...

A first-of-its-kind concealer that instantly covers dark spots, sun spots and post-acne marks, while fading the look of them in as little as 4 weeks -- so you're actually concealing and treating all in one!

This concealer is waterproof, sweat and humidity resistant, and transfer proof. Full coverage and it lasts for a full 24 hours, thanks to Photoset Polymers created with medical grade liquid bandage technology, which adheres and bends with skin. The results is a studio-grade concealer that just won't quit! Has a micro-precision applicator for targeted coverage.

Not for use under eyes!

Currently available in 8 shades.

Smashbox 24Hour CC Spot Concealer
Shade: Fair/Light (warm ivory)

Here's the packaging; click on the images to view them larger if you want to read what's on the box.

 

And here is what the packaging looks like. It's a thin tube, basically the size of a lip gloss or liquid liner.

 

The shade is listed on the bottom. I chose Fair/Light (described as a warm ivory), and it's a bit light for me but I was afraid to go any darker. It somehow manages to work and as the fall and winter months come around I think it will work perfectly for me.

It has this unique precision tip applicator. It makes applying it to spots super easy. You barely need to touch your skin to get the coverage you need. 

THE FINAL VERDICT...

I was really impressed by this concealer. This really does stay put all day long, even against water, sweat and humidity. I couldn't believe how well it held itself in place - it stayed far better than my Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer, which is waterproof.

As it fully dries down it almost becomes this weird texture. It must be the liquid bandage-like stuff that's in it that makes it react that way. It can feel a bit like putty or clay after it dries down, but if you're not touching your face you won't notice. When I swatched this on the back of my hand I left the swatch there to test it all day. It lasted through several hand washes, puppy play time, and whatever else was going on that day. Some of it rubbed off, because I was trying hard to get it off, but it stuck around like a temporary tattoo.

In case you may be wondering, you can't use this on open acne spots. I typically prefer a loose powder concealer for those type of spots anyway. I mean, you can use this on open acne spots, but it's not going to stick to the skin well and I don't find it lasts as long on those kinds of spots (since they are open and can tend to "melt" liquids). If you have open active acne, just use a loose powder concealer, like Bare Minerals concealer (which is my favorite loose powder concealer). If you really want to make this concealer work then you'll want to apply a layer, wait, blend it out, powder, wait, and repeat.

However, for non-open acne spots - and any other type of spot for that matter - this concealer works amazingly. The tip is perfect for dotting it right onto the spot. You can blend out with your finger with patting motions, or use a Beauty Blender. I prefer to use my fingers.

Aside from not using this under the eyes, also don't try to apply to larger areas. I tried to apply this down the bridge of my nose (since I've been having a really hard time getting any product to stick there) and this concealer is definitely best suited for spots and not large areas.

Additionally, if you can swatch this in person I highly recommend it. I know Smashbox tends to run dark/orange on me, so I went with a lighter shade than I normally would select.

If you have been looking for a stay-put all day concealer for your dark spots, hyper pigmentation, acne (closed, not open, acne), and any other imperfections, then look no further. THIS is your concealer.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this concealer? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liners - shades Crimson, Shocking Pink, Peony - swatches, pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Lip liners are one of those products that I'm either always using, or never using. I go back and forth. I love the look that a lip liner can provide; perfect definition, shape modification, and enhancing/complimenting your topping lip color. But I'm sometimes lazy and skip lip liner all together, especially if I have to sharpen it. The Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liners are perfect liners for us lazy girls who would prefer to forget the sharpener all together.

I have three shades to share with you. Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner
Shades: Crimson, Shocking Pink, Peony
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner
Shade: Crimson
For whatever reason, the end cap to this liner was missing when I received it, but it doesn't affect the way this product works, so I really don't mind. My OCD for lining these up in a picture, however, was a little mad though lol.

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner
Shade: Shocking Pink

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner
Shade: Peony

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner Info & Review

Cost: $20.00 (0.009 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the Smashbox website, at Sephora, at Ulta, and everywhere else Smashbox is sold.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION...

A long-wearing, water-resistant lip liner that self-sharpens every time you twist the cap.

Give your lips the ultimate lip look with this lip liner that lasts. These lip liners feature tiny built-in sharpeners in the tip of the cap, so that they conveniently self-sharpen every time you twist off the cap. Enhance the shape of lips with this precise tip that can accentuate your cupid's bow for fullness, or line your inside edges for a slimming effect. The color-matched sculpting lets you match to an array of lip colors, and its water-resistant formula ensures that the lip liner does not smudge, feather or bleed.

Currently available in 16 shades.


MY REVIEW...

As  I mentioned at the top of this review, I can get lazy when it comes to using lip liner... mostly when it comes time to sharpen it. I'll admit it, I usually don't sharpen it when needed and instead choose another lip liner that's already sharpened and ready to go. Of course I've run into the matter that I have done that to all my lip liners and needed to resharpen all at once. Sigh. Lazy girl makeup problems.

Since I can't seem to spare 5 seconds to sharpen a lip liner, I definitely was eager to get my hands on the Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liners. They're a twist up, which is great to begin with, but the part that makes them even better is that as you're closing them/opening them -- basically any twist of the cap -- it means you are sharpening them. So not only can you just twist them up, but you can always have a sharp point.

With 16 shades, there is one for everyone. I have three shades: two pink tones - one brighter and one lighter - as well as a red tone. Even though I don't wear red lipstick more than maybe 2 to 4 times a year, I do like to wear red lip liner under certain pink lip colors to add depth.

These liners have great staying power too! The Shocking Pink shade almost stains your lips, sticking around for hours and hours, and then some. Of course since it's a product you apply to your lips, how long it will last is completely dependent on what you are doing; i.e.: eating, drinking, kissing, etc.

I do think the shades Crimson and Shocking Pink go on nicely - not overly creamy but just smooth enough to get an even application and glide. However, the shade Peony was a bit different. It even swatched patchy and felt much drier and didn't look as nice on the lips. I don't know if that's just a result of it being a lighter shade; sometimes the darker/brighter shades in certain products apply better. This may just be one of those situations - but I'm not sure, as I haven't swatched any other shades.

Aside from Peony being a bit of an odd ball, probably the only downside is the price point compared to the amount of product you actually receive -- at least that's what I seem to read the most. To me, I think it's pretty typical of a twist-up lip pencil style. Most have on average around 0.01 oz, which is just a tad more than the Smashbox liners at 0.009 (just 0.001 less than most others of similar style). Now of course pencil lip liners will have more product - that's just the way it tends to be. To give you some perspective on size, the Smashbox liners are nearly the same size as the Too Faced Perfect Lip Liners and the Rimmel Exaggerate Full Color Lip Liners. And to compare it to a product that is often said to get used up too quickly, the Anastasia Brow Wiz is only 0.003 oz, meaning you get three times as much with the Smashbox liner. I just wanted to add all that in for those that might have read those reviews saying there isn't enough product in the pencil for the price point - because it really is comparable.

Considering how well these apply (minus the Peony shade), the color selection, lasting power, and not needing a sharpener - which is a HUGE plus for me - I think these are worth the cost of admission, especially if it's a color you know you'll get wear time from. What are your thoughts?

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of these lip liners? Have you tried them, or would you consider adding them to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. However, these products were sent to me for consideration. I am not being paid to make this post, nor has the company influenced me in any way. I have made this post because I wanted to, not because I had to. These are my honest opinions, thoughts and experiences.

Smashbox Love Me Lip Enhancing Gloss in Adore Me - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I love Smashbox lip glosses, and their new Love Me collection has two beautiful gloss colors that I think just about anyone can wear. I have the shade Adore Me, which is a fuchsia pink. Love this shade! The formula is of course great, because it's a Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss.

Check out my pics, swatches, info, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Smashbox - Love Me Lip Enhancing Gloss
Shade: Adore Me

  

Smashbox Love Me Lip Enhancing Gloss Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $19.00 (0.09 oz full size). Available on the Smashbox website, at Ulta, at QVC, and everywhere else the Smashbox Love Me Collection is sold (for some reason at the time I wrote this post this product wasn't available on Sephora's website, which is why there is no link to Sephora).

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Paint on a lip look to love! Inspired by the work of artist Curtis Kulig, Smashbox's signature gloss is sure to give your pout high-impact, pop-art shine. Limited Edition.

This lip gloss goes on smooth and feels comfortable on the lips. It is really shiny and really pretty!

There are two shades in the Love Me collection; Adore Me (shown in this blog post) and Charm Me, which I also want - it's a nude pink, and it's gorgeous (I've swatched it in person). Both shades I feel are pretty wearable to almost anyone. I'd recommend picking up at least one of the two shades!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this lip gloss? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

Smashbox Image Factory Waterproof Shadow Liner Pencil in Metallic Bronze - swatches, pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

The Smashbox Fall 2012 Image Factory collection contains a range of pretty products, including their Waterproof Shadow Liner -- which is what I will share with you in this post. I have the shade Metallic Bronze, which is one of the prettier metallic bronzey chocolate shades I've seen. Richly pigmented, super creamy, and super stay-all-day, this is a winner in my book!

Check out my pics, swatches, stats, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Smashbox - Image Factory
Waterproof Shadow Liner
Shade: Metallic Bronze
Shade Description: A metallic bronze brown shimmer.

Basic Stats for Smashbox Image Factory Waterproof Shadow Liner:

Formula: creamy stick shadow/liner

Wear: long wear

Coverage: richly pigmented

Shade Info: currently available in 2 shades in the Image Factory collection, but other shades available in the regular line

Cost/Availability: $22.00 (0.09 oz full size). Available on the Smashbox website, Sephora's website, Ulta's website, and everywhere else Smashbox Image Factory is sold.

Packaging: rounded duo-ended pencil; pull-off caps

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Formula:

A long-wearing, waterproof shadow liner pencil. Emollients make this pencil silky and creamy, ensuring it glides on smooth. Use as an all-over shadow or as a smudgy liner. This shade is part of the Image Factory Fall 2012 collection, making it a limited edition.

Wear:

Long-wearing and waterproof.

Coverage:

Very nicely pigmented.

Shade Info:

Currently available in 2 shades for the Image Factory Fall 2012 Collection, but other shades are available in their regular line of Waterproof Shadow pencils.

Cost/Availability:
$22.00 (0.09 oz full size). Available on the Smashbox website, Sephora's website, Ulta's website, and everywhere else Smashbox Image Factory is sold.

Packaging:

Rounded duo-ended chubby pencil. One end has the creamy shadow color while the other has a smudge. Pull-off caps on both ends. Requires sharpening.

Smashbox Image Factory Waterproof Shadow Liner Review:

Smashbox has another winner with their Waterproof Shadow Liner pencils. Super creamy, these glide on silky smooth and with rich pigmentation. One of the best shadow/liner pencils I've used!

This can be used all over as an eyeshadow, or as a smudgy liner on top and/or bottom lashes. You do have a few seconds of play time to smudge and blend it out, but once it does set it won't budge all-day. It is waterproof, so you'll need an eye makeup remover to take this off.

The shade I have, Metallic Bronze, is one of the prettier metallic bronzy chocolate shades I've used. I like using this as a smudgy liner when I do a neutral look to give my eyes a sultry effect.

I'd recommend this!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this product? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.