The holidays just keep on giving! This time it is an awesome Smashbox gift set that you can snap up on sale at Ulta right now for $24. While the whole set isn’t completely golden, the eye shadows and mascara are well worth the sale price on their own. And you’ll get the ultra-on-trend rosy gold shades everyone is nuts for right now.
As someone who has dry skin, I never thought I’d like something that touts itself as oil-free. But this primer ticks all the boxes and will be my go to primer for big nights out on the town. The hydration preps the skin for foundation. For me, my skin looks healthier and plumper when I use this stuff. Hydraplex12, made from desert plants, immediately moisturizes and actually seals it in. It also fills in fine lines and pores for an even and uniform canvas for foundation. Along with bring dry, my skin is very sensitive. So I adore the cooling and hydrating effect as soon as I apply this stuff.
I am reticent to add another step – you all know I prefer laziness simplicity. But I found a lot of value in applying this before foundation or under eye concealer. This silky formula has vitamins and antioxidants and isn’t greasy. The most impact, I found, was in filling pores for a smooth finish. My foundation went on evenly and had a more consistent finish. I can’t speak for inhibiting the destruction of collagen, but the overall effect was a more youthful and smooth appearance to the skin. It was especially helpful under my eyes – I was able to eliminate the cakey look to my La Mer concealer. I used the original formula, but it also comes in:
1 oz Original in a Tube (colorless)
1 oz Original (colorless)
2 oz Original (colorless)
1 oz Light (colorless)
2 oz Light (colorless)
1 oz SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex
1 oz SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex (sheer apricot – dries clear)
1 oz Color Adjust (green – minimizes redness)
1 oz Color Balance (lavender – for natural yellow skintones)
1 oz Color Blend (apricot – conceals under eye circles, veins, sunspots)
1 oz Bronzing Primer (sheer tan)
1 oz Luminizing (sheer luminous gold)
I don’t usually use lid primer because a good friend/makeup artist once told me to embrace my dark lids. But this one snuck into my vanity, somehow. I have the Golden Nude shade, and I like that it is wearable on its own. That said, if I don’t put shadow over it, it will crease in a couple of hours. I am also one of those people that rubs their eyes (I know it is a no-no…. I can’t help it!) and this primer did not stay on through that abuse. I do like this better than Urban Decay’s primer, mostly because it is more substantial. In short, nice product but I don’t think this is a must have in my beauty routine.
I consider myself a lip gloss connoisseur (and consumer). A smashbox gloss for $5 was an easy sell on me. This formulaton promises light-reflecting pearls to brighten your smile. Despite the vibrant color in the tube, it comes out really neutral and with only a slight glittery effect. I have no problem wearing this at work or during the day. I am not sure I really see a brighter smile, but I love this minty flavor. It is strong so it is not for the faint of heart. The mint doesn’t tingle but gives the sensation of fresh breath. This is probably not the right gloss for your wine tasting adventure in Napa because the flavor is very strong. This IS great for an application during those long afternoon hours at work for a “pick-me-up”.
