smashbox double exposure palette Archives

February 23, 2015

Smashbox Double Exposure Review

As promised, here’s my Smashbox Double Exposure Review post! You all know how much I love this palette already, right?! If you are in between the Full Exposure and the Double Exposure, please check out this post and my Full Exposure review to see which one is for you. They are 2 different palettes, with different shades. I’d suggest the Full Exposure for those who prefer neutral shades, and the Double Exposure for those who want to experiment with colors.

*update – another blogger mentioned that she couldn’t get a pigmentation like what I get on my previous tutorials (Valentine’s Day Soft Makeup and Smashbox Double Exposure tutorial #2). I’d like to mention that I applied Urban Decay Primer Potion (as mentioned on the product list), and I applied my eyeshadow with a dense brush (especially on the tutorial #2).*

Anyways, let’s get into the review! If you don’t care about what I write, just scroll all the way to the bottom to see the pros and cons of this palette, and my summary for it.

What is Smashbox Double Exposure Palette?

This innovative eye palette features coated pigments formulated with coating technology to create multiple effects when wet, allowing the shadows to transform in one of four ways—allowing these 14 shadows to become 28 shades in just one palette. When wet, these colors amp up vibrancy, become deeper, turn metallic, or create sparkle for endless, customizable eye looks.

Sephora, 2015

Packaging & Insert

Gorgeous packaging! Beautiful rose gold cover against black background with white lettering. Similar to the Smashbox Full Exposure Palette, it seems that it’s made from a carton/box-like material. It also comes with a big mirror.

It contains 2 leaflets: 1) dry/wet eyeshadow transformation booklet, and 2) a #shapematter booklet – a leaflet that shows where to apply your eyeshadow depending on your eyeshape. It also comes with a sample size Full Exposure mascara (not in picture).

It also comes with a double-ended eye brush – flat dome eyeshadow brush and an angled “fluffy” brush. I love the flat dome brush because it does apply the eyeshadow nicely, especially when it’s wet. The angled brush, not a big fan. I expected the angled brush to be more like a blending brush, but mine was super stiff. I might have to wash it several times and see if it’ll get softer, but as of this moment I’m not liking the angled brush end.

Pigmentation/Blendability

I love the shades that come in this palette, however, I do have to say that some of the shades are not impressive. I absolutely love all the shimmers, I think they have great pigment pay-off wet or dry, and they blend easily.

The satin shades are buttery and creamy, amazing colors. Veiled, however, is the same shade as my skintone, so it doesn’t really show up when I apply it dry. Veiled is a good eyeshadow for me to blend out any harsh edges.

I’m not quite sure what happen to the matte shades. Out of all the finishes, the mattes were my least favorite. They aren’t quite as pigmented when applied dry, quite sheer actually. Also, a lot of fall out. Nevertheless, it’s still workable, and blend easily.

Shades & Finish

14 eyeshadows (0.042 oz/each)

Top
- Silver – shimmer (dry); metallic (wet)
- Mauve – satin (dry); metallic (wet)
- Peony – shimmer (dry); metallic (wet)
- Blanc – shimmer (dry); metallic (wet)
- Quartz – shimmer (dry); amps up vibrancy (wet)
- Flushed – shimmer (dry); gets deeper (wet)
- Veiled – satin(dry); amps up vibrancy (wet)
Bottom
- Midnight – satin (dry); add sparkles (wet)
- Temper – satin (dry); add sparkles (wet)
- Haze – shimmer (dry); gets deeper (wet)
- Noir – matte (dry); gets deeper (wet)
- Copper – shimmer (dry); metallic (wet)
- Fig – matte (dry); gets deeper (wet)
- Espresso – matte (dry); gets deeper (wet)

Price

CA$60 in Sephora Canada

Pros

Can be applied dry and wet
Eyeshadows do not get glazed after wet application
Great mixtures of colors and texture
Includes both warm and cool undertone shades
Beautiful packaging
Comes with a double-ended brush and a sample size mascara
Reasonable price
Very little fall-out

Cons

Matte shadows have poor pigment pay-offs

Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated/endorsed by Sephora nor Smashbox. I do not earn any money from the links, and I am not paid to do this review. This palette was not sent to me. I bought this palette out of my own pocket, and my review is based entirely on my own experience with this palette. This review is honest and is based on my own opinion.

February 19, 2015

Smashbox Double Exposure Tutorial #2

Happy Lunar New Year, everyone! May this year of Goat brings you lots of luck, prosperity, and great health! I’m sorry I’ve been missing this week, has been quite a busy week with personal life. Things are settling down soon hopefully. Anyways, today’s Smashbox Double Exposure tutorial is a little bit smoky and with some colors! This is my second look (check out my first one) with this palette, and I have to say, I’m loving it!

I’ll try to do a review for this palette soon, hopefully by the end of the week or beginning of next week. Since I have yet to do the review, I just want to let you guys know a little spoiler – the eyeshadows in this palette can be applied dry or wet! For this look, I only used the lid color wet, while the rest was applied dry. I’ll do swatches of the eyeshadows applied dry and wet to see if there’s any difference for my review, so keep checking back or subscribe to my blog so I can notify you when the post is up!

Eyes

Base – Urban Decay Primer Potion
Eyeshadows – Smashbox Double Exposure palette
- Transition (or above crease) – Espresso
- Inner/Outer V/lower lash line – Temper
- Middle lid – Flushed (applied wet)
- Crease/outer lower lid – Noir
- Inner lower lid – Blanc
Eyeliner
- Winged liner – Kat Von D Trooper Tattoo Liner
- Waterline – L’oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner
Eyebrow – Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe and Brunette
Mascara – Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara
False lashes – Gwiyomi False lashes #3

(continue below)

Face

Foundation – Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation
Powder – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Cheeks

Contour – Smashbox contour kit
Blush – Smashbox In Bloom Halo blush

Lips

Lipstain – Clinique Chubby Lip Stick in Bountiful Blush

February 12, 2015

Valentine’s Day Soft Makeup

Valentine’s day is just around the corner, and here’s my Valentine’s Day Soft Makeup look! I used my brand new Smashbox Double Exposure Palette for this look, and couple other new products which I just recently bought. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram to see what else I got besides the palette!

Anyways, for this look, I wanted a soft subtle feminine makeup. The eyes are peachy plum, and defined using black liquid liner. I absolutely love how this turned out! I wore this look out for lunch, and I’m really happy with it. The look isn’t overdone at all, you still look like yourself but slightly better. There’s no bold colors, no overdrawn brows, just a nice pretty simple makeup.

Just FYI, I’m using daylight for my pictures since I don’t have my lights with me. Oh, you guys like my “heart” sweater? I thought I’d wore it for the tutorial since it’s a valentine’s day makeup post.

Check out my other Smashbox Full Exposure palette tutorials, and other Valentine’s day makeup posts!

All products used are listed at the end of the page

How-to:

1. I prepped my eyelids using Urban Decay Primer potion.

2. I applied Fig on my crease using a blending brush (from Smashbox Full Exposure palette).

3. Using the flat eyeshadow brush from the Smashbox Double Exposure palette, I applied Quartz all over my eyelid.

4. I used the angled brush end from the Double Exposure palette, I applied Espresso on the outer V to deepen the crease.

5. I also applied Fig on the lower lash line using the angled brush. I applied Quartz on the inner half of the lower lid.

6. I lined the outer half of my waterline using L’oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner. On my upper lash line, I created a winged liner using Kat Von D Trooper tattoo liner.

7. I curled my lashes, and applied Smashbox Full Exposure mascara on both upper and lower lashes.

8. I applied Gwiyomi False lashes no. 3 to open up my eyes.

9. I filled my brows using Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe.

10. On my face, I applied Becca Shimmering Perfector in Moonstone, then I applied Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo foundation.

11. On my cheeks, I applied NARS Mata Hari blush.

12. I lined and filled my lips using MUFE Aqua lip pencil #18c.

Products used