The Luxe List: Smashbox

When I bought this Master Class II Palette from Smashbox during Sephora's VIB November sale, my full intention was for it to live in my professional kit for bridal parties. Of course when it arrived I wanted to test it out personally!

 Kits are often a great way of experiencing a multitude of offerings from a particular line. That being said, in the past I've bought some palettes before that had a few shades I rarely used or worse found the pigments in some far less quality than single shadows in a line.

This palette doesn't disappoint in terms of quality & is jam packed with product. Four of their best selling cream liners, 28 shadows, 2 highlighting powders & 6 blushes!

Too many shades to swatch! Some of my favorites:
Anchor(L), Amethyst(M) & Rose (R)

Ultramarine(L), Serpent (M) & Peacock(R)
I find this palette coming home with me almost every weekend so I can play with it. It's a great value at $59 & a great holiday gift. Though I realize it is over $50 in terms of pricepoint, you really get a complete make-up wardrobe.  This would be an awesome starter palette for a teen or granddaughter. However, if you've gotten your VIB coupon recently in the mail- I say scoop it up for yourself!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Fabulous Finds Friday: Smashbox's Shades of Fame

How smitten am I with Smashbox's Shades of Fame Lipgloss Collection? Pretty smitten. I love these bite size samplings of color- which are perfect for travel. It's like a box of chocolates, but with this collection you won't take a bite of one & put it back in the box! I even like this slanted tip applicator & tube over their standard doe foot applicator. What can I say? Mama likes a lot of gloss.

Don't be alarmed by thinking any of the colors will be intense, as they might look in the tube- they're all beautifully sheer. Swatched shades listed from top: Star, Buff, Hibiscus, Papaya, & Candy. As always Smashbox's glosses are never tacky or sticky, so they're ideal to not have that oh-so-sexy-my-hair-is-seriously-stuck-in-my-lipgloss look.

My favorite of the bunch is Papaya. There's something about a soft peach that brightens your whole face, while still looking completely natural. These glosses are good for your pucker, too- they're packed with vitamins & hyaluronic acid.  So scoop up this limited edition collection while you can. With the kit coming in at $29- it's a steal of a deal getting 5 Smashbox glosses for under $6 a piece!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M
*Gifted for review

Must Have Make-Up Monday

I'm soooo trying to show restraint this morning, because there's a great Smashbox TSV on QVC! I have more than enough make-up to last me a lifetime due to the fact that I'm an beauty addict- plain & simple. However {let the justifying begin...} I do heart Smashbox Cosmetics & this really is a steal of a deal! All this loot could be mine for $74.94 & it has a retail value of $209! There's even their HALO foundation in this kit {I've been dying to try}, that has a cult following due it's ability to hydrate while minimizing the look of fine lines & wrinkles! I'm also gravitating to their Red Carpet Radiance Palette in VIP- since I shun the sun I turn to collections like this to get my glow on! Also included in this Today's Special Value is the Waterproof Shadow Liner To Go in Luminous Fig, Photo Op Eyeshadow Quad in On Stage & Lip Enhancing Glosses in Hot Shot & Idol. So what do you Beauties think- must I have it? I'm waiting on you guys for the go ahead!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Wish List

Wow- I'm in the mall so infrequently I almost forgot about Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale going on now! Though I'm trying to cut back on my beauty purchases since I have enough make-up to last me my lifetime, the offers are too good to pass up! Let's start with this Clinique kit- if you love soft pinks & purples, this is right up your alley! This kit offers both skincare & make-up for only $45 {I would set these aside for great holiday gifts!}

Often it kits there's a dud or two, Bobbi Brown's is a slam dunk if you gravitate towards peaches & browns- all great wearable colors & basics that won't gather dust. This kit is very affordable for her line coming in at only $80.

I'm a sucker for anything quilted & I go thru liner like no one's business wearing my cat eye almost everyday. The credit card sized cream liner compact builds your make-up wardrobe & a girl can never have too much gloss or mascara! This Smashbox collection is a steal of a deal at $59.


I adore Trish McEvoy's Eye Base Essentials & a deluxe travel size is included in her Timeless Beauty kit, complete with red bow organizer for $125. Have you popped over to the Nordstrom page & taken a peek? What caught your eye- do tell! Worth noting- Estee Lauder has a nice GWP so if you already use their stuff, it's time to stock up! Happy Shopping!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Make-up Must Have Monday

It's the most wonderful time of the year....yes when beauty coupon codes are here! It's Smashbox's Friends & Family Event beauties- 20% off your heart's desire. Cue Beyonce's song "Halo" 'cause here are my pics! Whenever I'm giving make-up lessons & a client has redness in their skin, I say yellow is your friend my friend. This revolutionary HALO powder hydrates & conceals redness around the nose & cheeks.
Love this product for it's ease of use! Smashbox's Brow Tech To Go is pretty much goof proof. Just this weekend I used it on 3 different clients with different ages, skin tones, etc. Perfection- grab it in the "taupe" shade.

Ever since my beloved Joey Antioxidant Lip Pencil was retired *sigh* I've been searching for that perfect nude lip liner. The Nude Lip Pencil in "Light" brings a smile back to my face.

What else can I say other than this collection makes my heart go pitter patter. It had me at hello with just the mention of its 10 cream eyeliners & 6 brow powders. Without being monstrous in size this collections truly represents! What are your Smashbox tried & true faves girleens? Scoop them up with coupon code: FFSB20 at checkout. Happy Shopping!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Smashbox

Is it too early to be compiling my wish list for Santa? I have an excuse as my sister's baby is due in just two weeks & she wants to be done Christmas shopping this week! Annually Smashbox unveils their holiday WISH collection that benefits the Children's Miracle Network. This WISH kit is a steal of a deal with 6 lipglosses in it for $29. I always say lipgloss has healing powers & this WISH collection really does help those in need!

Have my girleens seen Burlesque's movie preview? It actually looks pretty amazing & has my much adored Kristen Bell in it. I guess I should admit that the uber delish Cam Gideot & McSteamy Eric Dane being in it is an additional plus, insert *sigh* here. Smashbox created this Burlesque limited edition kit with jewel tones that's perfect for fall.


While I was drooling, ahem, perusing the site, I also noticed this very wearable collection put together by Florence of Florence & the Machine ( run & download her debut, Lungs now!) I'm a big fan of Smashbox's kits, they're great deals & anything that's not my cup of tea makes a great stocking stuffer! Which is your favorite kit my beauties?
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Must Have Make-Up Monday

Anyone who knows me, knows how important brows are to me! They're the frame of the face. After I shape any client's brows, I always take them to the make-up bar & show them how to properly fill their brows in. Smashbox's Brow Tech has been a cult favorite amongst make-up artists for years & I finally picked up their new Brow Tech To Go.

This trio is a special collection that was put together for QVC's Viewers choice Awards- so it's a great deal. I got the Brow Tech To Go in Taupe, as well as their Lip Enhancing Gloss in Allure & Soft Focus Powder Eye Liner in Gunmetal.

The brow tech is fabulous & a great tool for beginners since it's very soft. A little tip I give most clients is to start off with a taupe shade so you don't over do it. The angle of the pencil allows for precise, yet natural application. The gloss is the perfect neutral for heading into fall, though I usually prefer a brush applicator on my glosses. Their new Soft Focus Eye Liner is a nice idea in giving a less defined, more smudged liner effect. The Gunmetal shade is gorgeous, but there is some fall out with product when applying- so tap off excess before you do so. All in all this set was a great deal, with all 3 products being ones you'll actually use!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

The Makeup Show

We all have an idea of what heaven looks like. Mine usually involves endless amounts of beauty products at my disposal, calorie free italian food & unlimited cocktails. Today I'm in heaven at The Make-Up Show in NYC! Loads of professional make-up artists such as myself convene to learn the latest runway way looks, take master classes & get re inspired. Tons of make-up lines will be featured...Make-Up For Ever, Kevyn Aucoin, Smashbox, MAC as well as smaller "indie" lines such as Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. I promise I will take tons of pictures & report back to you the latest & greatest finds!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Monday Make-Up Must Haves

Swoon! How gorgeous is this collection from Smashbox?! This is the type of ethereal glowing skin I strive to create. I'm in love with this look. Since I shun the sun, I probably will be one of the only girls that will be this pale during the summer!

This set of 8 mini glosses is a steal of a deal at only $25! Though I feel like I'm bordering on 'hoarder' levels when it comes to my make-up stash, I really do need this. Smashbox glosses have the perfect non tacky texture for summer, which means your hair won't get stuck in them!

For a glow that looks like it comes from within, you can't beat a cream blush. This blush/ highlighter combo is perfect for easy summer looks. In a pinch you can put the highlighter on your brow bone & cheekbone, then the blush on cheeks & lips! This collection has my name all over it- what do you think my beauties?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

SmashBox's Brow Tech To Go

Me thinky me needy! The Brow Whisperer in me is a 24/7 thing. There is no turning it off. I can be in a meeting or at Target & become slightly fixated on someone's brows. I, of course, bite my tongue since I never want to make people feel self conscious. My powers are meant for good, but sometimes I just wish I had free reign over everyone's brows (& chin hairs dear lady at McDonald's drive thru...) Filling in brows is an absolute must for me. It takes your established shape & pumps it up a notch in terms of lifting and making them look groomed. The original Brow Tech has been a staple in most make-up artists' kits forever. Now they've launched an angled brow pencil(why has no one thought of this before) + a clear gel combo= perfect in its portability. Can't wait to try it out! Tell me beauties- do you fill in your brows on a regular basis?

Peace. Love. Brow Whisper. M

Be My Valentine

Anyone who knows me, knows that lipgloss is the way to my heart! I heart this retro inspired rollerball version, it takes me back to the early days of my love affair with gloss. Smashbox's Heartbreaker Collection including its first ever foray into fragrance could not come at a better time for Cupid!

I mean I love fresh flowers, truly I do. But when it comes to Valentine's Day, I'd much rather have a treat that will last versus roses that are ridiculously overpriced. Take these cute Tory Burch heart sandals. This way, every time you catch a glimpse of your adorable piggies you will think of your sweetheart!

Box of chocolates? I'd rather have a box of jewelry any day! This adorable necklace from Juicy Couture has a paved crystal heart & key on a delicate silver chain. You hold the key to his heart after all...
Peace & Love. M