Currently the two palettes that I’m lusting for. The blues & neutrals are to die for….
Product Review: Smashbox’s Try It Kit.
Product Info & Claims:
What it is:
A collection of Smashbox’s iconic product minis.
What it does:
Ideal for sampling an array of Smashbox’s bestsellers, this kit will have your face and lids primed, your lids perfectly lined, and your lips shiny.
What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens
This set contains:
- 0.25 oz Photo Finish Foundation Primer
- 0.02 oz Photo Finish Lid Primer
- 0.13 oz Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout
- 0.14 oz Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume
- 0.03 oz Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx
Exclusively sold at Sephora for $19
I was excited to try out this kit of minis from Smashbox because there were various items in it that I was very curious about and wanted to see if they lived up to hype. I was also enticed by the price, especially with all the items that it came with- being deluxe trial sizes and all. This a perfect chance to try out some of Smashbox’s best sellers or if you’re new to the brand, being a great introduction to some of their products for a good price. This might be a lengthy review, so let’s begin!
Photo Finish Foundation Primer: I was thrilled to see that this primer was included in the mini kit because I really wanted to try it and couldn’t bring myself to pay $36 for the full-size. I heard many a good things about this primer and it did live up to it’s expectations. It was silky smooth, non-oily or greasy, it did feel like it mattified my face prior to putting on foundation and I felt like it did it’s job as a primer by being long-wearing and not breaking down by the end of the day and leaving my skin blotchy like some primers do after wearing it for like 4-6 hours. I like to keep this primer in my travel bag, so whenever I go out somewhere & stay out for a period of time, I have it in handy to do my makeup the next day. I found that it worked just as well as the Bare Mineral’s Prime Time Face Primer, the only difference between the two is that the full size is a bit pricier…. I would hold off on buying the full-size only because I find the two products to be very similar to each other & it wouldn’t make any sense to pay more for a different brand name.
Photo Finish Lid Primer: I’m on the fence with this lid primer, there are days I like it and others… not so much. It does serve it’s function and purpose as a eye primer and can be used as a concealer if you’re fair or light-skinned. It does even out the coloration of my eyelids & it has a nice matte base canvas for eyeshadow. It isn’t greasy or oily like other primers that have a liquid/oil base (that tend to breakdown inside the packaging causing the oil to come out first, then the product). There are only two problems I encountered with this primer: it is a dry formula and it’s packaging. Like I aforementioned, I don’t mind it being a dry formula so much that I’m kind of forced to use more product that I intend to… I find myself dipping the wand in a couple of times to get enough primer to cover one entire lid & I don’t like that so much. The packing frustrates me so much because it is so small & all of the product is in the bottom, so have to work & make an effort to get some of it out. I think this primer would be 10x better if it came in a squeeze tube, it just makes things easier & you’re able to use all of the product, instead of tossing it out when you finally give up trying to get it all out. Please take note, Smashbox. Too Face & UD did it, you should too… just putting it out there.
Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout: I like to think this mascara to be very neutral in my opinion & here’s why: there’s nothing really special about it, but it does it’s job. I like the wand (it’s sturdy and not flimsy like other wands) & I like the rubber bristles because they separate my lashes evenly, making them clump-free. However, hyperlash doesn’t add any volume or length… those are two things I look for in mascara and it wasn’t cutting it out for me. I guess it’s one of those buildable mascaras, but I don’t want to take the extra time or effort into putting that much product on my lashes to get the look that I want. This mascara just gives me a natural look, nothing amped or dramatic. It is somewhat of a wet formula that kinda takes a bit of time to getting used to, but it’s better than it being dry and flaky. I like that the black is a true dark black (& not a generic off-black), so it makes it noticeable and not boring. I think this mascara would be a little better if the bristles were ample and longer, that would be my only complaint or improvement. Other than that, it’s an okay mascara at that.
Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume: Okay, I LOVE this lipgloss! Not because I’m a lipgloss junkie/hoarder/enthusiast, but the reason being that I’m in love with this color, the formula and the smell. It smells like vanilla or butter cream frosting or the blend between the two & it doesn’t taste weird (granted that it really doesn’t like anything, but I’m okay with that). I love that it isn’t sticky or leaves this weird dry rim around my lip (like other funky lipglosses do); it is long-wearing and compliments any skin tone. It is a sheer-nude gloss, with a hint of shimmer that is rather subtle than super-shiny. I can wear this gloss by itself or layered on top of a nude lipstick or other color to add a little shine, & it looks good with any eye look whether its neutral or smoky. I do look into buying more of the Smashbox lipglosses soon!
Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx: This is a kohl eyeliner pencil, it’s very smooth and pigmented. I’m quite pleased with the formula because it offers that right amount of product to be smudgy for a smoked out or smoldered look, but can be refined for the waterline or tight-lining your lid. This eyeliner automatically reminded me of MAC’s Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved, not only because of it’s look, but for it’s performance and use. It doesn’t transfer and is waterproof, & you can set it with a shadow so it can last longer, but an be used by itself. Again, I do like that it is a true black and can be very dramatic & noticeable if smoked out or smudged. I think this is the only product that I have consistently used in the whole kit because it is somewhat versatile & intended for basic use for any look.
Bottom Line:
Overall, I was satisfied with the majority of these products. I would repurchase maybe 3 out of the 5 items in this kit, either in full-size or in a mini. It was worth the price, especially for a trial run and to experience other Smashbox items that I wasn’t able to try before. I think it was a great idea and offer in the making of this kit and I hope Smashbox comes out with more trial kits of other products for the same price. Also, I liked that all of these products can go with every skin tone and most skin types, so no one misses out or is excluded from trying this kit- most of these items are universally flattering, unlike other brands that just do a medium or ‘neutral’ based trial kits.
