New in from Smashbox

Ok, so any of you that have ever used a Smashbox product will know how utterly good they are at their job. 

This month sees the launch of some wonderful, soon-to-be makeup kit essentials. They sent me 9 of the products to play with, and I’m having trouble deciding on a favourite.

First up are these 4 gorgeous Be Legendary Matte Lipsticks, R250 each. There are 8 shades in total in the collection, but they sent me (L-R) Mulberry, Paris Pink Matte, Fireball Matte and Magenta Matte (Mauve Matte, Femme Fatale Matte, Punch Drunk Matte and Shock Me Pinks are the other shades).

The collection is a collaboration between Smashbox and Instagram star artist, Donald Robertson (see his creations here) to create a matte collection within the Be Legendary range.

The formula is incredible! I promise you this is the most nourishing matte formula you’ve ever tried! Enriched with antioxidants and vitamins, it means you can have the best of both worlds.

The colour payoff (as with all Be Legendary Lipsticks) is almost too good to be true – the colour you see on the bullet is what you get on your lips, and it stays put.

Next is the Bronze Lights, R390, this one is the shade Warm Matte (Deep Matte is also available). Now I’m not the biggest fan of bronzer, as I always end up looking grubby, rather than tanned. Pale, yellow undertoned skin does not play well with bronzer, well, except this one.

The super-fine powder blends effortlessly into the skin to create a natural, sunkissed glow, without looking dirty or orange. It would seem my hunt for a perfect bronzer has come to an accomplished end.

The pretty pinwheel is called Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Starblush, R330 (also look out for Peach, Soft Gold, Deep Tan, Bronze and Champagne). This is a delicately soft baked powder highlighter and blush. It gives your skin an incredible glow that just somehow lifts your complexion.

I’ll probably hold off using this until spring, as I think the Starblush shade is a bit shimmery for my skin in winter. I’d like to give the Peach shade a go, though for the cooler months.

And finally there are the wonders that are LA Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Colors, R320 each. These are my favourites, but I can’t choose which shade I love the most. They are basically your new highlighting/blusher/bronzing/lip besties.

They sent me Beverly Hills Blush, Silver Lake Sunset and Venice Beach Bronze (yes, they’re all named after West Coast hangouts). To say that I’m utterly obsessed would be an understatement. I’ve worn all three on my face at least four days a week since I got them. I use Venice beach Bronze to contour, Silver Lake Sunset to highlight and Beverly Hills Blush as a blush. My skin loves the soft, creamy, velvet formula that glides on like butter. They’re quick and easy to use, and are possibly the best thing I’ve seen this year! In fact, yes, they are.

There are also two other shades in the range called Hollywood & Highlight and Malibu Berry, which I might just go and get as well.

All of the above are available now at selected Woolworths, Foschini, Edgars and Red Square stores nationwide.