FOUNDATION FIGHT – NARS vs. SMASHBOX COSMETICS | MAKEUPANDTHECITY

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What’s up makeupandthecity, if you saw my last two PR review’s with NARS (NARS – Velvet Matte Foundation Stick / Elephant in the blog | MAKEUPANDTHECITY) and SMASHBOX (SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK | MAKEUPANDTHECITY) I thought to myself that, they are both similar in the fact that they are stick foundations double sided with unique ends (blender sponge or contour shade) I have tested both one on set and at home and one just at home to keep the playing field fair I wont say which was taken to set.

So – I will brush up on more facts about each item and then give my opinion but in the end it will be for you too decide for yourself which company came out on top.

Both of the products give a medium buildable coverage but with the NARS I wouldn’t say that you need to go back into the skin and reapply product in any area, as you would do with SMASHBOX for sure, the latex and anti-bacterial blender on the NARS foundation stick is absouloutly genius and to make it anti-bacterial was even smarter (replacement blenders for the NARS foundation stick are only $6.00US) As most of NARS complexion products it’s finish is matte, where SMASHBOX likes to give the more natural finish, SMASHBOX is oil-free but it seems to be that as you wear throughout the day it becomes patchy and oil appears to show due to a wax that they use in the product I believe so there have been times that I wish that SMASHBOX did have a sponge component to re-buff the product into the skin mid-day.

If we are being honest ➡️ I am not much of a fan of a cream contour and find the contour side to break off very effortlessly with SMASHBOX, when you use SMASHBOX be prepared to still need to go in with a concealer for certain area where as with NARS I found that you didn’t really need to go in with a concealer which is a huge plus for me being a guy I don’t want everyone to be able to tell that I have makeup on my face. I’ve always found NARS to be a little more seamless with there products and do active case studies with men and woman but SMASHBOX creates and tests their products at SMASHBOX STUDIOS – so I guess it would come down to, do you like the idea of active case studies where a product is judged and complaints and nice comments are used to fix if need be, or have a team who have been working behind the lens, and a MUA for years tell you something is perfect to their level of standards.

NARS – What it does ➡️
This all-in-one matte foundation stick and pro tool offers all-over coverage or touch-ups on-the-go. Its soft-matte finish and creamy, blendable texture layers easily for medium to buildable coverage. Matte Rebound Powders enhance the glide and comfort of wear, while mattifying the look of skin. Elastomer micro beads provide extreme flexibility and elasticity to help prevent creasing by adapting to movement without settling into lines or wrinkles. Ginger root extract and vitamins A, C, and E support natural antioxidant protection and defend skin from environmental damages while helping to improve the appearance of smoothness and evenness. The foundation can be applied multiple ways: with fingertips, directly from the stick, or with the included removable Touch-Up Blender, to create various effects.

SMASHBOX – What it does ➡️
This is an all-in-one stick that gives you coverage and sculpting on the quick. The foundation side gives you medium, buildable coverage with smooth blendability and a natural-looking finish. Use the soft contour side for a perfectly coordinated contour shade that adds dimension in seconds, while it shapes and sculpts with the angled tip. Each end delivers lasting coverage that will not settle into pores or fine lines while allowing color to stay true. Both formulas moisturize the complexion, and offer coverage that stays sweat-, humidity-, and water-resistant.

I personally think its a no brainer which is the better product and what you will use more often! I mean, who wouldn’t want an anti-bacterial mini beauty blender added to the end of their foundation stick.

⭐NARS⭐ Velvet Matte Foundation Stick ➡️ $45.00US for 0.31 oz/ 9 g
Smashbox Studio Skin Face Shaping Foundation Stick ➡️ $42.00US for 0.26 oz/ 7.5 g Foundation, 0.14 oz/ 4.25 g Soft Contour

SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK | MAKEUPANDTHECITY

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Good morning guys, and, well happy Monday! it’s come to my attention that my link landing pages only work via Safari via computer, for some reason iPad, or on your mobile will not accept it so that should be fixed by the following Wednesday!

Stick foundation are more popular then I thought, yesterday I wrote about NARS foundation stick which you can check out right here ➡️ NARS – Velvet Matte Foundation Stick / Elephant in the blog | MAKEUPANDTHECITY and with the innovation of having the washable, anti-bacterial and replaceable mini Beauty Blender feel sponge on the end I figured today we’d look at SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK which has a full size stick foundation and the complimentary contour shade on the other side, and since they are both around the same price, same concepts with different unique dual sides.

After I am done the review for SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK I will bring back FOUNDATION FIGHT! and put them under tests and see which brand (product) comes out on top!

SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK is a double-ended, face-shaping foundation stick with a full-sized foundation on one side and a complementary soft contour shade on the other, similar to there step-by-step contour sticks in the shade, uh, well ‘contour’ just matched to the skin tone of the foundation but the contour side does the same blendability, scent, and feel as the ‘contour’ shade from the trio.

SIDE NOTE ➡️ find your shade by matching the foundation side to your skin tone (not the contour side) which I would think my makeupandthecity family would know but I still think for anyone new to makeup it’s worth saying.

This is an all-in-one stick that gives you coverage and sculpting very quick. The foundation side gives you medium, buildable coverage with smooth blendability and a natural-looking finish. Use the soft contour side for a perfectly coordinated contour shade that adds dimension in seconds, while it shapes and sculpts with the angled tip. Each end delivers lasting coverage that will not settle into pores or fine lines while allowing color to stay true. Both formulas moisturize the complexion, and offer coverage that stays sweat, humidity, and water-resistant ➡️ I will say that half way I did start to notice that it started to become a little patchy and there was quite a bit of oil that came to surface and I don’t mean oil from my skin (I wish I had a nice hidden little blender hmm) I mean oil from maybe the wax in the product. The contour shade to the foundation shade is absouloutly a wonderful pairing which I could even see just from opening both sides.

SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK is created for all skin types, and is formulated without ➡️ Parabens ➡️ Phthalates. This product is cruelty-free and free of sodium lauryl sulfates ➡️ oil ➡️ fragrance, and alcohol.

FROM SMASHBOX TO YOU ➡️ Live for lipstick? Won’t pose without primer? Smashbox is a beauty brand born in an L.A. photo studio. Their cruelty-free makeup is made to stand up to hot lights, long days, and real life – so you look good in any light and every photo.

⭐SMASHBOX and NARS COSMETICS founders seem to have a very similar life story which we will get into in FOUNDATION FIGHT – SMASHBOX vs. NARS⭐

SMASHBOX BRUSHES AND BRUSH SETS | MAKEUPANDTHECITY

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Before we go on to what I’d like to talk about I just wanna touch base with you guys and talk about STREAMLINE which is my advertising proposals – lately I have been getting offers for advertising for beer and online Poker – and when thinking why would they even offer me that, I was told its because I identify as lifestyle also which is true so I do get but at the same time I’m going to ask you, the viewers if it’s silly to talk about makeup and stuff and then see ads for PARTY POKER. I mean I could just keep those types of ads for posts that maybe they will come in handy.

If you didn’t know SMASHBOX has been working for quite some time on a brush revamp to launch exclusively at Macys, there will be twenty-nine (29) new red brushes and a new ‘gel cushion’ applicator called “The Photo Filter” of course SMASHBOX has called this line of brushes Camera Ready Brush collection – from what little bit I have seen, I do see a little influence from other brushes like Charlotte Tilbury and the way her handles are grooved for more comfort and so that when placed down, they don’t roll away.

The Photo Filter gel cushion, at first really reminded me of the silisponge but the silisponge is hard and to be honest, just a big waste of your money. SMASHBOX did something differently with the Photo Filter gel cushion which is in the name really, gel cushion – so I’m thinking that its going to be a little softer and a little more squishy but in a good way – also if you see promo photos you’ll see the details on the gel mimics the same outline on a finger print, we also already know that the texture will not absorbe any product and it will be very easy too clean. It’s flexible diamond shape reaches every angle of face and it will use a lot less of your product then traditional makeup sponges or applicators.

Next with the revamp and new launch of twenty-nine (29) brushes I think that within a lot of the newer and even some older brush sets SMASHBOX has been including these brushes as tests to see what the consumers has to say about them like the #SHAPEMATTERS brush set, I think we will see a more professional quality brush(s) comparable to the look and application of that brush set, I also as I mention above that we will see similar factors from other brushes (from other lines) in the new Camera Ready Brush collection.

Makeup lately has focused a lot on sculpting features and playing with lighting to shape the face, although this is nothing new to SMASHBOX I think they saw it as a perfect time to revamp and launch a new brush collection which is, well, true! SMASHBOX used to have a full brush section and now they don’t really have many brushes like they used to have – I’m happy to hear that they are doing twenty-nine (29) revamped and new brushes and I hope that they blow us away with quality!

Remember what I said though about seeing similar brushes in this collection that look like they have been picked out of previous brush collections because SMASHBOX does put out a lot of brush collections.

Pictured above is SMASHBOX Christmas brush collection – notice how the metal attached to the handle and shaping the hairs is goes out a little bigger and then to thinner I think we will see that same design from the entire new collection launching soon at Macys – and why not? it looks super cool not just a basic metal component.

I think there will also be a mix of cruelty-free hairs of course, it will be good for SMASHBOX to introduce their new brush line at this time also with all the controversy with NARS and revoking their cruelty-free status to sell in China – just a thought.  At the end of the day – makeup brushes are just makeup brushes not a lot can be done to create or invent a brand new design but I have hopes for SMASHBOX to know this out of the park because lately their new ‘revolutionary’ products have been a little lacking for me.

AS ALWAYS – follow SMASHBOX on IG @smashboxcosmetics / @smashboxcanada

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ALSO the winner of the MACBOOK PRO was contacted and I will give him three more days to respond or ill re-pick a new winner!

MAKEUPANDTHECITY x SMASHBOX – Photo Finish Primerizer

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If you’ve been with me from the get go then you would know, I love smashbox cosmetics, they really were the first brand that I started makeup with, I’ve got an amazing connection with the company and see them every time I am in LA. They have a wonderful team there, especially Laura – shout out to Laura if you see that!

companies put out a lot of products per year – and some are amazing and some.. not so much so today I am going to be reviewing the smashbox primerizer for you guys, I saw the request to review it – and I have had it since before it’s launch but I don’t know we will get into it.

I hope you all had a killer weekend and a good Monday, sometimes I wish, I wish so badly that it was possible to rewind time and unsee something or just let it go, and I swear even if we could only do it one (1) time, I would use my one (1) time right now because it’s its killing me to know this and see someone in a different light in a snap – I need to let it go or sadly let go.

COME on heart and head, get on the same page again.

Back to why you’re here, Photo Finish Primerizer by smashbox cosmetics is a primer and moisturizer in one (1) Primerizer delivers 24-hour hydration plus powerful primer benefits in the lightest possible texture. It was created in our L.A. photo studio to instantly increase moisture by 127% & prep skin for makeup in one (1) step.
This non-greasy, quick-dry formula acts as a makeup magnet that locks on foundation and makes it last.

SIDE NOTE ➡️ I will say one of the things that I love about smashbox is smashbox studios and that they develop everything in smashbox studios in set environment so the products  you know will be good.

NOW here’s the thing smashbox is saying that this is a breakthrough and they thought
this up when in fact a brand as small as ELF (eyes lips face) in fact had this before smashbox had this breakthrough..

Actually a lot of companies have been doing this for a while and it’s been a well known PRO TIP to mix a little primer into your moisturizer for added benefits – I even have a moisturizer that I love by Vichy that I love but it doesn’t really help for oil control so I have always added a little matte primer into it to customize my moisturizer that I love.

Primerizer doesn’t even feel like a moisturizer or a primer, I found it to be very greasy on the skin and made makeup application to look just wet and not a look that any man or woman would want, I don’t think any of the claims really are true to be said – and I’ve really given this a good go because I wanted to like it but when smashbox tries to mix in skin care or try to step into that world, don’t you find the products that they come out with flop? sadly to say.

It did feel cooling on the skin which was nice, I don’t really have textured skin so I can’t say it helped with my texture but it did make under my eyes look nice everywhere else just applied patchy, I would say wait for it to dry down before applying concealer and stuff but it never dries down, there is so much oils or something in this.  

I even have a professional moisture checker for your skin, I applied it to my skin on one hand and allowed it to dry down and absorbe into my skin and my normal hand was 67.9% and then the hand that was supposed to give me intense rehydration only went up top 69.9% and the results on my face weren’t any better. I am not saying that this product isn’t right for you, but it didn’t work well for me or anyone that I know.

SIDE NOTE ➡️ it’s also been shown to cause some breakouts to people who have oily to problematic skin sadly.

HONESTLY – if you have Photo Finish primer and you have your favourite moisturizer then save yourself the $50.00 and just mix the two and you will come out with a better result, I know smashbox put primers on the market but its a primer at the end of the day, we have seen them all and know them all. Smashbox already makes the best primer with Photo Finish. Enough – focus on more new and exciting product development.

Go check out smashbox and the primerizer, and maybe get a sample first before you buy it if it’s something that you think is needed and will work for you and your skin. Click here to go check them out!

➡️Don’t forget to check out smashbox on IG @smashboxcosmetics
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Thanks for checking me out! 

MAKEUPANDTHECITY x SMASHBOX – next chapter in MASTER CLASS! ★ exclusive ★

What’s up makeupandthecity, 

So today I experienced an act of kindness that was super super nice, I met a guy who was really nice and he offered for me to come by the coffee shop that him and his sister owned and I said I wanted to get some espresso and coffee for blogging and I wrote down my page for him to check out, long story short it was right around the corner from me! 

So I decided to bring them a couple of free products for men and some for his sister who he said would also be there! So I get there and it’s closed, so I’m like hmm, that’s kinda strange but he saw me and ran to the door and let me in and he said he was waiting also an hour for me so I was like wow thank you but you didn’t have to do that I thought it was 24/7 and I always said here I brought you and your sister some things, they loved them and were so thankful and he told me I could get anything I wanted on him and I offered to pay but he wouldn’t let me. 

It was just really nice that they would stick around an hour after they closed for me (and had no clue when I said I would be coming and he was very handsome) and I’m really happy to have made two new friends in New York so Google or go too CUPPING ROOM CAFE in NEW YORK CITY because they were simply amazing and the espresso was amazing also! Packs a punch! I didn’t have a photo so I just used a snapchat location and cropped it so it looked a little pretty. 

I will for sure, for sure be going back maybe when they are open to try the menu! 

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It seems when SMASHBOX sets releases a new master class I always seem to get them first which makes me happy – I try to not talk about overly talked about item or items that are, well, hyped up. 

I love this SMASHBOX MASTER CLASS because it’s almost like a little factory in a box to literally create custom shades that you want too with eye shades and lips shades almost how it would be done in a factory which is so so so cool. 

Let’s break it down ➡️ it’s an eye, lip, and face palette of eighteen (18) essential shades and eleven (11) iridescent duo-chrome transformers that instantly step up your makeup possibilities – this palette will take you almost to smashbox studios testing and creating shadows and lipsticks, being playful, from lips to cheeks you’ll learn to master the on-set technique SMASHBOX’s pro makeup artists use to create and instantly reinvent looks with transformer shades. 

This palette features four palettes of essential lip, cheek, and eye colors to create endless looks on their own, or mix with transformers to create over seventy six (76) additional eyeshadows, eighteen (18) lipstick colors, and four blush tones that let you play with a new look every day.

Each palette pops in and out for effortless on-the-go customization which is pretty cool and seems to be included in all the new master class from SMASHBOX. 

It reallly really reminds me for all of you guys and girls out there who have loved SMASHBOX from the get go they used to have a little four triangle pan eyeshadow transformer that you applied over older shadows to breath new life into them and change them completely in fact I think I still have one some where in my archives of makeup – yeah I don’t play around. 

With one swipe, wearable day looks effortlessly turn into attention-grabbing night looks, silky mattes suddenly sparkle, and neutral lips get amped to vamp. 

Oh yes – this master class is one to grab from SMASHBOX and let me tell you if you’re a collector of masterclass you would know how beautifully they can be added to a book shelf and look just like books. If you’re new to makeup and have been collecting the masterclasses by now you’d have it on point. They truly do teach you pro-tips and give you industry insight that you wouldn’t find anywhere! 

SIDE NOTE ➡️ to get you started, SMASHBOX L.A. photo studio pros included three get-the-looks and shade-mixing tips for blending killer color combinations as they also way add to any box, palette, they never won’t teach you a little bit about the products but creating is up to you! 

PRICE ➡️ $80.00 (valued at $300.00) 

Sadly, like all MASTER CLASS by SMASHBOX they are limited edition and only available at Sephora but you can buy it or check it out here!

This product is also formulated without • sodium lauryl sulfate • parabens • phthalates and is cruelty-free. 

Over all I really can’t see anyone being sad with this palette the almost chemistry feel of it and making your own personal shades as you mix and match – who knows could spark your imagination and your on your way to your own cosmetics company! 

DONT FORGET TO FOLLOW SMASHBOX @smashboxcosmetic 

SMASH THAT FOLLOW BUTTON FOR YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE THE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED!! 

SMASHBOX VS. MORPHE ➡️ THE $15.00 SHOWDOWN

So today we are going to let two eyeshadow palettes fight it out and see what one comes out on top! We all know SMASHBOX cosmetics and we all know MORPHE for “quality but affordable” 

To be honest with you for a long time I didn’t really like MORPHE – I didn’t think it was as good as it was, and when offered a code I said no because I will never push something into you, ouuu into you 😉 I’ll push something into someone a little later haha no no seriously I wouldn’t push something ONTO you that I didn’t think was killer or on trend for the right reasons. 

IF you’ve been with me from the start OG makeupandthecity then you’d know that SMASHBOX was what kinda caught my eye in the beauty world first – I think it was the name. It’s the most perfect complimentary name for a company SMASHBOX COSMETICS and SMASHBOX STUDIOS alright so moving on to the to the palettes! 

(please remember that I said fight just as a joke there is not a brand fight or anything it’s just to see what palette comes out on top)

CLICK TO BUY *SOLD OUT

 

So the MORPHE 12P – PICASSO PALETTE is what it is called or the 12P Palette which came out after SMASHBOX cover shots were put out. 

Sometimes a bit of bold color is all it takes to wake things up and change your makeup game. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a way to experiment without breaking the bank or a pro who wants to add a bit of fun to the mix, this palette gives you twelve eye-popping colors to turn your eye look into a work of art.

So having this in my hand right now I will say it does feel a bit cheap, the pigment in the eyeshadows are there 100% but it feels kinda chalky and not nice on the skin. They do hold up pretty nicely without a primer but – you, well, need a primer to put down for sure. Primer or not I will say the yellow (my favourite colour) in this palette is just a lost cause sadly. They do kinda stain a little bit I’m not sure if it’s because of the literal food colour added to the shadows once they are in pan. Also be careful for red and orange because they are also very chalky and will cause uneven application. 

It sells for only $14.99US 

Dimensions of Palette: Length: 3 3/4″ • Width:4 3/4″ • Thickness: 1/2″ • Number of Pans: 12 • Pan Size:1″ x 1″ • Number of Pans: 12 • Pan Size:1″ x 1″

CLICK TO BUY

 

Now onto the SMASHBOX COVER SHOT in shade BOLD which is just one of theshade choices from the COVER SHOT palettes put out from SMASHBOX – SMASHBOX eyeshadows are hyper pigmented and they are super easy to blend they also thought outside the box and added in two base colors to change the intensity of each pigment. 

This collection of 7 high-impact eye shadow palettes is influenced by trends seen at our L.A. photo studio. Each slimline, portable palette has a curated mix of 6 shadows + 2 double-sized base shades that deliver beyond blendable color in velvety, fierce foil finishes you’ll obsess over.

Holding this palette in my hand it does not feel cheap it has beautiful graphics on it just like all the COVER SHOTS have but SMASHBOX always have nice packaging. 

It sells for $30.00US for 0.27 oz

SIDE NOTE ➡️ there is a $15.00 difference between SMASHBOX and MORPHE 
I don’t really find any of the SMASHBOX eyeshadows to apply chalky they apply perfect – they even nailed the yellow shade which is hard to do – also they don’t stain like a lot of electric eyeshadow or eyeshadow palettes out there which again was a plus. 

SO for $15.00 more is the SMASHBOX palette better then the MORPHE palette…yes it is boys and girls it is! But I will say if you are a beginner or just playing around with makeup grab the MORPHE palette and have some fun. 

➡️ SMASHBOX is the clear winner of this show down and receives the star! ⭐️ 

FOLLOW SMASHBOX on instagram @smashboxcosmetics 

★ don’t forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE BUTTON because the MacBook GIVEAWAY has been extended ➡️ and is only for NEW followers so you have an amazing chance to win! I’m so so so excited to be doing this giveaway in partnership with xtrememac ★

🔥 QUICKY 🔥 BOY GLAM

Hey guys. 

So this is a video that I just filmed and I’ll post early next week it’s in part of something with L’Oréal but I just wanted to quickly show you how I apply makeup to a man a show you how I apply makeup to myself always on the daily. Theres a massive difference betweeen makeup and not makeup, who you will see is my friend who was actually sick at the time so I begged because he looked like well, crap. 

It doesn’t look like I’d use a lot for this but it’s a fair share of makeup from, TARTE. NARS. GIVENCHY. MARC JACOBS BEAUTY. MUFE. 

No editing. No lighting. In fact I cover darkness and blemishes in LOW LIGHT for men because I can see them better. I know I’ve gotten into to fights with artists for years telling me to turn on the light. 

Well, the lights are always on. 

Left. Makeup.                          Right. The flu.  

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