40 Days And 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 34, Smashbox

Cavewoman: Smashbox Cosmetics is the baby of two great-grandsons of Max Factor. Holding the family legend carefully, the Factor heirs Dean and Davis created a line of cosmetics that were first used in photo shoots at the Smashbox Studio in Los Angeles. The line is full of great performers. My love of the PhotoFinish primer has been well-documented, there's nothing else I can say about it, other than the fact that it has seemed to inspire a primer-type product from almost every other cosmetic line I can think of. Often imitated but never equalled, it remains the best of the silicone-based primers, and it delivers what it promises.

But my new favorite from Smashbox departs from the serious, performance-oriented product philosophy of this line, and heads to the whimsical. I didn't even know for sure what Tokidoki meant, but one look at the Tokidoki Soft Lights called DolceVita, with its adorable flat kabuki brush, and I was headed to the checkout counter at our nearest Sephora. I'm always looking for the perfect cool-toned pink blush. Add a dab of shimmer and I'm buying. It was only when I got home with my purchase that I opened the box and read the explanation of what is Tokidoki. Here is what I found:

"Tokidoki means 'sometimes' in Japanese, because everyone waits for moments that change their destiny. Tokidoki is the hope and hidden energy everyone has inside that gives us the strength to face each new day and dream that something positive, something magical will happen to us. Smashbox Cosmetics is proud to present Tokidoki, an exciting new collection designed and illustrated especially for us by the ever-inspiring artist/creator Simone Legno."


To me, this DolceVita shade is my favorite pink powder blush. It can be used as an all-over face glow too, but I apply translucent loose powder over it to tone it down a bit if I am using it as an allover color. Soft and glowing as are the other Soft Lights shades, the texture is even and application is smooth. When using the product as a blush, I prefer to use a regular blush brush, because the kabuki brush is a bit too large and flat for me. I use the kabuki with other shimmery finishing powders, and it is easy to get an even application and to dust off any excess, too. I like the flat kabuki because it does not lay on too much color. I have also used the Tokidoki brush to apply loose powder over the DolceVita, to tone down the color and just give a subtle hint of pink. The pink works well as an eyeshadow, too, especially when combined with silvers and grays. Don't let the vibrant color intimidate you, because this shade is easy to wear if you're a cool-toned person who wants a fresh just-spent-the-day outdoors look.
It's been a very long, dull, cold, gray Winter in Ohio. I'm swiping on a bit of Spring with Tokidoki DolceVita, and finding a bit of that hidden energy for myself.

Annieytown: I have gushed over smashbox primer since this blog started so I will not bore you with another glowing review. Instead I am going to focus on the fabulous Smashbox Soft Lights. This is a jumbo pot of a velvet like powder that adds subtle color and shimmer to the face. The effect is luminous and flattering. I loved all the colors but caved on the Lens shade. It is a sheer apricot color that manages to perk up your complexion and give you a well rested glow.

The shades are Highlight(an apricot with iridescent pink), Prism(soft rose petal shimmer), Lens(soft peachy shimmer), Tint(shimmery pink bronze) and Shimmer(shimmery nude bronze).

http://www.smashbox.com/

What are your favorite products from Smashbox? Let us know in the comments!
Photos: Cavewoman and Sephora.
I am posting this review early because I will be out of town.
Have a lovely weekend!

Disclosure: These products were purchased by the reviewers.