Smashbox Try Me Set

Smashbox Try Me Set - $25 sephora.com

I've been on a mission to find the perfect waterproof eyeliner. I've tried a couple of liquid liners so far and they're OK but I have two problems: they're hard to put on and they smudge. I read good reviews on the Smashbox cream liner so I decided to give it a try. I found this sample set on Sephora and I liked that it came with brushes. Here's the break down on what's in the set:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

This foundation primer leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and poreless. I don't wear liquid foundation so I can't tell if this primer helps foundation stay on. I've tried this with my powder mineral foundation and I haven't noticed a huge difference.

Smashbox Cream Eyeliner Palette & Cream Eyeliner Brush #9

I thought this whole try me kit was worth the $25 for the mini version of the eyeliner palette and the eyeliner brush. The cream liner with the brush is much easier to apply than liquid eyeliners. The kit even comes with a DVD explaining how to use it but I was still a little confused about how much of the liner to use. I found that the cream liner finishes more like an eye shadow. It's a subtle way to add emphasis to your lash lines but it does wear off quickly. Since I was looking for a long lasting waterproof liner, I wasn't thrilled with the results. Now I'm using the liner mostly during the day when I feel like putting the extra effort getting ready for work. I'm hoping to use the liner brush with other cream liners I might try later.

Smashbox Brow Tech & Angle brow brush

The mini palette also has 4 brow tech colors. The eyeliner brush in the try me kit has the angle brow brush on the other end. Brow tech comes with 4 different colors to match your hair color and a wax to finish off. I really loved the angle brow brush for applying the brow color. I didn't really need the wax because my brows are fairly sparse but the wax hold in the color nicely as well. I like it!

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

I thought this brightener was a concealer. After reading the reviews on Sephora it turns out this is meant to be used over your concealer to brighten your under eye circles. I do have dark circles and I didn't find a lot of help with this brightener. I also use a mineral powder concealer, rather than a creamy concealer so I wasn't sure whether the liquid brightener would wash away my concealer. I find the brightener just so, so and probably not worth the extra step in your regular make up routine.

Lip Enhancing Gloss in Crystal

I haven't tried this gloss because it's clear and colorless and is meant to be worn over lipstick. *yawn*