Smashbox Double Exposure Palette Review

Ola bonita chica’s!

I feel awful that I have been away from IMBB for the last few weeks; I have literally been experiencing withdrawal since I have been away. It has been so difficult to not browse one of my favourite websites and work on my reviews and feel that joy when you see them published. But boy am I glad that I’m back, back with a bang dare I say! I have such an amazing treat for you ladies today.

I was on the lookout for an eye shadow palette. Initially, I purchased the Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette for USD 49 because it came with such high ratings, especially on IMBB as well! But after I received it in the mail, I saw some worrying information on the back of the box stating that 4 out of the 10 eye shadows could not be used around the eye area. A little research went on to show that the ingredients in those four shadows could lead to blindness- worrying enough to make them put a warning on the back!! This is such important information!! I immediately returned that and then invested in this Smashbox Double Exposure Palette which is absolutely droolworthy!

Product Description:
WHAT IT IS:
“I love that this palette was inspired by a real photography technique called ‘multiple exposure.’ It’s when the camera shutter opens more than once to expose the film several times during a shot. You end up capturing a sequence that shows how a moment transforms—it’s really powerful. This palette is all about that power of transformation.”
—Davis Factor, Smashbox Founder and Photographer

Think of it as the palette of possibilities. With shadows that transform when activated with water, our latest innovation is all about mixing it up. Each shadow changes in one of four ways when wet—amps up vibrancy, gets deeper, turns metallic or adds sparkle—so the possibilities really are endless. Go ahead. Experiment. Who do you want to be? Whether you’re feeling demure or dramatic or something else entirely, transform yourself with this must-have for self-expression.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT:
State-of-the-art coated pigments make the magic happen. This coating technology creates multiple effects when wet, allowing the shadows to transform in one of four ways. So 14 shadows actually become 28 shades—all in just one palette.

JUST THE FACTS:
• 14 shadows that become 28—just activate with water!
• Each shadow transforms in 1 of 4 ways, thanks to coated pigments that create multiple effects when wet
• Shadows won’t glaze over

Tips:
For best results, first wet the brush, then press it against your hand or tissue to remove any excess water. Then, dip the damp brush into the pan. (We recommend a damp brush versus a wet one.)

Ingredients:

Price:
USD 52 for one palette with mirror including 14 eye shadows (also wet to dry) and one double ended eye shadow brush. Very helpful insert also included. 🙂

The Smashbox Double Exposure Palette comes with a free Smashbox mascara, but please check this in the box before you buy because when I picked it up in store, initially I came home to find a Smashbox eye primer instead so one more trip to the store ensued before I got the right thing.

My Experience with Smashbox Double Exposure Palette:

The palette comes with a double ended Smashbox make up brush called the ‘Double Exposure Brush’ with one side to use as a short basic eye shadow brush with synthetic fibers and the other side as an angled crease brush with real hair. The 14 eye shadows come with a descriptive paper insert, guiding you as to whether the eye shadows are of shimmer, satin or matte finish.

Now the intensity of each of these eye shadows is increased when they come in contact with water and the shimmer finish will either turn metallic, amp up in vibrancy or get a deeper colour. The satin finish eye shadows will either turn metallic, amp up in vibrancy or add more sparkle and the matte finish eye shadows will result in a deeper colour with the addition of water.

In total there are 7 shimmer eye shadows, 4 satin finish eye shadows and 3 matte finish ones. The palette also comes with a very handy insert about different eye shapes like round eyes, hooded eyes, almond eyes, monolid eyes, up and down turned eyes and what is the best way to flatter them using the eye shadows provided.

I had bought the Tartelette eye palette after reading the review on IMBB (massive props to the reviewer and IMBB for that!), but I was looking to expand my palettes. I have been searching for a long while for something worth the value to add to my collection. It took a LOT of research and a few wrong turns (i.e. Urban Decay electric), to finally reach my destination but I’m glad I did!

This palette is completely worth it guys! I love the super handy instructions for different eye shapes that it comes with; it is very simple to follow. The brush included in the palette is of pretty good quality as well. I use the angled end for application to my outer ‘V’, and the other end with the black synthetic fibres, for when I spray the eye shadow with fix+ for that super intense look, or I use it to smudge my pencil eyeliner. I have not noticed any strays from the brushes or any bleeding during washing them.
The eye shadows themselves are amazing. Let me take you through them one by one! I’ll go through the top row before the bottom and list them in order from left to right.

SILVER– Is a shimmery steel grey-ish silver that turns more intensely metallic when wet.
MAUVE– Is a satin finish deep pinkish browny mauve which turn metallic when wet.
PEONY– Is a great lid colour and gives a shimmer finish that turns metallic when wet.
BLANC– Is again a shimmer finish icy white which makes a great brow highlight or inner corner shadow, turning metallic when wet- perfect for a dramatic black and white cut crease.
QUARTZ– This is a beautiful soft gold that I matched with a pastel matte from the Tartelette palette for a daytime cocktail event recently. It gets more vibrant when wet but that was not for me personally.
FLUSHED– Is a shimmer finish peachy brownish pink that gets more intense when wet.
VEILED– Is a satin finish beautiful lid colour which also ‘amps up in vibrancy’ when wet.
MIDNIGHT– This beautiful satin black with blue sparkles is an eye shadow that I am completely in love with. Any of the above mentioned eye shadows paired with this in the crease or outer V, is a look you’ll rock for sure!
TEMPER– This is a deep dark chocolaty brown made to live in your crease. It is in a satin finish with a hint of sparkle.

HAZE– This is a shimmery dirty purple-ish brown which looks best when wet.
NOIR– This is your staple matte black. I love how you need the littlest amount of this for an amazing colour pay off.
COPPER- Pair this shimmery eye shadow with Quartz and top off with a hint of Noir. Boom, Penelope Cruz eyes right there.
FIG- Is a matte rustic brown that I do not know how to control when I use it wet, it is too intense for me! I wish I was better at makeup, but this is a wonderful colour and I hope to learn to use it better!
EXPRESSO- This matte coffee brown looks exactly like that colour of milky coffee, kind of a dirty brown. This is possibly my least favourite colour in the whole lot!

The pigmentation of each of these eye shadows is amazing. These colours stay on my lids for like 10 hours without a primer and they do not crease or fade. I am absolutely completely in love with this palette. Of course, they are more easily controlled with primer and you really do need a very little amount of these, especially on the bottom row, to make them stand out. The colour payoff, lasting ability and pigmentation is all ten on ten. Also I love the size of the mirror in the palette! I can do my whole makeup with it!

Pros Of Smashbox Double Exposure Palette:

• Great lasting power.
• Very good pigmentation.
• Mascara included!
• Good size mirror.
• Very useful handout for application of eye shadow to different eye shapes.
• Double ended brush is of durable quality.
• Solid palette, should not break during travel.

Cons Of Smashbox Double Exposure Palette:

• Nothing!

Would I Repurchase Or Recommend The Smashbox Double Exposure Palette?
I do not think that I need to repurchase this any time soon, but it does come in another variety of colours which I might just indulge myself in! But as for recommending it, oh absolutely! I highly recommend this palette!!

IMBB Rating: 5/5 for sure!

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