You don’t have to be a photography nerd to appreciate these new Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trios ($28 each), but it wouldn’t hurt if you are. For gals familiar with the photographic arts, the 16 trios in the line, each with three coordinating powder eyeshadows, have fun photography-related names like Aperture and Telephoto (I’m surprised they left out ISO and Bokeh).
For the past couple of seasons, I’ve been a little unsure about Smashbox’s eyeshadows. I thought many of them were hit or miss, and I’ve had issues with texture, fallout, wear time, blending and pigment. These new ones, however, are restoring my faith in the line.
I’ve been having a blast with two of the trios this week, Multi-Flash (a trio of nude pink, peach and taupe) and Mega Pixel (a pink, raspberry and plum). First things first — no fallout (yay!). The colors in each trio deposit pounds of pigment yet remain easy to blend. Plus, they’ve been lasting all day long on my oily lids without creasing or fading. 🙂
Mega Pixel
Multi-Flash
Swatches of Mega Pixel (three on the left) and Multi-Flash (three on the right)
I think this calls for a trip to Sephora this week to swatch the rest of the line. Something tells me quite a few of these will be hard to resist.
PRICE: $28 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Multi-flash is GORGEOUS. Totally something I could wear on a daily basis.
Agreed! I felt my heart jump when I saw that light taupe. 🙂
The hot pink in Mega Pixel looks gorgeous. It would look great for night time when paired with the plum color. =)
Yes! I’d like it on the lid with the plum along the lower lash line.
Wow Mega Pixel! Pretty!
I know, right?
I used to wear Smashbox eyeshadows a lot, and then I got into MAC, and now other lines. Forgot how lovely they are!
I think you’ll love these then, Tracy! Happy Tuesday. 🙂
I usually do MAC for eyeshadows too, but mega-pixel looks really cute.
I’m a huge MAC fan too, Natasia. 🙂 These shadows are fab!
Love these! I like that they are a trio of shades in one little package – great for traveling and a no-brainer when I don’t feel like figuring out what shades to use together.
Hi Ruchita,
Yes, I agree. Sometimes I just don’t want to have to think when it comes to pairing up eyeshadow colors. This makes it so easy!
Mega Pixel looks very pretty! Love that bright pink!
Me too! It’s so fun.
Say cheese!!! I love the names of the trios … and my fave is Hyperfocal.
CHEESE!!!
That gray in Hyperfocal is so your style. 🙂
yepppp … i love me some grays! 😉
I really like the look of Mega Pixel. Just my style!
Hi Vijaya,
It’s a fun trio. 🙂
I obsessively collect pink eyeshadows so I need Mega Pixel just for the hot pink! Thank you for the swatches Karen!
You’re welcome, Jessi!
LOOOOVE mega pixel! can’t wait to swatch a few of these for myself!
I hope they have them at Sephora when I stop by later. I’ve got my eye on Aperture and Light Speed.
I love all the names of these trios!
Hi Mandy,
Me too! The whole line makes me want to take pictures. 🙂
Are you currently a Smashbox fan?
Hey Karen, I know that Smashbox recently redid a lot of their packaging, including the eye shadows. Do you know if any of these trios are just re-named versions of the trios in the old packaging? Some of the color combos look kind of familiar.
Alison, some of the color combos are the same, but the formula has changed quite a bit! They went from being a little powdery (sometimes chalky) to really velvety and smooth, and just a tad less matte. The new formula is 20x better IMO (:
Ah, thanks! I was really into Smashbox when I first started getting into makeup, but as I tried more brands out, I kind of slowly forgot about them (although I do still use their primer). I’ll have to revisit the brand and check these out!
I like the look of these! I want to check out Quick Take and Headshot in person. I’ve never tried their eyeshadows but now I just might!
I think I own Headshot. I’ll take a look at the site and see if there are any must-haves.
Pretty colors, but a bit expensive for me. I think I’ll pass on these. I got the trio in Hot Date last year at Sephora for $5 so I’ll wait. $5, yes. $28? Nope.
I’m saving up for the Urban Decay Naked Palette! (:
These look very interesting.
So sad — stopped by Pinkberry and no more salted caramel! Apparently it is a seasonal flavor.
Bummer. 🙁 I’ve been craving their yogurt BIG TIME lately (the closest Pinkberry is at Virgin terminal in the SF airport… BOO).
I vote you go back tomorrow and eat an extra serving of their plain flavor so I can vicariously live through you.
Without salted caramel, I’m sticking with Red Mango. I like their original better. I was seriously bummed. I mean, what better way to get over an earthquake than with a little salted caramel pick me up?
I purchased a trio from the last Smashbox line (I think it was called Photo Op, too?) and HATED it. Like you mentioned, the texture and staying power was horrible…and for that price I expect good results! 🙂 Glad you liked these – gives me an excuse to run to Sephora – as if I needed another excuse! 🙂
Thanks for the review, Karen. It’s nice to know about these. I’m desperate for someone to review Glambox 9. Any hope it might be you? I’ve only found 1 review so far but number 8 had so many reviews!
I think I’m in love! Is it bad that I want them especially for their names?
I was a media student, so the names get me excited. What a nerd! The swatches are great. And you know what, you got me into using taupe shadows. 🙂
I bought the trio set ‘Filter’ a few weeks ago from Sephora, and I fell in love! I use it everyday, in every way. It’s the best set of colors for casual outings, or a dramatic smoky eye (which I do often) for a night on the town!
Hmmm. Might have to give Smashbox another try. They eyeshadows haven’t impressed me in the past, with a few exceptions. (They tended to really wander and crease.)
QVC now has an offer for all of these e/s trios. The palette has 56 shadows all full size, eight creme liners, two blushes, three soft lights (highlighters), four brow tech powders and a wax, and four lipglosses all for under $100 bucks. It’s called Smashbox Photo Op Mega Palette A217751. Pretty good value I’d say and the packaging is not too bulky like some palette’s of this kind tend to be. Go check it out ladies if you’re interested.