I’m equal parts enthralled and dismayed that there’s a TV show called America’s Worst Tattoos.
My mind wanders when it’s on…drifting like an asteroid in the Kuiper belt, but then I start to feel guilty for watching it, because I know that I should probably be doing something productive instead, maybe reading something more substantial, like The Grapes of Wrath or For Whom the Bell Tolls or Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret.
But I have learned one or two things from the show, like that there is A LOT of tattoo regret out there, and that because of my fickle nature, I should restrict myself to tattoos of the temporary Cracker Jack variety.
I’m way, waaaaaay too fickle for permanent ink.
Even if I went with something safe, like a picture of Tabs, how would I decide which one?? A single pic of Tabs to stare at for all eternity? But…he has so many good looks.
As an example of my fickleness, I can’t decide whether I prefer the powder eye shadows in the new Smashbox Heat Wave Eye Shadow Palette more when they’re applied wet or when they’re applied dry.
I like both ways for different reasons.
Flexible like WHOA!
Smashbox designed this palette of 10 warm and neutral summer shades to be worn wet or dry. A big WHOOP-WHOOP for that, right?
Why wet?
When I wear ’em wet, I like to spray my brush head with water or a setting spray like MAC Fix+, which cranks up the colors and shimmer. The soft powders blend and spread on my lids like butter on toast.
Fallout frustrations
Wearing them wet also prevents fallout, which can get pretty gnarly with these when I wear them dry, especially when I don’t remember to unload the excess from my brush first before applying.
If it slips my mind, little specks and flecks of powder appear on my cheeks, in my hair (yup!), my lashes, and sometimes even in my brows.
Dry me a river
I also like the softer effect I get from wearing them dry.
Say, for instance, someone we know cried at the dentist today (let’s call her Karen). The tears streaming from her eyes didn’t completely ruin her makeup because of how forgiving the semi-transparent shadows were/are.
The same should hold true for blending mistakes, too.
You’re wearing me out!
Either way, applied wet or dry, these shadows stick around for a decent amount of time. I start to see some creasing, and maybe a bit of fading, about six hours in.
Final thoughts
I like this palette.
I do. I dig the mix of warm and neutral colors and how they go with one another, but fallout like this from a $48 palette?
I don’t think so.
Best for…
A flexible feline. Someone looking for a flexible eye shadow palette with classic summer shades in warm and neutral colors who doesn’t mind having to deal with fallout.
PRICE: $48
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, available now at Sephora stores and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Dental drama
Well, shoot. Found out today that I have “deep pockets,” and unfortunately, it’s not the kind that involves dolla-dolla-bills-y’all.
My dental appointment this afternoon involved some intense scraping, tears (I’m such a baby, but what else is new?) and antibiotics.
Now I have to stay away from sticky and crunchy foods for a week, so no caramel, popcorn, Rice Crispy treats…
Bootsy.
On the bright side, I didn’t have any cavities. 🙂 So I celebrated by stopping by See’s on the way home to get a Milk Chocolate Buttercream.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I also have the deep pockets – it blows big time 🙁 Feel soo sorry for you – I hate it when the dentist do their digging around in there. Hope you feel better now
For the eye lids I always love something that has a bit of glitter. This looks just perfect. 🙂
Sarah
Ugh that is unfortunate that there is significant fallout. I was awing over the nuetral colours in this palette. Hmmm it not like i need more neutral palettes anyhow. Who I am I kidding? We all need more palettes 🙂
Ooooh so pretty! I’m surprised about the fallout–I have the PRO Palette and didn’t experience such intense fallout with those! Too bad :/ I love the shades in this one though, especially the bottom row! The last 2 shadows in the row are SO me!! 😀
Oh and don’t worry about crying at the dentist–I do that ALL the time. I think I have a fairly healthy threshold for pain anywhere else on my body but IN my mouth? Oh God I freak out! I sobbed like a baby when I had to get a root canal a few years back. Worst thing ever! When I got one of my wisdom teeth out in the fall, I had to be heavily sedated 😛
I’m sorry about your non-dolla-dolla-bill deep pockets. 🙁 I fear deeply for my next dental visit. I’ve noticed some new “weak spots” and well, I’m scurred.
I’m also sorry to hear about the fallout from this palette. I don’t own a single thing from Smashbox, come to think of it, but fallout at this price point is always disappointing.
Too bad for the fallout, otherwise this palette seemed great.
Eesh, sorry about the dentist! My cousin had to get an emergency root canal for her birthday the other day.
The colors in this palette are gorgeous, as is T-Money
Hmmm, weird, I didn’t get much fall out. The powder crumbles a bit in the pans, yes, but during the application it doesn’t actually cause any fall out for me. I really like everything about the palette 🙂
Bummer about the fall out. 🙁 I really like the look of the palette aside from that! Sorry about your dental drama, but yay for no cavities! I hate going to the dentist since I went through dental assistant school. I don’t like knowing what’s going on apparently!
Hi Amber,
It’s a pretty palette, for sure. I do love it wet more than dry though.
Are you a dental assistant?
Karen – I completed dental assistant school and did my externship at an oral surgeons office (loved the medical aspect of it). I got sick (late stage lyme disease) and haven’t been able to work since. That was a couple of years ago. Honestly, when I am better (I will be, mark my words lol!) I don’t think I’d even want to work in a dental office. Shhhh, don’t tell my parents! They probably wouldn’t be happy to hear that since I waited till 30 to go to college and I’m sure expect me to follow thru…
Awwww, man I hope your moth feels better soon! I hate the dentist. I mean I like her as a person, but hate going there. Whenever she does something, it seems to screw something else up in my mouth!
Too bad about the fallout on this palette! I like Smashbox, but I find they can be hit or miss.
Hi Tracy,
I like every one at my dentist office too; they kindly put up with my crazy! 🙂
When are you leaving for California?
Love the colors but the fallout is a bummer. 🙁
Oh my gosh -hugs- I HATE the dentist.
Karen, have you tried this recipe ( once/twice a week, evening only ) :
Mix : Hydrogen Pexoxide 10 + Sodium Bicarbonate ( into a paste and brush your teeth ). Then rinse your mouth carefully.
It works, but it’s a ” schock treatment ” to be used once or twice a week, not more.
This advice comes from a dental surgeon.
Back to the palette 🙂 it’s available on Sephora.fr but quite pricey, well I’ll pass even if it’s pretty on the whole.
I NEED this palette! I have super fair skin but these colors look wearable, yet a little different from all the other neutral palettes out right now. I love the smashbox eyeshadows I already have.
I cried last time I went to the dentist too and they gave me laughing gas (I was having a cavity filled) and I have to say it made the whole thing completely manageable! If it’s in your budget or insurance will cover it, it’s totally worth trying.
See’s candy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t often eat candy (hey, a girl’s gotta watch her figure) but when I do, ONLY See’s candy will do 🙂
Oh and too bad about the fallout. The palette colors look gorgeous but of course they gotta perform, too, in order to be a contendah 😉
Thanks for posting!
Tried this palette and I think the fall out is an issue. Not really great when you are in a hurry but the colors are awesome by the way! Especially the orange/bronze!
Did you wear an eye shadow primer with the eye shadows? What other summer eye shadows palettes, or individual colors would you recommend?