Smashbox is taking a simplistic approach this season with their new Image Factory Collection for Fall 2012. The collection includes two eyeshadow palettes, two cream blushes and a few waterproof shadow liners. The collection brings us back to basics with warm neutrals and soft colour.

I like small collections. I really prefer to see quality over quantity when it comes to new, limited-edition products… I find it just makes them worthwhile and even more desirable. I don’t have a lot of experience with Smashbox, but it has been a well-known, trusted brand for a long time.

Smashbox Image Factory Collection for Fall 2012

Photo Op Palette

The Smashbox Photo-Op Palette ($39 USD / $44 CAD) in Muse contains six, gorgeous neutral eyeshadows with varying textures.  I love the artwork on the palette as well- it’s really beautiful!  This palette is more for soft, daytime looks, while the other palette, the Icon Palette, features deeper, smokier shades.

I love how the shades can be combined in so many different ways to produce a variety of looks, each of them wonderfully pigmented and so smooth, they blend like a dream on the eyelid.  I’m really impressed with the quality of this palette.  The eyeshadows themselves are quite small, so the value isn’t the best out of all the neutral palettes out there, but it’s worthwhile to check out.

The shades include…

• Russet: A warm, light golden brown
• Truffle: A satin, grey taupe
• Bare: A matte, pale pink beige
• Sandstorm: A mid-tone, shimmery plum
• Juniper: An antiqued, sandy gold
• Sumatra: A rich, matte brown

I really love Juniper and Sumatra together, they work beautifully to create a look that is neutral and soft, but still unique. I created a look here using this collection and my favorite shades from the palette, and it turned out to be one of my favorite looks I’ve ever done!

RATING: A

Smashbox Photo Op Palette in Muse

Smashbox Photo Op Palette in Muse

Top (L-R): Russet, Truffle & Bare / Bottom (L-R): Sandstorm, Juniper & Sumatra

The extra large mirror in the lid is fantastic for travel

Note the size of the palette

Swatches (L-R): Russet, Truffle, Bare Sandstorm, Juniper & Sumatra

Airblush Whipped Cheek Color

The Smashbox Image Factory Airblush ($29 USD / $33 CAD) in Berry Bliss is a gorgeous cream blush! It’s a very unique texture- almost like a foam. It’s very similar to the Maybelline Bouncy Blushes or the new MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadows- if you’ve tried either of those products you’ll understand what I mean. This blush, however, is extremely pigmented- which, combined with the whipped texture really makes it feel light as air on the skin.

The product comes in a small pot with a twist-off lid, and it blends beautifully for gorgeous, flushed cheeks. The color is natural, yet deep enough for color that looks like you’ve been out on a chilly, autumn day. I really love how the color can be built up or kept sheer- it’s versatile so you can achieve the look you want.

You can apply it with your fingers, but I like to use a brush… I find that with cream blushes, especially ones as pigmented as this one, you really have to start off softly with a very light hand and build the color or else it can look patchy and uneven. It has a matte finish, and I also really love the way it looks when patted on the lips- so natural and beautiful! I really hope Smashbox decides to release more shades of this formula.

RATING: A+

Smashbox Image Factory Airblush in Berry Bliss

Note the size

Squishy, foamy texture

Smashbox Image Factory Airblush in Berry Bliss, Swatched (heavy & blended out)

Waterproof Shadow Liner

Lastly, the Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner ($22 USD / $29 CAD) in Metallic Bronze is a thick, chubby eyeliner that can also be used as an eyeshadow when blended out. It has a dense smudging sponge on the opposite end, which I’m really not that much a fan of (I find smudging with a short, dense brush works so much better). The formula is creamy, but I do wish it wasn’t metallic- especially for this collection, it would have been more appropriate to see some matte shades.

The actual product is lovely, it blends nicely and lasts all day without creasing. It’s available in seven gorgeous shades. It works very similarly to the Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows or the recently-reviewed Sephora Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Pencils… it’s a great product, but I think you can also find the same quality from other brands if you look (these chubby, waterproof eyeliner pencils are becoming quite common now).

RATING: B+

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner in Metallic Bronze

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner in Metallic Bronze Swatches

A look I created using this collection, click here to see more photos!

Summary

• Price: $39 USD / $44 CAD (Photo Op Palette), $29 USD / $33 CAD (Airblush) & $22 USD / $25 CAD (Waterproof Shadow Liner)
• Availability: Sephora
• Selection: Two eyeshadow palettes, two blushes and seven waterproof shadow liners are in this collection.
• Overall: I’m really loving this collection- it’s the first Smashbox seasonal collection I’ve been able to test out and I’m incredibly impressed, especially with the eyeshadow palette and cream blush. The shadow liner was nice as well, but pretty easily dupable.
• Rating: A (For the collection as a whole, individual products rated above)