Smashbox Hazel Eye Kit Review + Swatches

Hello ladies! I had received the Smashbox Hazel Eye set as a gift, and I have been loving it. As a girl with hazel eyes, I find that most cosmetic companies tend to leave my eye color out when it comes to makeup sets targeting those with certain eye colors. I either have to go for the brown eye set or the green eye set. Smashbox is right on target with this one!

I've always loved my eyes and I really wanted a makeup set to make them "pop." The set comes with a round eyeshadow quad containing a matte cream color, a matte eggplant color, a shimmery taupe color, and a shimmery gunmetal gray color.

The shadows were very buttery, smooth, and pigmented. The taupe shade was my favorite because it was so soft to the touch. I apply it to my lid with my finger because it feels so soft! The matte shades were easy to blend and not chalky like some matte shadows.

Unfortunately, there is a "but" coming.

BUT, the shadows were SO soft that when I dipped my brush in them, there was a lot of extra product. When I tapped my brush, half of the pigment flew away! Thankfully, the photo finish primer is enough to make the shadows stick.

Here's a tip: Instead of tapping the brush on a solid surface, wave it around in the air for a second so not as much product flies away.

Also: I think that the matte purple shade would look stunning smoked out on light green eyes as well!

The set also comes with a cream eyeliner in graphite and the Smashbox #28 brush for application.

Honestly, when this is on my eyes, I really can't tell the difference from this and black eyeliner. Even in the pictures it looks like a black with multicolored glitter, not a dark gray. Also, the glitters aren't chunky, and they stick in the liner pretty easily. As you can see, there is a lot of product (.05 grams) in the pot and it is heavily pigmented, so this will last you a long time! Smashbox claims that will "outlast 60 eyeliner pencils!" Will it do that? I have no idea!


Application is smooth and it does seem to last all day.





The set also comes with a full size Hyperlash mascara, a full size Artificial Light Luminizing Powder, a full size Limitless Liner in a limited edition shade, plum, and a trial size Photo Finish Lid Powder.

**The label rubbed off of the primer, farthest left**

I really, really loved the photo finish primer. I will buy it again for sure when I run out! I like that it has a slight orange tinge to it, because that helps conceal blue and purple tones on the lid. I even use this under my eyes as a base for concealer! I like it more than the UDPP, because:

1. The design is WAY more practical. No annoying bottle shape!

2. It works better for oily lids.

3. I can use it beneath under-eye concealer!


Now, the liner.... eh. What can I say? It's a normal, brown/purple liner. It's not waterproof, or, it doesn't seem like it. The only really special thing about it is that it has a sharpener, which is great. Personally, I prefer Rockstar 24/7 liner by Urban Decay. Rockstar actually stays on the waterline because it's waterproof. I'm not very skilled at applying liner on my lower lash line so I'm a water-lining girl (Did I really just say that...?). Also, it dries out pretty quickly.

The luminizing powder is a "cult favorite" in Smashbox's world. Honestly? It's a crushed champagne-yellow pigment that doesn't even last very long. It's a highlight you can use under the brow, above your cheekbones, in the tear duct, on the center of eyelids, and even mixed in with body lotion! I tried all of the above, and I wasn't impressed. It didn't last long in my tear duct, it got all over my face when I used it as a highlight, it didn't show up on my eyelids, and I didn't even see it on my skin when I mixed it with lotion! At 20-something dollars a bottle, I wouldn't spend the money.

The mascara, now, is great. It's a very black color that looks amazing on your lashes. It's a very liquid-y formula so I wouldn't recommend this for people with thinner lashes. It's more lengthening than thickening and curling. it kind of reminds me of a amped-up version of Covergirl's lashblast!

Now for the swatches :D

Look at the difference!

Please excuse the color of my skin! It's just the horrible lighting of my bathroom!

Top row: Without photo finish primer.

Matte cream, shimmery taupe, shimmery gunmetal, and matte plum.

Bottom row: With photo finish primer.

Matte cream, shimmery taupe, shimmery gunmetal, and matte plum

All were applied with my fingers!

Sheered out artificial light powder. See how you can barely see it? And no, it's not the bad lighting folks!

No! that's not some weird mole! I blobbed the mascara and blended it out with my finger to show you the black color of it. LOL

Top swatch: Gunmetal cream liner applied with #28 brush

Bottom swatch: Plum Limitless liner


Unfortunately, this box set is not available at Sephora anymore. Sorry everyone! I went on the site to check the price and it was- BAM! Gone. So sorry, but I hope you enjoyed the post!