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
Brooke says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:15 amMulti-flash is GORGEOUS. Totally something I could wear on a daily basis.
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:05 pmAgreed! I felt my heart jump when I saw that light taupe. 🙂
Joyce says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:31 amThe hot pink in Mega Pixel looks gorgeous. It would look great for night time when paired with the plum color. =)
Joyce recently posted … Shopping Habits and Limits (Pic Heavy)
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:04 pmYes! I’d like it on the lid with the plum along the lower lash line.
Crystal says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 amWow Mega Pixel! Pretty!
Crystal recently posted … OPI Disney Muppets Collection-I Need All of These!
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:04 pmI know, right?
Tracy says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:35 amI used to wear Smashbox eyeshadows a lot, and then I got into MAC, and now other lines. Forgot how lovely they are!
Tracy recently posted … YBF(Your Best Face) Prep Brightening Exfoliant Is Simply Amazing!
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:04 pmI think you’ll love these then, Tracy! Happy Tuesday. 🙂
Natasia says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 amI usually do MAC for eyeshadows too, but mega-pixel looks really cute.
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:03 pmI’m a huge MAC fan too, Natasia. 🙂 These shadows are fab!
Ruchita says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:47 amLove 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.
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:01 pmHi 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!
gio says
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 amMega Pixel looks very pretty! Love that bright pink!
gio recently posted … Beauty Recipes From An 18th Century Cookery Book
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:01 pmMe too! It’s so fun.
Nina says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:02 pmSay cheese!!! I love the names of the trios … and my fave is Hyperfocal.
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:01 pmCHEESE!!!
That gray in Hyperfocal is so your style. 🙂
Nina says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:25 pmyepppp … i love me some grays! 😉
Vijaya says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:05 pmI really like the look of Mega Pixel. Just my style!
Vijaya recently posted … Toolsday: Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:00 pmHi Vijaya,
It’s a fun trio. 🙂
Jessi says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:07 pmI obsessively collect pink eyeshadows so I need Mega Pixel just for the hot pink! Thank you for the swatches Karen!
Jessi recently posted … Wet n Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow swatches and review
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:00 pmYou’re welcome, Jessi!
dani@callitbeauty says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:23 pmLOOOOVE mega pixel! can’t wait to swatch a few of these for myself!
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Cargo’s Mediterranean Collection: More Bang For Your Buck
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:59 pmI hope they have them at Sephora when I stop by later. I’ve got my eye on Aperture and Light Speed.
Mandy says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:55 pmI love all the names of these trios!
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:58 pmHi Mandy,
Me too! The whole line makes me want to take pictures. 🙂
Are you currently a Smashbox fan?
Alison says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:16 pmHey 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.
LeAnn says
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:12 pmAlison, 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 (:
Alison says
August 24th, 2011 at 7:43 pmAh, 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!
Jill says
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:22 pmI 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!
Chris25 says
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:10 pmI think I own Headshot. I’ll take a look at the site and see if there are any must-haves.
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:43 pmPretty 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! (:
steph b says
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:47 pmThese look very interesting.
So sad — stopped by Pinkberry and no more salted caramel! Apparently it is a seasonal flavor.
Karen says
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:31 pmBummer. 🙁 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.
steph b says
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:15 pmWithout 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?
Brooke says
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:25 pmI 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! 🙂
Emma RZ says
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:44 pmThanks 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!
peach_ says
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:58 pmI think I’m in love! Is it bad that I want them especially for their names?
peach_ recently posted … Dior Vernis Gruau G* 837 (Les Rouges Collection)
Naj says
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:18 pmI 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. 🙂
Deborah says
August 24th, 2011 at 10:49 amI 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!
Maggie says
August 24th, 2011 at 6:17 pmHmmm. 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.)
Patty says
October 25th, 2011 at 5:51 pmQVC 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.