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A Drugstore Jamboree! My Weekend With the Almay Smart Shade Products

June 6th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 10 Comments

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory
Wearing Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory 100, the 140 Trio for Greens on my eyes, Smart Shade Blush in 30 Coral on my cheeks and Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipstick in 40 Red-Light on my lips

Do you ever want to go to the drugstore and fill your basket with new makeup to try out a whole new look?

That’s something I could never do at a high-end makeup counter, but sometimes it’s fun to take maybe $25 of fun money to buy drugstore colors I’d NEVER even think to purchase from a department store line — you know, just to play. It’s like what I used to do when I first started wearing makeup (at home only, I promise mom!) as a young teenager.

That’s kind of like what I did with these Almay products a couple weekends ago — have frivolous fun and experiment — and I found some things that definitely deserve more attention than they get in the blogosphere!

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory
Almay Cosmetics (clockwise from top left): Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory 100, Clear Complexion Pressed Powder in 300 Medium, Smart Shade Concealer Corrector in 030 Medium, Intense I-Color Party Brights Shadows, Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipsticks and Intense I-Color Volumizing Mascara in 033 Midnight

For starters, I can’t believe I’ve never noticed Almay’s Smart Shade Blushes (about $12). The stars sculpted into the powder are all-American (the brand’s slogan is “the American look”) but also classic Sailor Jerry style nautical stars…so you know that this tattooed makeup lover is all about the way these look.

With these pans, like with regular ombré blushes, you can vary the depth of the shade you want for your cheeks, and the pans also have a shimmery strip that you can glide your brush over when you want to.

I love the look of Coral blended out on the apples of my cheeks with a pop of the lightest shimmering peachy pink on the tops of my cheekbones.

Almay Smart Shade Blush 20 Nude and 30 Coral
Almay Smart Shade Blush 20 Nude and 30 Coral (about $12 each)

Almay Smart Shade Blush
(L-R): Almay Smart Shade Blush in 20 Nude (individually then blended) and 30 Coral (individually then blended)

Tailored to suit different eye colors (but please remember, ladies, that makeup rules were meant to be broken), Almay’s Intense I-Color Party Brights Trios (about $8.50) are stunning! The 125 Trio for Browns has an unexpected trio of complementary purples ranging from a shimmering lavender to a deep plum and a true matte periwinkle.

Even though I don’t follow the “green for greens” rule indicated on the packaging, I’ve been reaching for the 140 Trio for Greens the most often. It has a champagne, a deep plum and a true gold that are definitely not a combination of shadows I would have anticipated working together in perfect harmony blended on my lids (but they do!). I think a smoked-out hint of the middle deep plum shade also really makes my peepers pop.

Almay Intense I-Color Party Brights Shadows
Almay Intense I-Color Party Brights Shadows in 125 Trio for Browns and 140 Trio for Greens
(L-R): Almay 125 Trio for Browns and 140 Trio for Greens
(L-R): Almay 125 Trio for Browns and 140 Trio for Greens

Although I don’t really struggle with acne, I still like to use some makeup with skin care benefits, like when it comes to foundation, I’m always looking for something moisturizing that wont enhance dry spots and eczema. Almay’s Clear Complexion Makeup with “Blemish Heal” tech applies and blends like a dream. I can’t speak for its blemish healing properties, but I like the concept.

And even though the one I tried isn’t perfect for my pale skin tone, Almay’s Smart Shade Concealer Corrector is cool. So many products claim to adjust to suit your skin tone, but this one actually changes right before your eyes. When dispensing it from the tube, it comes out as a chalky white with deep brown speckles of pigment that develop and change color while blending.

It’s a sight to behold! — even for a gal who thinks she’s seen it all.

Almay Intense I-Color Volumizing Mascara
Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory 100, Clear Complexion Pressed Powder in 300 Medium, Smart Shade Concealer Corrector in 030 Medium and Almay Intense I-Color Volumizing Mascara in 033 Midnight
Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory
(L-R): Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory 100, Clear Complexion Pressed Powder in 300 Medium, Smart Shade Concealer Corrector in 030 Medium (applied in a line and then blended), and Almay Intense I-Color Volumizing Mascara in 033 Midnight

And if you’re going to spend an afternoon just playing makeup, you need a trusty makeup remover by your side. Back when I first started wearing makeup, I remember using something like Almay’s oil-based classic because it attacked even the most stubborn and waterproof products, so for someone who was converted to micellar waters and lait demaquillant for years after spending some time living in France, I feel like I’m returning to my roots.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Liquid
And when all is said and done? I can easily remove my makeup with Almay Eye Makeup Remover Liquid!

Myy seven-year-old thinks the trendy I-Color Party Brights shadows have her name written all over them (not!), but she can’t have them. 🙂 These won’t be leaving my makeup collection anytime soon.

It’s so much fun to play with makeup with reckless abandon sometimes, isn’t it? Especially without worrying about adhering to “standby shades” or “rules.” It’s like coloring outside the lines!

Do you have a favorite Almay product? How familiar are you with the brand?

Jessica Revitte


Jessica is a Project Manager by day and a mommy, wife, avid reader and makeup lover in the in between times that really count. You may remember her from her former beauty blog, Getting Cheeky. Jessica is stepping out of beauty blogging “retirement” as a creative outlet and is eager to write about makeup, once again bringing her signature cultural, literary and historical twist to the table. See what she’s been up to these days, with and without makeup, on Instagram.

A Drugstore Jamboree! My Weekend With the Almay Smart Shade Products / Originally published June 6th, 2016

There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Face, Face of the Day (FOTD), Guest Post, Lips

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Comments

  1. Chris25 says

    June 6th, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    Coral looks so pretty.
    Chris25 recently posted … Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Calming Facial Mask

    Reply
  2. sarahc says

    June 6th, 2016 at 4:43 pm

    The star blush is borderline tacky to me but I love Almay color makeup. I want to give the concealer a try.

    Reply
  3. Rachel R. says

    June 6th, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    The blushes are pretty. Love the embossed star design! That gold and plum trio looks gorgeous.

    Reply
  4. Claudia says

    June 6th, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    I love the smart shade lip butters and I broke the recommended for skin tone lines for variety. If you get a chance and like liquid lip balms, try theirs. They are moisturizing and not sticky and rather sheer(on me anyway) but since you are fair they may show up more. Can I ask why you bought the medium concealer since you are fair?

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    June 6th, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    Just today whilst strolling through Targhez (full disclosure: actually booking through to pick up food for my son bc forgot to pack his lunch and it’s the closest store to school), I picked up a Sonia Kashuk matte lip crayon in coral… Just bc it was well under $10 and Marcella gave them a good review! It’s quite nice. I have yet to splurge on a full face this way. But those shadows do look great. Very pretty! How’s the fallout? That always concerns me with drugstore shadows.

    Reply
  6. LindaLibraLoca says

    June 6th, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    I have never really heard about Almay, but if they claim the “all American look ” I would take a wild guess and think we don’t get them in Europe.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Corine de Farme Radiant and anti-tiredness eye care – Planning and dedication

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      June 7th, 2016 at 8:54 am

      Revlon owns Almay, so where there is one you can usually find the other. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kiss & Make-up says

    June 7th, 2016 at 2:08 am

    Awww, so pretty with the stars! Coral really looks oh so lovely.
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Tom Ford Terra Bronzing Powder + Tom Ford Solar Affair Ultra-Rich Lip Color

    Reply
  8. Erin says

    June 7th, 2016 at 10:26 am

    I have a tendency to never consider Almay because they don’t tend to cater to a range of skin tones. That purple trio looks pretty nice though!
    Erin recently posted … Ponzi Vineyards 2014 Pinot Gris

    Reply
  9. denise S says

    June 7th, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    Almay is a brand I think is usually geared towards lighter skin tones. They forgot that Americans are multiethnic. So I don’t have any of their products.The lipstick you’re wearing looks pretty!

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my almost-three-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my kitty supermodel cat (Tabs).

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