Smashbox MUSE Collection For Spring 2009 Swatches & Review
MUSE Artist Eye Palette Row 1
If there’s one spring collection that’s been a sleeper, it’s Smashbox’s Muse Collection. It was one of the first collections to be available online (at Nordstrom’s), but I didn’t seem to hear about it much. I haven’t even seen a real review on it yet! So imagine my surprise when I happen upon it at Nordstrom’s last week, and the lovely Smashbox artist tells me they’re sold out!
The MUSE Artist Eye Palette ($48.00) contains ten eyeshadows along with an eyeshadow brush, and every eyeshadow has a great finish, texture, and color pay off. The first row is almost a lighter, pastel version of the second row of colors. It’s a great idea, because then you know you can do a lot of easy 2-3 color looks with this palette. The texture is buttery and smooth–no chalkiness, no skipping. The colors are rich and very much how they appear in the palette, which I can appreciate, since I hate feeling duped! Stila’s Precious Pearl Palette still has my heart, but Smashbox did a great job and offers bargain buy of ten shadows for $48 (Stila’s contains six and costs $40).
The MUSE Lip Paints ($21.00) are semi-sheer glosses with a colored base and then gold shimmer. Artiste is a reddish coral shade, and it is the darkest of the three. Virtuoso is a peachy, creamy shade, while Luminary is a warm baby pink. They’re all pretty, but none of them stood out and made me feel like I had to get one. The MUSE Rush Blush ($24.00) is a nice peach-toned pink shade that’ll go great on warm toned skin, and I think would still work well on cooler toned skin. It’s matte in its finish, and the pigmentation reminded me a bit of NARS blushes. Smooth and rich without being powdery. I must say, for the price of the Lip Paints or Blush, I’d rather just put my money towards the Eye Palette.
Finally, the MUSE Cream Eyeliner Artist Pencil Set ($36.00) contains three richly pigmented liners in Antique Gold, Imperial, Lapis, and Slate. At my counter, I only saw three out, which I believe are Antique Gold, Lapis, and Slate. These liners are really smooth with no skipping, an the colors are vibrant and true to color. The set of four for $36 means you get each for $9, which is pretty good when it comes to more high-end eye liners. I was tempted to get these, but since they were sold out, I had no choice but not!
See more swatches!
Muse Artist Eye Palette Row 2
Artiste, Virtuoso, Luminary
Lapis, Slate, Antique Gold / Rush Blush
thanks for swatches christine!! i never used smashbox but this collection is really attractive. this is not good for my wallet. I just bought BBR today!! 🙁
No problem, Bona! 🙂 Happy to share!
Ooooh the e/s palette swatches are so pretty! 🙂
Glad you like, Anitacska!
I love this! Do you know if it is LE?
Yes, I believe it’s LE!
Christine, do you often buy e/s by brands other than MAC? I remember you mentioning that it is quite expensive to be an addict of more than one brand, and here I am being tempted by this! 🙂
Also, which eyeliners are your favorite? I noticed that you use UD 24/7 eyeliners quite a bit. Do you like them better than MAC eyeliners? I bought a Penultimate recently, and I really like it, but I am also looking to get some non-mechanical pencil liners in black, bronze, honey and white.
Yes and no! Lately, more so. I’ve been trying to diversifying both because I’m getting over the MAC addiction thing (don’t worry, will still cover extensively!), but also to broaden what I review 🙂
I do like 24/7 Liners better than most MAC liners. I like MAC’s Fluidlines, and Penultimate is nice for a liquid liner! 24/7 Liners stay on better for me than most other liners.
I’m a fan of Smashbox shadows, but these don’t really grab me. I do kind of like that shade of purple though.
Aw, that’s too bad, Rio!
WOW These e/s’s are lookin awesome! Do you think that they can be depotted and placed into MAC pro palettes?
I don’t think they would fit, to be honest 🙁
Thanks hun!
I bought the liners, and the mascara and I love them. My swatches of the shadows didn’t look nearly as good on my hand 🙂 I love the lip paints, but I bought cargo’s blu-ray pallet instead.
Aww! I am quite tempted by the liners. How do you like those?
hmmmm…
im not really into pastel colors
i love my eye shadows deep n dark
so this doesnt really tempt me much
Lucky you ;P
The shadows are really lovely. Perfect for spring looks.
I agree, it is quite fitting for spring!
I think I want everything in this palette. 🙂
Can anyone comment on the lasting power of Smashbox eye shadows? I’ve been disappointed in the past by Chanel, loving the colors but having them wear off by noon. Because of that I’ve been sticking to UD, Stila, and Lorac and skipping brands I’m unfamiliar with, no matter how beautiful the colors.
I’ve never had any issues with Smashbox shadows not lasting well enough for me. For me, most shadows just require a good base!
i saw tiffanyd reviewing this on youtube, i can’t remember her doing swatches but she was raving about its goodness…but now that i see UR SWATCHES!!! I love it!! great bargain for some great colours and check out those eyeliners!!!! whoa! the blush is nice too and i love the luminary lipgloss…smashbox…i think i might love u this year 🙂
Haha!! 😉 Glad you like, Charlene!