Smashbox Taupe, Greige, Rose, Guava Always On Cream Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Taupe
Smashbox Taupe Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light taupe-brown with muted, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture felt more velvety and silicone-heavy, which resulted in light pilling when I applied it more heavily. I had to be careful with how I applied it, how much I put on my lid, and I had to ensure I worked quicker with this shade to even it out. I found that if I tried to blend it out too late, it was more prone to pilling.
It had opaque pigmentation that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out well (as long as I did this quickly!). This shade stayed on well for eight and a half hours before creasing slightly on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Power Eyes Prime (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Flint (184CM) (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Ambition (P, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Sandstone (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora My Dear Nude (282) (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- elf Thrift Shop (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pebble Beach (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Prissy Princess (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Wilted (P, $6.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Teenage Dirtbag (PiP, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.34 oz. - $64.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "saturated color with a comfortable matte finish" that is long-wearing and won't crease. It has a thin, more velvety-cream consistency that was lightweight, spreadable, and tried down to a semi-flexible feel. It wasn't flexible in the sense that it could be continuously blended out after it had dried down, but it didn't feel as heavy or as clung-on to my lid, which I suspect was the result of the thinness of the product paired with its more powder-like finish.
The dry down was fast, so it didn't settle into my fine lines or creases as it dried down, but I felt like I had a decent amount of time to apply, blend, and diffuse the product as long as I worked one eye at a time. Once the formula dried down, it was more locked on and felt a lot drier to the touch, so I would not recommend fussing with it much once it sets as it could lead to the product lifting away.
Most shades were opaque, while some were opaque but had a tendency to sheer to more semi-opaque coverage and had to be built up in places. They tended to wear between eight and eight and a half hours before creasing a bit on me. I had higher hopes for wear, as I'm a huge fan of the brand's 24HR primer, but they definitely started to crease on me at an average-length of time (powder eyeshadows tend to last between seven and eight hours on me). If I wore them as a base, they lasted better--10 hours or so--or if I wore them more sheered out, it added a half hour to an hour of better wear.
Browse all of our Smashbox Always On Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Microcrystalline WaxCera MicrocristallinaCire Microcristalline, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) WaxCandelilla CeraCire De Candelilla, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Styrene/ Isoprene Copolymer, Silica, Laureth-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Taupe
PPermanent. $22.00.
Greige
Smashbox Greige Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium taupe-brown with a grayer tone when applied at higher coverage and warmer tone when applied as a semi-sheer wash of color. The texture felt lightweight, spreadable, and velvety with a thinner, more glide-like consistency that was quick to set and retained some flexibility afterward.
The eyeshadow had opaque color coverage in a single layer, which could be blended out and diffused for a sheerer wash of color if preferred. The product applied evenly and was easy to work with, and it lasted well for eight and a half hours before creasing a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever M558 Dark Taupe (DC, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Taboo (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Butterfly (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Lofty (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Bali (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Stone Taupe (LE, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- elf Cool Beans (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Shoreline (Cool Mattes 2 #5) (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Weekend (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Nuts 4 U (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.34 oz. - $64.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "saturated color with a comfortable matte finish" that is long-wearing and won't crease. It has a thin, more velvety-cream consistency that was lightweight, spreadable, and tried down to a semi-flexible feel. It wasn't flexible in the sense that it could be continuously blended out after it had dried down, but it didn't feel as heavy or as clung-on to my lid, which I suspect was the result of the thinness of the product paired with its more powder-like finish.
The dry down was fast, so it didn't settle into my fine lines or creases as it dried down, but I felt like I had a decent amount of time to apply, blend, and diffuse the product as long as I worked one eye at a time. Once the formula dried down, it was more locked on and felt a lot drier to the touch, so I would not recommend fussing with it much once it sets as it could lead to the product lifting away.
Most shades were opaque, while some were opaque but had a tendency to sheer to more semi-opaque coverage and had to be built up in places. They tended to wear between eight and eight and a half hours before creasing a bit on me. I had higher hopes for wear, as I'm a huge fan of the brand's 24HR primer, but they definitely started to crease on me at an average-length of time (powder eyeshadows tend to last between seven and eight hours on me). If I wore them as a base, they lasted better--10 hours or so--or if I wore them more sheered out, it added a half hour to an hour of better wear.
Browse all of our Smashbox Always On Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Microcrystalline WaxCera MicrocristallinaCire Microcristalline, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) WaxCandelilla CeraCire De Candelilla, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Styrene/ Isoprene Copolymer, Silica, Laureth-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Greige
PPermanent. $22.00.
Rose
Smashbox Rose Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a soft, pinky-coral with muted, warm undertones and a matte finish. The cream eyeshadow intense pigmentation in one layer, which could be diffused quickly for a more semi-sheer to medium-coverage wash of color.
The formula dried down fairly quickly, though there was some play time, but it was important to work one eye at a time. I found that using brushes helped to extend the play time a bit (over fingertips). The texture felt velvety, thin and spreadable, but not to the point where it was runny. It set to a transfer-resistant finish that stopped being blendable once it dried down. This shade wore decently for eight and a half hours before creasing slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Lilac #5 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Keep Stijl (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Flutterby (LE, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Demure (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Always Pink of Me (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Picking Peaches (P, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Mint #7 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Boho Rose #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Tulle (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Introvert (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.34 oz. - $64.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "saturated color with a comfortable matte finish" that is long-wearing and won't crease. It has a thin, more velvety-cream consistency that was lightweight, spreadable, and tried down to a semi-flexible feel. It wasn't flexible in the sense that it could be continuously blended out after it had dried down, but it didn't feel as heavy or as clung-on to my lid, which I suspect was the result of the thinness of the product paired with its more powder-like finish.
The dry down was fast, so it didn't settle into my fine lines or creases as it dried down, but I felt like I had a decent amount of time to apply, blend, and diffuse the product as long as I worked one eye at a time. Once the formula dried down, it was more locked on and felt a lot drier to the touch, so I would not recommend fussing with it much once it sets as it could lead to the product lifting away.
Most shades were opaque, while some were opaque but had a tendency to sheer to more semi-opaque coverage and had to be built up in places. They tended to wear between eight and eight and a half hours before creasing a bit on me. I had higher hopes for wear, as I'm a huge fan of the brand's 24HR primer, but they definitely started to crease on me at an average-length of time (powder eyeshadows tend to last between seven and eight hours on me). If I wore them as a base, they lasted better--10 hours or so--or if I wore them more sheered out, it added a half hour to an hour of better wear.
Browse all of our Smashbox Always On Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Microcrystalline WaxCera MicrocristallinaCire Microcristalline, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) WaxCandelilla CeraCire De Candelilla, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Styrene/ Isoprene Copolymer, Silica, Laureth-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Rose
PPermanent. $22.00.
Guava
Smashbox Guava Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a muted, medium copper with warm, reddish undertones and a matte finish. The color had a faded quality to it (which isn’t a pro nor a con, just a descriptor). It had rich color coverage in a single layer, which could be applied and diffused for more of a semi-sheer to medium wash of color if preferred.
The consistency was more velvety and primer-like, so while it was thin, it didn’t feel too wet nor was it runny to work with. This seemed to help the product apply evenly without losing all of its opacity, too. I’d recommend working one eye at a time as it dried down and set to a semi-flexible finish (so it didn’t feel too clingy) but no longer blended along the edges. It stayed on decently for eight and a half hours before creasing visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Rock Freak (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Spice (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Crushing It (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Gulf Coast (P, $5.25) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Edges (LE, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Buttercup (PiP, $5.25) is lighter (95% similar).
- Morphe Chestnut (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace You Can (PiP, $5.25) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Canoodle (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ready or Not (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.34 oz. - $64.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "saturated color with a comfortable matte finish" that is long-wearing and won't crease. It has a thin, more velvety-cream consistency that was lightweight, spreadable, and tried down to a semi-flexible feel. It wasn't flexible in the sense that it could be continuously blended out after it had dried down, but it didn't feel as heavy or as clung-on to my lid, which I suspect was the result of the thinness of the product paired with its more powder-like finish.
The dry down was fast, so it didn't settle into my fine lines or creases as it dried down, but I felt like I had a decent amount of time to apply, blend, and diffuse the product as long as I worked one eye at a time. Once the formula dried down, it was more locked on and felt a lot drier to the touch, so I would not recommend fussing with it much once it sets as it could lead to the product lifting away.
Most shades were opaque, while some were opaque but had a tendency to sheer to more semi-opaque coverage and had to be built up in places. They tended to wear between eight and eight and a half hours before creasing a bit on me. I had higher hopes for wear, as I'm a huge fan of the brand's 24HR primer, but they definitely started to crease on me at an average-length of time (powder eyeshadows tend to last between seven and eight hours on me). If I wore them as a base, they lasted better--10 hours or so--or if I wore them more sheered out, it added a half hour to an hour of better wear.
Browse all of our Smashbox Always On Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Microcrystalline WaxCera MicrocristallinaCire Microcristalline, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) WaxCandelilla CeraCire De Candelilla, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Styrene/ Isoprene Copolymer, Silica, Laureth-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I really love Greige for a shade I could just blow out and add just a bit of shimmer to the mid-lid for a relatively easy eye look. Probably not too difficult compared to some of these shades.
I quite like Greige but think I’ve similar powder shadows that are easier to use. The pilling issue with the first shade – ugh, not good. Clearly, I know less than nothing about how eyeshadows are made but you’d think (ha! experience should have taught me otherwise) that if you can make two or three good ones, you’d be able to make them all good and of similar quality.
Guava and Greige are really interesting! I like weird muted colors.
I like rose and guava a lot.. they would make a nice base. If anyone has any feedback pref those with hooded aging eyes. I don’t know how my skin can be so dry and yet my eyelids laugh at and break down product like no tomorrow.
The Danessa Myricks line have some similar offerings and I’m quite tempted by those as well.
I feel you. My skin gets drier as I age but my lids are as oily and hooded as ever
i have the exact same issue. like all the oil and moisture has decided to vacate the undereye and migrate to the eyelid. thanks.
i watched youtubers jamie page and allana talk about loving these and they said that they dry to like a powder finish and have great longevity so i’m thinking that some of the shades may be good/lovely/needed in my life?
I figure these would work for those who want to use them as a base to layer more shimmery eyeshadows upon to create a layered effect. Whilst I’m not a fan of the shade colours, I think they maybe useful.
I have Greige but I’ve had some trouble blending it out, even working one eye at a time. Did you use fingers or brush to blend? I usually use a flat brush for creams but would a fluffier one work better here?
Either! I find fluffy brushes tend to diffuse product better, e.g. for blending or getting a softer, sheerer look overall 🙂