Smashbox Vanilla, Suede, Amber, Sepia Always On Cream Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Vanilla
Smashbox Vanilla Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light-medium, yellowy peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage that could be built up to full coverage with a second layer or diffused further for a sheerer wash of color if preferred.
The texture was lightweight, thin, and spreadable, though it wasn’t runny, and it had a velvety-like slip that helped it glide over my lid while applying fairly evenly. It dried down and set to a semi-flexible and transfer-resistant finish, but it set enough that it was no longer blendable once it dried down. It lasted well for eight hours before creasing slightly on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop What's Your Sign (LE, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Desert Fox #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Creme Brulee (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Such Grace (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop No Worries (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Pollen (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Banana Cream Pie (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Nudie (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Fave Things (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Divergent Altruistic Almond (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% 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.
Vanilla
PPermanent. $22.00.
Suede
Smashbox Suede Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a brighter, light peach with moderate, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation paired with a smooth, more velvety consistency that was thin, spreadable but not too prone to sheering out (unless desired).
The product applied evenly to bare skin and blended out well along the edges before setting to a semi-flexible, transfer-resistant finish. I’d recommend working one eye at a time, but I felt like I had a decent amount of time to work with the product before it set. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours before creasing appeared.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Barefoot in the Grass (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- LORAC Brulee (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop PCH (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Magnolia (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Day Tripper (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Peche (Rosé Edit) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- LORAC Pink Beige (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- NARS Nylon (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Légèreté et Expérience #2 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Matte Nude (PiP, ) is lighter (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.
Suede
PPermanent. $22.00.
Amber
Smashbox Amber Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light, golden brown with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, but it had a tendency to apply and blend out to more semi-opaque coverage–but it was even–and could be built up to full coverage with a little bit more on top as needed.
The texture was smooth, thin, and more velvety–more primer like–so it glided well over my skin and was easy to work with. It dried down fast enough not to settle into my creases/fine lines as it did so but I didn’t feel super rushed to get it in place. Once it set, though, it did not blend much, and attempts to blend could result in the product lifting up. It wore well for eight hours before creasing a bit on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Peach Tea (PiP, $16.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Deserted (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- KKW Beauty Calabasas (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia HOE (LE, $12.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Martyr (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- KKW Beauty Miami (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Urban Decay Subscribe (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Kaja Toffee (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Viseart Praline (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- ColourPop Maple Syrup (LE, $4.50) is darker, brighter, cooler (80% 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.
Amber
PPermanent. $22.00.
Sepia
Smashbox Sepia Always On Cream Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light-medium brown with moderate, warm undertones and a matte finish. The undertones seemed slightly muted, as when worn at higher coverage, it had a slightly gray-ish vibe to it.
It had opaque pigmentation with a smooth, more velvety consistency that wasn’t too thin, so it wasn’t runny, but it spread evenly over my lid and diffused nicely along the edges with a fluffy brush. This shade lasted well for eight and a half hours before creasing faintly on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Oak (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop On Toast (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Gravy (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty De La Creme #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace All Mine (Light) (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Your Move (DC, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Narrative (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Nude (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Mumu (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Uninterrupted (P, $17.00) is brighter, warmer (80% 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.
This post reminded me – did anyone else get an email from MAC about an expanded line of Paint Pots (24 colours, maybe) and a “shop now” link but when I clicked the link, all I got was the paltry selection of shades that they currently have. I guess I should check the site today to see if the new colours are are there yet but I’m excited for some new Paint Pot shades (I can’t believe they d/c’d Constructivist!!!)
These 3 Smashbox shades don’t look like anything I can get excited about.
Okay, I just checked MAC’s website and the new shades are up now. There are 2 or 3 that look pretty good, though as I said earlier, I am SO awash in eyeshadows of every type of formula that I don’t know if I really want (I certainly don’t need) more.
You probably don’t need any more eyeshadows Mariella (and neither do I), but when has that stopped us getting excited for new shades…..
LOL, Genevieve….you’re so right!
While not terrible, they just seem to look a bit duller than I was expecting. I could see myself using something like Sepia for a quick one n’ done eye look possibly.
Quite frankly, these shades look a little sickly – not quite sure how you would use them as eyeshadows.
It’s rather sad when you think, wait, didn’t somebody else just do this? … and neither is in the least memorable to you? And it’s not a case of makeup dementia, either. These are of reasonably good quality and might function like a paint pot, but they aren’t exactly inspiring.
Too many +- ingredients. Laziness.