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Smashbox Wish For The Perfect Pencils (2010) Review, Photos, Swatches

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils
Onyx, 14K, Orchid, Graphite

Holiday Wishes with Smashbox

Smashbox Wish For The Perfect Pencils (2010) ($16.00 for 4 x 0.03 oz.) are one of my favorite holiday sets, after discovering their great deal last year. This year’s set is actually a better deal, even though they are smaller in size. In this set, you receive four shades, each 0.03 oz., for a total of 0.12 oz. — but for the less than the cost of a single eyeliner (by most other high-end brands). (Last year’s set retailed for $32 for 0.20 oz. of product.) I love this set as a stocking stuffer or affordable gift to give to pals for the holidays.

  • Onyx is a matte, dark black. It’s your standard black eyeliner; there is nothing bad to say about it, but there is nothing different that makes it stand out.
  • 14K is a pale yellow gold with a metallic finish. Make Up For Ever’s #23L is similar–a touch peachier.
  • Orchid is a muted, deep purple. The closest dupe I could think of was Make Up For Ever’s #11L Aqua Eyes, but it’s a little more violet and has shimmer in its finish.
  • Graphite is a silvered charcoal with a metallic finish. This shade is a lot like Urban Decay’s Gunmetal.

These eyeliners are smooth and easy to apply, because they don’t drag or pull. They last all day on me, though they do not wear all day on the water line. They are soft without being fragile–their hardness lies between Urban Decay’s 24/7 Liners and Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes.

Just to be clear, since it seemed like there was some confusion, this set IS different than last year’s – these are Smashbox’s Limitless Liner formula (last year’s wasn’t part of their permanent liner formula).  I don’t think I said they were the same, but just to clear up any questions! 🙂

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  • Product: 29/30
  • Value: 10/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: I do — if the colors are up your alley!

AVAILABILITY: Sephora

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils
Onyx, 14K, Orchid, Graphite

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils
Onyx, 14K, Orchid, Graphite

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils
Onyx, 14K, Orchid, Graphite

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils
Onyx, 14K, Orchid, Graphite

Smashbox Wish For the Perfect Pencils
Onyx, 14K, Orchid, Graphite

31 Comments

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Ru Avatar

Hmm, I do believe these two products are NOT the same formula (this year and last). The pencils this year are the Limitless Liners. Last year, these liners did not exist, and they are not the same formula. I say this because I received a pencil from last years collection and one of the limitless liners in one order directly from smashbox, and the formula, consistency, and lastability are not the same.

Christine Avatar

Hey Ru,

Yup – they are a different formula – but I don’t think I said they were the same (and the box says differently!). I described this year’s formula in the post, which is what I was testing & reviewing. I have no quality issues between the two – Smashbox’s Limitless Liners last all day, apply easily, and give great color without having to go over it a zillion times. The major difference between the two is the non-permanent formula is a little softer.

What was your experience?

Ru Avatar

I guess I read wrong when you said you discovered this set last year- I thought you meant the pencils, but you really meant the holiday set itself :). Sadly, I didn’t experience great wear time on the limitless liners- with and without primer. It does apply easy and give good color, but I found it migrating quite a bit throughout the day. As oppossed to last years unnamed pencils lasted all day without primer and no traveling! I keep wishing they would re-release those; or that someday magically the Limitless Liner would have no limits for me.

Christine Avatar

I’d say the formulas and even just the colors are pretty different! Pearlglides are softer and are more intense (but it helps since most of them are kind of black based, lol!). I do like Pearlglides a bit better 🙂

Limitless dries down quicker!

daphne Avatar

The quality looks great, but I find the color selection so dull. The gold is so pale as to be useless. And who doesn’t have a black eyeliner? I know a lot of people might not have the purple or gunmetal colors, but I still wish there were something more vibrant in this set as the purple is so muted. (Last year’s set was slightly more interesting, but I still skipped it for the same reason. I guess I’m just spoiled by UD’s bright colors and chrome-like metallics!)

Morgan Avatar

I bought these, and they’re OK. I have been spoiled with UD’s 24/7 liners, and MAC’s pearlglides. I was a little sad when they didn’t go on as smooth. But the colors are all pretty decent.

Ashley Avatar

14K is such a pretty color! I use it as a highlighter. I also like the Charcoal (Graphite) color alot. Onyx is a bit dull in the color department. I think UD’s Zero is more of a muted Black and Onyx applies lighter on me. I like UD’s 24/7s and the MAC Pearlglides better. Better color and neither pull or tug on my skin like these do. This is not a bad deal though.

Christy Avatar

I do not support any one of these make-up brands. They animal test and animal testing is torture! All of you should go against this. Think about it…with every lipstick or lipgloss you buy, you are forcing more animals to be tortured.
Animals in the labs undergo totrure, abuse, starvation, they are poked in the eye with needles, they are opened up while still awake, and murdered. These poor animals need your help. Why buy a new lipgloss if your only going to use it for a while?

“Cruelty is one fashion statement we can all do without.” ~Rue McClanahan

Kayleigh Avatar

I was shocked when I read this, so I wanted to do some research and find out if this is true, and it’s not. I checked the PETA website, and Smashbox, MAC, Make Up For Ever, and Urban Decay do not test their products on animals.

Christy Avatar

what a relief! what I heard is that they do, but…covergirl for sure does, though.
Elf is the one that i use and its no 2 animal testing!

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