Review: Smashbox, NARS Orgasm, MAC, & Clinique

Smashbox, NARS Orgasm, MAC, Clinique Makeup

I made a post on my 2 weeks experience without makeup! Now I’m going to do a review on the products pictured. 🙂

• NARS Blush in Orgasm
• Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit
• MAC Matte Lipstick in Honey Love
• Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

NARS Blush in Orgasm:

Size: 0.16 oz/4.8 g
Shade: Orgasm
Price: $30.00

I was really, really excited about this blush because there’s so many good reviews on it! It’s the most talked about and has tons of raves! It’s one of the most sold and popular color from NARS! The blush is called Orgasm. Orgasm, according to Sephora, is a peachy pink blush color with shimmer. That’s what it is. Take note that the shimmer is a gold, sparkly color. It’s pretty. I like the color. I like the shimmer. Glitter is oh-so-pretty to have on. It brightens up the complexion and makes the skin glow in an instant! But, I find the overall blush color average. The formula is good though! It’s not too powdery. It goes on the skin smoothly. It’s easy to apply and control without over-doing it! So, I’m not entirely disappointed, but I’m not too ecstatic about this blush color. It’s meh. I don’t see what’s so amazing about it. It works, but something is missing. Maybe I should try out other colors from their blush line? By the way, this blush alone is $30 a pop! It’s a hefty price tag for a blush when it’s possible to find another blush that is less expensive and gives similar results! In the end, I don’t think NARS Blush in Orgasm is worth 30 bucks. I’ve fallen in love with blushes from other brands, such as Artistry and Urban Decay that didn’t cost that much. Will I repurchase NARS blush in Orgasm? Probably not.

Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit:

Size: 0.40 oz/11.47 g
Shade: Light/Medium
Price: $45.00

I ran out of my Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Strip! Yeah, a long time ago! haha. I was overdue for a new makeup kit that essentially highlights my features and complexion! So I picked up Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit! Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit offers (from left to right, pictured above) a contour color, bronzer, and lastly a highlighter. All together in one single compact! I find having all of that in one single compact is very convenient. I don’t like carrying a bunch of individual cases around with me in my bag. This contour kit comes in two varieties. There’s light/medium and medium/dark. I have the one in light/medium. My experience with this contour kit is that it’s basic and straight forward. Expect flat colors. There’s no shimmer in it at all. It does what it’s supposed to do. Contours, bronzes, and highlights. Also, it comes with a contour brush that works absolutely well! Even though I like the Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit, I prefer Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Strip a tad bit more. The shimmer/glitter in it brings out my face more while Smashbox Contour Kit makes my skin look dull and boring. I like the fine, soft, powdery texture of Urban Decay Naked Flushed. It’s so elegant and velvety while Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit is the opposite. Still, I think it’s worth trying if you’re looking for a contour kit for everyday usage with no glitter.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Honey Love:

Size: 0.1 oz/3 g
Shade: Honey Love
Price: $17.00

I stopped by MAC after visiting Sephora! hehe. I bought a MAC Matte Lipstick for the first time. I chose Honey Love. Honey Love is a light-beige tone with a rosy hue. I like the color. But also, the name is sooo adorable!! This lipstick obviously (by the name) gives the lips a matte finish, which it does. It seems to last the whole day, or is it because I use a lip primer prior to the lipstick application? What I like about this lipstick is that it’s pigmented, doesn’t have an offensive fragrance (like L’Oreal or Wet ‘n Wild lipsticks I have used in the past), goes on smoothly, doesn’t taste bad (I don’t literally eat it. haha. What can I say? It’s on my lips. It’s bound to get in somehow, lol.), and doesn’t give me horrible headaches! Honey Love is subtle and natural-looking. It doesn’t look like I’m wearing anything at all! This can be worn everyday, but I find it too basic and boring. I like my pinks and reds even if it’s a tiny bit of pink or red. I love color! Color is beautiful! It gives my lips a pop! I love the quality of the MAC Matte Lipstick. Perhaps in another shade!

Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15:

Size: 1 fl. oz/30 ml
Price: $27.00

I remember when I was in high school. I would buy Clinique makeup all the time. I loved it so much! I bought the concealers, makeup compacts, and so on regularly. As time went on, I noticed that this makeup brand made my skin appear orange like an oompa loompa. Since then, I’ve always disliked Clinique. I never bought a single item from them ever again. Until now! I talked about Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 before. Like I said in my earlier post, what drew me to this liquid foundation was that it’s supposed to even out the skin tone, contains SPF (just like a BB Cream). After using Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 for a couple of weeks, I have good news! I haven’t experienced any break-outs from it! This is amazing! Now I have another makeup foundation that I can use that doesn’t harm my skin! What I didn’t like about this liquid foundation is that the coverage wears off in a couple of hours. A makeup primer and finishing spray would probably help prolong the foundation though. I haven’t bought another makeup finishing spray after I finished it. hah. Overall, I like this foundation. I would re-purchase again. Just not any time soon. I’m addicted to BB Creams that’s why! Plus, foundations last for months for me!

Have you tried any of these makeup products? NARS Blush in Orgasm? Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit? MAC Matte Lipsticks? Or Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15?? Leave a comment!

More on Makeup Products:

Clinique Double Face Makeup, Sephora Collection

Makeup Tips: Waterproof vs Washable Mascara

MAC Lipsticks in Russian Red & Ruby Woo

Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm Triple Functions