July 30, 2009

Smashbox Reign Collection Review and Swatches


“The Smashbox Reign Collection is inspired by the ruling era of the English Tudors�an imperial court mired in salacious scandal and royal indulgence. The products featured in this collection are luxe, sexy, and indulgently sensorial, giving a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of royalty…”

Actually I think Smashbox was thinking “Oh my gawd that Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the hawtness let’s base a collection around all that eye candy!” Or at least that’s how interpenetrated it. The Muse has a one track mind when it comes to loving me some JRM.


Jump ahead for the review on the smashing Smashbox Reign Collection!

Oh baby I’m a need the two palettes that were released with this collection so stay tuned for the review on those but for now I’m going to show you three pieces from the collection that created this rather awesome, elegant, super easy look for me yesterday.

Check it.

I got my hands on the Smashbox Reign Jet Set Palette which is hello all kinds of gorgeous. Really they put alot of effort into this collection so props and applause to Smashbox. The palette is a slick faux leather affair with a flip top, full size mirror, two wells with liner duos, a mini liner brush, and a “tudor” Smashbox themed coat of arms design. The palette is quite elegant, don’t expect cheap here, it’s a very nice piece of palette and alot of love and consideration was put into the design, likey! This particular palette houses two wells with snap closures. Inside each well a duo of Smashbox Jet Set Gel Eye Liners await you. You’ll get a deep, dark rich chocolate brown and light brown on one side and a golden metallic bronze and light metallic bronze brown on the other. I’m not the biggest fan of Jet Set liner as a prefer Smashbox regular cake liner from yesteryear but one thing I do love about Jet Set is the ability to use it as a shadow. The colors aren’t deeply pigmented so they blend wonderfully on the eye for a sheer wash of color or build it up for deeper color payoff. I got creative with this palette to create my look as I didn’t want to go all boring on you and just line my eyes using it. To create my look below I used the liners on the right side of the palette, the bronze brown and golden bronze. I placed a bit of the brown on my lid and blended out and proceeded to layer the golden bronze on top. Presto done. I lined my lower waterline with tons of the deeper chocolate brown on the opposite of the palette to set off my brown eyes. It’s a very simple, understated yet incredibly elegant look. Granted I’m doubtful that Smashbox had any intention of creating such a look with the collection but I was feeling all creative. It’s worthy of a pick up in my opinion as it’s travel friendly (hello four liners in one chic case! I likey you to come with me on holiday!) plus the shades all work as a shadow as well.


Now my new best friend is the Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color Pencil. This really beefed up my look with a bold splash of rich red on my lips. Brace yourselves for a moisturizing lip experience as Smashbox has perfected this one. The pencil is dual sided with a liner on one end and a lip color on the other. I braced myself for a rather blah experience as normally pencils aren’t all that fantastic. However, I was simply shocked at how juicy, moisturizing, glossy, and pigmented the lipcolor side was! Whoa! I didn’t use the liner but I did use the lipcolor all over my lips for my look below and as you can see it contrasts amazingly well with my more subdued eye look.


Finally I tried the one gloss that was released with the collection. Again very elegant packaging as this has a tiny charm attached to the gloss with the Smashbox coat of arms emblem. Slightly disappointed with this as the color quite reminds me of the shade released with Smashbox Muse. I personally prefer the bolder look they decided on with the duo lip pencil as this more subtle nude peach is a tad boring however I imagine it’ll go very well with the bolder eye palettes that I hope to review for you soon!


Overall, the Smashbox Reign Collection definitely has royalty stamped all over it. It’s a tad on the expensive side for Smashbox but I must say I’m quite impressed with the packaging, the overall look, and the beautiful shade selections. If you’re looking for a rich makeup look this season do settle on Smashbox Reign. Loving all over it at the moment and Muse Approving it for purchase.

The Muse’s Smashbox Reign Look


So far it’s a love!

3 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

    • the Muse

      stephanie as per the review only one shade was released with this collection and yes it’s called crowned, hope this helps! 🙂

  • sparklyblind

    WOW Muse! I normally am not that all into Smashbox because their formulations are just not up to withstanding the crazy humidity+oily/combo (at least!) type skin of myself, sisters & friends. They have pretty much been off my radar back when I used to work in a Sephora (I KNOW, what a junkie!) and I thought it would be fun to have one of the guys who always did a lovely job, see what he’d lokie to come up for me. Since it was a slow&boring day, he also knew my love of more then just an “everyday look” and we decided to crank it up a few notches. Kinda how the awesome looks in the Sephora Catalouge or instoor stands blind you w cosmetic glory. I was SO EXCITED I swear I could hear Angels tuning their heavenly instruments in preparation of my AWESOME makeover since this guy was REALLY cool&sweet! He’d wear a large pink bihndi on his forehead, almost between his eyes, and straight up Fuschia Lipstick w Fuschia Glitter (I can only assume the lips were MUFE HBECAUSE…) he instantly ordered Smashboxes HORRIBLE old primer that is just grease in a bottle to me & looks & feels terrible! That was THE TOP Primer for face those many years ago & my beauty bubble was seriously exploded that, NO, I had NO CHOICE in the matter even though here we were surrounded by anything I could’ve EVER EVEN WANTED TO TRY. My look would havebeen literally running down off my face! Plus their cream liners do the same thing, it;s sad! Unfortunately for me, I had to say “Thanks but NO Thanks” so he moved onto the next annoying squealor. (One thing I’ll never get is this though: WHY do Women act like a Man, but ONLY if he’s gay, can and WILL do a better job at makeup application? There is really NO truth to it & I’d like this urban legend killed off. (I’LL stop my coast to coast rant:( now sorry!)
    Anyhow, I must have that double-ended pencil!!! What are it’s shades name (I’ll look back incase I missed it, too) Is that available outside of the set, on it’s own? I’m loving that 2sided pencil! Your swatches look nice for Autumn & YOU look beautiful all done up like that! That look is definitely working its way towards the Holidays<3