Table of Contents
About Smashbox
When it comes to creating a flawless and beautiful makeup look, the readiness of your face and the quality of the makeup and applicators are two incredibly important factors. In order to get beautiful art, you need good quality formulas, high-pigmented hues, and longwearing cosmetics. And that’s what Smashbox cosmetics does for you.
Well-known for their primers and their longwearing, incredibly pigmented shades, the brand has been featured in notable media outlets like Business Wire, AP News, and Byrdie, to name a few. With 4.2M followers on Instagram and 1.9M likes on Facebook, it’s evident they are a brand that has long lasting power, much like their makeup.
We will reveal the truth behind the brand in order to let you decide for yourself whether the brand is worth your buy. Stay with this Smashbox review to look into the company’s policies, practices, customer and product reviews to see if they might just be worth the buy.
Overview of Smashbox
Founded 1996 by Dean and Davis Factor (grandsons to makeup giant Max Factor), the brand started with the idea that if it could work in the photo studio, it would work in the real world. From that initial concept, Smashbox grew into its current form today with its cult-like following, especially for their primers.
Now owned by Estée Lauder since 2010, the company is headquartered in Culver City, CA, with the Factor brothers still leading the makeup brand. Sold in multiple retailers—both department stores and drug stores—globally, the brand has been focused more on making products that are not tested on animals, with a few select vegan items as well.
There is a ton of information to give about the brand, but before we take a deep dive into it, this Smashbox review will look at some initial highlights:
Highlights
- Variety of cosmetics that deliver on pigment and aesthetic promises
- Affordable and globally accessible
- Good reviews across the board
- Ships around the world
- Free of artificial dyes, sulfates, and parabens
- Not tested on animals and certified by PETA
- Afterpay available for orders over $35
Our Smashbox review will feature their lipsticks, foundations, primers, and eye palettes. All items are available on the company website, and some of them are best sellers. Ready to look flawless for your closeup? Let’s dive in.
Smashbox Lipstick Review
Get those lips ready because Smashbox lipsticks are an impressive collection to use. As their main concept centered around making sure it worked both in the photo studio and the real world, you know their lipsticks are bound to last you a long time, without having to reapply every other hour.
In this section of the Smashbox review, we will take a look at two of their bestsellers—a plumping one and a long lasting color. We will not be looking at Smashbox lip glosses but we do encourage you to check them out on the brand’s site!
Smashbox Be Legendary Prime & Plush Lipstick Review
There are some lipsticks that once on, the product can sink into the little cracks in your lips, ageing you badly. Definitely not a cute look. But that’s where the Legendary Prime & Plush Lipstick can help you out. It has the primer already built in plus other ingredients, like ceramide to create a barrier on your lips, so the product doesn’t leave your lips looking flaky or dry.
Not tested on animals, the lipstick is made with different oils such as jojoba, sunflower, castor seed, and soybean extract to make sure your lips remain plump throughout the day. You even get staying power with gorgeous color along with a beautiful glossy finish. Smashbox babe alert, anyone?
With 22 different colors to choose from, you will be able to find one that matches your mood for the day.
The Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick retails for $24.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick Review
The main problem with liquid lipstick is that a lot of times, they give you lasting power but also dry your lips out. Don’t worry, the Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick is here to rescue you from that dry lip hell!
Made with a special blend of oils—jojoba, apricot, and sunflower—this Smashbox liquid lipstick will have you serving looks all day long, without feeling like the product has sucked you dry to keep the long lasting effect.
Choose from 37 incredible colors so you can surprise people the moment they spot you in a crowd, especially if you’ve got a spicy rendezvous. Check out one of their more popular colors, Smashbox Out Loud, to see if it might match your mood for a date night. And don’t forget the color, Smashbox Stepping Out, for those days when you definitely have a lot to say.
The Always On Liquid Lipstick retails for $24.
Smashbox Foundation Review
With anything, a strong foundation is necessary to build a look around. And the same can be said for your makeup. And that’s where Smashbox foundation really shines—they created a base that will stay on throughout your work day or date without you worrying if you’ve got weird streaks.
In this section of our Smashbox review, we will take a look at three different types of foundation, ranging from different types of coverage and even sun protection.
Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Hydra Foundation Review
If you have an oily complexion, it spells trouble for any foundation user. By midday, you might have patches of your skin showing through because you accidentally scratched yourself or rubbed against your clothing. That’s a big no-no. Not to worry, the Smashbox 24 Hour Hydra Foundation can help you out.
What’s great about this oil-free foundation is that it also has hyaluronic acid in it to help minimize the look of crow’s feet and wrinkles, and you won’t get the shiny forehead people typically have by the afternoon. Best part about this foundation? You can build it up—from medium to full—and it won’t affect your acne-prone skin.
With 40 shades to choose from, you will be able to find one that matches your skin tone best while looking fresh all day long.
The Hydra Foundation retails for $38.
Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage 24 Hour Foundation Review
If you’re going from work to an evening out, you definitely want a foundation that will keep up with you. And that’s what Smashbox Full Coverage Foundation will do.
Made with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to keep you looking refreshed (with its light matte finish) at every moment, this sweat proof and foundation will make sure your skin won’t draw attention in a bad way.
There are 39 foundation shades to choose from so you can be sure your shade is included.
The Skin Full Coverage Foundation retails for $38.
Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 Review
If thinking about putting on foundation on a daily basis is not your cup of tea, then perhaps the Smashbox Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer with SPF is more your speed. Instead of putting on a layer of foundation, you can use their weightless moisturizer that gives you a hint of healthy glow.
Combining primer, tinted moisturizer, and SPF 25 in one, this product has rose extract, goji berries, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid blended in it to give you a refreshed look. This provides you with a light coverage, unlike Smashbox BB creams, but it’s great if you just want to even out your complexion.
There are only 12 shades to choose from so you can find one that matches your skin tone the closest.
The Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 retails for $38.
Smashbox Primer Review
The product that put Smashbox on the map, their primers are truly out of this world. The formulation will give you a flawless finish that you won’t be able to believe when you look in the mirror.
In this section of the Smashbox review, we will take a look at two of their best sellers—a cream-based and oil-based primer.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Review
Everyone knows how important primer is for your makeup routine—it helps you to set the foundation in place and to mask any flaws you think you may have.
This clear satiny-smooth gel formula will obscure those fine lines and imperfections in one swipe, even guarding your skin against other environmental factors like pollution. Made with a blend of vitamin A and E, this formula maintains the skin’s moisture and allows your makeup to go on more easily.
Not tested on animals and vegan, you will jump for joy when you spy your gorgeous skin in a passing mirror.
The Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer retails for $38.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil Review
If you tend to have dry or combination skin, putting a primer on may not be enough to help give your skin that necessary moisture to ensure your foundation doesn’t pick up on the dryness. That’s where you can use the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil.
To give yourself that dewy glow, this primer oil includes natural ingredients such as safflower seed, lemongrass, and soybean oils. Not only does this primer help your makeup glide on more smoothly, it also aids in extending its life too. Best thing about this primer? It even minimizes those fine lines as well. Who could ask for more?
A little drop can go a long way with this primer. The Photo Finish Primer Oil retails for $42.
Smashbox Palettes Review
The fun thing about eyeshadow palettes are the ability to create an iconic look of your own. There’s no need to follow in other people’s footsteps because these colors are here for you to play with.
In this section of the Smashbox review, we will look at one of their more popular eyeshadow palettes and see what sets it apart from the others. We will not be going over any contouring palettes like the Smashbox Cali Contour but we invite you to check it out on their website.
Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Palettes Review
Lackluster eyeshadows? Not here. Smashbox is all about strong colors, making sure your palettes have pigments that won’t disappear the moment you brush it on your eyelids. And with Cover Shot Eye Palettes, you won’t ever have to keep applying.
Imagine the amount of looks you can create with these eyeshadows. With two main shades to use as a base, you will have six vibrant colors to play with. Best thing about this is that the formulation is made without any nasty preservatives so even for sensitive eyes, you won’t ever have to worry about it irritating you.
The palette comes in nine variations, including matte, minimalist, sunlit yellow, and more. Whatever mood strikes you that day, you will definitely find a palette to match it.
The Cover Shot Eye Palette retails for $29.
Is Smashbox Good for Acne-Prone Skin?
Several of Smashbox’s products have been called out by customers as being ideal for acne-prone skin types. On several online platforms, the Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Primer Light is at the top of the list of favourite primers for acne-prone skin. The silicone and oil-free formula is so lightweight that it doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
The company also offers products to improve the look of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and acne scars with their Camera Ready CC Cream and Color Correcting Stick.
Who is Smashbox For?
Smashbox is for any makeup lover that values obtaining picture-perfect looks that can last all day. The company is known for its amazing and effective primers and long lasting cosmetics, which have attracted professionals, customers, and makeup lovers from all walks of life.
Of course, if you have any allergies to common ingredients in cosmetics, consult a makeup specialist before applying the makeup. Otherwise, if you are curious about how a particular product or shade would look on you, feel free to use Smashbox’s online foundation finder or virtual try-on tools.
Comparison: Smashbox vs. Boxx Cosmetics
Now that you have an idea of what the brand offers, this Smashbox review will take a look at one of their competitors: Boxx Cosmetics.
Founded in 2005 by Sandra Milligan, the Canadian brand offers affordable, high-quality cosmetics that are cutting-edge and environmentally conscious. Boxx has retailers in various locations in Canada and ships to several countries across the globe.
The brand allows you to put together shades that are your preference so you can have your very own palette of favorite colors. This way, everyone gets their own little box, and you won’t be left scratching your head on what colors would look best on you.
Boxx doesn’t market any product as a ‘primer’ per se, but they offer cream correctors that can act as primers. Each shade costs approximately $24 per 0.14 oz. Smashbox primers range from $35 to $45 for 1 oz.
The Boxx cosmetics lip colors will cost you between $16 to $18 for 0.05 oz, while the Smashbox cream and liquid lipsticks range from $24 to $30 for 0.14 oz, depending on the formulation and type of lip product.
It appears you get more product from Smashbox, and there are more options as opposed to the one-size-fits-all hues from Boxx. Learn more about Boxx here: https://www.boxxcosmetics.com/.
Smashbox Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
This Smashbox review wouldn’t be complete without taking a look at what customers have been saying about the brand. Let’s dive in.
Influenster has an article on the top-rated Smashbox products, according to rave customer reviews. In general, it appears the brand is rated 4.2/5 stars with many products reaching the near perfect 5 stars.
Site visitors sing the praises of Smashbox, saying things like “I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Smashbox… I need to add this brand to my make-up bag”.
On Sitejabber, Smashbox is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 89 total reviews. Majority of the reviews are positive, with customers commenting things like, “I love all the products from Smashbox. (They love my) skin! I have been using these makeup cosmetics for a long time! Thanks also for the excellent service and fast delivery. Highly recommend.”
One customer boasts about Smashbox offering ‘Awesome Products’, especially their line of primers: “Each brand has those products that can be called a “business card”. Smashbox’s calling card is, definitely, primers. For me as for the make-up artist they are fantastic, your makeup will last for long with the help of their primers.”
Negative reviews, which are extremely far and few between, are either reprimanding the company for poor customer support, or in regard to a particular product that didn’t work for that specific person. They are greatly overshadowed by the abundance of love for the company.
Is Smashbox Worth It?
Their primers are beloved by several beauty YouTubers, and their cosmetics are constantly used by professionals and artists worldwide. They are super accessible, super fair on returns, and approachable, having several ways for customers to reach out to them.
They give you so many ways to save on the site and offer products for all skin types and tons of skin colors. Of course, we would always advise looking into a product before buying it, but with Smashbox, the likelihood that you will love it is quite high, given the amount of support it has on several platforms.
Smashbox Promotions & Discounts
This Smashbox review found multiple ways to save on their website:
- SmashCash: The brand’s loyalty program. SmashCash is only open to legal US residents 18+. Once you join, you will see 3 levels—Fab, Fierce, and Fearless—which determine the amount you spend. Fab and Fierce members earn 1 point for every $1 spent, while Fearless members earn 2 points for every $1 spent. Learn more here.
- Smashbox Pro: Industry pros get discounts on Smashbox items, along with insider intel and trend alerts from the company.
- Free shipping, returns, and samples on every order—no code needed.
- Free gift with orders over $60.
Where to Buy Smashbox
Smashbox is available on the brand website: smashbox.com. You can also find Smashbox products in participating physical stores such as:
- Sephora
- Ulta
- Nordstrom
- Walmart
- Shoppers Drug Mart
In order to locate a Smashbox retailer near you, use the brand’s online store locator tool.
FAQ
Where is Smashbox made?
Smashbox is manufactured by Estée Lauder Companies Inc. which has factories creating the makeup in the US.
Is Smashbox vegan and cruelty-free?
According to the Ethical Elephant, Smashbox is not tested on animals and is even certified by PETA. Smashbox’s cosmetics line is not entirely vegan, but they do offer vegan products.
What is Smashbox’s Shipping Policy?
In order to see shipping costs and times for each shipping location, head to the bottom of the website and locate your country from the drop-down list. Once the site is tailored to your location, go to the ‘Customer Service’ link and navigate to the shipping costs/times section.
Standard shipping is available for every location, but carriers vary from country to country. Shipping costs for the US are:
- Standard: FREE
- 2 Day Shipping: $10-$15
- Overnight: $15-$20
What is Smashbox’s Return Policy?
If you are unhappy with your order from the site, Smashbox allows US customers to return the unused portions for free. To start a return or exchange:
- Reach out to the customer service team via phone, email, or live chat
- Get a return authorization number plus prepaid return label
- Box it up and ship it back
How to Contact Smashbox
There are several ways to contact Smashbox:
- Live chat
- Phone: 1 888.763.1361
- Email: [email protected]
- Online contact form
The customer service team is available from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 10 pm EST, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm EST.
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