One of my Christmas presents was this palette from Smashbox, from their Masquerade collection.
I was trying to pick a multi use beauty thing for Christmas from my aunt, and went for this because I loved the textures of the eyeshadow. They sell Smashbox in selected Debenhams stores:
This palette has caused me all kinds of annoyance. When I finally got it on Boxing Day, the over was lightly scratched and 2 of the letters were partially missing.
I KNOW – what a minor thing. So minor. But it bugged me. This palette is £35 and had I have bought it myself, I would’ve checked it to make sure it was in tip top condition.
So I decided to swap it – I called the Debenhams counter, and they said they *may* be able to swap it, but it depended if the manager was in, but the manager wasn’t in for a few days. Mmm ok.
So we went to the counter in another Debenhams….the counter (this was one of the days between xmas and new year (ie. very busy)) was totally deserted. Someone on another counter said the someone would be in at 11 so we waited 30 minutes only to be told then, by someone else no one would be attending the Smashbox counter at all that day. Rubbish!
Finally I went back to the main store it came from…and, no one was manning it. Again. So someone from Urban Decay (luckily) had a quick look and swapped it for me – hurrah! But what a lot of palaver for nothing.
Here is the case – it’s shiny so shows up my greasy fingerprints:
The colours are a mixture of mattes and shimmers, which I like because it makes it a truly useful palette. There’s a matte neutral beige and pink, matte brown, and some shimmers in green, gold, brown, blue and purple – basically EVERYTHING!
Everything is very pigmented and soft in texture:
So it was a pain, but I’m glad I chose this palette. It’s easy to use and practical for when I want to take loads of colours with me to somewhere but don’t have the space.
Verdict:
Worth a look but check the palette before you buy!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooh, pretty colors! I like the look of this palette, it’s simple.
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Oh, who would have thought! The colours are gorgeous when swatched. I’ve got a holiday Smashbox palette as a Christmas present and it’s quite nice, too. x
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Hi Marina
Yay do you like it? I’m quite impressed with this palette
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Nice but… Was expecting prettier, more exciting colors from a pallet called “Masquerade.”
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Hi Jen
Something more party like? It’s quite earthy really
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i would do the same too, going back to swap for a good condition purchase! hehe
yeah masquerade doesnt seem to fit it, maybe it should be more sparkly? but i heart the plum/violet colour hehe
xoxo elle
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Hi Elle
Its a really nice palette although not my usual choice x
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I have this palette and love it. Just wish Smashbox wasnt so expensive over here. My local Debenhams counter hardly ever have staff. In fact when ever im in the store half the counters have no staff on. Its poor customer service in my opinion.
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Hi Alexandra
Debenhams is a bit lame in that sense, I mean how does it attempt to compete with say Selfridges when the atmosphere is better and counters are generally staffed
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I absolutely love this palette. Its very versatile and the texture of the shadows are lovely. Pricewise, its about the same price here as it is over there and I’m not complaining much because its still pretty good value for 9 shadows
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Hi Paris!
I do like this I reckon I can use it every day because of the mattes I wish it was cheaper though x
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I like the last 3 colors on the bottom set of swatches.
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Hi Phyrra
I am always drawn to the darkest shades in a palete! x
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The colors in the pan don’t look like they’re anything special, but wow they look gorgeous swatched!
Good choice Rowena! 
x
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Hi SP
I agree u have to feel the texture to appreciate this palette! x
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