For someone who doesn’t really wear eye shadow, I’ve certainly been consumed with shadow palettes as of late. Between musing about the cult classic Naked palettes to lusting after this high-end value set from Nars, it’s safe to say that shadow collections have been on the brain – which is why I was so excited when I got the opportunity to test out Smashbox’s contribution to the world of palettes.
The Full Exposure kit is chock full of neutral shadows, containing both matte and shimmery shades. Does it stack up to the other palettes we’ve been discussing as of late? Let’s take a look.
First of all, the good: this palette is large. Granted, that might make it more difficult to travel with (and if that’s a concern for you, you could always opt for the travel-sized version) but in terms of value, it’s all good. You also get 14 shades with this set – not too shabby, right? You also get a double-ended brush (one side for matte shadows, one for shimmers), a mascara and a cheat sheet that will help you identify and create looks for your eye shape.
The packaging is also spot-on, sleek, attractive, easy to hold and super sturdy. This may not seem like a big deal, but as someone who has broken her fair share of flimsily-packed shadows, it’s a definite plus. The range of colors is great as well – more dynamic than most neutral palettes, thanks to the addition of smokey black, charcoal and silvery colors. You could definitely create anything from a super subtle daytime look to an ultra glam going-out smokey eye with this set.
Unfortunately, not everything about this product is so great. Color payoff, for one thing, is just not amazing. I much prefer shimmery shades to their matte counterparts but these shimmer shades barely showed up when I used them. It improved a bit when I applied them wet but honestly? Pigmentation is not a strong point here. The mattes have better color payoff but even these appear more muted than most high-end shadows do. I can’t help but compare the pigmentation to that of the shades in the original Naked palette – I swatched a few of those once and I was completely taken by how rich and gorgeous the shades appeared. A primer will help but don’t expect Naked-level pigmentation from these shadows.
On the flip side, if you’re interested in that really subtle, sheer wash of glitter on your lids, you will be able to achieve that look with this palette. I feel like it’s a great tool for girls who are a little hesitant to wear shadow since you can really keep it natural-looking. A lot of the lighter shimmer shades can just be applied with your finger when you’re in a rush, no mirror needed.
For $49, I really feel like you’re getting a good bang for your buck. A lot of high end palettes are more expensive (and smaller) and this one also gives you a few extras. I wasn’t crazy about the brush but I have small eyes and it just seemed to be a little large for a precise application on me – large-eyed ladies will probably have better luck than I did. The mascara is a great travel-sized product and the little cheat sheet is super convenient.
Overall impressions? If you’re an eyeshadow noob, this might be a great product for you. Someone who doesn’t have a great brush and needs some help figuring out application will do with this set. On the other hand, if you have a few palettes or are seeking a really high-performance palette, you may be better off elsewhere.
We Tried It: Smashbox Full Exposure Palette
