SmashboxLHaloHave you jumped on the crazy “HD” bandwagon yet??
Everywhere I go it seems every new beauty product is high definition or bust…or at least advertised that way. As a makeup artist, it has been ingrained into my brain that high definition is really more of a technique than a product. When high def started to be the norm in the film and television industry, artists had to roll with the times and re-learn makeup application at the magnified level. Every single face was clear, and like SCARY clear on screen.
That being said, on the consumer level, wouldn’t it be nice to have a product that gave you the HD skin with minimal effort? Um, YES. I am not often impressed by the HD lingo on a pretty bottle of foundation, but of course, I have to try it if it’s new! (SQUEEE!)
Long story short, I tried the new Smashbox Liquid Halo SPF 15 Foundation. Many of the tones leaned toward yellow as opposed to more neutral undertones. This can be good for me, as I need to reduce the redness in my very pale complexion, but I have seen this type of tone go bad in minutes on me. Tested on my hand, it did not seem to oxidize at all. I experienced this with their heavier foundation, Studio Skin, so I felt confident in buying my shade that it would not make me orange.
There is quite a strong fragrance in this liquid, almost a sickly sweet chemical type scent. This is my biggest negative about the formula. I usually use my hands to apply (old school makeup artist right here) but this day I opted for my trusty Cargo Magic Brush to buff the foundation into my skin. It was instant, surprisingly pretty. I was certain I would dislike the light coverage, but my hand test was not accurate. This covered quite well in one layer of the application. It did not immediately find pores and make a cozy home in them. It didn’t cake up, did not separate, did not settle into my laugh lines. The finish is really gorgeous, dewy, HAPPY. Smashbox claims it is designed to mimic studio photography lights on your skin. I thought this was ridiculous when I bought this in store, but I can say that I see where they got the description. Somehow, it does this. And it’s beautiful.
The biggest test is wearing time on me. Almost every foundation I have tried breaks up quickly. If my skin hates it, I can see huge disgusting patches where the makeup broke up, settled in horrifyingly, creased dramatically. Liquid Halo DID NOT break up on my dehydrated skin. It stayed smooth and flawless, and it maintained the color and finish over 10 hours. I set with a light translucent powder, but I think this diminished the beauty of the skin. It’s such a habit of mine to use powder no matter what, gah!
From an artistry standpoint, I can definitely see this replacing good old makeup For Ever HD liquid foundation in my own kit. I have never been a huge fan of the coverage, tones, nor finish of the MUFE. I also cannot use that formula on dry skin, it doesn’t look right in my opinion. Living in a desert climate, I think you can see my dilemma. Yes, it is a kit staple industry-wide, but I am just not that into it. Smashbox, I haven’t been super stoked on you for a few years now. You have redeemed yourselves with this stellar foundation formulation!
Pretty Penny Recommends Smashbox Liquid Halo Foundation if you:
Have normal to dry skin, or combination skin
Are not seeking a full coverage foundation
Like a dewy finish
Are not super duper oily
Have relatively smooth skin texture
Are not experiencing a dramatic acne breakout
It is a golden day when I find a new foundation that ACTUALLY WORKS for me! Sound off in the comments and let me know what you thought of it!
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