Smashbox recently released an all matte palette called the Photo Matte Eyes. The palette is multipurpose and you can use it as eyeshadow, liner or even as brow powder. It has 14 shades that are all matte and all on the neutral side.
The palette comes with a double ended brush, one side for applying eyeshadow and the other for eyeliner or brow powder and also with how-to pictorials for every eye shape and how to do specific looks for your eyes and brows.
The packaging is very sleek black packaging that feels sturdy and well made. There’s also a descent size mirror inside which I really like because most of the times I do my eye makeup I like to use the mirror that comes in the palette.
The shades in the palette are all listed on the back of the palette and they also listed which shade you can use for eyeshadow, liner and as brow powder which I find very helpful for beginners.
The shades that come in the Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes palette are:
Desert (use as an eyeshadow and brow powder)
Heirloom (use as an eyeshadow)
Dune (use as an eyeshadow and brow powder)
Earthy (use as an eyeshadow and brow powder)
Suede (use as an eyeshadow and brow powder)
Canyon (use as an eyeshadow, brow powder and liner)
Vanilla (use as an eyeshadow)
Wheat (use as an eyeshadow)
Grounded (use as an eyeshadow and brow powder)
Rosehip (use as an eyeshadow)
Haze (use as an eyeshadow and liner)
Jolt (use as an eyeshadow, brow powder and liner)
Ditch (use as an eyeshadow, brow powder and liner)
Blackout (use as an eyeshadow and liner)
As I said before the shades are all very neutral. The first six shades are on the warmer side, you also get two bigger highlighting shades in the middle and six shades that are on the cooler side.
At first glance the shades might look similar but when swatched you will notice that they’re pretty different in the color tone and the actual color. The texture of the eyeshadows is very nice, they feel smooth to the touch and pack a good pigment but they don’t kick off any excess powder when you dip your brush. They also blend very easy and never look patchy on the eyes.
Swatches of the Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes L to R: Desert, Heirloom, Dune, Earthy, Suede, Canyon, Vanilla, Wheat
Swatches of the Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes L to R: Grounded, Rosehip, Haze, Jolt, Ditch, Blackout
I think Smashbox did a great job in creating an all matte palette since they’re hard to come by. Plus the quality of all the eyeshadows is exceptional and I think that the fact that it’s a neutral palette it’s great for everyday use or to be used in addition to your shimmery eyeshadows. For everyday looks I do prefer matte shades, especially for daytime, I think it looks more natural on the eyes.
So if you’re looking for an all matte neutrals palette this is a good one to get and the fact that you can use the palette both for your brows and as liner is a great extra.
*PR Sample