Smashbox in Boots stores

If you haven’t heard of Smashbox, that’s definitely set to change. This LA based cosmetics company is now on counter in Boots stores nationwide, and it’s worth checking out. Smashbox was created in LA by brothers Dean and Davis Factor, great-grandsons of legendary makeup man, Max Factor. They set up Smashbox Studios in 1990 and began to develop makeup to use on their photo shoots. Smashbox the cosmetic brand was born. Dean is the business guru, and Davis the celebrity/fashion photographer. The brand was sold to Lauder Group and Davis still works with them.

The counters in the Boots stores are all created to have that studio look and feel, and the products pride themselves on being photoshoot ready – there’s a heavy focus on bases and primers. One of the new products on counter this month is the Photo Matte Anti Shine (£17) which is a cream-gel formula primer that promotes a matte, airbrushed finish. Pop it on before your make up to help diminish the appearance of pores, and control oil and shine for up to eight hours. It’s brilliant for the summer – you can use it to touch up instead of powder.

The new Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara (£18) is brilliant. It creates and ‘eye brightening’ effect and visibly curls your lashes. it’s an innovative black shade with subtle blue undertones, to accentuate the eyes. It really is lovely, it doesn’t smudge, and it gives fab length and curl.

For summer, Smashbox have the Heatwave Collection, with two musthave items – the Heat Wave Eye Shadow Palette & Brush (£36) is a big old eye palette with 10 – yes, 10 – amazing shadows in excellent summer shades – matte and shimmery, from soft pinks to deep browns, in a wet&dry formula. Complement them with the Heat Wave Lip Gloss Set (£22.50) which has four shades of gorgeous juicy lip gloss for every summer holiday eventuality!

I tried out a few of the products recently  – here’s an Instagram of my efforts! I’m wearing the Halo Long Wear Blush in Blissful (£23) – the blush has a built-in grinder – innovative, and so much fun!

I’m also wearing the Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio in Skybox (£21) – a gorgeous collection of blues, and that brilliant Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara, as well as one of the Megatint Long Wear Lip Colours (£18) which launched back in April. These are heavily pigmented, brilliantly matte, and do last. This isn’t my favourite shade – it’s Mulberry – but I will definitely be checking out some others.

Smashbox Cosmetics are at a Boots near you now, or log on to boots.com