Product Review: CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast

     The Smoky ShadowBlast is a new product from CoverGirl. They have recently come out with a few new products, along with other drugstore brands such as Maybelline and and Loreal. Because these brands are trying to compete with the higher end stuff, they have started using better ingredients and stronger pigments. And because I enjoy a deal as much as anyone else, I gave this a shot.

     The purpose of this double ended product is to achieve the smoky eye look without the muss and fuss of different colors, brushes, etc- since it is a cream shadow, it glides on easily. The lighter, rounded end is applied from the lash line all the way to the brow bone. Next, the darker, tapered end is used in the crease and as an eyeliner (the box has a diagram on the back explaining how to apply it- it tells you to put the eyeliner on the top lash line, but I also put it on the bottom- the whole point of the smoky eye is to be very dramatic).

     Starting with a primer (NOTE: you should ALWAYS use an eyeshadow primer!!! It preps the eye for color, and makes the colors more true to life. It also helps the color to last all day long. Also, as someone with really oily skin, I know it also has an added bonus- it prevents creasing.) I applied the color as described above. I actually broke off the brown end right away! Because of the shape of the tube, you have to raise the shadows up a good amount so they can be applied without the plastic part being in the way. And since they aren't very strong, it snapped right off. Not a good sign. Once applied, I was immediately disappinted by the color pay off. I used "Purple Plume", which is a pinkish-purple color used all over, with a deep brown for the crease/liner. When it was on the light shade almost matched my skin tone, and the brown color was very soft. Not very smoky at all. I went about my day and checked it after work- I put it on at about 4:00 p.m., and when I got home at 10:30 p.m. all the color was smushed into my crease- even with a primer!!! That's only a six and a half hour day, and with regards to eye-make up, that's not very long. When using powder shadows with a primer I've had my eye-make-up last upwards of 10-12 hours.

   So overall, don't waste your money on this one. The problem I've always had with cream shadows is creasing, so most of the time I don't even bother with them (Stila Smudge Pots, however, are fantastic! The are designed as a gel eyeliner, but I've worn them as an eyeshadow and have never had an issue with creasing. Also- they have some fabulous colors! If you like brighs, check out the Stila Barbie collection.) When it comes to powder, if you're worried about a stronger pigmentation, high end is the way to go. Yes, it's more money, but it's more money for a reason. The colors will alwasy be brighter and they will last longer (my all-time favorite eyeshadows- Urban Decay). If you're worried about price, CoverGirl does have a lot of powder shadows- worn with a primer, they should last a good eight hours or so, just be aware you will have to pile a lot of product on to get the desired color.

Final Grade: D+