What They Say: "The first intuitive blush, this clear gel reacts with your personal skin chemistry to turn cheeks the exact color you blush, naturally in just seconds! O-GLOW works on every skin tone, from the lightest to the darkest, to give everyone a naturally gorgeous glow.

What it is formulated to do:
When applied, the skin's moisture activates the energizing Goji Berry-C Complex™. It creates a microcirculatory effect, producing a rosy flush that lasts all day. This completely natural looking, preservative and fragrance-free formula glides on smoothly for a healthy, glowing blush that's you, only prettier.

What else you need to know:
Experience instant chemistry as your complexion is transformed from so-so to oh-so-glowing!This revolutionary silicone-based clear gel works on every skin tone and is microcirculating and skin energizing to keep cheeks naturally flushed for hours. O-GLOW's unique Goji Berry-C Complex™ formula is full of antioxidants like vitamin C, pomegranate seed oil and marine plankton for added healthy-skin benefits "

Jen's Experience: I know a lot of our readers who have been raving about this product on our forum will be shocked, but I can honestly say that I don't see what all the fuss is about with this product. At first, the novelty of having a clear gel instantly turn into blush on my cheeks was sort of fun. But trying to figure out just the right amount of blush for a nice glow rather than a sunburn is challenging (I still don't consistently get it right). I also found it difficult to blend properly; some days when I put it on before work and then caught my reflection later on, I was horrified to see the terrible job I did when I was in a hurry that morning. When I first got this, I used it daily. Now, I find myself reaching for my Nars Orgasm blush or Stila Convertible Color when I am looking for an easy, natural glow.

Retail Price: $26.00 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "These brand new luxurious pencils come in three metallic shades and can be used wet or dry for a gorgeous watercolor effect on the eye. With a brush on one end and a twist-up self-sharpening eye pencil on the other you have the power to choose between demure or daring. Go for drama with the pencil straight on or add a drop of water to the brush for a sheer, summery wash of color instead.
*Avoid using on inner rim of eye, as this product is not suitable for this area."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: There's a reason they warn you not to use this on the inner rims of your lids - this stuff moves! As in, it's not exactly "waterproof" or anything, which is okay since that's not what it claims to be. First of all, I got this pencil in Azure, which OH MY LORD is a gorgeous shade. Just beautiful.

The only problem I had in applying it straight on as a bold color is the simple fact that it's so soft and blendable that that's in fact exactly what it does whether you want it to or not! It can crease a little into your upper lid and won't maintain a perfectly smudge-free line under your lower lashes. I find the best way to utilize this formula is to go ahead and smudge it a bit on your own to begin with. Whether you blend it with the brush dry or wet, you'll be much happier with this pencil if you go into it thinking of it as a bold or sheer WASH of color.

Their suggestion to line the lower lashes and apply a tiny bit of water to the brush (ed. note: tap it on your wrist/back of your hand first to get out excess water) and then swipe that over the color creates a very pretty look which won't move too much from your already gorgeous self-imposed smudge during the day. If you use it on your upper lash line, just be sure to blend it and check for any creasing mid-day. If you use it with a stay-put shadow this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Overall a gorgeous and sultry look with just enough shimmer ot make eyes pop. Comes in Azure, Green, and Bronze.

User Tips: Be careful not to get it too close to the inner corner of your eyes, because it might irritate. Also, best for lower lash line.

Retail Price: $18.00 (smashbox.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Smashbox makeup artists use this product to create a perfect canvas for foundation application. The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants does double-duty as a primer and a mattifier, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This creates an incredibly smooth and velvet-like texture when applied to the skin. When wearing under foundation, it gives you a perfectly smooth surface, which makes whatever you are wearing over it simply glide softly onto your skin. I have noticed its slight mattifying properties on my combo skin as well, which is a definite benefit (there is no drying effect).

While it does everything it claims, and does indeed provide a slight visible difference to the overall look of your foundation, I don't believe it's entirely necessary. For most women, it will simply help even out skin texture and fill in finer lines, keeping makeup from settling into them. It is a completely clear formula, so it doesn't really add a glow to the skin, which is what you may be looking for in a primer (in which case perhaps you can try Smashbox's Bronzing Foundation Primer). If, however, you have slight uneven texture and combo skin like myself or some fine lines, this may be worth a try.

*Here's a tip: If you're anywhere near an actual Sephora store, buy the sample size they have up by the cash wraps for $14.00. It will last for up to several weeks and should give you a good enough idea of how much the product benefits your skin routine before shelling out for the full-sized product.

Retail Price: $36.00 (sephora.com or click here for Smashbox retail locations near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "These of-the-moment shades are dreamed up on the sets of top photo shoots and can be mixed or matched to create your favorite color combinations. The long-lasting formula glides on easily with superb blendability. Available in three great formulas: matte, shimmer and sparkle."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This is the softest, creamiest powder eyeshadow I've ever come across. It actually shocked me. I keep making people feel it..."You'll never believe this. You HAVE to touch it. See?!? See how soft it is?"

I got a matte shade, Smashing Flat Screen. You can just imagine how fabulously it goes onto the eyelid with that soft texture. And the end result when applied is smooth and gorgeous - very blendable as well. I noticed just a tiny bit of creasing at the end of the day (which could have probably been avoided with base), but I still consider this one of my "luxury" shadows.

Retail Price: $16.00 (smashbox.com and Sephora, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales or via catalog at 888.763.1361)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Richly pigmented for long-lasting coverage, this non-drying formula is vitamin e-infused to help nourish dehydrated lips. a favorite of the hollywood set. available in three great formulas: cream, sheer and shimmer."

Jen's Experience: When Melissa started talking about red lipsticks yesterday, I thought this was a great opportunity to talk about Smashbox Lipstick. My color is Smashing Resolution, which is a slightly pinky red color. It's a lot more dramatic than the lipsticks I was wearing before this season, but this turns out to be the perfect muted red color for me to wear to work. Even with my pale skin, the color doesn't make me look too washed out.

If red's not your thing, this lipstick comes in a ton of shades, both shimmer and matte. I like this lipstick because the color looks the same on my lips as it does in the tube. It stays on my lips and doesn't fade easily, and as long as I wear a lip pencil (also Smashbox), I generally don't have a problem with my lipstick delving beyond my lip line. Now here's the bad part about this product: Since it has such intense pigments, it doesn't have a lot of moisture in it. And that means you're really going to have to use some lip balm underneath or over the lipstick in order to retain the moisture in your lips. That's very important as the weather gets cooler. Overall this is a quality product, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a lipstick that holds its color and really lasts.

Retail Price: $16.00 (Smashbox)

Rating:

What They Say: "featured in top magazines, smashbox blush is streak-proof and easy to apply.

TIP: use a darker shade below cheek bone to define cheek structure and a lighter color above cheekbone to highlight."

Jen's Experience: When I first got the Smashbox Cover Set from Sephora, I have to admit, I was a little scared of the blush. I mean, I've got at least two perfectly decent blushes, in two perfectly normal shades. And this stuff was bright! So, I let it sit for in my drawer for a while. When I finally decided to give it a whirl, I was totally surprised at how natural it looked with my skin. It was easy to apply. If I put too much on, it blended well into my skin. Now, there's nothing really special about this product. This is pretty much what I expect to see in every blush, but it's always good when something delivers on its promise.

Retail Price: $24.00 (Smashbox.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "A consistent request from celebrity makeup artists at SmashBox Studios, smashbox LIP GLOSS is smooth and moisturizing, never tacky or dry."

Jen's Experience:  When I ordered the Smashbox Cover set from Sephora, I was excited that it contained so many lip glosses (2 full size and 6 mini glosses).  The little mini glosses are so cute and small, they will fit in any purse.  They may even be smaller than the Lola Lip Glosses.  Unfortunately, they just don't work as well as the Lola Lip Glosses, or really most other glosses I've tried.  The texture is good, not at all sticky, but I find that I am constantly reapplying.  And wearing these a lot will make your lips very, very dried out I find.  They come in a very wide range of colors, a lot of which were included in my set, but none of the colors are really perfect for me.  So... Size?  Great! Colors?  Okay.  Wearability?  You can find much better.

Retail Price: $14.00 for Full Size (Smashbox)

Rating:

What They Say: "A ground-breaking multi-purpose product that offers a primer on one side, a concealer on the other. this must-have product plays two leading roles: the primer smoothes skin and fills in fine lines and imperfections around the eyes, then the concealer hides dark circles while treating the delicate skin to a skin-protecting antioxidant of vitamins A, C, and E. packed into a portable little compact complete with a touch-up mirror and a convenient hide-away brush."

Jen's Experience:  At first, I hated this stuff.  The instructions didn't say which of the two vats was the primer and which was the concealer.  I think the yellowish one is the primer and the pinky one is the concealer, but honestly, it's hard to tell.  I wasn't sure what to do with the brush.  Use it for one?  Both?  I eventually settled for neither.  I use my fingertips instead.  My final gripe is that you really need to wear foundation or at least a good tinted moisturizer underneath to get a nice, smooth effect.  Otherwise, reverse raccoon eyes for you.  Other than all that, the effect you get is quite nice.  I didn't think it looked all that different from the NARS concealer in my home mirror, but when I get to work, I can definitely tell the difference.  Much less zombie-like, even into the afternoon.   I also think it looks more natural than the other concealers I've tried.  So after all my initial troubles, I think this product comes out being quite effective.  But I will still be searching for something better.

Retail Price: $24.00 (Smashbox.com)

Rating:

I found a great set of Smashbox cosmetics on the Sephora website, so I have a range of their products to tell you about in upcoming weeks.   One of overall things I have to say about this set is that it is full of really bold colors that I would not have bought myself at the store.  But I am always happy to branch out, and in this case I have learned that sometimes it really does pay to try new things.

What They Say: "To create the picture perfect pout, industry makeup artists reach for smashbox lip pencils.

TIP: apply before or after lipstick or lip gloss to enhance and seal in lip color."

My Experience:  I know, most lip pencils are really the same; they're just there to keep the color on your lips.  Well, this one is different - and better - in two very important ways.  First, I generally use lip pencils under a gloss of some sort in order to give my lips a stronger base color.  This pencil goes on almost like a pen, but when I go to apply my LipFusion or other similar product on top, it doesn't taint the gloss!  It thoroughly coats my lips, but there's no residue or color whatsoever on my brush.  You would think that means that the pencil soaks in fast, losing the color and probably drying out your lips, but happily, it does a great job holding the moisture in my lips and giving them a nice pink shade for hours.  It's hard to get excited about lip pencils, but I think this is a very strong product in that category that I highly recommend.

Retail Price: $14.00 (Smashbox.com)

Rating:

Melissa Says: I have to be honest, both of these looks appeal to me, because of the emphasis on gorgeous glow-kissed skin and subtly-metallic, emphasized eyes combined with dewy lips that are lush and somewhat sheer. It's a hard choice, but I think if I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with Opulence for its everyday appeal. Then again...for any night out or special occasion I love the lined style of the eyes in Indulgence. Okay, so it's a toss up!

Smashbox Fall 2007 Decadence: Indulgence "This Fall, intensely defined eyes look ultra-glamorous with sheer berry lips. Our DECADENCE Fall 2007 Color Collection is all about indulging your senses with the most luxurious beauty products. Smashbox makeup artists have outlined the steps to achieve this of-the-moment, bold and beautiful look." Click here for step-by-step instructions from Smashbox on how to achieve this look.

Smashbox Fall 2007 Decadence: Opulence "Go glamour this Fall with dark and mysterious eyes, lightly bronzed cheeks and lusciously nude lips. Our DECADENCE Fall 2007 Color Collection is all about indulging your senses with the most luxurious beauty products. Smashbox makeup artists have outlined the steps to achieve this dramatic look that's perfect for the ultimate glamour girl!" Click here for step-by-step instructions from Smashbox on how to achieve this look.

Smashbox Introduces Photo Finish Lipstick

This season, all you need for gorgeous, lush lips is the new Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick.
Smashbox has used its Advanced Sili-Silk Technology™ in its Photo Finish Foundation Primer for years. A favorite of those in the makeup know, creates the perfect canvas for foundation application by filling in fine lines, reducing the appearance of pores and skin imperfections and setting makeup so that it stays on longer. Now, Smashbox adds Advanced Sili-Silk Technology™ to its newest lipstick, Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick, for unparalleled results.
Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick:

• Applies effortlessly
• Fills in fine lines
• Helps lips appear visibly softer and smoother
• Is formulated with grapeseed extract to soothe and protect
• Comes in its own gorgeous, sleek, black lip case with a mirror

As with all Smashbox products, the Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick was created for the needs of the makeup artists, photographers and models working at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles. Each product was artistically created based upon the view from behind the camera, for a look that is as flawless as a finished photograph.

Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick retails for $22 and is available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, www.smashbox.com or via catalog at 888.763.1361.