Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Oh look at my latest little pretty! A friend of my sister's, Stephi was selling this recently, brand new just minus the mascara for £20! £20! I do love a bargain. I have lusted after this for months so when Julie from www.justjulie.co.uk reviewed hers more recently the decision was made and I had to have it so Stephi wanting to sell hers was perfect timing. 

 

  

The Smashbox Full Exposure palette contains 14 eye shadows, 7 matte and 7 shimmer and comes in a black, soft to touch, case with magnets to open and close. It is the sort of packaging that gets dirty really quickly which is a shame. Inside is a good sized mirror and double ended brush which is good quality, but I find the 'matte' end a little scratchy on my eyelids and tend to use my Real Techniques brush set instead. It also comes with a Eye Shape Chart which I've found really helpful, something all palettes should come with in my opinion. 

The shades don't have any names and are just listed as S1-7 and M1-7 which I think is a bit boring as I do like a good shade name in palettes. The Matte shadows are creamy and really easy to blend. I love matte shadows and have tried my fair few in the past. I've been using these the last week or so for work, and have loved the finish they give, there is barely any fall out and they last for the majority of the day even without my trusty primer potion. I've been using M3 and M5 on my lid and in the crease, then using M7 along the lash line. 

I don't like glitter and I'm not usually a shimmer fan either but I just wanted this palette so much I didn't care that half of this was exactly what I disliked. I don't think the shimmer shades are all that special, there isn't much colour pay off and it's essentially just putting a bit of glitter on your eyelids much like you would at eight years old with some cheap shadow. There is an upside..the fall out is nearly non existent which is always a plus! The only shade out of all 7 which I've really enjoyed using is S4, I've used this every day with the above matte shades. 

I'm not sure whether it's just because I don't really like shimmers that I dislike these ones or it's because they are actually not that good, The mattes however are gorgeous and really make this palette, my Naked 3 has taken a backseat while this has been my go to palette. In the near future I will do a post on the eye looks I've been creating with Full Exposure. 

  

I would love to know if any of you have this palette and what your thoughts are on it!