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Smashbox Halo - worth the hype?
  • tsunamino
    This is my first question and I'm really excited!! Finally, a real place to ask questions about beauty and get scientific answers!

    So I've heard about Smashbox Halo - a new powder that claims to hydrate your skin with encapsulated water and also prevent aging by using Gogi berries (did anyone else think Golgi apparatus?) as an antioxidant. My question is can your skin actually absorb anything from your foundation? If you use a primer as a "barrier", doesn't that defeat the purpose of this product? How can you encapsulate water in a pressed powder that is then shaved to produce a loose powder? Reviewers say that their skin feels hydrated, but the product description only says that the water gives a hydrated appearance. Any thoughts on this? Is this all marketing hype?
  • Apomes
    If it's really encapsulated water it will actually dehydrate your skin more!

    Do the test: put plain water on your face and leave it on with nothing else!
  • K
    It appears it is hype. Smashbox has been known to exaggerate their claims- such as with their O-Glow blush, which The Beauty Brains debunked in their blog.

    But if you are wanting a powder with those same aesthetic results (angelic, smooth, airbrushed look), the professional choice is Makeup Forever HD High Definition Powder. It a Hollywood staple. It really is amazing- and amazingly expensive at $30 for a mere 10grams. :shocked: The product is pure, ultra fine silica that creates a radiant, soft-focus, silky look to the skin while absorbing extra oil and sets your makeup. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, large pores, blemishes and wrinkles. It is transparent, works with all skin tones and hypoallergenic. :heartsabove:

    HOWEVER, CoastalScents.com carries the EXACT same silica powder in bulk! Once ounce (about 29 grams) is $4!!!!!!!!!!!! Once ounce will last a very long time. This is powder you're looking for to achieve that HALO effect!! All their products are really great and super cheap. Many professional makeup artists can't live without them. Here is the Coastal Scents link to the silica powder: http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/product/388_46/silica-powder-spheres.cfm :rainbow:

    That's why I like Coastal Scents- no hype. It just works!
  • tsunamino
    I never actually wanted to buy the Smashbox powder - I thought it was all hype, especially since I prefer Monistat over their primer! - but I wanted to see what others thought of it.

    I actually have MUFE's HD powder! I didn't know that CostalScents has a cheaper version!!! I wish I had found this out before I spent $30! Gah.. at least it lasts forever..
  • Right BrainRight Brain
    @tsunamino: We blogged about the encapsulated water in Halo. The post will go live on Feb 11: http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/02/11/can-smashbox-hÂ…rate-your-skin/
  • tsunamino
    Terrific! I can't wait to read it.
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