Shine Beauty Gurus review: CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast

The truth is, many women would love to experiment with a new makeup look, but don't really know how or don't take the time to do so. CoverGirl has taken the guesswork out of the equation with their new DIY Smoky ShadowBlast kits. These creamy shadows come in expertly-paired shades along with complete instructions on how to create a bold, smoky eye-something we'd all love to achieve. The shadows are available in six color combinations: Onyx Smoke, Silver Sky, Purple Plume, Bronze Fire, Citrus Flair, Tempest Blue. For this month's Shine Beauty Guru challenge, we let our panel of beauty experts choose their desired combo and create their own smoky eyes. Read on for the results and how you can receive your own kit!

Design
Mrs. Kim loved that it was purse-friendly, and J thought the package was neat and fun to use. Michelle from Fierce Glamour Blog said, "The stick allows quick swipage, which is helpful during a running late morning." Sounds handy! CarolB thought the product was very clever. "I loved the idea of achieving classic smoky eyes in just two simple steps and all packaged in one convenient product," she said. "I appreciated the instructions that came with the product and it proved to be a no fail way to create smoky eyes."Diane Cheney compared the ShadowBlast sticks to a similar crayon shadow she purchased from Chanel several years ago, but said she preferred CoverGirl's dual coordinating colors. A fraction of the price doesn't hurt either!

Application
M.J. of Fierce Beauty and Fashion was excited to try out the same shadow duos she saw used in a photo shoot on "America's Next Top Model." "CoverGirl ShadowBlast was super easy to use and the color went on smooth," she said. J-Love echoed her sentiment saying, "CoverGirl has made the application easy by breaking it down into two steps. You use the rounded end to shadow the entire lid and then the angled end is used for definition along the lash line and crease." Despite working with a color she didn't love, Apple felt the makeup tool was unique. "

It's creamy, goes on easy and a breeze to use." Emma Mae, who had no experience in applying eye makeup, said she was actually dreading this challenge, fearful that she wouldn't be able to apply it and that it would look terrible. It turns out she had nothing to worry about. "With CoverGirl's ShadowBlast anyone, regardless of experience or age can achieve the perfect smoky eye" and look fabulous in under 45 seconds." Color us impressed! What wasn't so good: J warns, "You may be tempted to be heavy handed when applying--don't. The sticks will break off at the base." Most gurus had trouble with the product falling out of the tube, but many felt the good elements of the product outweighed this flaw. "I just stuck it back into the tube and it still works," said CarolB.

Texture
Tyler Justine raved about how the shadow glided on, while makeup artist Mrs. Kim found the texture "unbelievably smooth and contoured" and felt it "has an outstanding shine factor that brightens eyes."Emma Mae said the formula is creamy and goes on evenly. Christina felt it was greasy for her skin, and noted that it can clump up when combined with powders on the skin.

Color

"Dark, smoky eyes are the fantasy for the starlet, fashionista, working mom, and everyone in between," said *H.Though the colors in the package look intimidating, the Gurus found the shades highly wearable for day or night."CoverGirls new shadow is neat because both colors can be used together or separate and still look great. I experimented for almost a month and never got bored with the ShadowBlast," said Tyler Justine. J-Love thought the color was really "really smoky and chic." Michelle of Fierce Glamour Blog felt the color wasn't dark enough for her taste. J and CarolB used several applications to achieve their desired level of depth. M.J. said, "Though I couldn't see the second color too much on me, I still love the color combination and how it looked on my complexion." The girls all loved that the guess-work was taken out of pairing color combos, which is admittedly the trickiest part about trying new shadows.

Wear
Cream shadows are not like regular powder eye shadows--some people swear by them, while others think they're not strong enough in color or durability. While some Gurus said the shadow lasted all day and stood up to humidity, others complained that the shadow creased faster than they wished. *H gave some application advice that many makeup artists would confirm: "I do recommend for those of you who have combination or oily skin, to place a little eye primer or concealer on your eye to help set the creamy eye color and make it last through the day." What a helpful tip!

The verdict
Tyler Justine said, "I will definitely be buying another color!" Emma Mae already has. She said, "I finally know why my childhood BFFs loved trying on makeup and prettying themselves up. I had fun playing with the different effects and options that this single product afforded me to try. I actually went out and purchased a few other colors." CarolB wants more too. "My next color will be the Purple Plum which I think will go great with my brown eyes."

**Want to try these shadows out for yourself? CoverGirl has given us 7 DIY ShadowBlast kits for a few lucky Shine users. Leave your comment and you might be picked to receive a free kit like our Gurus!

Check out YouTube sensation and DIY beauty expert, Hanh Bui, who has created a CoverGirl video using the Smoky ShadowBlast, andread the complete Beauty Guru blogs here:
CoverGirl's Smoky ShadowBlast; a Knockout or Up in Smoke? - J
Smoky Shadow Blast: Summer Must-Have! - Tyler Justine
Amazing Eyes Require Amazing Shadow - J-Love
Shine Beauty Guru Review: CoverGirl Smokey Shadow Blast is somewhat of a blast - Mrs. Kim
Testing Cover Girl's ShadowBlast: A lesson in choosing the right color for you face - Apple
Beauty Guru Review: Having a Blast with Covergirl's Smokey Shadow Blast! - M.J. - Fierce Beauty and Fashion
Without a shadow of doubt, CoverGirl's ShadowBlast is a blast forward in eye makeup! - Emma Mae
Covergirl's Smoky ShadowBlast - A Pleasant Understated Effect for Smoky Eyes - CarolB
Smoky ShadowBLAST can blast off into outerspace and never come back - Christina
Beauty Guru Review:Cover Girl Smoky Shadow Blast - Michelle, Fierce Glamour Blog
Smokey, Sultry Eyes Made Easy With Covergirl Smoky Shadowblast - *H
This CoverGirl runs for Cover! - Diane Cheney

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