All about: Smashbox 2014 Holiday Collection - On The Rocks

Before we get into the Smashbox Holiday 2014 On the Rocks collection of eye palettes, liners, tools and lip sets, let me say this: Smashbox eye shadow palettes are always full of enticing shades that often include bold brights, yet they’re quite non-threatening, totally wearable and unabashedly pretty. This makes them go to’s for me a hell of a lot of the time, and why the makeup mega brand is such a success.

It also makes them great gifting, so I was pretty excited to see that their lineup for the 2014 Holiday Collection – titled On The Rocks – includes a very impressive eleven different gift sets, definitely something for everyone! I’ve narrowed my picks down to a few favourites, but you can see the whole lineup (and more) on the Smashbox New Zealand website here.

First up I’d like to give some love to the Smashbox on the Rocks Always Sharp Liner Set. Never having to stop and sharpen an eye pencil is a big deal for a girl who nearly always does her makeup in a furious hot mess, and fumbling with a sharpener eats up valuable time! These pencils, nicely loaded with pigment and staying power, are perfect for lining along the lashline, and this set of five shades will definitely have multiple makeup looks covered. I particularly love the 3D Orchid shade and 3D Night Gem, both of which contain a hint of pearl for a pretty and flattering sheen.

The Smashbox on the Rocks Brush Set will definitely be a gift that will impress, and is made up of Smashbox’s signature brushes but with festive handles. Clear plastic resin embedded with magpie-pleasing silver glitter replaces the usual Smashbox red, and the set includes a powder brush, angled shadow brush, double-ended shadow brush, double-ended brow brush and a lip brush.

But my absolute fave – although it’s not quiet as glam-tastic as those above - is the Smashbox On The Rocks Photo Finish Primer Duo, which is what I definitely need at this time of year when days are long. It includes their award-winning Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer, a dynamic duo if ever I saw one!