Hello again, beauties! It’s been forever since my last This or That, but today’s battle is a good one, so I hope you forgive me 😉 In case you’re new around here, This or That is a comparison series, where I feature two like products (usually one high end and one affordable). In the end, I tell you which product I think is worth buying. The products featured today look identical, but one is $32 and one is $15. Want to know which one I like best? Keep on reading!
SMASHBOX FUSION SOFT LIGHTS
Baked Starblush
Retailing for $32 at Sephora, ULTA, Macy’s and Nordstom this soft pink pinwheel promises to leave behind a lit-from-within glow. The shades are meant to be mixed together, and can be used on the lids, cheeks, nose, temples, and decollate.
The texture of this powder is smooth, the pigmentation is buildable, and it blends beautifully on the cheeks. I don’t notice any kick up when I swirl my brush through it, and although the finish is luminous, it’s not super intense or over the top.
PROS & CONS:
♥ Smooth texture
♥ Luminous finish
♥ Not frosty or glittery
↓ Packaging not very sturdy
↓ Steep price tag
SOAP & GLORY LOVE AT FIRST BLUSH
As soon as I saw this blush, I immediately thought of the Smashbox Soft Lights. In the pan, they look exactly the same, though there are quite a few differences. For starters, this retails for half the price at just $15. You can find it in stores and online at ULTA, and it’s designed to be used on the cheeks for a luminous rosy glow.
The texture of this powder is similar to Smashbox. It’s smooth, has buildable pigmentation, and it’s not powdery. It comes in a lightweight compact, with a large mirror and snap closure. The biggest difference, aside from the packaging, is the color payoff. It looks like it would be light pink, but it’s actually quite dark. The finish is luminous, but the shade is deep and rosy, so it’s definitely a true blush – making it quite different than the Smashbox powder.
PROS & CONS:
♥ Affordable price tag
♥ Smooth texture
♥ Not powdery or frosty
↓ Too dark to wear as a highlight (not a dupe for the Smashbox)
THIS OR THAT
Although these products are quite different once applied, I do prefer the finish of the Smashbox product. It can be worn on the cheekbones, cheeks, nose, and anywhere else you want a pop of glow. It’s subtle, so it’s great for daytime looks, and it doesn’t emphasize pores. The Soap & Glory product is beautiful as well, and these two wear really nicely together, so I also highly suggest it. It’s affordable, and it’s got great pigmentation!
Are you surprised by my choice? Which one do you like best?
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Such fun! I was wondering how would you compare Smashbox and Soap & Glory because I forgot that S&G had makeup. They looked so much alike, tho the S&G does look deeper in the pan. Now you’ve got a great highlighter and a lovely blush!
I often forget they carry makeup too, but they have such a cute range. I was just at ULTA the other day, and saw a display of their lipsticks. Very cute!
I would say… I need both. 😀
I would agree 😉
I love the Soap & Glory and I wear it quite a bit! Such a beautiful color!
I want to try more of their makeup line!
I’ve only tried the Smashbox and I liked it a lot. I am surprised by your choice since they look so alike at first glance but your summary shows that Smashbox would be a winner for me too.
I was so surprised when I swatched them, how different they look. In the pan, they are like twins!
They look so, so similar! I daresay the S&G one will suit deeper skintones more.
Definitely! I was actually quite shocked by how different they are once swatched, they look nearly identical.
I think I would want both. haha They seem like I’d use them for different things. I love post like this!
http://www.lipstickisalife.com/
When I first bought them, I thought they’d be total dupes (they look so similar), but the S&G is a true blush while the smashbox is a highlight….so yeah you need both haha 🙂
Oooh they do look identical in the pan, interesting to see them swatched side-by-side. Thanks for sharing!
Jess xo | The Indigo Hours
Glad you liked it! I was surprised how different they are, considering how similar they look!
I’m thinking like I could do with both! They’re gorgeous.
They are both very pretty!
I haven’t tried much from Soap and Glory – but I think I would definitely check this particular item out. I love the way the smashbox one looks and these would make great blushes on me.
Both are stunning, but yeah I think the S&G would look great on you!
Wow, they look so similar in the pan, but I agree the Smashbox looks much better for highlight. I do like the S&G for blush though!
They pair well together as well, but I was definitely thinking they’d be more of a dupe. They look so similar, I was shocked when I swatched them side by side and they looked nothing alike lol