Smashbox Wonder Vision Mega Palette - First Look with Swatches (Picture Heavy)

I've long avoided overly large palettes and collections that tend to come out at this time of year, I think it's a subliminal thing harking back to the bajillion play palettes and plastic lipstick pencils that popped apart for each one inch abysmal lip offering of my teenage Christmases past. That was until I clapped eyes on the Smashbox Wondervision Mega Palette at a recent Smashbox press meeting. Holy Actual Moly this thing is good. 

Being an avid lover of Smashbox shadows and long time advocate for the brand, I knew before even touching these rainbow coloured beauties that they'd be soft as butter, deeply pigmented and just begging to be used. I wasn't wrong. 

The top two rows start off with barely there colours, ideal for buffing work and escalate to golds, coppers and several shades of taupe and brown. 

The next two rows contain almost the entire green/blue, pink/purple spectrum with the shade furthest right on top there being an incredible velvety soft MAC Club dupe. 

The final row presents richly pigmented jewel toned neutrals. Usually with shadow this rich you'll find a lot of fall out with the microglitter it takes to give this vibrant colour payoff - not so with Smashbox. There's not an eye in Ireland that wouldn't be flattered with one or all of these shades. 

The final swatch is of the 3 intense blushes, 2 mattes and 1 microglitter (again soft to the touch) and a coppery brown matte bronzer. Colours again are saturated and the longevity with these is just as I've come to expect with Smashbox blushes - ace. 

Now I hear a few of you saying you're a little daunted by such large palettes too, that's where Smashbox as a brand come into their own. With the ethos of teaching at their very core, in the Smashbox Wonder Vision Mega Palette they haven't failed the cack handed amongst us either. Behold: 

Using tutorial cards to highlight 4 key looks, you simply place the clear plastic over your chosen shadows for a simple step by step - clever, huh? 

There are many reasons why I blew my entire years Boots points on the Smashbox Wonder Vision Mega Palette, the incredible value (€60 for €332 worth of kit!), the ease of use, the amazing shade range, the huge & perfectly balanced mirrored lid that can hold itself open or just the fact that when I know it's Smashbox then I know it works. 

You can find the Wondervision range online from Boots or you could do yourself a favour and pop into Arnott's or larger Boots stores and chat with the gorgeous girls in there. Maybe even book a Christmas party makeover that's redeemable against purchase? That's a win/win plan right there. 

Are you a Smashbox fan? Anything from the Wonder Vision range tempting you yet?