The Rise and Fall of Smashbox Cosmetics

[@johnsskincarereviews]

To my knowledge Pamela Anderson stopped wearing makeup because her makeup artist passed away and she didn’t feel like it anymore. Queen. So excited for her new movie!!

[@underskinYT]

She said its one of the reasons yeah, but obviously not the only reason

[@mariefryzelkova7927]

Alexis Vogel. That reminded me that Erin Parsons have a great video about her and how she done Pamela´s make-up.

[@gracelynch7757]

Some of the best makeup-focused researches in youtube. It's a joy to watch.

[@underskinYT]

Thank you so much 🥰 just lots of time and love

[@pinkroses8714]

I so agree with you ...... I look forward to her posts !!!

[@icyglam1895]

They had some amazing collections in the 2010s (eg Santigold one) and the best silicone based eye primer ever (which of course was discontinued ). The line has completely left Canada for like a year now so that was a huge red flag for the brand.

[@ToyasTales]

The photo-finish primer is the best primer I've ever used!

[@Duckykittymoomoo]

SAME! It’s the only one I use

[@mskatonic2124]

@@Duckykittymoomoo same.

[@ellemarr7234]

Woah I didn’t know about the Max Factor connection!

[@underskinYT]

They did a really good job at carving out a new space for themselves after that initial hype wasnt matched, quite admirable really

[@TheGeecheeDoll]

i would love a video on inglot and bh cosmetics.

[@underskinYT]

I have really really wanted to do BH for so long

[@kimjohnson8471]

You are an excellent storyteller, and you fill a much needed nichè.

[@underskinYT]

Thank you so much🤍

[@poetryprose9810]

love the thoughtful timing of your videos! this was great to be able to watch after your video on the max factor brand and your documentary on max factor (one of my favorite videos of yours & a really engaging and educational watch!) thank you for your hard work and dedication to excellence in all your videos!

[@underskinYT]

I loved loved loved the max factor biography, one of my favourite videos Ive made for this channel. I know its not a big click video, but Im so proud of it anyway

[@MeltedButterPrincess]

I just recently went back to using the photo finish primer. It's so good, and I have no idea why I ever stopped using it.

[@underskinYT]

I mean, it was successful for a reason 🤷🤷

[@MsLashun]

yea ir's greay but pricey!

[@Bunny11344]

I found their primer did very little for me. To each their own.

[@MeltedButterPrincess]

Yes, agreed.

[@MODELBODYINTL]

I didn’t realize the Pam Anderson campaign - omg you are so right … so unaligned with her now.

[@underskinYT]

She would be better for a skincare brand but obvsly she cant because she has her own company

[@sophiechiewtrakoon]

If they wanted to do a beauty icon throwback campaign they should’ve gotten Cindy Crawford or any other of the top models of the time

[@underskinYT]

CINDY CRAWFORD!! Yes would've been perfect

[@onlyClaire]

Best smashbox product I ever bought was a cover shot eyeshadow palette in the name of Punked, beautiful cool tones with excellent quality.

[@underskinYT]

I always saw it as their take on the Urban Decay Naked palette

[@iPad.accountt]

Great video as always! I knew about the Max Factor connection, but I had no idea how old this brand was. Happy New Year, wishing you and your channel all good things in the coming year ❤️

[@underskinYT]

It was definitely interesting timing when considered the max factor connection. I’m glad you liked it, and I hope you have a great New Year too 🤍

[@missstargazer9174]

I love listening to these vids, you’re channel has managed to do it perfectly, you have facts with some of you’re own opinions and a very soothing voice, you’re not basically shouting at us just talking

[@paprika_vnp]

Your video on Max factor history is one of the best video story I have seen!

[@underskinYT]

Thank you so much 🥰 i knew it wouldnt get a tonne of views even while writing it, but I just love his story and Im so proud of that video

[@joseluisrodriguezritte2734]

Your last part, your opinions about fashion photography, is a cristal clear vision that made the whole video way much interesting. Always a pleasure to watch your videos/opinions/ideas!!!

[@albertqhumperdinck]

Excellent work, as always. You always manage to kickstart my brain with your analysis, very thought-provoking, whether the brand is one I follow closely or one I`ve never heard of. Thank you!

[@underskinYT]

Thats so flattering ty, I always try to provide a nice unbiased background for people to have their own opinions. I really try to only share my opinion when I feel strongly on it (like Pam Anderson£

[@lynjiang]

love your videos! ❤ thank you for all the research you do

[@underskinYT]

Thank you so much! I just love it 🥰

[@ravenlass3334]

Saturday and its attendant tasks are always made better by your presentations--beautifully voiced, impeccably made, and as much of a solid researcher as you are, you take care to offset each video with humility for your efforts. A gracious hour with you well-spent. (P.S. You once asked me to let you know when I watched your Madame Vionnet video. I did recently, and I wondered if you have any further reflections on her a year later...?)

[@underskinYT]

Im so glad you enjoyed it! I do just love researching so much, so Im grateful to have found an audience of people that enjoy that as much as I do 🥰 On Vionnet I recently had someone offer to connect me with the current CD, so I will let yoj know!! (Im excited!)

[@ravenlass3334]

@underskinYT Oh that's wonderful! Thank you for letting us in on all the fun!

[@court6389]

the smash box studio skin 24hr hydra foundation was my HOLY GRAIL until they changed the formula in like 2022 (?). I haven’t bought a single thing from them since.

[@underskinYT]

It’s so frustrating when formulas get changed

[@jordynsophiamakeup]

I loved the foundation formula but they never had a color fair enough for my light skin

[@SeaBlue1976]

I really enjoy your chanel since day one!Well done! Greetings from Greece 💙

[@fl4minratbag]

I agree whoever thought of Pamela Anderson being the new face of Smashbox didn’t think that concept through lol. I’m not huge into social media and celebs but even I knew that Pamela wasn’t doing makeup anymore since the passing of her makeup artist. So why would you have who made a stance to not wear makeup on red carpets the face of your makeup company? Lol that’s also like asking Alicia Keys, another person who’s famously made a stance not to wear makeup , your new face for your makeup company lol.

[@underskinYT]

Yes exactly, a really strange choice. I feel like theres so many other great candidates for the campaign instead of her. Glad she got her bag, but really, whoever thought of it needs to reconsider

[@tdsollog]

Thank you for such loving attention to detail as always.

[@underskinYT]

Youre so welcome, Im just so fascinated by the industry

[@tdsollog]

@ Same.

[@cscreative5460]

What an interesting backstory! I’ve always wondered how they even launched because they sit completely untouched and discussed these days. About 7-8 years ago they must’ve done some influencer marketing because I did once own photo finish primer and a spray. I later realized it did absolutely nothing for me and I was only using it because it was everywhere. They are just not a fresh and innovative company to me. And now I understand why! Edited 23:26 you’re too good! I commented this before confirmed in the video

[@underskinYT]

It was a huge thing in the early days of beauty KZbin, I think they were lucky for it really

[@JamesCartist]

I was a huge fan of Smashbox makeup brushes at one point in my career, they rivalled Nars and Mac in quality and it just became hit and miss. I need to look at the brand again more for the cosmetics which in all fairness I did like in my working kit.

[@underskinYT]

My background in make up is drag so Im pretty sure all my makeup brushes were literal paint brushes 😂😂 there was more variety and they lasted longer with the heavy duty products

[@JamesCartist]

@@underskinYT I am going back to film and TV work soon, I miss it. with some editorial for the fun of it. I have a huge brush collection!

[@underskinYT]

@@JamesCartist the art section with all their little fine brushes and shorter handles always had my heart 🥰

[@JamesCartist]

@@underskinYT I am going to release my own collection in the new year. Its been on the cards for a while, I collabed with a small brand and we have one already out this time I want to go full on with my own.

[@underskinYT]

@@JamesCartist thats so exciting! Keep me posted on what happens with it and the release 🥰

[@risooo2274]

smashbox is crazy popular in india among the makeup enthusiasts (in my circles at least). its one of those brands that one starts using after they've learnt the basics and have graduated from drug store makeup.

[@someonesomewhere3963]

Brilliant video ✨ would love a video on Kevyn Aucoin you do the best research ❤️

[@underskinYT]

I really want to do a biography on him, but I’m not sure if people would watch it, I know biographies aren’t always the go to for the beauty community in the same way they are for the fashion community

[@SH-wk6po]

@@underskinYT I'd watch it!! I'm sure others would too. 😁

[@underskinYT]

@@SH-wk6po Ive done two biographies on this channel now and theyre my worst viewed videos thus far, so Im just not sure tbh. Maybe a name like Kevin Aucoin would be a draw, but both Max Factor and Anita Roddick have more searches that him and they are my other topics. If I am being smart about it, biographies arent my best shot despite how much I love them

[@lspbeautea4791]

Beautiful work. 😊❤

[@underskinYT]

Thank you 🥰

[@Karin77722]

Brilliant, informative, and entertaining per usual! ❤

[@underskinYT]

Thank you 🥰, glad you enjoyed it!

[@dorsvenabili5573]

Excellent video! Thanks for the upload 🙏🏻

[@underskinYT]

Tysm 🥰

[@bbee9958]

This was great! I had NO IDEA there was a Pamela Anderson campaign because she’s been so vocal about going makeup free. Your campaign idea is something that would actually pique my interest ❤

[@underskinYT]

Right? I dont get the Pam An campaign at all, just so ridiculous. Love her, wrong choice for thr brand

[@abcabcabc2310]

Can you do a video about glossier?

[@underskinYT]

You know I started one. But then I realised how many other videos there were on it, so I thought maybe a one year or two year retrospective would be better

[@saranyabiswas2057]

Fresh out of college in 2013 smash box was a big deal .. I only wore their lipsticks for a while

[@underskinYT]

Its so funny, Im obviously Wnglish and I feel like barely anyone cared about smashbox at all. I only ever exp it in passing at boots and remember their competition being far more desirable

[@ruthjuliana9222]

their products are expensive but that photo finish primer is probably the best primer on the market to date

[@littlereddstar5264]

There seems to be two routes a business can take- The “fast fashion”/ “trend setter” approach : Create trends as fast as possible. And be nibble enough follow the trends as fast as social media spews it out. Or the “legacy” route : Stay the course anchored by “hero” products... A quality product your customers replace every 5 years because it lasts . Or use up all of it (eventually) and then repurchase because it was so good. Right now, Smashbox is neither a trend setter or legacy. They exist hoping a casual shopper happens upon their products.

[@underskinYT]

Very very well put. You want a job? 😂

[@dialmstyle]

I worked for Smashbox, absolutely love the product, still have my original pony hair brushes, they still are the best!

[@underskinYT]

How was the working environment? It seemed to be quite healthy

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Thank you ❤ brilliant work.

[@underskinYT]

Thank you too!

[@stephaniet5448]

I’m old. I’ve tried multiple products by Smashbox over over the years. I wanted to like them but their products just weren’t great and didn’t stand out. IMO 🤷‍♀️ BUT they do make a lipstick that my Mom still uses. 😊

[@underskinYT]

Its funny that above everything its the lipsticks that had staying power when really they did so so little to promote them

[@evanie1659]

I watched a video on why Estee Lauder Companies is struggling at the moment before this video.

[@underskinYT]

Oh, who is it by?

[@lamp5770]

Is this the one by the devil wears data? so good and insightful.

[@Bunny11344]

What’s the reason Estée Lauder is struggling? I only bought their oil free foundation but stopped using it cause eventually it became too drying.

[@evanie1659]

@@underskinYT The Devil Wears Data

[@evanie1659]

@@lamp5770 Yes, love that channel!

[@carvitqmilate9244]

The only products i ever try from this brand the photo focus primer

[@underskinYT]

Yeah its part of the problem thag they havent had a hit product in that long

[@carvitqmilate9244]

​@@underskinYTalso..I find this brand so hard to find in my country, even YSL and Gucci cosmetics doesn't that hard to find in small region on my country

[@Karin77722]

For the algorithm 🥕 need to get your subscriber numbers up here as well!❤

[@underskinYT]

Yeyy thank you 🥰🥰

[@AnyaLevine]

They should take Nature as a background and twist whole makeup idea to no makeup - makeup -photo studio everywhere you go, you are a makeup artist and creator of your own live movie. Rebrand to all clean and natural ingredients. That would be great twist and new face and beginning for the company. Anyway thank you for video never used their product and probably never would...

[@eddiefromtheblock]

Can you please do one on Byredo! I’m convinced they are next….

[@underskinYT]

Byredo is very firmly on my list

[@eddiefromtheblock]

@ I’m so excited I can’t wait. I love to watch all of your videos very informative.

[@meriani777]

Need an Inglot video. I always wondered what happened to them.

[@underskinYT]

Oh rigghhhttt its a bit of a copycat brand now

[@urvampmari]

This topic is one I have been looking forward too. always love when you cover the titans of the 2016 beauty youtube era. love ur work btw❤

[@underskinYT]

More to come!i hope I did it justice 🥰 they were such a comet of popularity for a while there

[@antonelliarico387]

I used to love smash box but i got older and use different things

[@evacaridad]

Their Halo tinted moisturizer is my holy grail

[@underskinYT]

Because I am so pale, so many people introduced me to this product back in the day, but ended up making me just look orange

[@evacaridad]

@ it’s very gold tone. However online I found a cool tone one and it was perfect. Hard to find but I got mine. They also have neutral.

[@joanbecenti8938]

As a long time make up consumer, it all begins with quality product and promotion. You have to keep up to date on new styles, trends and world affairs. That is my humble opinion.

[@underskinYT]

Its a balance for sure. Keeping up to date while keeping well branded and unique. I think they did it well with BB Creams but havent managed to continue that to today

[@joanbecenti8938]

@underskinYT I never used Smashbox, but I knew of the history tied to Max Factor long ago. It's a wonder I never used Smashbox.

[@kimwhatmatters4085]

I think their down fall was their customer was a figment of their imagination 😂😂😂 a fashionable Mom that reads vogue/elle, always on trend, knows what’s hot, but needs the application of her electric blue graphic liner ti be easy because she’s busy dropping the kids off @ soccer practice 🙄 yeah sure brother 😊😅

[@underskinYT]

For sure, I cant imagine too many of the teens watching youtube were also mums dropping their kids off at football practice and running in to buy vogue 🙄🙄😂

[@Blumoon_vii]

The best primer

[@edgybarbie77]

I tried a lot of their products years ago. I tried the Halo powder foundation when it 1st came out & was not impressed. It just didn't do enough for the price. Their CC cream is awful. I gave mine away. It would start separating about an hr after I put it on. And their eyeshadow is terrible. At least it used to be. I bought several single & a few palettes. It cost as much as MAC but no where near the quality. And their older packaging started breaking down & getting sticky all over everything. Had this happen with a powder foundation & eyeshadows. Oh & lipstick containers as well. The primer is just ok IMO. Finally just gave up on them. Haven't bought one of their products in probably 3 or 4 yrs if not longer

[@underskinYT]

It is a little funny that while MAC had so so much organic growth from photographers genuinely using their product, Smash was the one who promoted that they were for photographers, but had few testimonials or people left using the product after the hype died down

[@Angel-kk2xf]

i really hope not , i absoluely love their makeup

[@GenerationXChick]

But how do you tie that into the brand’s products? Unless you can do that - it’s just a gimmick. Smashbox’s products need overhauled. Primers can stay but the rest need a reboot and/or they need to come up with something extraordinary.

[@underskinYT]

Personally, I think a lot of their problem is packaging. I think their concept, or the original concept that they seem to have left behind now, of having it be in a photo shoot is quite good. It’s a strong marking concept. Some of their products as well still have a good following, lots of good memories, especially the primer, but the packaging just looks really dated now. I think with new packaging and a good campaign to go along with it, maybe with some of the top models of the moment, they could make a really good comeback to be honest, maybe with a new hero product

[@CanuckCatwalk]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Underskin/Understitch you will always be famous! (In the aughts, the smashbox primer used to be my holy grail and iirc they were one of the first makeup brands that I was aware of that popularized the concept of using primer prior to your base makeup at that time)

[@underskinYT]

Thank you so much!! They defijitely had a huge part in popularising primers for the masses, I wonder how it came to be needed sometimes because moisturiser works pretty damn well as a primer and is definitely enough for the every day person. I get why its needed in photoshoots, but not really for most people’s every day looks. Interesting hero product in that case and Km glad it worked for them while it did

[@CanuckCatwalk]

Yes, it’s not exactly a "must." But the marketing was so effective! Who was the genius that convinced so many of us we needed it, to the point that it’s now its own category? I, too, wonder what the catalyst was back then.

[@underskinYT]

@@CanuckCatwalk i mean really no make up nor cosmetic is *needed* so in that sense its all quite genius

[@CanuckCatwalk]

@@underskinYT haha indeed 😉

[@pbx7]

If you sell your company to ELC you are doomed. They ruin every brand and are so out of time

[@underskinYT]

At least as far as I can tell it wasn’t too jarring of a transfer though. Usually theres a lot of complaints about formula changes, but this time none at all. I assume they own the formulas tbh

[@bowiebunny7059]

Good reporting except Smashbox didn’t and still doesn’t make super full coverage products. Good coverage but their makeup isn’t super heavy. It was good for photography and wasn’t that heavy.

[@underskinYT]

I get what you mean, but I mean that they were in that era of full coverage make up so that’s how they gotgrouped together, if that makes sense

[@graysonevans9066]

DUN DUN - time to get Lauder’d 16:46

[@underskinYT]

🧺

[@evanie1659]

This is tea

[@underskinYT]

Fancy a cuppa?

[@aarontheabc]

💙💙💙

[@underskinYT]

🩵🩵🩵

[@Classdefined]

Don’t buy max factor!!!

[@NondumisoNyembezi]

"But it's soooooo stupid" 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I have never thought nostalgia was a wise marketing tactic let alone one so brazen and in your face. Subtle - maybe, this wasn't clever.

[@underskinYT]

Is it even nostalgia? I was in that 2016 bubble of cosmetics and I do not at all remember baywatch or pamela anderson being famous past her name. So maybe Im wrong but I think for their og customer, she doesnt represent nostalgia 🤷 jusg a bizarre bizarre choice. Love her. Bizarre choice

[@NondumisoNyembezi]

@underskinYT I hear you. I will umbrella throwback as nostalgia because I have no idea what it's for...ever

[@underskinYT]

@@NondumisoNyembezi maybe its like nostalgic fomo? We know her as a name, we know she was influential, but we missed out on her heyday. Its interesting as a concept for sure

[@NondumisoNyembezi]

@underskinYT Agree

[@dylanmiller3785]

Smash box x Pamela is crazy

[@underskinYT]

Wild