I've had the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara (P995) for months now and I use it all the time. However, each time I sit down to try to review it my mind just drains of all thought. It's like writing about my toe. It's an integral part of me but it's not something I really think about, y'know?

The thing I like most about this mascara is how volumizing it is while still being incredibly easy to wash off. Yes, it washes off with just water; even so, the integrity of the mascara is not compromised with normal sweat and oil around the eyes. Just don't cry!

There are pros and cons of having a mascara that's washable. The obvious pro is you don't have to rub and sacrfifice a few lashes just to take it off. I personally prize this feature because I hate having to fuss over makeup removal after a long day.

Why do you need to "set" makeup? If you like using cream/ liquid foundation or concealers, it pays to make sure that they won't slide off when you sweat or oil up. Think of wet makeup as if it were, er, pizza dough. It's malleable and easy to form in a shape you desire. Once you're done working on it though, you need to dust it with liberal amounts of flour to keep it in that shape and prevent it from sticking everywhere.

Likewise, to protect the makeup's integrity, you need to set it with a final layer of powder that will absorb our bodily excretions as they come. Gross but it happens, so be prepared!

Currently, I love using the Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder (P1,550). It's a winner in keeping oil at bay, plus it never looks makeup-y. It has an invisible finish that smoothens and evens out skin. As it promises in the press materials, it blurs imperfections too!

What I love about the product

• Keeps me oil-free for a good four to five hours even in humid weather, even if I'm using it on top of liquid foundation.
• Has a light coverage that minimizes imperfections such as pores, uneven patches of skin, wrinkles and light blemishes. It can be used alone, on top of concealer, or as a finishing powder.

My job doesn't usually take me more than six hours out of the house, which means that I don't need a long-wearing foundation on a regular basis. I'm fine with using ultra-light mineral foundations on a normal day; I like the comfort they give to my face since they don't feel like a sweaty mask after a few hours. 

Still, there are days when I need something more heavy duty. It's the kind of day when work and social engagements pile up so I need something that can keep up with me. One foundation that I love for that purpose is the Smashbox Studio Skin 15-Hour Wear Foundation (P2,300).

To be honest, I didn't expect to like, nay, love this foundation. It looked odd the first few times I wore it, odd in the whereabouts of "I am wearing too much makeup lolz." But after playing around with application techniques, I did discover a trick on how to go around that obstacle. It's pretty neat actually.

Coverage and finish. I'd say that Smashbox Studio Skin has medium to heavy coverage. It'll smoothen and even out skin in a jiffy, plus it won't set on lines and creases.

The last time I've used Smashbox was waaay back in 2009. Hoping to remedy that with some of the new products from the brand! Here's a quick peek plus a bit of info about these beauties.

Smashbox Studio Skin 15-Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation (P2,100) - Blurs imperfections using light diffusing spheres and delivers natural-looking, buildable medium-to-full coverage while keeping skin hydrated and shine-free all day.

Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer (P2,050) - This formula delivers the perfect amount of luminosity to the skin while also extending the wear of foundation and filling in lines and pores.