The Smashbox website is currently having a sale for UP TO 50% off Bestsellers and the Cali Contour Palette is one of the featured items. I reviewed this palette back in May of 2021 and while I still think that it would be best for normal, combination, and oily skin types, I figured that this was an excellent occasion to share how I get it to work for my dry skin. I can use the top right and top left shade on my dry skin throughout the year without any issues. However, the yellow setting powder, two highlighters, and the bottom right bronzer shade are the ones that give some trouble.
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Offer valid until 8/23/2022 at 11:59pm ET at smashbox.com while supplies last. No code needed.**
It’s really not difficult to work with if you have dry skin, it is just that, in my opinion, these powders need to absorb some moisture to look their best. I find that when worn over dewy foundations (the more moisture the better), they melt into the skin and do not appear dry. When I wear some of the powders in this palette with my top foundations (Estee Lauder Double Wear, NARS Natural Radiant Longwear) they can look dry and powdery. However, over dewy bases like the Smashbox Halo Tinted Moisturizer and the Urban Decay Hydromaniac, they melt into my skin nicely with no dryness.
Cali-Contour Palette Medium-Dark (Deep?), $43.00 (on sale for $25.80)**
As I mentioned in my initial review, except for the top right shade, I think these shades are a little dark for my skin tone (Estee Lauder Double Wear 4W4, NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Tahoe). It looks like Smashbox has renamed this version as Deep, but mine says Medium/Dark. They also have a Light/Medium version if you have a lighter skin tone than mine. The highlighters are still a little dark for me, but after getting out into the summer sun they do work better but there isn’t much impact. I am assuming that someone darker than me would get more of a highlighted look with these shades. Again, I still think this would be better suited to normal to oily skin types, but I am happy to be able to use it in the summer months or with the Smashbox Halo Tinted Moisturizer (which I love using anyway).
The regular retail price for the Cali Contour Palette is $43.00 and the current sale price is $25.80. I think that is an excellent value at both prices, but if you are interested, I would encourage you to also read my full review to get all the details.
Other Recommended Bestsellers in the Sale:
- Smashbox Blurring Foundation Brush, $32.00 (on sale for $16.00)** – You can read my review and see a comparison to the elf Ultimate Blending Brush by clicking here.
- Halo Healthy Glow All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25, $41.00 (on sale for $32.80)** – You can read my review by clicking here and see a comparison to the Urban Decay Hydromaniac by clicking here.
Offer valid until 8/23/2022 at 11:59pm ET at smashbox.com while supplies last. No code needed.**
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Nikki From HR 
That palette at that price is certainly tempting.
Such a great deal for those who don’t have one!
Out of curiosity, I went back and looked at my comment for your original review to see if I expressed interest back then and I didn’t mention anything specific. At the time, I would have just gotten my Hindash Beautopsy palette, so that’s probably why. lol.
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I can see that. The Beautopsy palette gets you more versatility with its formula and color range. I also like the formula of the Sephora Microsmooth palette better and again more color versatility if you aren’t looking for the addition of a setting powder.
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I’m especially learning to be satisfied with my current face palettes after the last one I bought was kind of a dud. It’s not terrible but it was too expensive for the quality. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it yet in our conversations and ironically it was a custom palette. lol. The shades were all the best out of the available choices, but I wish the experience was more enjoyable. I’m trying to give it more of a chance though. Use it longer and see if my opinion improves.
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That’s too bad, hopefully you can find a way to make it work. I love a customized palette, in theory, but I definitely still end up with shades that don’t work out just like with premade palettes. I’m gonna try really hard not to buy any more face palettes in the future. I can never use every shade and that always bugs me.
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Yeah, it’s especially hard to find ones that are perfect when brands barely want to make two versions of face palettes let alone 3 or 4. And by not committing to individual ranges from the start and trying to do light-medium or medium-dark, for example, it almost guarantees it won’t be perfect for anyone.
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