A running joke with my mother is that you can take me anywhere twice; the second time is to apologise. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case with Smashbox, who very kindly invited me back to their Click! You’re It. session, held in conjunction with bumble. They’ve just released their new spring collection, Love Me…and oh, I do love it.

On Friday night, we gathered at Smashbox HQ, and returned to the director’s seat for hair and makeup transformation, whilst being shown a selection of seriously exciting new products that appeal to me on many levels. More on that later…

Sheenie of Just Nice Things & Emma

I couldn’t possibly go with convention and have my hair done first (and most importantly, couldn’t decide what to do with said hair, as goes the story of my life…), so up first was my makeup session with Emma White Thurle. As a freelance makeup artist working on the red carpet and editorial shoots, Emma has the pick the crop of makeup products, so I couldn’t resist a cheeky question – why Smashbox?

Her answer: it is perfect for the long-lasting effect she needs for both. She can apply it on a client and know that no matter how many times they’re papped and how many after parties they attend, or how long the model spends under sweaty studio lights, the photo-ready flawlessness will remain firmly in place.

My look was fresh, dewy skin, a dark eye, and red lipstick…don’t look so surprised at the last item. The lipstick in question, however, is something rather special. Those who attended the Click. You’re It! session were lucky enough to have first try of Smashbox’s new Mega Tint – part balm, part stain, and I’m completely in love. The other item of the new collection that made my beauty-obsessed heart skip a beat was the blush. I’ve never jumped on the mineral bandwagon, but when it dispenses via a grating action, you have to try it at least twice, don’t you? Just to make sure.

Bumble: (noun) my usual approach to haircare.

After the fun of that was my hair session with Mark of bumble & bumble. Having spent the better part of a morning ironing out the freshly washed kinks in my hair to poker-straight locks, the prospect of putting some curl back ought to have had me running and screaming for the hills. I’m rather glad I didn’t, though, as I adored the bouncy, shiny locks I left his chair with. He was even eschewing his own birthday drinks to do my hair – how’s that for dedication?

Ree of Really Ree getting papped!

Finally, the pièce de résistance…the photoshoot. Once I had been groomed to perfection, it was my turn to step in front of the lens. Being the shy, retiring, modest kind – HA! – it didn’t take much for me to get pouting, smiling and playing it up for the cameras. Mike, the photographer, endured just how much more accustomed I am to being the one behind the lens, and the end result? Well, call me biased and self-absorbed, but I look pretty damn hot.

The best part of the evening, though, was the atmosphere. I loved seeing so many “old faces” and meeting some new, lovely bloggers, and we took the opportunity to have a good old catch-up, even with a face full of make-up brush! As I was off out afterwards, it was rather like getting ready with friends, only with the topics of conversation ranging from handbags and make-up to “caternity leave” and the most interesting photo shoots ever. If only my bedroom had its own photo studio and DJ…

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A big, huge, enormous thank you has to go to Angela, Sally and Mary-Kate at Smashbox for welcoming me back, and the chance to have a peek at the gorgeous new products. The Mega Tint isn’t out until next month, but you get your own perfectly manicured mitts on the new collection here and here.