theBalm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.33 oz.) contains nine matte eyeshadows named after theBalm’s favorite Matts. It includes a small, dual-ended bristle brush, which is usable and better than sponge-tipped brushes that are often included in these kinds of palettes, but it wouldn’t replace full-sized brushes for me. The palette is small, square-ish, and made out of heavy-duty cardboard. It flips open and has a mirror under the lid.
Matt Gallagher medium-dark brown with a matte finish. Bobbi Brown Stone is several shades darker. MAC Quarry has a slightly mauve tone to it in comparison. Inglot #360 is darker and cooler-toned.
Matt Ramirez is a dark, sooty brown with warm red undertones but an almost gray-ish tint. MAC Diamond Dove is very similar, perhaps less gray-tinted. MAC Brun has a stronger gray tinge. MAC Midnight Flurry is pretty similar.
Matt McDonald is a bluish-gray with a slightly pearled silver sheen. I wouldn’t describe this as matte. NARS Mandchourie is a bit darker and has gold sparkle. MAC Weathered is slightly darker.
Matt Horowitz is a purpled blue with a semi-matte finish. I couldn’t think of anything that was really similar to this. Inglot #321 is in the same color family, but it’s much, much darker.
Overall, the texture of these shades are soft, smooth, and buttery–they’re not as dense or as buttery as theBalm’s more shimmery eyeshadows (think the Shady Lady series or their singles). These are finely-milled and soft enough that there is some excess powder kicked up when you go to use them. The majority of the shades applied with good to excellent color payoff, though Matt Chung was a little chalky and sheer, Matt Schilling wasn’t chalky but it was a bit sheer and a little dry, and Matt Patel was slightly sheer in places and didn’t apply as smoothly. Also worth noting, Matt Batali was a bit drier and not as soft or as dense as the other shades in the palette, but the pigmentation didn’t suffer as a consequence.
Each eyeshadow is 0.037 oz., whereas the average full-sized eyeshadow is typically 0.05 oz. I actually like the size of each shade, because they’re about 75% the size of regular full-sized ones (though theBalm’s individuals shades are 0.10 oz.), you still get plenty of product, but the entire compact fits in your hand and is very travel-friendly. I will point out the obvious that theBalm’s Shady Lady palettes contain a whopping 0.60 oz. (almost double the size of this palette) and retail for $39.50, which is only a little bit more. Nude ‘tude is slightly larger at 0.38 oz. and retails for $36. The Shady Lady palettes are still a super-sized value palette in comparison, but I think the pricing is about right here, and you’re getting a good amount of product for your buck.
It's definitely one of the better matte eyeshadow palettes I've come across (though two shades aren't entirely matte). Overall, there is good color payoff, smooth, soft textures, and they're blendable and wear well on the eye.
Product
9/10
Pigmentation
9/10
Texture
9/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4.5/5
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Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
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theBalm Risque Renee Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “dark navy blue sheen.” It reads a little more like indigo to me–it has this really rich, deep dark navy blue twisted with a blackened violet. It’s all mixed with blue and violet and almost teal-ish shimmer and finished with a soft sheen. The sheen came through more when I applied it wet, but when dry, it has a slightly more matte finish.
my thoughts on the formula: theBalm’s eyeshadows are soft, silky smooth, and packed with pigment. They apply evenly, blend out beautifully, and aren’t powdery at all (sometimes a side effect of really soft eyeshadows). I find they are so easy to use, because they apply without fall out and blend with other shadows effortlessly. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.
theBalm's eyeshadows have such a soft, smooth texture that applies so well. Risque Renee is no different--excellent color pay off combined with the signature silky smooth feel makes for a standout eyeshadow.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
4/5
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Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
theBalm Curvy Cami Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “plum shimmer with gold flecks.” It’s a medium-dark plum with subtle red-mauve undertones and even subtler gold shimmer. I love how it is a red-based purple without being obvious, which makes it easier to wear and more universally suitable.
my thoughts on the formula: Curvy Cami has a very soft, silky texture, but it is a touch powdery and doesn’t seem as pigment-packed as other theBalm eyeshadows I’ve tested. It is easy to blend because of the soft texture. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.
It’s a nice, softened plum with some darkness but without being blackberry or vampy. I do wish it was a bit more pigmented, since it seems a little sheer.
Product
8/10
Pigmentation
8/10
Texture
8.5/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4/5
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Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
theBalm Luscious Lani Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “pink champagne on ice.” On me, the pink seems to disappear, but I feel like this is a shade that will be subtly different depending on your skin’s undertones–those with cooler and pinker complexions will see the pink come through, while those with warmer and yellower complexions will get more of a peach-champagne shade. I found Lusicous Lani to be a glistening gilded peach champagne with a metallic-frost finish.
my thoughts on the formula: theBalm’s eyeshadows are soft, silky smooth, and packed with pigment. They apply evenly, blend out beautifully, and aren’t powdery at all (sometimes a side effect of really soft eyeshadows). I find they are so easy to use, because they apply without fall out and blend with other shadows effortlessly. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
theBalm Sexy Stacey Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “shimmering pewter.” It’s a dark gray with silver shimmer and sheen–and the faintest hint of teal micro-shimmer. I wouldn’t call it pewter myself; it’s just too gray to be pewter, which tends to lean more taupe or gold, depending on the base.
my thoughts on the formula: theBalm’s eyeshadows are soft, silky smooth, and packed with pigment. They apply evenly, blend out beautifully, and aren’t powdery at all (sometimes a side effect of really soft eyeshadows). I find they are so easy to use, because they apply without fall out and blend with other shadows effortlessly. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.
This a nice shade for a gray/silver smoky eye--it reminds me of MAC's Silver Ring but a bit smokier. It has such a soft, smooth texture coupled with excellent pigmentation that it's a great gray to have on standby.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
4/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
theBalm All About Alex Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “golden khaki olive.” It’s this darkened, golden-toned khaki brown with a faint hint of olive green micro-shimmer. It’s subtle but it’s there; more noticeable when reflected against light than in a static swatch. All of theBalm’s single eyeshadows are in simple cardboard packaging with a mirror inside.
my thoughts on the formula: theBalm’s eyeshadows are soft, silky smooth, and packed with pigment. They apply evenly, blend out beautifully, and aren’t powdery at all (sometimes a side effect of really soft eyeshadows). I find they are so easy to use, because they apply without fall out and blend with other shadows effortlessly. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.
All About Alex performs incredibly well, and the color itself is flattering on both warmer and cooler skin tones--that subtle olive green shimmer gives it just enough coolness to work.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
4/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
