Quick intro: "Under the Radar" posts are posts that will feature a (in my opinion) great cosmetics company or a cosmetic product that have not garnered enough attention from the media, or from the masses of people. I will review a few items and state why I like it (or don't like it) and why the brand or the product should gain more popularity.
So, without further ado, the first "Under the Radar" feature will be....
theBalm cosmetics!!!
theBalm cosmetics was founded by CEO Marissa Shipman in 2004. theBalm hosts a variety of products besides makeup. Which includes skincare, hair care and nail polishes that are all Paraben and Cruelty-Free. It is available worldwide.
In Singapore, you can get it in any Sasa stores or you can order online at bellabox.sg.
I don't have a plethora of theBalm Cosmetics products (I wish I had, to be honest), but so far, I have been loving (and am still using) the products I own from theBalm. Here are the quick reviews of each product:
First up:
My very first theBalm product......
The Meet Matt(e) Palette!!!
I got this a couple of years back (I believe), and at the time I wanted so badly to find a matte highlight colour (Matt Smith), a matte crease/transition colour that is closest to my skin tone (Matt Gallagher/Matt Patel), and a darker matte colour that I could use to smoke out my eye makeup (Matt Batali/Matt Horowitz/Matt Ramirez/Matt McDonald).
I first saw this palette when Michelle Phan was using it in a few of her videos and I completely fell in LOVE with it. I was like,
OMG YASSSSSS!!!!
IS THIS HEAVEN I SEE???
Ok, maybe the whole "is this heaven I see???" is an over dramatization, but literally when I saw Michelle using it, I knew I HAD TO GET IT.
But I didn't know where. Lo and behold, while I was shopping, I chanced upon theBalm in....
SASA!!!
Who knew???? and there I was thinking Sasa only carries Japanese and Korean brands. Lol.
Anyhoo.... that's my boring story of how me and Mr Matt met.
Now, Imma tell you how he, went down...... ;))
#uhhhhh....
#OkThatWasBad
#IApologise
#lol
Sorry about the beat up palette. Lol. I tried cleaning it but the dirt won't come off!
Now, I know that the palette I am reviewing is pretty old, so I have decided that this part of the review will be of their eyeshadow palettes in general.
Pros
- Pigmented
- Good combination of eyeshadows in each palette (not only do they include neutral colours, but bright colours too, that will go along well with the other eyeshadows)
- Multi purpose (some palettes include lip products and blush/es)
- Each palette comes with a mirror (which is also handy, might I add)
Cons
- Does not include a matte black eyeshadow (which is a basic important matte eyeshadow colour everyone should have, in my opinion).
- Pricey
- The packaging is hard to clean (yes I'm including this. Lol)
Next up....
Bahama Mama!!
Same story. I have been looking for a suitable bronzer/contouring powder that is not orange-based or is too light for me.
And here it is, my one and only true theBalm gem (besides Mary-Lou Manizer of course), Bahama Mama!!
Note: I usually use this for contouring. I have never used this for bronzing/to make my complexion darker. But I think it'll do that just as well (if you are cool toned).
Pros:
- Less pigmented than the eyeshadows (I personally like this because it prevents any harshness from putting on too much. I want to contour, but I also want it to look as natural as possible).
- Brown-based (orange-based will make anyone look like "oompa loompa". Lol.)
- Cool-tone (essential in contouring. Looks more natural on the skin; on any skin undertone)
- Suits a wide range of skin colour (from light to medium-dark)
- Long-wearing (I have oily skin, so this is definitely a plus for me. It can last for at least 12hrs! #NoLie)
- Reasonably priced
- Comes with a mirror (which is also handy, might I add)
Cons
- The packaging is hard to clean
Next....
The Mary-Lou Manizer!!!
I didn't want to buy this. But dammit, she shined so bright and wonderful, my heart couldn't resist it.
So I bought her. #StoryOfMyLife
Pros
- Champagne gold colour (suits any skin colour and skin undertone. Basically, EVERYONE #YASSSS)
- Looks good without the camera flash; even better with the camera flash #lulz
- Gives a very nice dewy look in photos (refer to: Easy Makeup Look for Spring)
- Long-wearing (I have oily skin, so this is definitely a plus for me. It can last for at least 12hrs! #NoLie)
- Sturdy packaging
- Comes with a mirror (which is also handy, might I add)
Cons
- Pricey
- Does not include a brush (might be inconvenient for some. I doubled up my small tapered brush as a blush brush and highlighter brush as well).
And last, but not least.....
FratBoy Shadow/Blush!!!
(I didn't include this in the first pic because I completely forgot about it! #Oops)
I didn't want to buy him either, but uh... I had to top up for a membership.... so.... #hurhur #StoryOfMyLife
Pros
- Pigmented
- Suits any skin colour (I used this on myself and someone else who is darker than me, and it looked good on us both)
- Comes with a mirror (which is also handy, might I add)
Cons
- Pricey
- The packaging is hard to clean
- Does not include a brush
- A dense brush is needed, so that the product will come off noticeably on the skin. A fluffy blush brush will not be able to pick up enough product.
theBalm's products may be on the pricey side, but let me reiterate that their products are paraben free and cruelty free. Thus, products that are paraben free are usually on be pricey side. I wished the blushes have a wider range of colours and could pick up better on any blush brush, though.
With that being said, I personally would invest on Bahama Mama, the Lou Manizers (get it?? #haha) and their eyeshadow palettes. They are each amazing products and are worth the splurge.
Till then.
Ida
Next Post: WW: In A Rush
Date/Time: 08 April 2015/00:00
No comments:
Post a Comment