I recently discovered a new local brand called theBalm here in San Francisco. They have super cute packaging, cruelty and paraben-free products and their mascot (Chief Pet Officer) is theBalm creator’s pug Wheezy. Yeah, it’s adorable.
“In 2004, Marissa Shipman, founder of theBalm, realized there were a few simple products she needed to help her look and feel glam all the time – and if she needed them, other women did too… Marissa decided to indulge her cosmetic curiosities and went to Amazon where she bought 11 books on how to make makeup and started mixing in her kitchen. She began integrating anti-aging ingredients, triple-milled pigments, fabulous scents…and theBalm was born.”
- theBalm
* I’ve included the Canadian and US prices and links for each product. Canadians can order products theBalm from Obsessed Look and take advantage of free shipping with no minimum required! If you are in the US you can order from theBalm website – my package was delivered within 3 days of ordering : )
I picked up 3 things from their online store and so far, I’m kind of loving them all. Let’s jump into it!
Nude ‘Tude Nude Eyeshadow Palette (US $36) (Canada $35.77)
This palette includes 12 shades including highlighting, matte and sparkle shadows. I’ve been eyeing the Naked3 Palette from Urban Decay for a while but I just couldn’t commit to spending $54 on it. I am so glad I waited because theBalm shadows are really nice. And after reading a ton of reviews many people have said that this palette is just as good (and in some cases better when it comes to colour selection) than the Naked Palettes. And it’s more affordable which is an added bonus! The shadows are velvety smooth and I love the colours. Below are swatches of all 12 shadows!
Left to right: Sassy, Snobby, Stubborn, Stand-offish
Left to right: Selfish, Sultry, Sophisticated, Seductive
Left to right: Sexy, Silly, Serious, Sleek (apologies for the terrible swatching job on this one, my skin was super dry!)
What’s Your Type? Mascara (US $19) (Canada $19.26)
This mascara is formulated with olive and rice wax so it goes on silky smooth and doesn’t clump. At all. I have the thinest lashes that clump on the second coat of mascara every time. I was able to apply two full coats with no clumping and noticed visible added length. The formula is super black and quite wet/liquidy which I prefer (compared to something like Benefit’s Bad Gal Mascara which is quite dry). The wand is similar to They’re Real Mascara from Benefit so I knew I’d like the wand. I’m really impressed with this mascara overall! If you love They’re Real Mascara but you want to try something new, I would highly suggest this mascara. I’ve found myself reaching for this over all my other mascaras lately!
Plump Your Pucker in Cocoa My Coconut (US $15) (Canada $15.14)
This gloss comes in 11 glossy shades, and they contain menthol and Vitamin C so it’s both moisturizing and cooling. I love the tingly minty feeling I get when I apply it and while it doesn’t “plump” your lips it does reduce the look of fine lines so your lips appear fuller. I chose this neutral shade because I am still on the hunt for my perfect “nude” lip colour. This isn’t quite the right nude shade for me, but it’s sheer enough that I don’t mind. The formula is a bit thin so you do need to apply a generous amount to get full coverage. The lip glosses do smell like their names, something they didn’t mention in the description. And while I quite like the chocolate/coconut scent it’s something to be aware of if you are sensitive to fragrance.
Have you tried theBalm? What is your favourite local beauty brand?
MizzJ says
That palette is pretty! Do they crease at all and hope is the wear time?
MizzJ says
*how. Hate auto correct!
Megan Joy says
I found it did crease a bit without a primer, but with a primer it had good staying power!
Natalie Heather says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE the balm. I found their products for 50% off at Jean Coutu and picked up a wide variety of things, and I have loved it all. I’ve always wanted that palette, but I haven’t seen it around (I like to swatch…) and it doesn’t seem worth it to order just the one thing online.
Megan Joy says
I picked these up during a 40% off sale! Glad I did, bc now I will go back and pick up more things
Pauline says
I have the Blush from Hot Mama, its fantastic blush to have! I’ve been eyeing Nude’tude for awhile now!
<3 Pauline, Addicted to Makeup
Megan Joy says
I want to try one of their blushes! Nude Tude is a great value, so many pretty colours!
Carly says
Love the balm! I tried out the Manizer Duo Kit (bronzer/highlighter) and it is lovely. I’ve been eyeing up that palette for a while now so thanks for the swatches! I also really like the look of that mascara wand.
Megan Joy says
I know you love your mascara Carly
I really like this types of wand, it works much better on my lashes. Their Manizer duo looks amazing!
Beyond Blush says
I’ve been eyeing that palette for ages, so pretty!
BeyondBlush
Megan Joy says
It really is, I think I’ve used it every day since I got it!
Jen says
Great reviews! Nude ‘Tude is one of my all-time favourite palettes. So versatile
Megan Joy says
Agreed! It’s one of the few palettes that I actually like every single colour
Inês Vieira says
that mascara seems really nice. I like the wand. I really want to have a Nude tude palette. lucky you
xxx
http://loadsof-joy.blogspot.com
Megan Joy says
I am a big fan of wands like this, with shorter bristles. It just works for me! The Nude Tude Palette is great, you should look out for their stuff on sale, they have great promotions
Jenn @ Scarlet Beauty says
I see people raving about that palette all the time but I don’t know where to find them in Toronto any more. I miss when Sephora used to carry the brand!
Megan Joy says
The Obsessed Look website carries them!
Steph says
I love theBalm! I haven’t been using my Nude’Tude palette much (at all…) lately, because I’m stuck on Coastal Scents’ Revealed, but it’s a great palette. I like the Instain Blush I have too (Toile)!
Megan Joy says
Apparently I am late to the game, because as of 2 months ago I had never heard of the balm. Now I am totally hooked