allison kehoe

Who else loves when The Balm is on sale at Hautelook?! I know I do! I recently invested in a few new pieces for my makeup collection. Just a tip – if you’re interested in trying out The Balm, wait until they have an event on Hautelook. The brand is featured every few months at very discounted prices.

I opted for the “Frat Boy” blush and infamous “Meet Matt(e) Nude” palette. I want to give you a full run down on my overall thoughts along with swatches of each pigment. I got each item on sale for about 50% off.

Overall, I think the Meet Matt(e) Nude palette is a great palette for all you matte eyeshadow lovers! If you’re into shimmery shades, it’s definitely not for you. I’ve found it hard to find an entirely matte palette and jumped at the chance to invest in this one. Overall, the quality of the shadows is very good. I will say – I don’t think it’s as good as my holy grail Lorac Pro Palette, but this is a close second. I think this palette definitely gives me more matte options than the Lorac one.

The shadows are perfect for an everyday look or to glam up a more dramatic eye. The shadows are creamy, pigmented, and blend nicely. They all go very nicely together. I’d say my favorite shades (based on swatching affect and uniqueness) are Matt Singh and Matt Abdul. Matt Lombardi seems like an awesome blending color, but I had higher hopes for Matt Hung. The color pay-out wasn’t as great there (in the below swatch – this shadow took several more coats to show up).

Swatches are featured starting at the top left (Matt Johnson) and read like a book finishing with Matt Hung.

I think I’ve found my new holy grail blush! This peach color seems perfect for a variety of skin tones and has such great color pay out. It’s long lasting and looks very natural, which I love. This peachy shade is especially perfect for fairer skin tones, but I see it working with a variety of shades.

I’m very happy with my purchases, and who doesn’t love The Balm’s adorable packaging?? 🙂