The Balm eyeshadow palette comes in a simply beautiful packaging in nude theme colors. The inside design of the pallet is very chic, feminine and sexy with the pictures of the retro ladies. The shape and the closing mechanism of the packaging are convenient … I just love the magnet-closing type of palettes. The palette includes a brush applying eyeshadows, but for me, it is not very useful (I almost never use the brushes that comes with the palette). Plus for a large and handy mirror.
The palette contains 12 shades, from lighter to darker, various textures – matte, satin and glittery. The color selection (and the name of the shades) are very tempting, and as it is usually the case with pallets, after the initial using and trying out all shades, you later pick few shades that become your favourites at the end. I tested all the eyeshadows without primer and with the The Balm Put A Lid On It primer: as expected, the staying power of all shades was extended by prior application of the primer, and additionaly most of the colors were intensified whit the primer.
For me the least useful shades are Sassy and Snobby – Sassy is a white color with tiny glitter, which I do not use often, and Snobby turns out more yellow-gold on my skin than looks in the pallet. Stubborn and Stand-offish are more in my taste – Stubborn is pink with discreet glitter and satin finish and is very convenient for everyday makeup. Stand-offish is somewhere between peachy and champagne color, but when applied to my skin it tends to bring out more of the champagne color. I use it under the eyebrows and in the corners of my eyes.
The duo on the third lady with the name Selfish and Sultry is amongst my favorite, very nicely pigmented shades, soft to apply and easy to blend – Selfish is a beautiful greyish-brown color that works exceptionally well when combined with other shades, while Sultry is always useful lighter-brown shade, which does not contain too many yellow pigments and can be combined with all skin types and eye colors. The fourth duo Sophisticated and Seductive is also comparable to the previous two in terms of texture and pigmentation – Sophisticated is a dark brown color with fine golden glitter that works great for evening makeup looks, while Seductive is a bronzy-brown shade that is more appropriate for warmer skin tones or for tanned skin.
Stubborn is pink with discreet glitter and satin finish and is very convenient for everyday makeup
The shades on the fifth lady in the palette are named Sexy and Silly. Sexy is definitely one of my favorites, gorgeous dark plum color with some brown pigment, convenient in all color combinations. Silly, on the other hand, looks more beautiful in the pallet than applied on the lids, it has glittery parts that are not evenly distributed after application. The last two shades, Serious and Sleek, are very dark and, due to their pigmentation, they can also be used as an eyeliner – Serious is a black with matte finish (pigmentation is buildable), great for strong smokey eyes look. Sleek is darker coffee-brown shade, which I prefer over the shade Serious because of its pigmentation and because you can still create stronger eye looks, without looking too dark when applied to the entire eyelid.
The formulations of eyeshadows in The Balm Nude’tude palette are great, they don’t contain preservatives parabens, formaldehyde releasers or synthetic antioxidants such as BHT.
Color selection is very useful, I often take it with me when traveling. Most shades have a nice texture and the overall look of the pallet is attractive and can be widely used. The price is appropriate if you will love and regularly use, let’s say at least nine of the twelve shades. On my eyelids, the durability of most shades is very good – even without a previous application of a primer.
I recommend it to anyone that is looking for a the palette that offers day-to-day useful shades as well as more pigmented darker colors, which can be also used as an eyeliner. The Nude’tude palette offers a variety of colors and textures, making it possible to create a variety of eye makeup looks. Practical also for traveling.
INCI: Mica, Boron Nitride, Polyethylene, Isoeicosane, Silica, Dimethicone, Polyisobutene, PTFE, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Carmine (CI 75470), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
Photo: Anže Buh