Welcome to the first post and review of the year on Makeup Kismet! I know I've been quiet on the blogging front but that will soon change. But for today, I will be blessing the first review of the year with theBalm's Nude'Tude Palette.
The Nude'Tude palette comes in two versions: Feeling Naughty or Feeling Nice. Both are identical in price ($36USD), weight (11.08 g), and eyeshadow selection. Which did I order? Feeling Naughty, of course ;)
The risqué artwork may offend some people but I like it. The ladies are wickedly playful and they have beautiful, voluminous hair! Anyway, the eyeshadows covering the lady parts are just as playful and are actually useful.
Although I was expecting the Nude'Tude palette to be perfect day time wear, I find it better suited as a natural, night out palette. Now I expect people to ask me, "Well why not stick with the Urban Decay Naked palette? It will produce day to night looks, all in one palette!" True but only if you can pull of the very, very warm tones that is comprised in the Naked palette. Yes, Nude'Tude is also warm but not as intense as Naked, making it much easier to wear. And although the colours do not overlap, I prefer the variety in theBalm's palette more. The formula of theBalm's shadows is ridiculous too. Ridiculously soft that is. It practically melts like butter on the lids.
Now for the swatches. All were made on bare skin with one to two swipes each.
Sassy / Snobby / Stubborn / Stand-offish
Selfish / Sultry / Sophisticated / Schitzo
Sexy / Silly / Serious / Sleek Sassy is a frosty white that makes for a great inner corner eye highlighter.
Snobby is a shimmering pale yellow gold. It's applies as a sheer wash of colour because the texture is quite dry. I was expecting a bit more from this one.
Stubborn is a frosty light peachy pink. I love wearing this as an all over colour.
Stand-offish is a light frosty metallic... Okay, this one confuses me. It's almost bronze but then peachy at the same time. What would you call it?
Selfish is a frosted taupe. It's a more mushroom-y taupe when layered and well, who doesn't love a taupe?
Sultry is a matte medium brown. This is a very good matte; easy to apply with great pay off.
Sophisticated is a deep brown with gold shimmers that blends very easily. Must layer lots with this ones or you lose all the beautiful gold shimmer!
Schitzo is a warm golden bronze brown. Applies like a dream!
Sexy is a matte burgundy that is powdery and swatches patchy but when applied with a brush it turns into a whole different story. With a brush, Sexy packs a punch. There is fall out due to the powdery-ness but if you love a good burgundy eyeshadow, this is something to look into.
Silly is a dark brown with hints of red undertone and copper sparkle. This colour was heavily swatched but in reality, it applies sheer due to a drier texture. The copper sparkle is mostly all you'll get.
Serious is a matte black. Not the best matte black out there but still good.
Sleek is a matte black brown. Smoother than Serious but definitely not as dramatic. I must say, this is my favourite matte eyeshadow throughout the entire palette.
Notice how every eyeshadow is named after a feeling or personality starting with the letter 'S'? theBalm paired up the shadows to the words quite nicely. But about the actual product? The eyeshadows are soft and sometimes messy but that could be overlooked because they are also very pigmented. And if all goes wrong, the shadows can be blended out so beautifully.
If I could change a few things in the palette, it would be the amount of frost and shimmer in the lighter colours or add in a matte vanilla companion. The frost in the lightest colours combined with the shimmer of the browns is a little too strong for a natural, day time look.
Bottom Line:
While I wish to say theBalm's Nude'Tude is a must have, it isn't in my books. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice palette but not exactly a "nude eyeshadow palette". The quality is there though so if you're looking for a natural night out palette, give Nude'Tude a go. All the colours are there for you and the packaging is so cute!
Ingredients
Do you have that one amazing, limited edition (or not), beautiful makeup treasure you have always wanted? The one that has been on your wishlist since forever? Of course you do and so do I!
When I found out of the Urban Decay Book of Shadows - early in my makeup collecting years - the Alice in Wonderland (Vol. II) was the first limited edition palette I had ever wanted.
By the time I had hopped onto the Urban Decay train, I was too late and missed my chance on the palette. Until now that is!
The palette goes for $90, brand new and in box, on e(vil)Bay but I paid $40 for mine through Sheila's blog sale. It's not new but it's in fantastic condition. Look at it!
*sigh* So, so, so, so beautiful. After years of lusting for it, it's finally mine. All mine! If there was ever a fire, I'd grab this palette before running to safety. I love it that much.
Do you have a special treasure you could only dream of owning one day? What ever it is, I hope you two find each other and live happily ever after!
November's lovely package came from Che of lovefemme. Che hosted a three winner giveaway awhile ago and I was the lucky first prize winner.
The first prize contained the Color Club Back to Boho Collection in Set A and two holographic polishes in Revvvolution and Fashion Addict.
The Back to Boho collection A nor B has made an appearance at my local Winners and neither have I seen Alter Ego, another Color Club collection I've been lemming.
The others or what I refer to as "the bonuses"; Benefit One Prime Day, Urban Decay All Day Setting Spray, NYX The Caribbean Collection 5 Color Shadow Palette, and an adorable Forever 21 necklace!
Not pictured is the Konad stamping set included in the prize. This means I can finally have pretty designs on my nails! (I am one of those unfortunate people with no freehand skills.)
All in all, despite the fact my parent's ditched me at the start of November, this month has been incredible for me. With the SO's visit, mail, shopping, eating... What more could a girl ask for?
August has been a hectic month which is the excuse reason for the lack of updates. I thought I would have enough time to at least do my monthly I've Got Mail post but seriously, things have been crazy. It's expected though because August is the last month of Summer classes which ultimately means final exams. This also means it's the last month I can thoroughly enjoy the company of friends and family. Then, combined with a mother who will enslave you for two days with no pay means relaxing is out of the picture.
My mail box wasn't as busy as me last month but I don't know if I'd consider that a good thing. When the Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Eyeshadow Collection popped up on the Sephora website I begged the SO to order one for me.
The Hello Kitty Memoirs of a Kitty Cosmetic Bag was on sale; nearly 50% off but is no longer available. I have a drawer full of cosmetic bags from gift with purchases but none are as cute and handy as this one. The bag isn't thin nor heavy but what I like most is that it expands when it's unzipped all the way. No more yanking cosmetic bags open to get a better look!
September will be just as quiet for my mailbox as August was. As for me? I have too much to do. Classes start next week, my driver's test is the week following and then I have to help prepare for my parent's month long departure. Wish me luck!
Guess who (on accident!) found the highly coveted Urban Decay Book of Shadows III??
I'll give you a hint, her name is Ashley and this is her blog. That's right, I DID!
I know I said I'd quit with the haul and frequent purchase posts but this was TOO exciting to keep to myself. I was really just looking for the Urban Decay Naked Palette (just for kicks, wasn't really thinking of buying it!....) when I saw the Urban Decay BoS III on display. I got the LAST ONE. Next to it was the limited edition supersized Primer Potion... I woulda scooped that up but I think I'll do that when Sephora has their annual Friends & Family sale. Or atleast I think it's annual..
Enough with that here is my pretty picture:
Goodnight,
Ashley :)
P.S. Yes I know, I took my photo on my washing machine!
Disclosure
Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.
All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.
Photos on this blog are either from Google, other Bloggers or, my own. I try to depict all products as accurately as possible. I may edit photos for this purpose.
