Back to Blogging + Loving Lately

We're half way into the year now and I have barely blogged. I think we can all agree that it's high time I get back to it! But first some basic Q&A to explain where and what I've been up to:

1. Where have I been?
Answer: Everywhere but my happy place. Along with school and the odd jobs here and there, I have spent almost every waking hour tending to family affairs. There is a lot of sad stuff involved and because I don't want to sadden anyone, I won't get into it! Don't worry though, the storm has passed and all that is left is the clean up.

2. What reviews are to come?
I made a list of the top priority posts which involve skincare (go figure), blush (Illamasqua!!), and Lush. Hey! That rhymed :)

3. When is that aforementioned giveaway going to happen?

Soooon; hopefully by July. Aim for Canada day or is that too corny?

Lastly...

4. What about The Ban?
Will be writing up my final words about it next. It deserves a post of its own!

Any other questions? Ask away in the comments!


Onto what I've been "Loving Lately"....


theBalm makes great makeup and they've recently wondered into the realms of skincare. I bought one of their skincare sets at Marshall's a few months back and only started testing it recently. The Brazil Nut Eye Perfection Gel is my new favorite eye moisturizer. I may or may not review this but if you have an insanely dry under-eye area like me, you'll LOVE this stuff.
The Apple AHA Daily Face Moisturizer is nice too - keeps my face smooth and hydrated during the day. I am not fond of the scent though.


Recently started using my Rock & Republic blushes again... Man are these blushes ever pigmented! R&R should forget making jeans and focus on making blushes. They're so good, it's a shame the cosmetics line was discontinued.


The SO & I share a matching scent; Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. (But of course, he wears Light Blue Pour Homme.) We both really like it but me more than him.
Back when Sephora had their 15% off (in March?), I had purchased the 50ml size but promptly returned it when I came across a better valued gift set at The Bay. The gift set which included a 100ml bottle + bonus 25ml cost $108 but is valued at $167. However, I only paid a little less than $150 because I had a 20% off discount that day.
When it comes to select beauty & perfume brands, I like to purchase them at The Bay now due to the amount of discounts they send to my mom & I. Thus, Sephora is slowly losing it's place in my heart... Oh well, as long as I can get my makeup somewhere, right?

Anyway, I apologize for being absent but I am back! There are loads of edited posts so I have no excuses to be away any longer!

Review: theBalm Nude'Tude Palette

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