The Balm Makeup from Haute Look
So...I've never really worn makeup, but it's something that I've been wanting to explore and play around with but I just didn't know what products to buy and where to start so I've kinda been putting it off. Since I'm a newbie to makeup I didn't want to go out and spend tons of money on a bunch of high end makeup products I didn't know how to properly use, but at the same time I didn't want to go strictly drugstore either.
One day when I was wandering around Kohls with my mom, I came across their "The Balm" section and it was love at first sight. I'm a sucker for pretty, unique, or creative packaging and "The Balm" line totally caught my eye. Whoever designs their line totally deserves a raise because this is just some amazingly fantastic and creative packaging/product naming around. I saw it and I just had to have it.
However, they are a bit on the pricey side (at least for me...though compared to high end makeup it's actually not that bad) so I decided to do some research first to see if the actual product was decent (since I'd never heard of this company before) and if I could find it for cheaper online so I came home and went to work. Turns out that a lot of people had great things to say about the makeup line and generally seemed to love the products. I was sold. They also said that HauteLook generally has 50% off sales on "The Balm" products semi-annually so I decided to take their advice and be patient...so I waited.
Finally on January 23rd, 2015...which coincidentally was my birthday, "The Balm" sale went live on HauteLook. Hallelujah! I went a little crazy, but I couldn't help myself. I just absolutely love their packaging and I couldn't resist. I wish I could have gotten more stuff, but I had already gone over my budget so sadly I had to cut myself off.
I'm having so much fun playing around with my new collection of products and exploring the world of beauty. I can't wait until they go on sale again, which I'm guessing will most likely happen again this summer, to get more stuff. In the meantime, I'll have to be good and save up so when the time comes I can indulge in more goodies.
BRUSHES
Powder to the People (Powder/Blush Brush)
"Empowder yourself with a brush that does it all. Powder to the People is the ideal size and shape for blush, all-over powdering, highlighting and contouring." -- The Balm
COST: $29.50 (The Balm) / $14.50 (HauteLook)
Blend a Hand (Tapered Foundation Brush)
"The tapered point applies both your foundation and concealer smoothly and evenly, for an airbrushed finish. Blend a Hand’s head is shaped to fit in even the smallest contours of your face, particularly around the eyes and nose." -- The Balm
***However, a lot of people seem to say that it's not great for foundation, but works great for concealer which is what they use it for. They love it as a concealer brush because, as it says above, the "head of the brush is shaped to fit in even the smallest contours of the face, particularly around the eyes and nose".
COST: $26.50 (The Balm) / $13 (HauteLook)
Women Empowderment (Double-Ended Eyebrow/Eyeliner Brush)
"Create bold liner and perfect brows using our Women Empowderment brush. One side of this multi-tasking brush is angled, making it easy to create both perfect eyebrows and eyeliner. Flip it around for a precise defining tip suitable for smokey liner looks. Brush Holder included." -- The Balm
COST: $24.50 (The Balm) / $12 (HauteLook)
Give Crease a Chance (Double-Ended Shadow/Crease Brush)
"All-Over Eyeshadow Brush/Blending Brush. Don't stress, Give Crease a Chance! One side of this multi-tasking brush is great for applying all-over color to your eyelids, the other uses duo-fiber technology to blend your eyeshadows for an even finish. Brush Holder included." -- The Balm
COST: $26.50 (The Balm) / $13 (HauteLook)
Crease, Love and Happiness (Double-Ended Smudger Brush/Tapered Crease Brush)
"Drag the small end of Crease, Love, and Happiness along the lower lash line for soft, natural definition or use it on your eyelid for precision. Fall in love with the larger end which defines your crease and applies shadow all over your lids in one smooth sweep. Brush Holder included." -- The Balm
COST: $24.50 (The Balm) / $12 (HauteLook)
Brush Holders for the Double Ended Brushes
COST: $5 (The Balm) / Free (HauteLook)
EYE PRODUCTS
What's Your Type? - The Body Builder (Mascara)
"Let this "body builder" show you how to pump up your lashes and give them the lift they need. Formulated with Vitamin E, Panthenol and Bamboo, this mascara strengthens and conditions your lashes so they are always amped. Push the limits of your lashes by layering an extra coat to take your volume to the max." -- The Balm
COST: $19 (The Balm) / $9.50 (HauteLook)
BrowPow (Eyebrow Powder)
"Conquer any brow crisis and defeat your arch-enemies with this long wearing brow powder from theBalm cosmetics. Whether you're aiming for brows that pack a punch, or want to capture a soft and subtle look, Brow Pow is ready for action! With 3 neutral shades to choose from, you are bound to find the sidekick you've been looking for..." -- The Balm
COST: $15 (The Balm) / $7.50 (HauteLook)
HIGHLIGHTER/BRONZER
Mary-Lou Manizer (Highlighter, Shadow & Shimmer)
"Meet Mary-Lou Manizer, a seemingly innocent honey-hued luminizer that catches everybody’s eye. This highlighter, shadow and shimmer diffuses light so your skin looks softer and younger while adding a subtle glow. " -- The Balm
COST: $24 (The Balm) / $12 (HauteLook)
Betty-Lou Manizer (Bronzer/Shadow)
"Fake it, don’t bake it! Before you head out to relish some well deserved sun, score a faux, sun-kissed glow with theBalm’s Betty-Lou Manizer. Betty-Lou is a silky smooth, all-in-one bronzing highlighter, shimmer and shadow. " -- The Balm
COST: $24 (The Balm) / $12 (HauteLook)
PALETTES
Balm Jovi (Rockstar Face Palette)
"This palette has everything you need to take center-stage! It features 12 shadows that are sure to top the charts. All of these shadows can be used wet or dry—so “live and wet/dry”…it’s up to you! The head-lining highlighter and blush are sure to set the stage. Sync up your look with “Milly” and “Vanilly”, the two included lip and cheek creams. Balm Jovi is compact and portable, yet it has everything you need to take on tour! " -- The Balm
COST: $39.50 (The Balm) / $19.50 (HauteLook)
Balmsai (Eyeshadow and Brow Palette with Shaping Stencils)
"Create epic looks with Balmsai - the all-inclusive eyeshadow and stencil palette from theBalm Cosmetics. Use theBalm's exclusive stencils to score flawless brows, carve out a gorgeous smokey eye, or channel your liner into an impressive wave. With 18 shades to choose from, you can dive right in. " -- The Balm
COST: $39.50 (The Balm) / $19.50 (HauteLook)
NUDE ‘tude (Nude Eyeshadow Palette)
"This amazing palette consists of 12 beautiful shadows that make wearing nudes sexy! These satiny smooth colors can be applied naturally, i.e. “let me slip into something more comfortable” or beautifully layered. The wide range gives you light highlighters as well as brazen bold shades that work to add definition and emphasis to your lids. Nude`tude allows you to dramatically dress up your eyes—if nothing else! " -- The Balm
***There are 2 versions of this palette...the "Naughty Palette" which is what I got (pictured above) and the "Nice Palette" which doesn't have the girls and instead has the same background as the cover picture.
COST: $36 (The Balm) / $18 (HauteLook)
References...
1. The Balm links above
