What Should I Buy? Multi-Purpose Palettes

I’ve decided to start a new series on my blog called “What Should I Buy?”  I typically like to do some research before I make a purchase and I figured I can expand on that by doing up a post that describes what options I’m considering and hopefully gather some feedback from the blogging community.  One of my goals this year was to be more mindful of my purchases so this is going to help me in ensuring I’m buying things that are worth my hard-earned money!

So my first post in this series is going to be on multi-purpose palettes.  I’ve been wanting one for a while now and after traveling for work last week, I realized how much it would have come in handy.  I was in a bit of a rush when I was packing and it would had been really nice to be able to simplify my choices by having a palette that can cover several bases.

MY CRITERIA: A palette that includes eyeshadows, a blush, a bronzer and highlighter.  I’m willing to sacrifice not having a bronzer, a blush or highlighter (only one) if it means a better overall palette.   I would like a mix of neutrals and a few pops of colour; I’m cool-toned but I’m open to warm or cool toned palettes – although I tend to learn towards cooler tones.  I’m also looking for a mix of matte and shimmery shades, I don’t want just one or the other.

MY OPTIONS:

Tarte Showstopper Clay Palette – $48 CAD

Tarte has the most multi-purpose palette options by far, and this is one I’ve been eyeing for ages.   I keep looking at it but never seem to take the plunge and I’m not sure why?  This set includes 6 warm eyeshadows, a bronzer, highlight and blush.  The blush might be what is throwing me off –  I’ve swatched it a few times and its just so orange.

Pros: Contains all 4 products; good value.

Cons: Blush seems really orange; bronzer seems really dark; only one true matte eyeshadow shade.

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Clay Eye & Check Palette – $48 CAD

I came across this palette when I was investigating the Showstopper palette;  I love plum shades so the eyeshadows speak to me more than the Showstopper palette does.  It also includes 8 shadows, a bronzer, blush and highlighter.  My only gripe is the snake on the front of the palette…I don’t like it.   I know it’s not real but I just wish it wasn’t there.

Pros: Contains all 4 products; 50/50 split of matte and shimmery shades; good value.

Cons: Snake on packaging.

Tarte Energy Noir Clay Palette – $46 CAD

Yet another Tarte option – this one a few dollars cheaper but includes 8 eyeshadows, a highlighter and a blush.  It’s missing the bronzer which is a bit of an annoyance – I can make do without highlighter but bronzer is kind of a necessity for my pale skin.  I find it’s a similar to the Rainforest After Dark palette given that the shades are more plumy.

Pros: Beautiful packaging.

Cons: No bronzer; reviews state matte shades are difficult to blend; unfavourable reviews overall.

Tarte Empower Flower Amazonian Clay Collector’s Palette – $43 CAD

My final Tarte option in the mix and one I don’t think I’ve seen this one in store. I love the pretty packaging but I also hate it because cardboard packaging damages easily when traveling.  This contains 8 eyeshadows, 2 blushes and a bronzer.  It excludes a highlighter but the bronzer is shimmery so it could potentially be skipped.

Pros: Great mix of eyeshadow shades; two blush shades.

Cons: No highlighter included; cardboard packaging; mixed reviews overall.

In the Balm of Your Hand Palette by The Balm – $52.25 CAD

I’ve only tried one product of The Balm’s and I wasn’t impressed (a sample-sized bronzer).  However I keep hearing great things about them so I’d definitely like to try more of their products.  I feel like this palette would be a great way to do so – given that it includes many of their best sellers – 4 eyeshadows, 3 blushes, a highlighter, a nude cheek/lip cream and a lip colour.  I love that it includes lip colours but if I’m being honest, I’ll rarely wear that shade.  Especially if I’m traveling!

Pros: 3 blush shades; love the bronzer and blush shades; cute packaging.

Cons: Not likely to use the lip colours; cardboard packaging; only includes 4 eyeshadows; eyeshadow shades are not my preference.

Balm Voyage Vol. 2 – $53.95 CAD

My second option from The Balm is this palette that contains 9 eyeshadow shades, two blushes, a bronzer, highlighter and two lip and cheek creams.  Again, The Balm has some of the cutest packaging around but cardboard is never my preference (although it is nice and light!).

Pros: Includes cream blush/ lip colours; good shade range on all products (more wearable than above).

Cons: Packaging (damages easily); no matte eyeshadow shades.

Smashbox #Shapematters Palette – $69 CAD

This Smashbox palette is one that I went back and forth on with regards to including it in here – but I love the look of it so I couldn’t bring myself to exclude it.  This palette is quite versatile in that it includes a brow wax, two brow powders, four face powders, nine eyeshadows and a brush.  However it excludes a blush and it’s quite large which doesn’t make it ideal for travel.

Pros: Includes a brush; includes a brow wax; versatile shades.

Cons: Large size; most expensive option; not a fan of brow powders; no blush.

NYX Butt Naked Eyes Makeup Palette – $27 CAD

I was happy to find a drugstore option to throw in here –  and when comparing the price and the quantity of product in this palette to the rest, it’s in its own field.  However the majority of the research I’ve done states that this is a palette for those that like “softer looks” – is that a big deal?  Not really, as I tend to do that anyway.  My concern is related to the quality aspect – the general consensus on this is that it is a good palette, but it doesn’t compare to some of the more popular, higher end palettes.

Pros: Price; quantity of product; variety of shades.

Cons: Quality of products; restricted to “softer looks”

The last option I’m considering is picking up a Z palette and creating my own customized travel palette.  That will involve a lot more research of a different kind and a lot more money, given that a large sized Z palette runs for $27 CAD and then I still have to find products to fill it with.  Buying a Z palette and filling it has been on my wish list for a while now but I’m not sure this is the time to do so.

THE VERDICT: I think I’m leaning most towards the Tarte Rainforest After Dark palette, mainly because it checks all the boxes.  If it weren’t for that damn snake, I’d probably have already purchased it.

If you own any of these palettes, I’d love to hear your feedback on them!  Or if I’ve missed any you think I should be considering, let me know too.

Thanks for reading!

First Impressions: Winter 2015 Luxe Box

I received my Winter Luxe Box a few weeks ago and I’m finally getting around to doing a first impressions on it.  This is my second box I’ve received since I subscribed back in the (late) Summer.  I received the Fall box and I was pretty happy with it – it had a good variety of products and I found it had a good value.  I also really like the fact that it’s delivered once a quarter instead of every month.  You can find more about Luxe Box on their website here.

So, on to my box!

 Face Shop Character mask (Moisturizing) – $4 CAD

I haven’t tried this yet but I can’t wait to – how hilarious does this look?  I’ve never tried anything from The Face Shop either so I’m looking forward to giving something of theirs a try.  I still find sheet masks a little weird and sometimes off-putting but my skin could use some extra moisture now that the weather has become colder and drier.

Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eye Liner Pen – $19 USD

I was pretty happy to see a full-size liquid liner pen included as I use liquid liner quite a bit and calligraphy/felt tip types are my favourite.  I’ve used this a couple of times and I’m pretty impressed with it.  It lasts all day, doesn’t smudge or flake goes on smoothly and is fairly pigmented.  The problem is I’m not sure I see myself ordering this for $19 USD; exchange sucks right now and I have a few drugstore versions that work just as well for less.

Teez Trends Read My Lips Lipsticks – $22 USD

I’ve never heard of this brand before but I love its unique and colourful packaging!  This is another full-sized product which is always great to receive!

The shade is a deep red with a tiny hint of berry.  It’s very pigmented and I was quite impressed with its smooth texture.  I’ve worn it once and given that it claims to be long-wearing I fully expected it to dry out my lips.  But it’s surprisingly moisturizing!  I’m not sure I see myself paying close to $30 CAD for it but I need to try it out a bit more to see if it lives up to its high price tag.

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara – $12 USD

When I saw the collection of Benefit products in my box I was pretty excited!  Benefit isn’t a brand I haven’t tried a lot of and I’d like to try more.  The exception being this mascara.  I tried it years ago and I wasn’t a fan of it; it didn’t do much to my lashes.  I prefer volume over length though because my lashes are naturally quite long.  Despite that I’ll give this another try and see if it maybe works better for me this time.

Benefit They’re Real! Tinted Primer – $10 USD

As mentioned above, when I tried the They’re Real! Mascara a while back I wasn’t impressed with it.  But I’m intrigued by this lash primer!  This can be worn alone for a more natural look or worn underneath mascara; it claims to increase length, lift and separation.  I also like that this is water-resistant.  I’m looking forward to giving this a go!

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara – $16 CAD

I’ve heard such good things about this mascara and I’ve been dying to try it but not willing to fork over the money for it.  So I was stoked to see this included!  My lashes don’t hold curl easily or well so I’m anxious to see if this actually does what it says it will!

Benefit They’re Real! Remover – $18 USD (for 50 ml)

 

 

This eye makeup remover sample was a little disappointing to me – the foil pack is quite small.  I would have thought they’d be able to include a small tube with a cap at least. I hate receiving foil packs like this because it’s really hard to get a good idea if it’s a good product or not when its only enough for one use.   I would have preferred to receive a sample of the They’re Real! Push Up Eyeliner instead.  I’ll stop whining now but I’ll perhaps throw this in my travel stash and use it for an overnight trip.

And that wraps up the Winter Luxe Box.  Overall I was pretty happy with this box, aside from small sample of the makeup remover.  There isn’t anything in here that I’m super disappointed with (except maybe the eye makeup remover) or don’t see myself using or at least trying out once.  So I plan on keeping my subscription for another quarter minimum!

Did you get a Luxe box this quarter?  If so, what did you receive?

Thanks for reading!