THE BALM VOYAGE 2 PALETTE REVIEW AND SWATCHES! I'M LOVIN THIS!

IT’S OFFICIAL. I’M OBSESSED WITH MAKEUP PALETTES. My latest “gift” for myself is The Balm Voyage 2 (Price: 2,150php from Sephora). Before we go on to swatch and review this baby let me tell you a quick story. Last week, I did a major de-stash and sold off almost all my individual eyeshadow pans and even some of my blushes. I only kept my holy grails like the ff:

Why? After years of hoarding, I realized that I travel too much to pack in too many items in my kit. I also don’t want to waste time thinking about which shade matches which (if colors are individual). Whenever I prepare my on-my-way-to-manila bag. I notice I only bring 1 standout color lipstick, 1 nude lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, brow pencil, false lash, glue, foundation, concealer, eyelash curler AND a palette of choice. It’s so much easier that way. Lighter and less fuss.

The Balm Voyage 2 Palette Review

I’m always lovin the retro-chic cardboard packaging of The Balm. Did you know that paper packaging is sturdier and more expensive than plastic? It can hold the product well and is less likely to break when you drop it. It’s perfect for someone who’s clumsy as I am.

Product Description:

Welcome aboard with “theBalm Voyage 2”, a travel-friendly face palette from theBalm Cosmetics! This multi-tasking travel companion contains everything you need for gorgeous looks on the go. It features 9 exclusive triple-milled eyeshadows which can be used wet or dry, 2 blushes, 1 bronzer, a highlighter and two versatile lip-and-cheek creams stowed away in a sleek lower compartment. “Balm Voyage 2” is your ticket to getting gorgeous while traveling light…

For the eyeshadows, we get 3 matte, 3 satin, and 3 shimmer shades. With a variety of colors that actually complement each other. I can create a wide set of looks here that can take us from daytime dates to smokey nights out. The texture is amazing! It’s silky smooth and packs just the right amount of pigment. It isn’t too intense that makes it hard to blend nor is it too chalky.

The highlight and contour powder reminds me of a mini version of Mary-Loumanizer and Bahama Mama.

We also get 2 lovely blushers in contrasting shades. A peach with gold shimmers (Huan Ying) and a raspberry pink (Dobrodosli). Both are semi-sheer but melts to your skin making it look like a healthy flush of blush. It reminds me of Orgasm and Sin (NARS). Before I always had trouble thinking which rouge to use if I’m going “cool” or “warm”. In this palette we get the best of both!

The blush also has an awesome staying power to boot.

They’re even smart enough to create a separate snap cover for the cream tints. This prevents the powder from going into the cream. I get annoyed with that in some other makeup palettes. They even put in a handy dandy color combination chart if ever we run out of brain cells to think.

Hmm BUT the cream tints is where they “fail” me a bit. It smells like toy makeup. The one that we used to own when we were kids. A plastic lipsticky scent. It was also hard to blend on my moisturized cheeks and dry on the lips. Too bad because the color was flattering. If you can tolerate the scent then good for you!

THE BALM VOYAGE 2 PALETTE SWATCHES

All shot under natural daytime lighting!

FINAL THOUGHTS

This isn’t the last palette you’ll see on my blog. I’ll definitely share more especially the “hits”. Most palettes sort of scrimp on quality versus getting the full sized version of their products. The Balm isn’t one of them. They make sure it’s the same if not albeit better than the ones you can buy individually. As with most of my makeup. I don’t think I can finish this in a year’s time or maybe 2. But this is definitely one I’m likely to bring in my kit.