The Ultimate theBalm Cosmetics Review
Hey there, makeup lovers! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for fun new beauty brands to try. One that‘s been on my radar for years is theBalm. I mean, how cute is their vintage-inspired packaging?
I finally took the plunge and picked up some of their most popular products to test out. And let me tell you, I was blown away! 🤩 In this ultimate guide, I‘ll be sharing my honest thoughts on theBalm‘s quality, selection, and value.
I‘ll also dive into what makes this brand special and what their top-rated products are. Whether you‘re a theBalm newbie or a longtime fan, I think you‘ll find this review helpful. Let‘s get started!
Why theBalm Cosmetics?
Before we jump into the products, let me share a bit about why I was drawn to theBalm as a brand. I first discovered them through their iconic Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter. It seemed like every beauty guru on YouTube was raving about it.
But what really caught my eye was the absolutely adorable packaging. theBalm‘s products feature illustrated pinup girls, punny names, and a distinct retro vibe. As a vintage fashion lover, I was totally smitten.
Of course, cute packaging only goes so far. What about the actual quality? Well, theBalm has a bit of a cult following in the beauty community. They‘ve been featured in magazines like Allure, Glamour, and Cosmo. Plus, they have an impressive social media presence:
- 2.2M followers on Instagram
- 500K likes on Facebook
- 100K subscribers on YouTube
So I knew I had to see what all the buzz was about. Spoiler alert: theBalm totally lives up to the hype. 😍 But more on that in a minute!
Inside theBalm: Brand Overview
Founded in 2004 by former TV writer Marissa Shipman, theBalm has always marched to the beat of its own drum. The brand‘s goal is to create luxury-quality cosmetics with a healthy dose of humor.
All of theBalm‘s products are paraben-free, cruelty-free, and made in the USA. They also incorporate nourishing, good-for-you ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and soothing botanicals into their formulas.
Over the past 17 years, theBalm has released dozens of cult-favorite products in nearly every makeup category – from eyeshadow palettes to blushes to lip colors. They even have a small selection of brushes and makeup bags.
One thing I love is that theBalm is all about versatility. Many of their cheek and lip products are multi-use, so you can streamline your routine. They also favor neutral shades that are easy to wear for day or night.
While you can find theBalm in many stores worldwide, they‘ve remained an indie beauty brand at heart. I really respect that they‘ve grown organically through word-of-mouth and quality products, not gimmicks or celeb endorsements.
Putting theBalm to the Test
Alright, let‘s dive into the good stuff – the products! Over the past month, I‘ve been putting a handful of theBalm‘s bestsellers to the test.
I tried to choose a good mix of face, cheek, eye, and lip products to get a feel for the brand‘s overall quality. Here are my unfiltered thoughts on each one.
Face Products
-
TimeBalm Foundation ($28): I‘m a big fan of this foundation! It comes in a sleek white compact with a sponge for easy application. The coverage is medium to full, but still looks skin-like. It wears well throughout the day without getting too oily or dry. I have the shade Light, which is perfect for my fair skin.
-
BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer ($25): For days when I want a lighter base, I reach for this tinted moisturizer. It gives just enough coverage to even out my skin, but still feels breathable. The finish is dewy without being greasy. I use the shade Light/Medium.
-
Balms Away Eye Makeup Breakup ($19): This eye makeup remover balm is so cool! It starts as a solid balm but melts into an oil as you massage it into the skin. It breaks down even waterproof mascara without tugging or leaving a greasy residue. Plus, the tin packaging is super cute.
Cheek Products
-
Mary-Lou Manizer ($24): Ah, the product that started my theBalm obsession. Mary-Lou is a stunning champagne highlighter that gives the most ethereal glow. It‘s buttery smooth and blends like a dream. I love sweeping it on my cheekbones, brow bone, and inner corner for instant brightness.
-
FratBoy Shadow/Blush ($21): This product is a hidden gem in theBalm‘s line. It‘s a dusty rose blush with a satin finish that can also be used as an eyeshadow. The color is so flattering and really perks up my complexion. It has quickly become one of my go-to blushes.
Eye Products
-
Nude ‘tude Nude Eyeshadow Palette ($36): If you‘re a fan of neutral eyeshadows, this palette is a must-have. It comes with 12 gorgeous shadows in a range of finishes, from matte to shimmer to satin. The shadows are pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. I especially love the shades Sassy, Snobby, and Silly.
-
Schwing Black Liquid Eyeliner ($17): As a winged liner lover, I‘m always on the prowl for the perfect liquid liner. Schwing definitely delivers! The felt tip applicator is sturdy but still flexible enough to create a crisp line. The inky black color is opaque in one swipe. It also wears all day without flaking or fading.
Lip Products
- Meet Matt(e) Hughes Liquid Lipstick ($17): These liquid lipsticks are some of the best I‘ve tried. They have a lightweight, mousse-y texture that‘s so comfortable on the lips. The colors are rich and highly pigmented. I‘m obsessed with the shades Committed and Charming, which are the perfect pinky nudes.
–Read My Lips Lip Gloss ($15): Don‘t let the word "gloss" fool you – these have the opacity of a liquid lipstick with the shine of a gloss. They‘re non-sticky and incredibly moisturizing thanks to vitamin E and jojoba oil. My favorite shade is Snap!, a pretty coral pink.
Comparing theBalm to Other Brands
Of course, theBalm isn‘t the only "fun" makeup brand out there. To help give some context, I‘ve put together a quick comparison chart with a few other popular brands.
| Brand | theBalm | Benefit | Too Faced | Tarte |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famous For | Retro packaging, multi-use products | Brow products, boxed blushes/bronzers | Scented products, cute packaging | Amazonian clay formulas, travel-friendly sets |
| Price Range | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$-$$$ |
| Finish | Natural, satin | Natural, radiant | Varies | Natural, matte |
| Packaging | Vintage-inspired, cardboard, tins | Colorful, feminine, quirky | Feminine, metallic accents | Purple, gold accents |
| Cruelty-Free | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan | Some products | Few products | Some products | Most products |
As you can see, theBalm‘s price point is slightly lower than similar brands like Benefit and Too Faced. I also find that theBalm‘s products tend to have a more natural, satin finish compared to Too Faced‘s heavier scents and metallics.
Packaging-wise, all four brands have distinct aesthetics. theBalm‘s vintage artwork and cheeky product names really help them stand out. They‘re also one of the few brands that uses cardboard and tin packaging instead of plastic.
Another key difference is that theBalm is cruelty-free, while Benefit still tests on animals. Too Faced and Tarte are also cruelty-free, and are starting to release more vegan-friendly products.
Ultimately, I think theBalm holds its own against bigger brands and offers great value for the price.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
But don‘t just take my word for it! I combed through hundreds of customer reviews on theBalm‘s website, Ulta, Amazon, and Makeup Alley to see what other beauty lovers had to say.
Across all platforms, theBalm has overwhelmingly positive reviews and high ratings. On their direct website, their products have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
The Mary-Lou Manizer (which has over 2,500 reviews on theBalm.com alone) is the brand‘s most popular and highest-rated product. Here‘s what a few customers had to say:
"I finally caved and bought this highlighter after seeing it all over YouTube. It‘s my new holy grail! The color is a beautiful champagne that flatters my skin tone. It‘s intense without being glittery. I‘ve gotten so many compliments when I wear it!" – Kelly S.
"This highlighter is pure perfection. It‘s buttery smooth and blends like a dream. A little goes a long way, so this pan will last forever. It gives the most beautiful, lit-from-within glow. I can‘t recommend it enough!" – Jenn P.
Other top-rated products include the Bahama Mama Bronzer (4.6 stars, 436 reviews on Ulta), Meet Matt(e) Hughes Liquid Lipsticks (4.4 stars, 314 reviews on Ulta), and the Nude ‘tude Eyeshadow Palette (4.6 stars, 315 reviews on Ulta).
While the vast majority of reviews are glowing, no brand is perfect. A few recurring critiques I noticed were:
- Some inconsistencies in product texture/performance between shades
- Wanting more shade options for deeper skin tones
- Eyeshadow palette shades looking similar on the eyes
- Products selling out frequently or being hard to find in stores
However, these complaints were definitely in the minority. Most customers seem to be very happy with their theBalm purchases.
FAQs About theBalm
Before we wrap up, I wanted to address a few common questions I saw while researching this brand. If you‘re new to theBalm (or just curious), hopefully this helps!
Is theBalm cruelty-free?
Yes, theBalm is proudly cruelty-free and does not test on animals. They also don‘t sell in mainland China, which requires animal testing for imported cosmetics.
Is theBalm vegan?
Currently, theBalm has some vegan-friendly products but is not an entirely vegan line. Luckily, they‘re very transparent and clearly mark which products are vegan on their website. Popular vegan products include the Put a Lid On It eyeshadow primer, Balms Away makeup remover, and Mr. Write Now eyeliner pencils.
How long does theBalm‘s shipping take?
If you order from theBalm‘s website, they typically ship within 1-2 business days via USPS. Domestic orders take about 3-10 business days to arrive depending on your location. International shipping is also available but may take up to a few weeks.
What is theBalm‘s return policy?
theBalm offers free returns within 30 days of purchase on their website. Products must be gently used or unused to qualify. They also offer exchanges if you‘re not happy with a product or shade.
Does theBalm have any discounts?
Yes! If you sign up for theBalm‘s newsletter on their website, you‘ll get 15% off your first purchase. They also offer free shipping on orders over $50. Plus, they sometimes run sitewide sales around holidays like Black Friday, so it‘s worth keeping an eye out.
Conclusion: Should You Try theBalm?
Phew, that was a lot of info! If you‘ve made it this far, I‘m guessing you‘re seriously considering trying some products from theBalm. So, what‘s my final verdict?
Personally, I‘ve really enjoyed everything I‘ve tried from the brand so far. The packaging is absolutely darling, but more importantly, the formulas are high-quality and a pleasure to use. I‘ve found myself reaching for my theBalm products over my usual go-tos.
I think theBalm is a great choice if you‘re looking for makeup that‘s:
- Cruelty-free and made with skin-loving ingredients
- Reasonably priced but still feels luxurious
- Easy to apply and wear for everyday
- Fun and a little cheeky (because who doesn‘t love a good pun?)
Of course, everyone‘s preferences are different. If you prefer bolder, more Instagram-style looks, theBalm might not be edgy enough for you. Their shade ranges also aren‘t the most extensive, especially for darker skin tones.
But overall, I‘d highly recommend giving theBalm a shot. At the very least, you need the Mary-Lou Manizer in your life (trust me on this one). And if you‘re planning to make a purchase, don‘t forget to use the discount code ‘FIRST15‘ for 15% off!
I hope this ultimate guide to theBalm cosmetics was helpful. If you have any other questions, or want to share your own experiences with the brand, leave me a comment below. I‘d love to chat all things makeup with you!
Until next time, beauty lovers. 💋
