March 25, 2015

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 palette

Today’s order of business involves a review and swatches of the new the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Face Palette ($39.50). Excited? Me too! I always get super hyped when the Balm released a new eyeshadow and cheek palette and I really loved the original Balm Voyage so a new addition, I’m up for it.

Let’s take a look!

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 face palette

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Face Palette includes a new range of nine eyeshadows that can be used wet or dry as well as bronzer, highlighter, two blushes, and two lip and cheek creams. The original palette had 12 shades of eyeshadow and three lip and cheek creams so this time around you get less eyeshadow but do gain more face products. However, in terms of the size you got more product with the Balm Voyage Volume 1.

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2

I like all in one palettes as they are easy to travel with and that’s exactly the inspiration behind this palette. It basically contains everything you’d need for a complete face look housed in a fair size palette that skinny and should travel well and easily. It made from a sturdy cardboard with a magnetic closure and a slip cover. The slip cover is very handy because it kinda holds the palette tightly together during travel to avoid breakage.

The outside has the Balm’s typical whimsical art featuring a cruise ship and different scenes of destination like Cuba, Chicago, etc..!

The shadow wells are considerably smaller than the original palette and weight in at a total of 0.279 oz versus 1.0 oz. I’d say they are just about the size of the Nude Dude Palette wells. I don’t find these wells too small and my brush fits just fine into them plus you gain a little extra space for the blushes, bronzer, and highlighter having them this size.

the Balm Balm Voyage Volume 2

the Balm Balm Voyage Volume 2 swatches

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Swatches (Valkommen, Tervetuloa, Welkom, Willkommen)

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 swatches

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Swatches (Benvenuto, Welcome, Bienvenue, Bienvenido)

the Balm Balm Voyage swatches

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Swatches (Falte)

I think the Balm’s Palette formula isn’t QUITE what it used to be. I think over the years it has changed but the formula still performs solidly. The texture is still very soft, very easy to blend, and quite nicely pigmented. I’d say there is some powdery issues but it doesn’t translate as being dry or chalky. The blushes, bronzers, and highlighters are all nicely pigmented with a soft texture as well. Dobrodos Blush actually reminds me a lot of Down Boy Blush! I tend to

They also included two Lip & Cheek Stains which are long wearing on my cheeks at a solid 12 hours of wear without fading. They are a bit drier on my lips so I suggest a balm under them or a gloss on top for added moisture. The finish is dewy to the touch but they don�t look shiny on my face and add a nice flush of color.

the Balm Balm Voyage volume 2 spring 2015

Balm Voyage Vol. 2

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 palette swatches

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Swatches (Dobrodosli Blush, Kuwakaribisha Luminizer, Croeso Bronzer, Huan Ying Blush)

the Balm Balm Voyage Volume 2 palette swatches

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Swatches (Bem-Vindo and Vitajte Lip & Cheek Creams)

The palette isn’t necessarily the quintessential “Spring break” range of shades. It does lean towards being warm particularly the face powders in this set. The shadows are warm but there are deeper, richer shades to add elements of smokiness. I wish they were set up in a way that I felt more comfortable pairing them as they seem a little mismatched as they are. The biggest pull for me here is the fact I get a little bit of everything so it does make it a truly complete face palette. I do also quite love the blushes in this palette as those are a showcase for something I believe that the Balm has always excelled at, the creation of great blushes!

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 fotd1

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 fotd2

Wearing Tevetuloa and Bienvenido Eyeshadow and Hung Ying Blush)

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 fotd4

Vitajte Lip & Cheek Cream on Lips

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 fotd

Bem-Vindo Lip & Cheek Cream on Lips

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 Face Palette definitely solidifies and showcases the newer formula that the brand has come to embrace for many of their newer palettes but it isn’t a bad thing, just a different thing. If you liked the last few palettes from the Balm I’d say Balm Voyage will be a win! There’s a little lost in translation moment for me with the eyeshadows but all in all this is a nice round up of colors and makes for an easy to travel with palette to take on holiday with you!

the Balm Balm Voyage Vol. 2 is available now at thebalm.com.

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • kharanya

    Pretty, but I’ll pass. I have and love the Voyage 1 pallete, but I also have Bahama Mama, Mary Loumanizer and How Bout Them Apples pallete, not to mention various eyeshadows that look way too similar.

  • Renu

    Need. Want. Must have. I love everything from theBalm and own every palette since The Balm and the Beautiful so I will definitely get this to complete the series. That said, you’re right. When I compare Lorac Pro 2, for instance, or Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar, or IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty, theBalm’s recent efforts such as Balmsai and Balm Voyage 1 have fallen a tad short 🙁 I hope they improve and go back to the days of Nude’Tude. But I’ll definitely get all the cuteness from theBalm into my vanity! Thanks for the swatches and honest review, Musey.

    • Isabella Muse

      my pleasure renu! yup! lots of changes lately, lots of changes!

  • Danadoo

    Tempting..verrrry tempting. However, i do own the first pallete and the eyeshadows are so huge, i will literally never use them up!

  • Christina D.

    I love TheBalm and have the original Balm Voyage palette, but I’m going to pass on this one for the same reason I don’t use the first palette much: I do not like mixed purpose/mixed medium palettes. I just want eye shadows in an eye shadow palette; powders with powders, etc.

  • Meg

    Oh I like this one so much more than the first one! I might actually get this when it comes to hautelook!

  • Diana

    I agree that I like the full face idea. That’s unique!! The swatches of the Benvenuto, Welcome & Bienvenue were disappointing. :/ not the amazing formula I gush to strangers about… A little underwhelmed but I’m still gonna buy it 😉

    PS is that bronzer matte or does it have a sheen? Fingers crossed for matte!

  • Genevieve

    Some of those colours – the blue and olive look interesting. I hope you found the quality to be good in these.

  • Jess

    Awww, the two blushes are Chinese and Croatian. Just like my husband and I! 🙂

  • Sarah

    Is Meet Matte Nude and Nude ‘Tude old or new formula? Thanks!

  • pam

    Hello I am thinking of getting this set, but had a couple of question first the 2 lip and cheek balms at the end….do they really last awhile on your lips I tried one a kohls and they seemed to have a little thicker feel than just gloss,,,so do they stay on longer? it it more of a lipstick feel? and if you like any of these , can you buy them separately ? like the lip balm is these colors listed? where you can buy them each ?