January 10, 2019

Maybelline the Matte Bar Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
4 stars out of 5

Maybelline the Matte Bar Eyeshadow Palette ($11.99) is a new all matte 10-pan warm eyeshadow palette that launched early in November on Maybelline’s site and is popping up now at drugstores for Spring 2019.

When this originally launched I admit I was irked it was available on Maybelline’s website only and it sold out quickly. I’m really not a fond fan of all the brands that seem to migrating online lately like Milani, Physicians Formula, Wet n Wild…! Some of them have higher shipping thresholds which makes you spend more than you want to get free shipping. I’m an online shopper no doubt but drugstore makeup is something I prefer purchasing in store.

Anyway, I’m happy to report Maybelline the Matte Bar is now popping up in stores and I was able to purchase it at Harmon’s recently.

Here’s some thoughts!

Maybelline the Matte Bar Eyeshadow Palette is most definitely a nod to Urban Decay’s Petite Heat Eyeshadow Palette. Many of the colors are the same and can create identical looks which means if you already have Urban Decay’s version you might not feel compelled to buy Maybelline’s since the shades are pretty similar. But I don’t regret buying this at all as I feel like Maybelline’s formula was a little easier to work with due to the fact there were more shades to use and also, the formula was a bit silkier not to mention I LOVE THESE shades! I’m always looking for dune shades and this palette has a rather nice orange tan that’s very flattering on my eyes and I’m wearing in my photo below. The round of shades is a little odd but they do work well together somehow. There’s some rusy shades, some nudes, some softer creams, and some darker browns as well as a berry shade which seems odd to be included in this palette but somehow works. I just really like these shades and felt they worked well individually as well as together. I also didn’t feel boxed into a corner the way I did with Petite Heat. Petite Heat is a fun travel palette but the fact it contains so few shades and ones that are so similar really limits you to creating one maybe two looks. With the Matte Bar you have considerably better options. Apparently, the shades were inspired by the streets of New York. I live and breath New York, I am a New Yorker, these shades don’t remind me of New York. Sorry Maybelline! I do think these shades have good contrast and I didn’t feel the need to bring other shades. There’s shade that represent every aspect of a look such as highbrow highlighters and base shades, contrasting shades, and lid colors. Although, at times I did feel like some shades would run together but all in all I felt like they transitioned well on a whole.

The packaging is crummy sadly. It arrives in a thin, lightweight plastic which is fine but the strip wells are a little bit if a pain as I struggled a tiny bit getting my brush fit into them. As well as sponge-tipped eyeshadow applicators which were the better option for packing on color but those didn’t fit into those little well strips either.

Maybelline the Matte Bar eyeshadow palette Swatches (1915, Empire, Landmark, Groundbreaker, Hustle)

Maybelline the Matte Bar Eyeshadow Swatches (Flatiron, Grit, Brickhouse, Gridlock, Hard Edge)

I can see this one getting potential backlash for not being pigmented enough or not having a great formula. Personally, it was fine by me. The simplicity is the secret sauce here! The shades are soft yet not loosely packed or dusty/powdery. There’s a tiny bit of dryness but they applied and blended quite well for me. I think they work best when I’m using a regular old sponge applicator to apply them as with an eyeshadow brush I felt the colors went on a little tiny bit patchier. Maybelline has been hitting the slurry eyeshadows hard lately which is why it surprised me that these shadows weren’t formulated as such!

As I said simple is the key word here for me. I can take a single shade and just transform my entire eye with it. These shades are just really flattering for my eye color and skin tone. They added warmth and depth to my eyes without being overly harsh, too bold, or dramatic. I can create looks easily with very little effort as well which is a plus in the morning when you’re running around and just want to be done with your makeup. Each shade has a name which are printed in the back of the palette along with a step-by-step get the look guide to create two eye looks. The palette is Made in the USA but does state ingredients are imported.

I am very satisfied with the Maybelline the Matte Bar and I’m happy with the purchase! It’s a rather great dupe of Naked Heat Petite which is more expensive at $29. This isn’t going to really call to you if warm eyeshadows aren’t your thing or if you like more dramatic looks. But if you just want a selection of easy to wear warm shades, this palette has them and does them well!

Anyone try it?

Do share your thoughts!

Where to buy

Ulta Target Ebay Amazon

Maybelline the Matte Bar Eyeshadow Palette is a new warm eyeshadow palette that contains ten warm eyeshadows. The palette is around $10 to $11 dollars in price depending where you purchase it and holds 0.34 oz of product which makes it quite small for the price. I do wish it was bigger since I really enjoyed these shades and felt like the looks I create using them were very much the same I could get from the more expensive Urban Decay Naked Heat Petite Eyeshadow Palette. The mattes were quite soft and applied and blended well but aren’t the softest nor the silkest I’ve seen from Maybelline. The wells are very small and proved a pain when trying to wriggle my eyeshadow brush into them.

Pros

  • Very nice selection of warm, rusty shades.
  • Very easy to create looks with one or more shades.
  • Lightweight palette should be easy to store and travel with.
  • Fairly good dupe for Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat.

Cons

  • Small at 0.34 oz total weight.
  • Irritating packaging has smaller wells making it difficult to pick up color at times!

Who

Maybelline Matte Bar Eyeshadow Palette is ideal for anyone who likes a warmer or even a nude eye look!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • Carol G

    Hmmmm…saw this at Ulta and passed it up because it’s all matte. But I can see what you’re saying about it being a nice, simple palette for days you don’t want drama. Plus, I don’t own the Petite Heat so perhaps you have persuaded me after all…

    • Isabella Muse

      I liked it. I’m even tempted to get a backup! It’s just one of those simple palettes that makes life easier yet really accents eyes nicely ;-D If you try it lmk what you think!

  • Jane

    The pigment on this looks nuts! I so wish there were a cool or neutral palette like this. I LOVE matte shades and we cool cravers haven’t gotten any amazing treats.

  • Randi Macdonald

    I have the UD ultimate matte palette( I can’t remember the name). It has a lot of shades. IIRC, there are a lot of dupes to this palette.

    • Isabella Muse

      yup, I know 🙂 It’s the Naked Heat Petite! I mentioned that in this review!

    • Elle

      You are right. I just looked at my UD Naked Ultimate matte palette and it has a lot of the same shades. I didn’t think about it until you mentioned it. What threw me off for a second was the gold background of the UD palette vs the rust colored palette of the Maybelline. I guess that I don’t need to get the Maybelline palette, after all. Tbh, I rarely use the UD palette anymore.

  • Stacy Kraft

    I feel like it’s mainly Petite Heat with a nod to Naked Cherry too. Certainly not a bad palette to get.

  • Joy O’Neill

    Which shade are you wearing? Hard Edge or Empire? I think you have convinced me to try out this palette. I need a smaller palette.
    Over a year ago I bought a Smashbox palette called Photomatte Eyes. It has a mirror (nice) and 14 colours, some of which can double as liners/brows. The problem is that the palette is so big and bulky, I never want to take it anywhere. Plus, the shades are so highly pigmented that subtle usage is challenging. So your description of the Maybelline not being overly pigmented actually makes it sound like a usable product. Plus the size makes it more portable.
    Thanks. I really enjoy your posts. You make it all about the product and the reader, not all about yourself (as so many bloggers do, unfortunately).