Mini-Review: The Balm Green Eye Kit from Marshalls

Even though The Balm Cosmetics have been surfacing at Marshalls stores across the country for some time now, I only JUST spotted them here in San Diego a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd share a mini-review with you of the Green Eye Kit, in case you happen to see these products in your area and would like a closer look. Also, I hope this helps if you're thinking about whether or not these products are worth "hunting" for at the Marshalls stores in your area.

NOTE: this is a mini-review, meaning that I will not go in-depth about staying power, consistency or wear. This is because, even though I purchased this kit a few weeks ago, I've only been wearing these products for a short time. I just wanted to get this up ASAP because things like this are timely and I want you to have a good shot at getting them if you're looking for them (vs. me testing them out for several weeks and not posting a review for a while, thus potentially decreasing your chances of finding these items in your area).

The Balm Cosmetics For Green Eye Kit

(Retail: $9.99 at Marshalls. If purchased separately: $85 on The Balm Cosmetics website)

These are all full-size products that are not a collection of now-discontinued products from The Balm. Every product in this kit is currently available on The Balm's website and I've included their individual retail prices with links below:

Cheater! Mascara: $18 retail

Shady Lady Eyeshadow in Just This Once Jamie: $16 retail

Shady Lady Eyeshadow in  Curvy Cami: $16 retail

Overshadow in Work is Overrated: $15 retail

Balms Away Eye Makeup Remover: $20 retail

The full retail price of these products if purchased separately: $85.

Balms Away Eye Makeup Break-Up

(retail price on The Balm website:  $20, 2.2 oz)

This is the full-size version (not a smaller version) and the tin itself is MUCH larger than a lip balm tin. in fact, it's even larger than some cuticle/body balm tins I've owned from other brands.

I've used this product three or four times and so far I'm very surprised at how much I like it. I don't usually use heavy petroleum-based products on my eyes, but if you follow the directions as indicated above, it literally makes even my toughest eye makeup slide off like butter. Also, you don't need much for each eye, and I'm VERY happy to report that after I remove it with a tissue, I can use my regular facial cleanser and there's absolutely no heavy, greasy residue left behind. This product really impressed me, as I initially thought this was the one "throw-away" product in the kit.

The Balm Cheater! Mascara

(retail: $18 on The Balm website, 0.2 oz)

To be honest, I really bought this kit for the eyeshadows, and again, wasn't expecting much from this mascara. But once again I was surprised and I LOVE this product. Here's what I love the most: it doesn't have a gimmicky brush (it's of standard side and has a nice tapered end) and it WORKS. It's a drier mascara but not so dry that it would turn anyone off from using it. What I really love is that it's truly a universal mascara, delivering a good amount of volume, length, definition and separation to my lashes. I'm a monster-volume lover and I'm totally satisfied with the volume I get from this one after two coats. However, if also gives great length, definition AND separation, so even if you're not big on volume, I can absolutely see this working for you. During the hot weather we're having here, this product hasn't run, smeared or flaked for me. Like I said, it's just a great universal mascara that I think many of you would enjoy quite a bit.

PS: You'll see some pics of me wearing this a little later in this post.

The Balm Shady Lady Eyeshadow Singles in Just This Once Jamie and Curvy Cami

(retail: $16 each on The Balm website, 0.12 oz)

Now THESE are what I was most looking forward to in this kit! I've heard so many people rave about The Balm eyeshadows that I finally had to try them for myself. In the pan, these shades remind me very much of Stila eyeshadows (Just This Once Jamie in particular reminds me very much of Stila Grace). And they perform very much like Stila eyeshadows as well--nicely pigmented, very smooth and silky and just a pure joy to apply and blend. Believe the hype on these, lovelies!

Just This Once Jamie is a pinkish-purplish-taupe shimmer that is warmer on the skin than in the pan. Cuvy Cami is a plummy-purple with slight sparkle (no crazy fallout though).

The Balm Overshadow in Work is Overrated

(retail: $15 on The Balm website, 0.02 oz)

I like the concept of the Overshadow. It's a fun way to add extra shimmer/sparkle to an existing shadow and give it a softer look or an added dimension. However, I am NOWHERE NEAR an expert on loose shadow application (*bows down to Phyrra*) and because this pigment is so light, fluffy and sparkly, it is fallout-city for me every time I try to use it. Fallout goes everywhere and I just can't control it, so I think this one's the "throw-away" in this kit for me personally. Although I might try it wet later down the road...it's a lovely champagne highlight shade but for me it's just too messy for day-to-day use.

Some swatches (swatches on bare skin and then over Urban Decay Primer Potion):

To give you a better idea of the fallout I experienced with Work Is Overrated, here's a pic taken with flash so that you can see that the sparkle flew all over the other swatches (Just This Once Jamie has NO sparkle to it on its own):

And here are both eyeshadows topped with the Overshadow:

And finally, a quick daytime look I did using both eyeshadows and Cheater! Mascara. I did NOT use the Overshadow in this look and I also did not use eyeshadow primer beforehand:

I hope this mini-review helps those of you considering any The Balm purchases (whether at Marshalls or elsewhere). Aside from the crazy fallout of that Overshadow, I have absolutely nothing but raves for all of the products in this kit. If you can find this one at your local Marshalls, I would seriously consider SNAPPING IT UP ON THE SPOT. For $9.99 (vs. $85 retail) it's a no-brainer.

Have you spotted The Balm Cosmetics at your local Marshalls recently?