Palette of the Week: Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar ~ Review & Swatches

Part 1 - Review and Swatches

It has been a "hot minute" (to use the vernacular of the younger generation, meaning "a long time" :-) since I've posted a blog!  Between accompanying a choir for a patriotic concert, an emergency trip home to Colorado, several funerals and a fun visit from my BFF and several Colorado friends, my summer break was over before I knew it.  I'm sure many of you can relate to that!  Anyway, once September rolled around it was time for piano lessons to resume and choir practice with the group that I'm accompanying...I've felt like time is speeding by and here it is October already!  I thought I'd get back in the blogging groove with a review of a palette that makes a really great gift.....in case any of you want to get a jump start on that Christmas shopping ;-)

So here we go!

 Such cute packaging...even the outer box is adorable!

Favorite Colors:  Coconut Creme, Nougat, Truffled, Hot Fudge, Peanut Butter, Bon Bon and Butter Pecan  

What's To Love:

*Buttery soft texture

*Highly pigmented colors (except the color "Pink Sugar" and "Blueberry Swirl")

*Great neutral color selection with one bright color

*Super slim, metal packaging (thinner than the first Chocolate Bar palette), which makes it super travel friendly
*The names of the shadows are imprinted on the palette (as opposed to being on a separate clear sheet inserted in the first Chocolate Bar palette)
*The delicious scent of real cocoa every time you open this palette!

What's Not To Love:

 *Because the shadows are so soft, there can be some fallout when applying - just be sure to tap off the excess before applying to your eyes.
*The soft texture of the shadows also can lead to looks getting a little "muddy" - the key is start with a little product and build color slowly, blending as you go.
*"Pink Sugar" was disappointing....there is no base color, just silvery-pink glitter that only shows up if you put it over a sticky base.

Cost:  $49
Where to Buy:  Ulta, Sephora, Beauty.com

Summary:  Overall, exceptional quality at a good price!  If you already own a bunch of neutral eyeshadows and/or palettes, you may want to skip this one.  However, if you love neutrals and want to be able to do complete looks from just one palette, this is a great palette. It has many matte shades which are perfect on their own or for blending out some of the deeper shadows in the crease.  I'd have to say the first Chocolate Bar palette is still my favorite of the two because I like the collection of colors overall a little better. But I've really enjoyed some of the warmer colors in this palette....will be great for many fall eye-looks!

Swatches

*Note:  These were photographed in natural daylight and swatched over primer 



Licorice ~ matte black

Coconut Creme ~ matte off-white
Favorite Use:  browbone highlight

Nougat ~ matte pale cool-toned pink
Favorite Use:  transition shade above the crease but below the browbone

Truffled ~ matte medium cool-toned brown
Favorite Use:  deepening the crease and outer corner

Hot Fudge ~ deep shimmery charcoal with a hint of purple
Favorite Use:  deepen outer corner

Cocoa Chili ~ dark matte brown with flecks of gold glitter

Pink Sugar ~ nothing but bits of pink and silver glitter

Puddin' ~ matte brown with a hint of gray

Blueberry Swirl ~ turquoise blue with a pearlized finish

Peanut Butter ~ matte terra cotta
Favorite Use:  love this as a blending shade in the crease
 
Frosting ~ medium shimmery bronzy brown

Rum Raisin ~ shimmery taupe

Mousse ~ light, cool-toned matte brown

Caramel ~ light, shimmery bronze-gold

Bon Bon ~ soft shimmery peachy gold
Favorite Use:  all-over lid color

Butter Pecan ~ soft shimmery pale gold
Favorite Uses:  inner corner highlight or all over the lid

***Up Next is part 2 in this series....favorite makeup looks using this palette.  Stay tuned!