When I learned that Hello Waffle had an all matte collection I finally took the plunge and placed an order. I ordered samples of two separate collections and today I’m going to show you swatches of the matte collection that initially drew my interest in the first place: the Duchess Collection.

The Duchess Collection is based off of Archer so if you’re a fan, I imagine you’ll love the names of these shadows. I have to admit I’ve never actually watched Archer so I am out of the loop.

Thing Cat was my assistant for all of today’s photos. 

Mother

Danger Zone

Ants:

Yup!

Ocelot:

Num num num num num

Uh, Duh!

Oh Kreiger-San

Can’t or Won’t

Price: Hello Waffle eyeshadow is available in three different sizes

• Halflings which are 4.15 CAD for around 1/3 of a tsp. They come in a jar.
• Full Size is 3/4 of a tsp. for 7.75 CAD (the full size jars have very cute artwork)
• I’m not completely certain, but I think that the sample baggie sizes are only available if you purchase the entire set and they come with 1/4 tsp. of product per baggie. The full Duchess collection in sample baggies is 14.40 CAD

TAT: I’m not sure what was listed as the turn around time when I ordered but I placed my order on June 24th, it was shipped on June 25th and it arrived in my hot little hands on July 2nd. I thought that was really impressive.

Cohesion of the collection: As a full collection, this is fantastic. There are a couple of shades that can be used as transition shades but all transition shades can double in other capacities. There’s a good light highlight/blending/base shade (at least for my skin tone. Yup! would work for a darker skin tone maybe?). There’s a good mix of light and dark shades and there’s a good mix of color and neutrals. All of the colors have a breath of neutral to them and I think that makes everything very wearable.

Wear Time: I’ve still been loving my Darling Girl Primped & Primed so I did wear these with primer for the most part (plus I’ve been using these with a lot of shimmery shadows that kind of need primer) but I never had any fading or creasing. The one day I didn’t use primer and wore the look all day, there was some fading but it was a sheer look to begin with so it’s hard to quantify.

I just re-did the pink and gray look without primer and here’s how it came out and placed side by side with the primed version:

So primer definitely helps but these shadows are completely usable without it. I just can’t speak to wear time without primer yet.

Overall I’ve really enjoyed these shadows so much! I want to do a whole bunch more all matte looks with them. If I were to pick favorites so far, they would be fairly predictable and based on my color preferences overall. I’m going to go back at some point for Ocelot and MAYBE Num num num num num and Uh, Duh but I’m not sure yet.

Have you tried anything from Hello Waffle? Have you tried anything from this collection? What do you think? Have you worked with other loose matte shadows? I’m finding that there’s a tiny slight learning curve so share your tips if you have them!

Tidbits:

• Thing Cat has discovered a new type of gigantic frog and she loves bringing them inside. Then she can watch the funny humans stumble around the house trying to catch them. She literally sits and purrs while she watches us. 
• Gray Cat brought a lizard in yesterday along with a cluster of pine needles. I captured the lizard but he kept attacking the needles and once he realized what he was doing he finally admitted that he has a problem and he’s quitting his lizard addiction. 
• I got a notice from USPS last night that my Shiro order was delayed and wouldn’t be delivered on July 9th after all. Thanks USPS!