Hi Everyone!
The time has come to review the Tarte Cosmetics mini haul that I got last month!
Tarte is an American brand that is as of yet unavailable in Europe, unless you buy directly from their US site - although I have heard rumours that they will be launching here in the future. They used to offer free shipping internationally with a spend of 75 euros, it's now 51 which is more reasonable. Their site is well-laid out and easy to navigate, and they have a great option where you can pay the customs charges at the check out so you don't get any nasty surprises when receiving your order.
The first order I made was for two Shape Tape Concealers, and I paid an extra 9 euros in customs on their site. At the time they were offering free shipping for 24 hours - the second time I ordered (a mini palette and two lip products) they were offering free shipping to France in honour of Bastille Day which was pretty cool. Overall I found the service great - they are very responsive on social media and the products arrived well-packaged in about 6 or 7 working days, so no issues there. (Edit - they also show the prices in Euros which is great as you know exactly what you're spending).
So on to the products - first I'm going to talk about the palette, lip products and mini mascara (which I received as a free gift) and then I'll give you my review of Shape Tape - maybe one of the most hyped beauty products ever.
Don't Quit Your Daydream Palette
This palette usually costs 27 euros but I found it in the sale section for 18 (the sale section is still on their site if you're interested). It's not a big palette, it just about fits into my hand, and contains 7 shadows and one highlighter. The packaging is cardboard and plastic, standard. The shadows are small, regular sized pans and the highlighter is twice the size of the others - this is something that you sometimes see in palettes now, and usually pertains to a base colour or highlighter of which you use more of. Personally I would have preferred two extra shadows instead of the highlight, but that's just me. If you're someone who likes neutral, peach, gold and rust leaning shadows chances are you will like these colours. My personal favourites are Strive, which is a peachy shimmer with a gold shift, and Runway which is a warm chestnut brown with a hint of shimmer. Lovee is a warmish light matte beige, Rock on is a matte cream, Visionary is a champagne, Boss Lady is a bronze gold (more gold than bronze), Werk is a medium matte brown (I find it to be less smooth than the others). The Highlighter, Shine On, is a yellowish gold of which I'm not too much of a fan - it just doesn't really suit my skintone so I use it sometimes as a shadow.
There is a lot of kick-back in this palette. A lot. Not as much as Subculture (I HAD to say it...!) but you do need to be careful and really tap off your brush or you will end up a mess. On the other hand the shadows are finely milled and easy to blend. The colours are lovely for Spring/Summer.
Is it the best palette/eyeshadow formula I own? No. Would I buy it again knowing what I know? Probably. Would I have been happy to pay 27 euros for it? No, but for 18 it's just fine. I didn't set out to be negative about this palette - I do like and use it - but it's nothing exciting so I'm finding it hard to be too enthusiastic. If you're someone who like these colours, isn't looking for anything deeper or more dramatic and like Tarte overall then yes, I recommend it. If not, I'd pass. I would definitely try other Tarte palettes again, this just didn't hit all the boxes for me. If you're interested it's still on Tartecosmetics.com for 18 euros. (I also have a video of the swatches on my IG)
Lip Sculptor Duo in VIP and Life
These two were limited edition and no longer available on the site so I'll be quick. They are travel size, handy to throw in a bag and quite cute. Each is double-ended and has a lipstick and a gloss, VIP is a brownish nude, Life is a peachy nude. They do give you a nice plumped look and I always have one or both in my bag. Looking forward to trying more Tarte lip products in the future!
Tarteist Mascara
I'm not a 'mascara' person. When I say that I mean that mascara isn't one of the products that I tend to splash out on often. (I recently spent 30 euros on YSL The Shock and it was a big mistake, it's so bad I'm sure I got a dud. Clump city, people.) Normally I'm happy out with a Kiko/L'oreal/Rimmel mascara and don't feel the need to spend too much - if I need serious lashes I wear falsies.
However, this mascara is something else. It came as a free gift and I threw it in my samples box (where few things ever see the light of day unless I'm travelling). It would probably still be there if I hadn't been unable to find my Kiko one morning. As soon as I started putting it on I knew that it was good. The brush is similar to that of Benefit Roller Lash (which I dislike, ironically) and it gives you the most gorgeously separated, lifted lashes. It's not particularly thickening but if you're after a mascara that gives you defined, natural lashes then this will be your best friend.
Tarteist Mascara is 23 euros on their website.
Shape Tape Concealer
If you own and love this concealer look away
Shape Tape caused an absolute storm on social media when it was released. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this was down to Nikki Tutorials using and loving it in a tutorial. All major beauty names followed, all loved it. Anyone who was anyone owned and loved Shape Tape. The images of 'beauty gurus' drawing triangles on their faces with this concealer are damn near iconic in the beauty world. For the first couple of months after its release I was dying to get my hands on it (which just shows what I fool I can be as if I had been rational about the situation I would have been able to see that it was never going to be the product of my dreams, considering what it is and claims to do) but after having it shoved down my throat on an almost daily basis on YouTube, IG and Facebook, I got over it. But then of course when Tarte had free shipping I cracked.
From the website -
'A best-selling, full-coverage, vegan, blendable concealer that instantly brightens, smooths & shapes skin.'
Well, it's certainly full coverage and if, like me, you stupidly ordered it two shades too light then yeah, it's brightening. Smooths? Eh, no.
I just don't like it. Honestly I realized this the moment I swatched it but I wanted to use it for a couple of weeks to be sure, and it's not just the fact that it's too light (I have other concealers this light and I make them work just fine).
It's so thick. It doesn't blend easily. It's sets almost chalky. It's too matte. It also creases like hell, and it's utterly incomparable to my Missha Under Eye Brightener (which cost about 4 euros, ahem, and doesn't crease half as much), L.A. Girl ProConceal or basically any other concealer I own. I also find it to be drying, which I really dislike. Now, when I see Youtubers and IGers slathering themselves in it it gives me the shivers. They must look a state up close. I'm all for you doing you when it comes to makeup but two triangles of heavy concealer from undereyes to cheeks is too much. I just don't get it. Especially when they've just applied something like a 50 euro foundation that claims to be luminous - this concealer covers everything in its path (except spots, oddly enough - I had a break-out on my chin recently and this concealer did nothing to help). About 3 days after I started testing it I couldn't find it and was all 'Where is that Shape Tape shite?!' - I never speak to my loved products disrespectfully...!
I'm someone who goes for a luminous light to medium coverage base (although I like a concealer to be more medium coverage, I have a full time job and a 3 yr old and the dark circles to show for them!) but this was, as the memes say, tew much. I'm not going to ramble on here and bash a product that millions of people love by a brand that I quite like, but it's a no from me and if you also are a light/medium/luminous type person then I don't imagine you will like it either. I have tried using it over foundation with disasterous results (even with a small bit of product and blended with a damp sponge and brush) and also under foundation - this is how I'm currently wearing it as it was expensive enough and I can't bring myself to bin it. The only thing I can honestly say I like is the over-sized doefoot applicator, which is great.
Shape Tape is available for 24 euros on their website.
So there you have it, my first foray into Tarte Cosmetics. An overwhelming success? Meh, not really. But I did end up with a mascara that I love, and a palette and two lip products that I like. Shape Tape was an utter failure, but again that's just my personal opinion.
If you would like to you can follow me at https://www.instagram.com/doyouevencleanse/ and https://www.facebook.com/doyouevencleanse/.
Have a fantastic weekend all!
A x
The time has come to review the Tarte Cosmetics mini haul that I got last month!
Tarte is an American brand that is as of yet unavailable in Europe, unless you buy directly from their US site - although I have heard rumours that they will be launching here in the future. They used to offer free shipping internationally with a spend of 75 euros, it's now 51 which is more reasonable. Their site is well-laid out and easy to navigate, and they have a great option where you can pay the customs charges at the check out so you don't get any nasty surprises when receiving your order.
The first order I made was for two Shape Tape Concealers, and I paid an extra 9 euros in customs on their site. At the time they were offering free shipping for 24 hours - the second time I ordered (a mini palette and two lip products) they were offering free shipping to France in honour of Bastille Day which was pretty cool. Overall I found the service great - they are very responsive on social media and the products arrived well-packaged in about 6 or 7 working days, so no issues there. (Edit - they also show the prices in Euros which is great as you know exactly what you're spending).
So on to the products - first I'm going to talk about the palette, lip products and mini mascara (which I received as a free gift) and then I'll give you my review of Shape Tape - maybe one of the most hyped beauty products ever.
Don't Quit Your Daydream Palette
This palette usually costs 27 euros but I found it in the sale section for 18 (the sale section is still on their site if you're interested). It's not a big palette, it just about fits into my hand, and contains 7 shadows and one highlighter. The packaging is cardboard and plastic, standard. The shadows are small, regular sized pans and the highlighter is twice the size of the others - this is something that you sometimes see in palettes now, and usually pertains to a base colour or highlighter of which you use more of. Personally I would have preferred two extra shadows instead of the highlight, but that's just me. If you're someone who likes neutral, peach, gold and rust leaning shadows chances are you will like these colours. My personal favourites are Strive, which is a peachy shimmer with a gold shift, and Runway which is a warm chestnut brown with a hint of shimmer. Lovee is a warmish light matte beige, Rock on is a matte cream, Visionary is a champagne, Boss Lady is a bronze gold (more gold than bronze), Werk is a medium matte brown (I find it to be less smooth than the others). The Highlighter, Shine On, is a yellowish gold of which I'm not too much of a fan - it just doesn't really suit my skintone so I use it sometimes as a shadow.
There is a lot of kick-back in this palette. A lot. Not as much as Subculture (I HAD to say it...!) but you do need to be careful and really tap off your brush or you will end up a mess. On the other hand the shadows are finely milled and easy to blend. The colours are lovely for Spring/Summer.
Is it the best palette/eyeshadow formula I own? No. Would I buy it again knowing what I know? Probably. Would I have been happy to pay 27 euros for it? No, but for 18 it's just fine. I didn't set out to be negative about this palette - I do like and use it - but it's nothing exciting so I'm finding it hard to be too enthusiastic. If you're someone who like these colours, isn't looking for anything deeper or more dramatic and like Tarte overall then yes, I recommend it. If not, I'd pass. I would definitely try other Tarte palettes again, this just didn't hit all the boxes for me. If you're interested it's still on Tartecosmetics.com for 18 euros. (I also have a video of the swatches on my IG)
Lip Sculptor Duo in VIP and Life
These two were limited edition and no longer available on the site so I'll be quick. They are travel size, handy to throw in a bag and quite cute. Each is double-ended and has a lipstick and a gloss, VIP is a brownish nude, Life is a peachy nude. They do give you a nice plumped look and I always have one or both in my bag. Looking forward to trying more Tarte lip products in the future!
Tarteist Mascara
I'm not a 'mascara' person. When I say that I mean that mascara isn't one of the products that I tend to splash out on often. (I recently spent 30 euros on YSL The Shock and it was a big mistake, it's so bad I'm sure I got a dud. Clump city, people.) Normally I'm happy out with a Kiko/L'oreal/Rimmel mascara and don't feel the need to spend too much - if I need serious lashes I wear falsies.
However, this mascara is something else. It came as a free gift and I threw it in my samples box (where few things ever see the light of day unless I'm travelling). It would probably still be there if I hadn't been unable to find my Kiko one morning. As soon as I started putting it on I knew that it was good. The brush is similar to that of Benefit Roller Lash (which I dislike, ironically) and it gives you the most gorgeously separated, lifted lashes. It's not particularly thickening but if you're after a mascara that gives you defined, natural lashes then this will be your best friend.
Tarteist Mascara is 23 euros on their website.
Shape Tape Concealer
Shape Tape caused an absolute storm on social media when it was released. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this was down to Nikki Tutorials using and loving it in a tutorial. All major beauty names followed, all loved it. Anyone who was anyone owned and loved Shape Tape. The images of 'beauty gurus' drawing triangles on their faces with this concealer are damn near iconic in the beauty world. For the first couple of months after its release I was dying to get my hands on it (which just shows what I fool I can be as if I had been rational about the situation I would have been able to see that it was never going to be the product of my dreams, considering what it is and claims to do) but after having it shoved down my throat on an almost daily basis on YouTube, IG and Facebook, I got over it. But then of course when Tarte had free shipping I cracked.
'A best-selling, full-coverage, vegan, blendable concealer that instantly brightens, smooths & shapes skin.'
Well, it's certainly full coverage and if, like me, you stupidly ordered it two shades too light then yeah, it's brightening. Smooths? Eh, no.
It's so thick. It doesn't blend easily. It's sets almost chalky. It's too matte. It also creases like hell, and it's utterly incomparable to my Missha Under Eye Brightener (which cost about 4 euros, ahem, and doesn't crease half as much), L.A. Girl ProConceal or basically any other concealer I own. I also find it to be drying, which I really dislike. Now, when I see Youtubers and IGers slathering themselves in it it gives me the shivers. They must look a state up close. I'm all for you doing you when it comes to makeup but two triangles of heavy concealer from undereyes to cheeks is too much. I just don't get it. Especially when they've just applied something like a 50 euro foundation that claims to be luminous - this concealer covers everything in its path (except spots, oddly enough - I had a break-out on my chin recently and this concealer did nothing to help). About 3 days after I started testing it I couldn't find it and was all 'Where is that Shape Tape shite?!' - I never speak to my loved products disrespectfully...!
I'm someone who goes for a luminous light to medium coverage base (although I like a concealer to be more medium coverage, I have a full time job and a 3 yr old and the dark circles to show for them!) but this was, as the memes say, tew much. I'm not going to ramble on here and bash a product that millions of people love by a brand that I quite like, but it's a no from me and if you also are a light/medium/luminous type person then I don't imagine you will like it either. I have tried using it over foundation with disasterous results (even with a small bit of product and blended with a damp sponge and brush) and also under foundation - this is how I'm currently wearing it as it was expensive enough and I can't bring myself to bin it. The only thing I can honestly say I like is the over-sized doefoot applicator, which is great.
Shape Tape is available for 24 euros on their website.
So there you have it, my first foray into Tarte Cosmetics. An overwhelming success? Meh, not really. But I did end up with a mascara that I love, and a palette and two lip products that I like. Shape Tape was an utter failure, but again that's just my personal opinion.
If you would like to you can follow me at https://www.instagram.com/doyouevencleanse/ and https://www.facebook.com/doyouevencleanse/.
Have a fantastic weekend all!
A x
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