Current Favorites!

I feel like I haven't done a Favorites post in quite a long time now but then I realized how much I was changing around my skincare products based on the very late Indian summer and I have only been using a few products consistently enough to make them "Favorites".  Many of my favorite items right now are color products, my last blush shopping craze has created a bunch of both new favorites for me and also added to my shopping list because I want more shades from these great formulas.  I might be all about makeup right now but I bet that once I start using more of the same skincare products consistently, I will have a another Favorites list on the way!

Here are the products that are in heavy rotation!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface - "A long-wearing, solar-baked blush that lasts up to 12 hours.  Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts an amazing 12 hours. Inspired by tarte's bestselling shades of cheek stains and lip tints, the colors range from soft to vivid to suit a wide variety of skintones. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. Combination skin types can rely on its ability to zero in on skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore complexion harmony. The result: Blush that wears better, longer, and truer."  Dollface is a "light pink" shade with cool undertones.  This product has been around since 2011 but a relatively newer product for me, I picked my first two shades of it up at Sephora late in the summer.  The formula is nicely pigmented and the color stays true from the moment that I put it on to the moment that I take my makeup off at night.  Dollface is a pale cool pink that has full pigmentation.  This shade works perfectly for my pale skin and never fails to gather me compliments.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Morning Eye Rescue - "An eye cream to de-puff, soothe, and brighten tired eyes.  This treatment quenches and soothes the eye area upon application, leaving eye contours looking rested, fresh, and naturally glowing. It hydrates, soothes, and de-puffs with antioxidant polyphenols, moisturizing grape water, and calming white tea extract."  I love Caudalie products and almost always have at least one in my skincare regime.  This eye cream is one of the few skincare products that I have been able to use each day for the day six weeks.  When used in the morning; it helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness and it helps to make my under eye makeup go on smoother.  When used at night, it hydrates my under eye area.  This gel-cream formula glides on easily and absorbs quickly, a small drop is enough to cover both of my under eye areas.  I have always loved Caudalie face products, this is the company that really introduced me to concept of anti-oxidant skin care and I love their emphasis on the healing powers of grapes and natural ingredients.

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush - "A moisturizing lip stain that tints your lips with just the right amount of juicy colour and hydrates like a balm. Apply liberally, purse and let the silky lightweight texture melt onto your lips.", I own this product in the bright pink shade and wish that this product was available in more than two shades.  This lip crayon goes on soft and builds pigment to a bright pink hue.  It hydrates well but does need to be reapplied often throughout the day, this product is very similar to a cream lip gloss.  The finish is creamy with a bit of shine and lots of pigment.  I wish that this product was available in more than just two shades, as I would love to collect more of these!

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - "A universally-flattering, ultra-light lipstick in an iconic shade that anyone can wear because it creates a one-of-a-kind lip look on everyone.  Not quite a gloss, and not quite a lipstick, this transparent lipstick fuses with the natural tone of your lips to create a lip look that’s unique to you. This sheer, emollient-rich formula glides on for easy layering."  Black Honey is a sheer berry tone that looks almost black in the tube.  This is favorite fall product of mine every single year and I will continue to buy this cult lip product as long as Clinique continues to produce it.  This sheer lipstick has a lip balm-like feel and lip gloss-like finish with an easy to wear berry tint on the lips.  I have never met anyone who tried this shade and hated it, it looks different on everyone and is a very easy way to wear pigment on the lips.  This is a fall classic for me and I will be using it until I start breaking out my spring makeup.

MAC Pro Longwear Blush in I'm a Lover - "A lightweight blush with extreme colour perfection and non-fading, eight-hour wear. Ultra fine, silky powder glides on and blends easily to provide a moist, flawless, natural finish or with layering, a brighter, more dramatic look."  I'm a Love is described as simply "pink" but it is one of the best pinks that I have ever worn.  It is a medium bubblegum pink shade with cool undertones, highly pigmented and long lasting.  This is my favorite MAC Blush shade and one of my favorite blush shades that I own.  This product and shade is one of the top rated on the MAC website and it is very easy to see why.

I have a good basis for my fall color products and I am getting a bit excited to see what is coming out the holiday season.  We will see what products I pick up and what ones fall into my favorites within the next few weeks!

photo courtesy of Jelly Pong Pong

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara

My newest Glossybox just crossed my doorstep the other day and I could not have been more excited to see it arrive this time around!  I tend to start Goggling the boxes about a week before I am scheduled to get them and then begin checking all the products out well in advance of actually trying them.  I was really excited with this month's box because I saw that it contained a full sized Tarte mascara that I actually wanted to try for some time now.  The best part about this for me is that I am actually getting low on my current tube and haven't gotten around to hitting up Sephora with all the chaos of this semester so far.  This box is just perfect timing for me!

The last time that I used a Tarte mascara was when I purchased the True Blood palette and I remember liking the product but I don't remember what the formula was.  Mascara is not one of the products that Tarte is famous for but I have loved nearly everything else that I have ever used from this line so I am open to trying out their range of formulas.

The description on the Sephora website is better than the one on the Glossybox product card and I will provide that one.  "An amped up, ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies lashes for an intensified look, while instantly increasing lash volume by up to 752 percent. Powered by tarte’s proprietary triple black complex, this long-wearing, vitamin-infused formula emphasizes length and volume while conditioning lashes for a dramatic look that won’t dry out, flake, or budge. The custom-engineered, dual-molded brush boosts even the skinniest lashes for an exaggerated, voluminous look. First, the shorter, denser side of the brush delivers the optimal amount of mascara to volumize and coat each lash perfectly. Then the longer, firmer side lengthens and separates for maximum volume without clumping."

More details are provided on this formula from Sephora.  "Provitamin B5, a vitamin B derivative, helps treat and thicken the appearance of lashes, while beeswax forms a protective barrier between the skin and the environment that supports natural collagen production, and mineral pigments soothe and soften lashes. This product is formulated without mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfates, and gluten. It is ophthalmologist tested and proven to increase lash volume by up to 752 percent."

How can a mascara get lash volume up by 752%?!  I would actually think that was a typo if it wasn't in both the product description and the explanation around the benefits of this formula.  I would love to see how this company even got that number for their research and experimentation since I have been trying to quantify it without successful results.  I am just going to move on from this fact and review the actual formula and how the product performed...

Lights, Camera, Flashes is considered to be a lengthening and volumizing formula that helps to hold curl in the lashes.  It performs nicely in all three areas but is definitely not on par with Benefit's They're Real! or Buxom Lash, I would place it more in the category with Clinique's High Impact Mascara.  One coat delivers a growth to volume and lengthen, two coats are needed for a more dramatic look.  This is one formula that could easily be worn during the day or night based on how the application is done, I am beginning to like formulas like this more and more since I can control the look based on how I decide to apply them. 

If I had to decide, I would say this formula was better at lengthening and holding the curl in the lash than creating really think lashes.  I loved how well it held the curl and opened up my eyes, this is the best aspect of the formula and the one feature that sets it apart rom most others on the market.  It is traditional black shade, nothing special in this regard and it is not offered in any other shades at this time. 

Removal is easy with an eye makeup remover when one coat is used, two coats makes it is bit more difficult and I usually can't get it all off when I take my makeup off at night.  I did find this formula to have some issues with flaking off during the day and this was the worst aspect of the product. 

I liked this formula and am glad that it was in my Glossybox to try out.  I don't know that I would repurchase it again since there are so many other formulas for me to try and I already have a bunch of favorite formulas in my collection.  This is a good, solid lengthening formula that adds a nice amount of volume when two coats are used.  This is good day to night formula but it will not give the huge lashes that I crave.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

I have been in a blush shopping mode lately...yesterday we looked at the Urban Decay Naked Flush palette and today I am reviewing the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush.  I go through phases with blushes, I will buy and try several new ones right in a row and then I won't pick anything new up for a few weeks or months.  I tend to purchase blush the most right around the changing of the seasons, I have been all about replacing some of my current formulas as fall is right around the corner.  I have used mostly eye makeup and skincare from Tarte so blush is a brand new experience for me from this company.

I debated between trying the cheek stain formula or the powder blush formula and decided to start with the powder blush.  I will start trying of the cheek stains within the next few months and then I will decide which formula is the better performing of the two.  I was pleased to see that both formulas are designed to be very longwearing, I need this type of formula as grad school classes are starting up again and my typical day is about 13 hours long and I need products that will look fresh and pigmented throughout the whole day. 

"A long-wearing, solar-baked blush that lasts up to 12 hours.  Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts an amazing 12 hours. Inspired by tarte's bestselling shades of cheek stains and lip tints, the colors range from soft to vivid to suit a wide variety of skintones. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. Combination skin types can rely on its ability to zero in on skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore complexion harmony. The result: Blush that wears better, longer, and truer.  This product is free of petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, and triclosan.", states the Sephora website. 

This blush formula comes in a range of shades and every one that I have tried has full pigmentation.  I have been the most interested in collecting the pink shades due to my pale skintone, my self tan is pretty much done at this point in the year and I am going back to shades that are best with my pale skin. 

The shades of Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush...

- Exposed - nude
- Dazzled - soft rose
- Dollface - light pink
- Fearless - coral pink
- Tipsy - coral
- Blissful - shimmering warm peach
- Captivating - warm peach
- Glisten - shimmering peachy pink
- Peaceful - soft nude peach
- Charisma - warm golden apricot
- Achiote - honeysuckle
- Natural Beauty - muted strawberry red
- Flush - pink berry
- Blushing Bride - plumy rose

I bought both the Dollface and Flush shades at Sephora, these were the two best pinks that are carried in the shade range.  Both shades wear for a full fourteen hours and remain nicely pigmented throughout the day.  The pigment level is medium-to-full, I find that NARS and Illamasqua have higher pigmentation than these but the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush has better pigment than most brands.  I am sold on this product and I will be looking for a few more shades of this product.  I would like Dazzled and Blushing Bride, I wish there were a few more cool shades in this collection of shades but I am hoping that we will see more as Tarte adds to this product line. 

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Fall 2013 Collection

Today is the last day of July and tomorrow is the day that I officially start thinking hardcore about fall and all the clothing and beauty products that I will need to add to my collection for the upcoming seasons.  I can't help but get very excited when I think about all the new items that I am going to want to pick up from my favorite collections and how I will make some of the great new fall trends work with my current style and wardrobe/beauty products.  One of my favorite collections this year is Tarte, I started really using a few of their products late last winter and then kept adding more and more items from this line to my collection over the spring and summer months.  I have found their new fall collection on their website this morning and I am so excited to see what this company has decided to bring out for the fall season!

The fall collection from Tarte could be considered a group of new product rather than a full collection, there does not seem to be any type of theme in this collection and the products range from face to lip to body products.  I am surprised to note that the only eye makeup product in this new group of products is a new mascara formula, there is nothing in eye shadows or liners.  I am disappointed to see the lack of eye makeup since their eye shadow palette are among some of my favorite pieces in my train case and I have been using their cream eye liner formula regularly over the past few months.  I am excited to see more lip products from this line as I currently don't own any of their lip products and I am always ready to try new lip gloss formulas.

Here are the new fall products from Tarte!

Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation - Seamlessly brush over imperfections with this waterproof, weightless powder foundation that delivers up to 12 hours of natural-looking, full coverage for a flawless, airbrushed appearance.  Introducing the latest addition to the Amazonian clay foundation line for total complexion perfection! Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation delivers flawless, natural-looking coverage that lasts, while the skintuitive™ formula invigorates skin tone and texture for a youthful complexion. Powered by Amazonian clay enriched with the Earth’s natural, light-reflecting gemstones, this moisture-rich powder buffs on smoothly for waterproof, 12-hour coverage that won’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Available in 11 shades to perfectly complement a wide range of skin tones and undertones, this innovative foundation also employs a custom mesh delivery system for a fool-proof, mess-free application every time.

Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush - A soft, versatile brush to flawlessly apply your tarte Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation.  Buff your way to airbrushed complexion perfection with the new airbuki bamboo powder foundation brush! The perfect complement to the Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation, this soft, versatile, cruelty-free brush allows you to flawlessly apply powder foundation like a pro. Just gently press the perfectly-sized brush into the custom mesh sifter on the Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation for clean and easy application every time.    

Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 - Achieve flawless skin that looks healthy and natural with this supremely blendable liquid foundation that delivers up to 12 hours of satin-matte coverage while protecting the skin from powerful UVA/UVB sun rays.  Achieve flawless skin that looks healthy and natural. This supremely blendable, buildable and full coverage formula delivers up to 12 hours of satin-matte coverage with a weightless texture. Reduce the appearance of pores, discolorations and imperfections and ensure a perfectly flawless complexion every time with this best seller.

Amazonian Clay Waterproof 12-Hour Concealer - Cover and conceal any beauty boundary from dark circles to breakouts to redness with this full coverage, waterproof concealer in an easy, twist-up stick for seamless applications and a lightweight, satin-matte finish.  Designed for a brush free application, this creamy concealer glides on smooth and masks any and all imperfections from dark circles and breakouts to blemishes and redness. The buildable, full-coverage, and oil-free formula is rich in pigments for truer color without a heavy or tacky texture, making it ideal for an easy application and satin finish. This formula works for all skin types and is ideal for normal to combination skin.

Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara -
Take your lashes to the extreme with this ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly!  Take your sultry, flashy lashes to the extreme with this amped up, ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies lashes for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly! Powered by tarte’s proprietary triple black complex, this longwear, vitamin-infused formula emphasizes length and volume while conditioning lashes for a dramatic look that won’t dry out, flake or budge.  The custom-engineered, dual-molded brush boosts even the skinniest lashes for an exaggerated, voluminous look. First, the shorter, denser side of the brush delivers the optimal amount of mascara to volumize and coat each lash perfectly, then the longer, firmer side of the brush lengthens and separates for maximum volume without clumping.

Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick - tarte introduces its very first long-wear, clay-infused lipstick. A unique blend of emollient-rich butters (mango, avocado and shea) is encapsulated in this tarte12-hour power™ formula to achieve rich, vivid, and long-wearing color that applies smoothly and won’t fade away.  This high cushion lipstick keeps lips moisturized all day long, minimizes the appearance of fine lines, and stops feathering in its tracks to give lips a perfect, plumped-up appearance, and long-wearing color that applies smoothly and won’t fade away.
- Fierce - bright red cream
- Playful - purple rose cream
- Foxy - deep pink cream

Double Detox Amazonian Clay Exfoliating Facial Mask - A double-duty detoxifying and exfoliating facial mask.  Transform skin with the powerful double detox™ Amazonian clay exfoliating facial mask. Harnessing the balancing and restoring power of Amazonian clay, this double-duty at-home treatment resurfaces, replenishes and purifies skin for a smoother, healthier appearance in as little as 5 weeks.

Maracuja Rainforest Glow Instant Matte Waterproof Body Protector - A bronzing, matte, waterproof body perfector naturally formulated to blur the appearance of skin imperfections for a seamless, flawless finish.  It’s time to blur away the look of dull, uneven skin tone with tarte’s revolutionary instant matte waterproof body perfector! This award-winning formula imparts healthy, natural-looking color, with a no-fuss, no-wait instant bronze-on-demand that helps blur the look of uneven skin tone, imperfections and varicose veins. Infused with maracuja & rich antioxidants, this quick-drying bronzing lotion brightens and restores skin’s natural luster, so even after you wash it off with soap and water, your skin still feels soft and looks radiant. The creamy, whipped formula and included application mitt guarantee an easy, clean and streak-free tan that won’t budge or transfer throughout the day.

This is quite a mixture of products to put into a fall collection, I am excited for the mascara and the lipstick but I was hoping that I would see more color products in this collection.  My first choice from the collection would be the new lipstick formula, I would love to have it in all three shades but my favorite is the red that I have pictured with this entry.  Not that I need yet another red lipstick but I just love them and always want to add more of these to my collection...

The mascara would be my second choice and I will want to pick this up next time that I am running low on mascara, I want to see if the claim of increasing lash size by over 700% is valid (doubtful) and I want to see how I like formulas from this company.  If this formula works well then I will order more mascaras from Tarte.  I would really like to try the liquid foundation from this collection, I can see this one being a great formulation and I have high hopes for finding a full coverage, long lasting foundation to add to my collection.

I can't say that I am very excited about any of the skincare products in this collection and I would have been happier to see more color products included with the collection.  The mask might be too drying for my skin and I will be sticking with the Pure Maracuja Oil from this company.

photo courtesy of Tarte

Tarte Clean Slate 360 Creaseless 12-Hour Smoothing Eye Primer

The hot weather months are basically upon us and this is the time of the year that I am most obsessed with primers and making sure that my makeup stays in place all day long.  I have been using my newest tube of MAC Prep + Prime for the past few weeks and I now remember what I love that product so much, the face version of this product is great but the eye version is the worse primer that I have ever used and would never recommend to anyone.  So when I was getting low on my last tube of Smashbox Lid Primer, I skipped over all the MAC eye primers and decided to try for a company that I have never owned a primer from before.  I have been on a Tarte kick recently and I had no idea if they had an eye primer or not, I looked up the brand on the Sephora website and was excited to see one primer formula from this company and I ordered it right away.

I don't ever remember seeing this product in a magazine or at Sephora so I had very little basis for my decision to order this product, I ordered it only because I have gotten some great items from Tarte over the past year and would be more than happy to add another great product to my line up.  My favorite eye shadow primers are still Urban Decay Primer Potion and NARS Smudgeproof Eye Shadow Base, I do not expect any eye shadow primer to spoil my love of either of these products and they are the top performers among every primer that I have ever used.  After using this product for several days, I can say that it is a nice eye shadow primer but it is not one of the best at Sephora nor is is going to be one of my favorite Tarte products.

The Sephora website provides full product information and a description.  "A waterproof 12-hour smoothing eye shadow primer that locks eye shadow in place.  This primer acts as a smudge-proof base for shadow while preventing fallout and migration of color. The universal shade glides on easily and powers through the day into the evening for 12 hours of perfect wear."  This product is made to be used on clean, dry eye lids before the use of any other eye makeup products.

This is not an eye shadow primer for anyone who wears a lot of eye makeup or shadows that tend to have fall out issues.  I have several beloved eye shadow shades that I have experienced major fall out from and only the two eye shadow primers that I have listed earlier in this post are able to keep every shadow that I own on my eye lids and not my cheeks.  For that reason alone, I would not be likely to repurchase this product after my tube is finished.  The product is a much thinner texture than the previous two eye shadow primers and remind me very much of the Too Faced eye shadow primer (and I have very similar thoughts on that primer).  I squeeze out a small drop of this product and this is enough for both eye lids, I dab the product on each eye lid and that have to wait a few moments for the product to dry.  Waiting for the product to dry is a huge aspect to the successful use of this primer, I didn't wait for it to dry the first few times that I used it and my eye makeup smudged and would not stay in place at all.  After I learned that this product needs a few extra moments to dry, I was able to get much better results from this product.

This formula is able to hold most of my eye shadows in place, it works well with every matte, satin, and shimmer formula I have but it does not hold a strong glitter shadow in place.  If you don't use any shadow like this, than you will love this formula and have no problems with it, it just wasn't enough to hold some of my favorite eye shadows.  It works well with about 95% of my eye shadows but not well enough with my favorites so I would need to own both this formula and either NARS or Urban Decay's to make all my eye makeup work.  This formula is best used with a more classic or natural eye makeup look.  In addition, I have used this product by itself on my lids when I have been interested in a very natural look on the weekends and I do like the finish that I get when using it in this fashion.

This is good eye shadow primer, it is not among the best on the market and it is also not among the best products that Tarte offers.  I would recommend this primer only to those who don't wear any eye makeup that has major glitter (and fall out potential) in it and I am confident that they would be happy with the results that they receive from it.  Good formula but not the best on the market...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Summer 2013 Collection - Aqualillies for Tarte

The summer collection from Tarte might be one of the most anticipated collections of the whole season, this collection was made in combination with the Aqualillies.  The Aqualillies are an all female synchronized swimming group that contains some of the most lovely and talented women in the water today.  Working in the water all the time means that these ladies need makeup that will stay perfectly in place for every practice and performance, regular waterproof makeup might hold up to a day at the beach but will not stay in place during a swimming routine.  It is pretty obvious that a team of synchronized swimmers would need some very high performance and special makeup items to keep their faces on in the water.  Where the need arose...Tarte decided to team with the ladies and make their summer collection based off of makeup products that will create lovely looks but stay in place through all the elements.  And what better season than summer to test out products that will stay in place at the beach, the pool, during a thunderstorm...

 

This collection contains high performance products for every facial features and even a great self tanner to keep the bronze glow alive all summer long.  I already see a palette that I would love to own when looking at the first screen shot of this collection and a new shade in the Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye Liner that I want to add to my collection of shades from this product.  A new lipstick formula is also included with this collection and now I am just so excited to look at every product that Tarte has brought out for the summer months!

The Aqualillies for Tarte collection!

Aqualillies Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette - Make a splash this summer with tarte and the Aqualillies! This limited-edition waterproof palette, inspired by America’s most glamorous synchronized swimming group, includes 6 new eye shadows, bronzer, highlighter, and a limited-edition Amazonian clay 12-hour blush. All show-stopping shades are tucked inside a classically elegant, mirrored compact. See below for shade descriptions.  Each nutrient rich formula inside this palette is infused with Amazonian clay, which is harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun. Amazonian clay universally benefits all skin types for a fade-free, flawless finish that lasts up to 12 hours in shades ranging from soft to vivid to suit a wide variety of skin tones.
- 6 new eye shadows: Hammock (chocolate brown), Bikini (golden peach), Barefoot (golden nude), Parasol (champagne rose), sundeck (light brown), Poolside (turquoise)
- bronzer (park ave princess)
- highlighter (champagne)
- Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in captivating (warm peach)

Aqualillies Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye Liner - Make a splash this summer with a limited-edition version of tarte’s signature Amazonian clay waterproof liner inspired by the Aqualillies! Dare to dip? Get their glamorous “splish splash” waterproof eye look with this powerful, dreamy cream liner in blackest-black- a must for achieving the long-lasting Aqualillies look that holds up against rain, sweat, tears – and even swimming!  The custom designed angle of the limited-edition, double-ended bamboo liner brush allows for the most precise line possible for a sleek or bold splash of color. Whether you’re captivating audiences with a poolside performance, or powering through your busy day, the unique fusion of technologies results in an intense, yet smooth and plush cream black line that will stay in place and last in the water as long as you do.
- Black - pure black

 

Aqualillies Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick - A vivacious coral shade of Tarte glamazon™ Pure Performance 12-hour Lipstick inspired by the Aqualillies.  Make a splash with this vibrant coral hue inspired by America’s most glamorous synchronized swimming group! Aqualillies reinvent the classic art of water ballet and mesmerize audiences with their modern strength and vintage beauty. These true Tartelettes—fearlessly powerful, healthy, real women—are the perfect muses for this high-performance, splash-proof collaboration.  A unique blend of emollient-rich butters (mango, avocado, and shea) and high-performance Amazonian clay is encapsulated in this proprietary natural formula to achieve rich, vivid, and long-wearing color that applies smoothly and won’t fade away. Always hydrating and never drying, this high-cushion lipstick keeps lips moisturized all day long, minimizes the appearance of fine lines, and stops feathering in its tracks to give lips a perfect, plumped-up look. Take a dip into the Aqualillies world with a bold-statement lip thanks to this 12-hour wear, clay-infused lipstick. It’s sure to make waves in and out of the pool!

- Timeless - bright coral cream

 

Park Avenue Princess Bronze and Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint - An innovative 2-in-1 matte bronzer and cheek tint in park ave princess. Transform into a glowing, bronze goddess with tarte’s new Bronze and Glow™ Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint.  This innovative 2-in-1 complexion enhancer in tarte’s signature park ave princess shade will give you the perfect balance of a sunkissed bronze and a natural flush. Apply the weightless, mousse bronzer over foundation or smooth onto bare skin for an all-over matte radiance. Using the convenient blush tip, invigorate your complexion by applying the tint directly to cheeks and blending with fingertips for a subtle peachy pink glow. By fusing two products into one, the recyclable component prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, making it the most eco-friendly and convenient bronzer and blush choice for the tartelette on the go.

- Park Avenue Princess - peachy pink cream

 

Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Face and Body Self Tanner with Mitt - A revolutionary maracuja-infused face and body self tanner. Achieve a healthy faux-glow while drenching your skin in moisture. This revolutionary hybrid gel formula, infused with pure maracuja oil, delivers replenishing essential fatty acids along with skin-brightening and youth-preserving vitamin C. tarte’s proprietary PUREshield™ scent-control technology allows for a pleasant, spa-like application that smells unlike any self tanner you’ve tried before. You'll be admiring your newly bronzed bod, your skin will feel and look firmer, brighter and smoother soaking in all of the benefits of maracuja oil.  This perfectly-hued bronze gives skin a sunkissed warmth that never looks fake or orange and thanks to the included perfect application mitt you're guaranteed an easy, clean and streak-free, golden bronze tan every time!  Replenish, rebuild and rejuvenate skin for a youthful and healthy appearance year-round. Unlike other tanners that leave an overpowering unpleasant scent afterwards, tarte’s signature PUREshield™ scent-control technology leaves skin feeling fresh and smelling amazing with a yummy, sweet passion fruit after scent.

 

Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment - Refresh, renew and recharge tired eyes with our eye treatment enriched with C-brighter™ technology. By harnessing the power of maracuja fruit, vitamin C and advanced botanicals, this skintuitive™ eye treatment visibly hydrates, firms and brightens the delicate eye area.  This intense, multi-tasking eye treatment contains rice bran, mango and coconut naturally-rich in antioxidants to fight signs of aging and free radical damage. Oat sugars instantly smooth and visibly tighten skin. The nutrient-rich formula also delivers the ultimate in hydration for smooth, youthful-looking eyes. Ophthalmologist tested.

 

Lights, Camera, Splashes 4-in-1 Waterproof Mascara - Dare to dip? Discover our best selling lights, camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara in a waterproof version. The same lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning benefits you love in the original are in this splash proof version. Get the bombshell lashes you desire, while olive esters condition, treat and protect your lashes.  Our lights, camera, splashes™ 4-in-1 mascara could be considered a push-up bikini for your lashes—a 4-in-1 (lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning) plus it’s dermatologist- and clinically-proven to increase the appearance of lash volume after applying giving dramatic, thick and sexy lashes and guaranteed to stay put through rain, sweat or tears.

- Black - black

 

I love so many pieces of this collection and Tarte edges closer to being one of my five favorite makeup brands with every passing season and product that I purchase from them!  The palette is still my favorite product from this collection and I would wear the shades contained in it all throughout the summer and then into the cooler weather.  With the exception of the bright robin's egg blue eye shadow shade, all the neutrals will be easy for me to wear and will mix well with other shades that I already own.  I might be inspired to try the blue shade in my crease and mix it with two neutrals, I will report back if this happens to occur and I purchase the palette.  There have been so many great palettes this season and I still expect to see even more over the next two months!

My second favorite piece is the combination bronzer and blush product, I love to wear peachy pink blush shades when I have a fake tan and this will allow me to find both a new bronzer and a new blush shade.  I am bit hesistant about using a gel bronzer as I have only ever used powder bronzers before but I want to try this new type of bronzer out for myself.  The other product that I am very curious about is the other tanner from this collection, I would love to use a self tanner and bronzer from the same company that will layer and blend very nicely.  I would love to see MAC come out with self tanner that were in the same shade range as their best selling bronzers!

I also want some of the basics from this collection, I have already touched on the new shade of the Amazonian Clay Eye Liner and I am actually in the market for a new black eye liner shade.  The other item that I want is the Maracuja Eye Cream, I love the Pure Maracuja Oil and would love to see the results of this ingredient around my eyes. 

The only way that this collection could be improved for me is if the lipstick shade wasn't that bright coral.  I wish that more colors were offered because I would love to have a bright berry or pink hue that will last through the elements.  I guess that I can't have everything...

photo courtesy of Tarte

Tarte MultiplEYE Clinically Proven Natural Lash Enhancing Primer

On a daily basis, I use eye shadow primer and then overall face primer so I am always interested in what other kinds of primers are available on the beauty product market.  I have seen lipstick primers, however I have never found a need for this product, a good quality lip stain will function just as well as a lipstick primer and I don't have a need for a priming product underneath a sheer lip gloss or tinted balm.  Ever since I had the realization about the lipstick primer, I have been interested in a mascara primer and I jumped at the chance to order a deluxe sized one from the Sephora VIB program late last holiday season.  This product was included in a set from Tarte that was exclusive to VIBs and this is the place that I first tried the Maracuja Oil (and then fell in love with!) and also received a new mascara.

My goal with this product is to get the same lash look and effects with using less mascara.  I am imagining that I could use a coat of this primer and then one coat of mascara and not need the two or three coats of mascara that I often use.  I will not use this product with multiple coats of mascara as putting more product on will increase the chances of clumping.  There is only so large that I would be able to get my eye lashes until I only begin to get clumps and flakes and I do not plan to get to this state.  I decided to try this product out for two weeks and then decide if it is worth me buying a whole separate product to use in the morning or if I would get the exact same result from two coats of thickening mascara. 

"A one-of-a-kind lash primer that is clinically proven to immediately increase the appearance of lash volume by 739%, while also increasing the appearance of lash length with regular use."

"Prep, prime, and for the first time increase the appearance of lash volume by 739%, while also increasing the appearance of lash length, with multiplEYE™ Natural Lash Enhancing Primer. The groundbreaking, high-performance natural formula combines natural plant waxes and film formers to extend and volumize the appearance of lashes, while the proprietary and clinically proven HydroPlant™ peptide (a soy-amino super protein) helps improve the appearance of lash length and growth. For even more volumized and lengthened lashes, use with multiplEYE clinically proven natural lash enhancing mascara for an incredible 1102% increase in the appearance of lash volume! The precision bristles of the cone-shaped brush separate and evenly coat every last lash, while also delivering conditioning nutrients to stimulate lashes from root to tip. "

"To achieve maximum results, use as a part of the multiplEYE 3-step regimen for naturally enhanced lashes without the prescription or the harmful side effects. This product is free from talc, formaldehyde donors, MEA/ DEA/ TEA, and animal testing."

I have been using this product every time that I put mascara on for two weeks now and I concede that it is a nice product but not a life-changing item.  I used this product every morning on clean, dry lashes and then waited about two minutes to them apply my mascara (the tube did not state a specific time that I should wait before applying mascara so I waited longer then normal just to be safe).  There was a bit of a white substance on my lashes but it mostly dried clear, this is not a product that could be used by itself because of the appearance of my lashes after application.  I am using MAC Opulash Mascara and decided to keep using the same product all throughout trying this primer as I know the results to expect one or more coats of that mascara. 

I don't know where Tarte got the 739% increase in lash volume from, that number makes no sense as a lash that became 700% larger would look totally different.  I think that it actually means that each lash is about 7 times larger after use of the product than before use of the product, a number that makes more sense.  Of course, lashes will be larger with the application of a product made to thicken them, the key is for the lashes to look as thick and lustrous as the wear desires (where the products usually die for me).  One coat of this primer really thickens my lashes and then a coat of mascara on top of it will enhance the effect, however I have found that use of this product is no better than applying two coats of thickening mascara.  I have experienced no increase in lash growth and I think that I would have to use the product for at least four to six weeks before I would notice any difference, if this product was really changing my life with how well it volumized my lashes then I would buy another tube if it and keep up the daily use to see how well it performed in this aspect.  But since I could easily just use two coats of mascara, I see no reason to buy this product again and see if it has anymore benefits.

Face and eye shadow primers really make a difference in my makeup application and durability, this product does little more than a coat of a traditional thickening mascara will do.  This product really didn't do very much for me and therefore I will be skipping over it.  If this is the only product that I do not like from Tarte...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Spring 2013 Collection

I have been raving about Tarte products for the past two years and I keep raving even more with every single new product that I try from this line.  My current Tarte obsession is the Pure Maracuja Oil that I have been using as a night moisturizer for the past few weeks.  I know that I will be ordering another bottle of this product as soon as my current bottle starts getting low and therefore I want to look at all the new products from Tarte well before I need to order and I can start plotting all the new stuff that I am going to want from this company for the spring season.  I still use my Tarte and True Eye Palette at least once a week and I wish that this company sold more single products, I am running low on a couple of the eye shadow shades that I really love in that palette and want to replace them but with the current product assortment, I cannot do this...

This collection is pretty huge and it contains a series of new color products and some new skincare items.  The first piece that pops out at me is the Pure Maracuja Oil in a rollerball form, I woner if this is an easier mode of application and it caught my eye since I just read an article in the March issue of Cosmopolitan (I think...or In Style.  I have been reading fashion magazines like crazy this month since the March issues are all huge!) and the rollerball style would provide the massaging benefit while applying my new favorite night moisturizer.  The second item that catches my eye in an eye cream with the Maracuja Oil in it...this might be my new favorite ingredient for skincare!

I wonder how many of the new items in the collection contain Maracuja Oil as this seems to be the new "hot" ingredient and Tarte is the only company that is using it.  Tarte has also jumped on the BB Cream bandwagon and is now introducing one into their line-up this spring.  I am thinking that this might be more of a face and skincare collection for me this spring.

Here is the newest from Tarte!

Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment - Refresh, renew and recharge tired eyes with our eye treatment enriched with C-brighter™ technology. By harnessing the power of maracuja fruit, vitamin C and advanced botanicals, this skintuitive™ eye treatment visibly hydrates, firms and brightens the delicate eye area. Product Performance: This intense, multi-tasking eye treatment contains rice bran, mango and coconut naturally-rich in antioxidants to fight signs of aging and free radical damage. Oat sugars instantly smooth and visibly tighten skin. The nutrient-rich formula also delivers the ultimate in hydration for smooth, youthful-looking eyes. Ophthalmologist tested.  Powered By: maracuja oil: rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) known to replenish, rebuild, and brighten skin.  Vitamin C gives the appearance of brighter skin; powerful anti-aging elixir promotes active skin recovery and rejuvenation; maximum hydration quenches dry skin.

BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen - Indulge your skin with tarte's innovative BB tinted treatment primer, a powerful multi-tasker that works as a primer, moisturizer, light foundation, anti-aging treatment and sunscreen to give you a youthful-looking glow.  Product Performance: Indulge and nourish your skin with tarte’s innovative BB tinted treatment which offers multiple skincare and makeup benefits in one eco-chic tube. This powerfully pure formula not only works as a skin-soothing treatment, but as a moisturizer, sunscreen, primer and foundation that visibly improves skin’s overall appearance for a youthful-looking glow. This 12-hour longwear, anti-aging, oil-free tinted treatment primer offers light-to-medium buildable coverage that helps even skin tone and conceals discoloration, acne and other skin imperfections. The creamy, silky formula goes on smooth, hydrates skin and blends easily leaving you with a natural, flawless finish while the broad-spectrum, chemical-free SPF 30 offers ideal protection from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays.  Powered By: tripleB complex: a proprietary blend of natural diamond powder, plants and lipoamino acids that diffuses light and minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores while improving the appearance of skin luminosity.  Broad-spectrum, chemical-free SPF 30 offers ideal protection from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays.  Available in a range of shades to suit all skintones.

Pure Maracuja Oil Rollerball - This earth-prescribed, powerful treatment oil targets individual skin concerns while deeply moisturizing and nourishing skin. Pure, undiluted & cold pressed, it restores skin balance to aid in skin recovery and rejuvenation. Rich in Vitamin C and nutritious essential fatty acids, this precious harvest from the Amazon awakens skin for a healthy, radiant complexion. This anti-aging elixir provides instant hydration—quenching dry skin with no greasy or filmy feel. Discover firmer, brighter, smoother looking skin with tarte.  Powered By: Maracuja oil: pure maracuja oil has been known to replenish, rebuild and brighten skin. The nutrient-rich essential fatty acids repair & rejuvenate skin for a firmer complexion. The moisture-rich formula replenishes & hydrates skin.  Known as “puro milagro” or “the pure miracle”, only one crop of this rare Amazonian fruit is harvested each year by Amazonian women affiliated with tarte’s cooperative in the Amazon. Piece by piece, they sustainably pick and extract this nutrient-rich seeded pulp from each individual maracuja fruit by hand. This naturally harvested treasure, referred to as the “alma” or “soul” of the maracuja fruit is then hand pressed without the use of heat to guarantee the maximum amount of nutritious essential fatty acids and vitamins.

Awaken Your Complexion - 4-Piece Customizable Complexion Kit - A limited-edition, customizable complexion kit that marries makeup and skincare for your most flawless complexion ever.  Set includes: full size Maracuja Creaseless Concealer; full size Bamboo Concealer Brush; deluxe size Pure Maracuja Oil; deluxe size Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder.  Product Performance: Invigorate your complexion with this limited-edition, customizable complexion kit that marries makeup and skincare. A flawless face has never been easier - just add your perfect shade match of maracuja creaseless concealer to this set of hand-picked complexion perfectors and go! Experience the refreshing results that Amazonian clay and maracuja oil deliver to your skin both before and after make-up application with deluxe sizes of tarte’s skin-friendly game-changers: pure maracuja oil to perfect and prep skin.  Powered By: maracuja oil: rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) known to replenish, rebuild, and brighten skin; high dose of pure Vitamin C gives the appearance of brighter skin; powerful anti-aging elixir promotes active skin recovery and rejuvenation; maximum hydration quenches dry skin.  Amazonian clay: nature’s most perfect ingredient providing total skin balance for better wear.  Vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage.  Mineral pigments: colors derived from natural minerals have been known to soothe and soften skin.

Maracuja Creaseless Concealer - A full coverage, waterproof concealer that won’t crease, flake, or leave you needing more.  Product Performance: Maracuja creaseless concealer offers long-lasting, full coverage in a rich, creamy texture with pure, skin-soothing, and anti-aging ingredients. This velvety concealer is also ideal for masking discoloration and imperfections such as acne/blemishes, redness, scars, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles. This nutrient-rich, blendable, liquid concealer brightens and restores skin’s natural luster, leaving you with a flawless complexion.  Powered By: Maracuja: helps to improve skin’s texture, tone and moisture content while imparting a brightening dewy, luminous finish. In addition to promoting healthy skin.  Available in eight shades to suit a variety on skintones.

Prime, Shine, and Define Tarte-to-Go Kit - This 3-piece deluxe size essentials kit is just what you need for getting flawless on the fly. Perfect and brighten your complexion and dramatize your eyes with clean slate™ poreless 12-hour perfecting primer primer, Amazonian clay BB illuminating moisturizer and gifted™ Amazonian clay smart mascara. This convenient, travel-friendly kit covers all of your beauty basics as you prime, shine and define yourself.  Product Performance: The lightweight clean slate™ poreless 12-hour perfecting primer smooths skin and keeps makeup in place for up to 12 hours of perfect wear time, while diminishing the appearance of pores, fine lines and imperfections. Then, the skin-brightening Amazonian clay BB illuminating moisturizer boosts skin with an all-over luminizing effect for a radiant complexion. For the ultimate finishing touch, gifted™ mascara delivers an instant increase in the appearance of lash volume and instuitively hydrates, replenishes and strengthens lashes with each swipe. This convenient kit covers all of your beauty basics as you prime, shine and define yourself.  Powered By: Amazonian clay: nourishes & balances skin & lashes for better, longer wear and truer color payoff.  Vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage.  Mineral pigments: colors and dyes derived from natural minerals have been known to soothe and soften.

Cheek Stain - The stain that started it all. Tarte’s award-winning and best-selling cheek stain gives you a gorgeous, natural flush in a gel or cream consistency. Rounded top cheek stains are gel based stains, while flat top cheek stains are the cream based version.  Product Performance: This lightweight glow-getter imparts a natural flush – like someone just pinched your cheeks! Get the look of love and an instant pop of soft & dreamy color by applying this to the apples of your cheeks. Unlike traditional stains that are hard to apply, this goof-proof tint melts into skin easily and gives you 20 seconds of blending time before it sets in place for all day wear.  Powered By: t5 super fruit complex™: a proprietary blend of the five most active antioxidant-rich superfruits (maracuja, goji, açaí, acerola, and pomegranate), this complex delivers anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits to skin with each application.  Maracuja: rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) known to replenish, rebuild, and brighten skin; high dose of pure Vitamin C gives the appearance of brighter skin; powerful anti-aging elixir promotes active skin recovery and rejuvenation; maximum hydration quenches dry skin.
- Awakening - medium cool berry

LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint - Introducing Energy—the newest shade addition to the award-winning and best-selling franchise of LipSurgence™ lip tints. This skintuitive™ formula responds to your skin’s natural pH and energy, giving you a personalized tint that is truly your own younique shade of pink.  Product Performance: The ethereal pink hue complements every skin tone to deliver a natural looking glow and brighter complexion – perfectly customized just for you! Bonus: you can bump up the intensity of the color with an extra swipe. Like all LipSurgence™ lip tints, it combines pure color with natural moisturizers and glides on smooth for a sheer finish.  Powered by a proprietary blend of plant bio-nutrients, vitamins, and essential oils rich in emollients, it quickly absorbs into lips delivering a surge of moisture on a cellular level, while boosting peptides to stimulate skin’s own regenerative system and assists in the formation of collagen. This proprietary blend effectively increases skin’s water content for a ‘plumped up’ appearance with a natural hint of energy-reflecting tint and taste of mint. The result is naturally fuller, healthier lips without any irritation or stinging.  Powered By: A proprietary blend of plant bio-nutrients, vitamins, and essential oils rich in emollients, it quickly absorbs into lips delivering a surge of moisture on a cellular level, while boosting peptides to stimulate skin’s own regenerative system and assist in the formation of collagen. This proprietary blend effectively increases skin’s water content for a ‘plumped up’ appearance with a natural hint of energy-reflecting tint and taste of mint. The result is naturally fuller, healthier lips without any irritation or stinging.
- Energy - light neutral pink

LipSurgence Lip Luster - As a follow up to tarte's best-selling LipSurgence™ lip tints, these shimmering lip lusters give lips a high dose of color and shine in an easy twist-up stick.  Product Performance: LipSurgence™ lip lusters combine sheer iridescent pure color with natural moisturizers that glides on smooth and soften lips. This proprietary formula effectively increases skin’s water content for a ‘plumped up’ appearance with a natural hint of shimmering tint and taste of mint. The result is naturally fuller, healthier lips without any irritation or stinging. The easy-to-use twist-up container eliminates the need for sharpeners.  Powered By: A proprietary blend of plant bio-nutrients, vitamins, and essential oils rich in emollients: these antioxidant free radical fighters (vitamin C & E, pepperming & jojoba oil) prevent premature signs of aging, while softening lips.
- Achiote - shimmering medium reddish coral

Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush - A long-wearing, supremely soft blush infused with Amazonian clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun.  Product Performance: This 12-hour blush universally benefits all skin types for a fade-free, flawless finish in shades ranging from soft to vivid and matte to shimmer to suit a wide variety of skin tones.
Powered By: Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place while also hydrating the skin naturally to restore moisture, reducing the appearance of dry, flaky skin.
- Charisma - warm medium pink with a touch of shimmer

Beauty and the Box - Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad -  A perfectly portable shadow box with four gorgeous Amazonian clay eye shadow shades inside.  Product Performance: These small but mighty palettes are your one-stop destination for out-of-this-world blendable color and an endless variety of naturally gorgeous looks. The highly pigmented colors are easy to blend and nourish lids as they deliver the perfect amount of creamy matte perfection or subtle shimmer.  Powered By: Amazonian clay: nature’s most perfect ingredient works to nourish lids, reduce surface oil and improve overall texture for easy application and better wear.
- Secret Garden - medium champagne/medium tan bronze/deep olive/deep warm charcoal

I am checking out the skincare items more than the color items at the moment.  The first piece that is going right onto my shopping list is the eye cream with the Maracuja Oil on it, I don't even need a new eye cream right now but I am going to pick this one up and then as soon as one of my current products runs out then I will pull it right out and start playing around with it.  I have high hopes for this eye cream, the Pure Maracuja Oil has improved my overall complexion and I have high hopes that this eye cream will have the effect on my undereye area.  It goes without saying that I will be picking up the rollerball form of the Pure Maracuja Oil, I will switch this form of it on and off with the regular once or twice a week to give myself a bit of a needed facial. 

 

I will begin with the skincare from this collection but then I will be heading right over to the face products from it.  I want this formula of BB Cream, I am quickly going from having no BB Creams to having a little collection of them and I can't wait to compare them to some of my favorite tinted moisturizers.  I will also be looking very closely at the concealer from this collection, if I found a product that both concealed and helped to improve my dark undereye circles, then I would be a believer for life in this company. 

 

My last picks are from the color part of the collection.  I don't really love any of the new cheek or lip shades in this collection, I find the color of the new stain pretty and I love the packaging but this isn't enough for me to purchase it without trying it on.  The lip gloss shades are ok but again I am not in love with them and since there are so many others that I have been lusting for this spring, there is no point in me purchasing any of these.  The only color piece that I am quite interested in is the Eye Shadow Qud, these neutrals will work very well for me throughout the whole year.

 

This spring collection is a bit different for me than any other one, all I want in skincare and face products!

 

photo courtesy of Tarte

Current Favorites!

It has been about a month since I last put my favorites up and I have been trying to stick to a schedule of dong one at least every four weeks.  Last December, I was all about red shades for lips and nails but then as soon as the holidays went by, I really stopped wearing red on a daily basis.  Right now I am more interested in skincare products and mixing more neutral shades into my makeup looks.  I am all about leaving winter behind as soon as possible and beginning to wear shades that scream "spring", I still haven't even really begun my spring beauty shopping yet but I have a huge list of products and shades that I want buy. 

My favorites right now include the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil, which should be no surprise to anyone since I raved about the product in it's initial review and have been comparting every single skincare product that I have used ever since to it.  In fact, I had planned to do a Theme Week of skincare ingredients this month but I am having to push it to next month since I haven't been able to try all the products that I bought and still use the Maracuja Oil optimally.  It it pretty rare that I find a skincare item that has the power to change my whole regime...

My five favorites of right now!

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil - "A 100 percent pure organic maracuja oil.  This undiluted organic and moisturizing maracuja oil quickly absorbs for firmer, brighter, smoother skin. Pure maracuja oil is rich in vitamin C, so skin appears instantly brighter and more radiant, as well as essential fatty acids (EFAs), a requirement for healthy skin cells that the body cannot produce on its own. EFA deficiency can result in the breakdown of essential skin cells which causes skin to appear dry and aged. By supplementing skin with pure maracuja oil, you are infusing life back into dull skin and replenishing EFAs to rapidly rebuild and repair. This potent antiaging elixir that has anti-inflammatory benefits promotes active skin recovery and delivers maximum hydration without any greasy or filmy feel."  I just can't rave about this face oil enough, it is very hydrating and is actually helping my skin to retain moisture in between uses.  My skin just looker brighter thanks to all the Vitamin C in the product and my face hasn't taken on the gray pallor that it often does in the dead of winter.  The only breakout that I had when I started using the oil has compltely gone away and no more have popped up since then.  This oil is the best product that I have used on my skin for the past few months.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish in DWS - "A vivacious nail varnish.  Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colors that stand out. The formula is long-wearing and chip-resistant and contains individual finishes from matte to high-gloss. Apply two coats for high-intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish. Make a statement and talk with your hands!"  DWS is a "cement gray cream" and is a neutral hue for me this time of the year.  this shade matches pretty much everything that I own and I get three to four days of wear from the shade with very minimal tip wear.  I have been turning to this shade at least once a week for the past month and I will continue to wear it for the rest of the winter and then into spring.

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb - "This floral explosion releases a profusion of flowers that has the power to make everything seem more positive. Magically evocative notes immediately awaken your deepest senses, giving you the impression of living life in your own secret garden, away from reality. Sambac jasmine, centifolia rose, cattleya orchid, and ballerina freesia bloom on a base of patchouli.  Notes: Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli."  Flowerbomb is a spicy floral that works best in the cold weather and I have been using it all the time for the past month, I will need to put it away come spring and that actually depresses.  This is one of the few spicy scents that I can easily wear and I love how the rose and jasmine notes mix and produce one of the prettist floral fragrances that I have used. 

Matrix Miracle Treat 12 Lotion Spray - "Conditions like a lotion. Sprays like a mist. Sunflower Oil, rich in antioxidant, provides 12 instant benefits: Helps protect color-treated hair/Detangles/Helps seal the hair from damage/Helps prevent breakage/Maximizes natural body/Smoothes the cuticle/Deeply conditions/Helps strengthen hair/Delivers instant silkiness/Increases manageability/Tames frizz/Helps restore shine."  I have been using this leave-in treatment every other night and so far have avoided most of the winter hair pitfalls.  My static and flyways are reduced and my hair is much softer to the touch.  This product helps to smooth the cuticle and protect hair from both heat styling and the elements, while keeping color from fading.  This is a great leave-in for dry winter hair and my hair is in much better condition than before I started using it.

Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Katie - "A powder blusher.  Illuminate and enliven your complexion with the color and drama of Illamasqua Powder Blusher. Color intense and highly pigmented, it can be used to shade, brighten, enhance, and define the shape of your face. Be bold, be daring, and be the center of attention."  Katie is a "light milky pink" and I can only pull the color off when my skin is pale.  This shade gives me the perfect light pink flush and makes me looks as though I have just come in from the cold.  Pink blush shades are my favorite and this is the one that I have been using for the past month.

My favorites right now are all about keeping my skin and hair looking nice and healthy throughout the cold weather months.  Hydrating products for my face and hair are making me look good right now and therefore mean that I will look much better in the spring months.  Usually at the end of this month is when I start thinking about what I need to do my appearance to start getting ready for spring and this year I have been using some great products that will take me into the warm weather very easily!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

I have been trying all kinds of face creams over the past few months and I have liked many of them but I haven't yet stumbled on one that I really like and has been performing for me all season.  I have been hearing about all kinds of face and hair oils since the beginning of the fall months and I decided that I wanted to take my skincare regime up a notch in hydration levels.  I have been curious about the Tarte Maracuja line of products for the past few months and therefore I decided that I was going to purchase the Pure Maracuja Oil and hope that my skin will be more hydrated than it has been all winter.  And it is only going to get colder so I really hoped that this product worked well...

I now have been using this product for about a week now and I much say that I am converted to the trend of using oils in the winter months!  I was a bit skeptical about this product at first, the oil is a thin consistency and I am used to using thick face creams during the winter.  I liked theis product the first time that I used it but I didn't find anything special about it and wasn't quite convinced.  After using it for several days, the effects of the face oil are much intensified and now I can see a change in the texture and feel on my skin.  I am jumping on the oil product bandwagon!

I purchased the product at Sephora but I am going to pull my information and image from the Tarte website.  I must say that I get more and more impressed with Tarte as I try products from them.  Every product that I use makes me love the brand even more and now I want to keep using their skincare products in addition to their color products.  Tarte is now quickly becoming one of my favorite beauty brands, it will soon have a place next to Illamasqua and NARS in my heart!

"This nutrient-rich oil contains vitamin C and essential fatty acids to hydrate sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Pure maracuja oil is a hydrating treatment oil known for its anti-aging and healing properties for firmer, brighter, and smoother looking skin, and will not cause breakouts.  Product Performance: Essential fatty acids repair and rebuild skin, and promote skin recovery by reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation. The nutrient-rich oil instantly hydrates sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Vitamin C brightens dull skin for a radiant, dewy, and luminous complexion."

"Powered By: Maracuja oil: pure maracuja oil has been known to replenish, rebuild and brighten skin. The nutrient-rich essential fatty acids repair & rejuvenate skin for a firmer complexion. The moisture-rich formula replenishes & hydrates skin.  Known as “puro milagro” or “the pure miracle”, only one crop of this rare Amazonian fruit is harvested each year by Amazonian women affiliated with tarte’s cooperative in the Amazon. Piece by piece, they sustainably pick and extract this nutrient-rich seeded pulp from each individual maracuja fruit by hand. This naturally harvested treasure, referred to as the “alma” or “soul” of the maracuja fruit is then hand pressed without the use of heat to guarantee the maximum amount of nutritious essential fatty acids and vitamins."

This oil is about as close to a pure oil as can be bought by a major beauty brand, this formula is more what I traditionally expect to find at health food stores.  In my mind, this is a good thing.  My skin is dry and sensitive so I hate when I find a product that I like and get good results from but then the fragrance or shade does something to my skin and I have to stop using it.  The purer that a product is better for my skin, the less excess ingredients lower my chances of having some type of reaction to the product.

After two uses, my skin began to feel softer and smoother.  I use this product every night on clean, dry skin.  I do not use this with any type of serum, I prefer that this hydrator can be completely absorbed by my skin and with nothing in between the product and my face.  The bottle has a dropper contained in it and this is the best method of getting the product out.  I use about three drops to cover my entire face and this is the perfect amount for me.  As I continued to use it, I noticed that my skin didn't get super dry as soon as I washed it, kit is still too dry for me to not use a hydrating day cream but before use of this product, my skin would dry and tight as soon as I finished washing it.  This is a huge improvement in my book and is one of my favorite aspects of this product. 

The Vitamin C has a brightening effect on my complexion, this time of the year my skin is usually dull and gray.  This oil hasn't made my skin look as though it is May but it still looks much better than it could.  I haven't noticed a reduction in the redness in my cheeks however this product helps to keep my skin hydrated and doesn't irritate so it doesn't make my skin any redder than it normally is.  The improved texture of my skin also helps my primer and foundation to glide on easier and then the redness in my cheeks is much easier to conceal.

The only drawback of this produc t is that I got a breakout within about three days of using the product.  I have been using the Boscia acne treatment on it twice a day and it is pretty much gone.  The breakout is pretty small and this is a small price to pay for much this product has improved my skin.  I only really mentioned it because I never get breakouts and I know this product was the cause of it, it does make me wonder how this product will perform if you are more prone to breakouts than I am.  I would think that if you are prone to breakouts, then this will not be the best product for you and you might want to look for another.  Personally, I would recommend this product to those of us with dry and/or senstive skin that needs an extra level of hydration in the cold, dry weather. 

photo courtesy of Tarte

Current Favorites!

I just realized the other day that I haven't done a Five Favorites post for several months now, at one point I was doing them monthly and then somehow I just stopped during them during the fall months.  I can pretty sum up my entire fall and early winter favorites with this post, I have been using all kinds of red shades for my nails and lips and have been using Kate Walsh Boyfriend ever since I first got the sample from Sephora and then ordered the rollerball of the fragrance.  I can say that I have chosen some really great products over the past few months since I have been many of the same shades and fragrances since October, normally I tend to rarely use the same fragrance or shade two days in a row so it is pretty unbelieveable that I continue to use the same shades day after day and am still in love with them!

My Five Favorites from the beginning of fall to the present!

MAC Lipstick in Ladybug - " Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made M·A·C famous"  Ladybug is a sheer red, described by the company as "yellow tomato" and it is one of the Luster finish Lipsticks.  Lusters are on the sheer side and are more hydrating than any other formula, they are perfect for any time of the year and are among the easiest of MAC Lipstick's to wear.  This lipstick shade is a neutral red that is sheer enough to wear in any situation but will still get you noticed.  This is one of my favorite red lip shades and is one that I often recommend to ladies looking to buy their first red lip hue.

Kate Walsh Boyfriend - "She inhales his shirt, taking in the scent of the man she loves. It lingers on her clothes, her sheets, her hair—all over. Imprinted on her body and in her mind, it radiates within her, filling her with feelings of warmth and desire.  Actress Kate Walsh wanted to capture the scent of a guy on a girl: a man's cologne mixed with perfume, the smell that lingers on the skin. This fragrance evokes memories of that time after he has left for the day—when she gently awakes in a bed that's still warmly redolent of "boyfriend."  An alluring balance of vanilla, jasmine blossoms, and an accord of amber is set against the sensual scents of a man, including a light musk and a shimmer of fresh woods.  Notes: Dark Plum, Myrrh, Night Blooming Jasmine, Benzoin Tears, Skin Musk, Golden Amber, Vanilla Woods."  This unique fragrance has been one of my favorites over the past few weeks, I used my sample of this scent within a few days and then quickly ordered the Rollerball from Sephora.  This fragrance is a mixture of plum, jasmine, vanilla, and wood on me.  I initially didn't like this fragrance but am very glad that I gave it another chance, it is much more masculine than what I normally wear but doesn't smell like men's colonge.  It is very soft and sensual and the perfect date fragrance or to wear for cuddling in the winter months.  I will be using this all the time until spring comes.

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Adventure Red-y - "China Glaze is a professional-level nail enamel made with a special balance of polymers and resins that combine to create a nail lacquer that is long lasting, chip-resistant and resistant to color and shine fading. Will not thicken in the bottle, no thinners necessary. "  Adventure Red-y is a "deep vivid red" with a cream finish, I love this red shade so much!  It came out in the On Safari collection for fall and now it is getting harder to find but I really recommend searching for it.  This is one of my favorite reds, it is deeper than many of the other that I own and I get compliments on it whenever I wear it.  It works very well in the fall months and then I wore it straight through the holidays and will still use it next summer for pedicures.  This is one of the best purchases that I have ever made from this polish company and On Safari is now up there with Anchors Away as my favorite collections from them.

Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish in Betty - "A pout-perfecting, sheer coverage, shimmering lip gloss.  This bestselling, lip polish instantly creates the look of fuller, more voluptuous lips with luminous shine. Vitamins A and E help keep lips soft, smooth, and protected while the tingling sensation reminds you that it's working."  Betty is a "crimson red" and is one of the older shades in this product, I first got this lip gloss back in 2009 and I somehow forgot about it for a whole year and then I pulled it out and tried it for the first time around the holidays in 2010.  This is a lovely deep sheer red.  It is another shade that is sheer enough that anyone can pull it off and it will work in any situtation but will still get you noticed.  This formula has a bit of a plumping effect but nothing mind blowing, it will help to slightly fill out your lips and improve the texture but it will not give you the collagen lips.  This is one of the Sephora best-selling lip gloss formulas and I have never met anyone that doesn't like this product!

Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow/Liner in Bronze - "A collection of plush eyeliners and a double-ended eyeliner brush, to create intense and long-lasting high definition eyes.  These liners provide skinvigorating™ benefits and an intense yet smooth-cream texture, perfect for creating a precise, high definition line or a smoky, sultry shadow base. High-performance natural™ Amazonian clay deepens the intensity of pure color pigments while nourishing skin for a truer, bolder color that lasts. The botanical waterproofing agent in these liners is earth engineered from a blend of natural plant waxes to form an impermeable layer that protects against rain, sweat, tears, and creasing for longer wear.  Nature's most perfect ingredient, Amazonian clay, balances and neutralizes skin's surface. Whether oily or dry, it reduces surface oil and improves the overall texture of the skin, for smoother application and better wear. The black and brown shades are matte; the bronze, plum, indigo, and green shades are metallic."  Bronze is a "deep bronze sheen" and is the eyeliner that I have been turning to more and more ever since I bought it in October.  This liner shade works with both of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes and therefore I use it at least three times a week, it is more subtle than the liner shades that Urban Decay selected for the palettes and therefore is much easier to wear in a professional environment.  This shade has a bit of shimmer but it is subtle and will work well with any type of makeup look.  I have been using this liner with shades from Naked and Naked 2 and then doing a sheer red lip at lot lately, both for work and getting dressed up at night.

I have been using this fragrances and products for the past few weeks and I know that I will continue to use them all through the rest of the winter.  Last year, I got sick of red right after the holidays were over but I am much more in loves with reds this year and I know that I will be using these products all the way until the beginning of March!

photo courtesy of China Glaze's Facebook page

Tarte Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay 8 Shadow Collector's Palette

I have been doing lots of shopping on the Sephora website lately and I am trying to spend the majority of time looking for gifts for other people and not adding too many more products to my collection.  I keep finding more gifts that I want to unwrap myself on Christmas morning and I am not getting quite as much shopping for others done as I am trying to.  I have gotten a pretty slow start to my gift shopping and I need to change that as we are heading into the beginning of December...

However this post is about another top pick of the gifts that I want for myself!  We already looked at my favorite gift of the whole season, that amazing Lorac gift set and today I have found a Tarte Amazonian Clay palette that I want to add to my collection.  To be fair, this would also make a great gift for anyone on your list who loves makeup or needs a bit of a boost to her current makeup look.  Tarate has become one of my favorite color brands over the past year and a half and I continue to be excited about and impressed by every single product that I buy from this company.  This is truely one of the best quality line of makeup products that are sold at Sephora!

This palette that I am looking at for myself is named the Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay 8 Shadow Collector's Palette and the shadow contains in this palette are very versatile and I can see them working very well with many different types of makeup looks.  This is a palette that will work for multiple eye colors and skin tones and these are among the reasons that I think that this will be a great gift to give to a friend or to keep for yourself.

So far I have only seen this palette on the Sephora website so that is where my information is coming from.  "A fearless and sophisticated eye shadow palette featuring nature’s most perfect ingredient: Amazonian clay.   Each Amazonian clay eye shadow delivers the perfect amount of creamy matte perfection or subtle shimmer while Amazonian clay works to nourish lids, reduce surface oil, and improve overall texture for easy application and better, longer, truer wear. Everything you need to create a complete eye look that is sleek, sexy, wild, or mild is inside including a full-size mirror for flawless application."

The eye shadow shades are:

- Meow - medium bronze shimmer
- Jungle - deep matte brown
- Instinct - pale matte champagne
- Wild - deep brown shimmer
- Primal - medium matte slate gray
- Roar - deep matte navy
- Call - medium matte peach
- Lynx - medium matte taupe

I think that this might be Tarte's answer to Urban Decay's top selling Nake palette line.  The shades look like most of them would be best for colored eyes and could all be mixed together to create all kinds of great neutral eye looks.  I will admit that I already own a lot of shades that are similar to these but I know that I will use there so much that it is worth me ordering this palette.  This palette is already out of stock at Sephora and so I am hoping that it comes back in stock in time for me to order it for the holidays!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Holiday 2012 Collection - Baby It's Bold Outside

I have been buying new products from Tarte more than usual over the past year and I am still as excited about the new cream eye liners that I have been using from this company as the day that I first tried them out.  I want to buy more of these and hope that new shades will be coming out in the spring and summer months, now I want to try more from the Amazonian Clay collection of products and my next purchase will be several shades of the blush that is spiked with this ingredient.  I am so excited that the new holiday collection is now up on the Tarte website and I am going to be seeing what I want to order from it! 

This collection contains several limited edition sets and then one or more limited edition single products.  The best products from Tarte are usually sets, they offer some amazing sets and palettes every single season, I have a very hard time trying to resist new palettes from Tarte (still love my True Blood palette!) and I have been really happy with every single product that I have used so far from this brand. 

Baby It's Bold Outside is the holiday collection and here is the overall description from Tarte website.  "A bold splash of the season's most irresistible colors, luxe shining gold, and worldy patterns make this limited edition collection Tarte's most collectible ever."

Here is the new crop of great products from Tarte!

Mistletoe Must Haves 24/7 Lip Sheer Trio - These moisturizing, budgeproof lip sheers will keep lips looking soft and smooth with a hint of tint under the mistletoe and 24/7 throughout the holiday season. Set includes 3 shades: dawn (sheer golden nude), monday (sheer red) and friday (sheer berry).  All the lasting power of a lipstick--with the moisturizing, high-sheen properties of a lip gloss! These budgeproof, moisturizing lip sheers with added SPF 15 give a "your lips, but better" effect that makes them perfect for when you want a kiss of color without looking overdone.

The Perfect Pink Holiday Exclusive Lip Stain - Give a little tint this holiday season with this limited-edition tarte.com exclusive cheek stain in “the perfect pink”. tarte’s award-winning and best-selling cheek stain gives you a gorgeous, natural flush in a gel or cream consistency.  This lightweight glow-getter imparts a natural flush – like someone just pinched your cheeks! Get the look of love and an instant pop of soft & dreamy color by applying this to the apples of your cheeks. Unlike traditional stains that are hard to apply, this goof-proof tint melts into skin easily and gives you 20 seconds of blending time before it sets in place for all day wear.

The Stand Outs Limited Edition Best Sellers Kit - A limited-edition best-sellers kit is a mix of best-selling products in shades hand-picked by tarte founder Maureen Kelly and the tarte team.  Must haves for playing up your best features are all inside the giftable box—designed especially for the tartelette with gifts to give and stockings to fill!.  Here’s what’s inside: Amazonian clay Waterproof Liner in Bronze, Double-ended eyeliner brush, LipSurgence™ Lip Luster in Pouty, Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes!™4-in-1 Mascara.

Limited Edition Picture Perfect Curler and Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara - A limited-edition "Baby, It's Bold Outside" exclusive curler and mascara set featuring Tarte’s Picture Perfect™ eyelash curler and Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes!™ 4-in-1 Mascara.  Our best-selling eyelash curler is dressed to the nines this Holiday season with an exclusive “Baby, its bold outside” print silk-screened around the handles for a bold, colorful pop—making it the ultimate collector’s piece to display on your vanity. The curved angle and wide mouth suits all eye shapes without pinching or crimping. Lights, Camera, Lashes!™ 4-in-1 Mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes, and conditions for dramatic, thick and sexy lashes.

Fantastic Foursome Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Enthusiast Set - A limited-edition blush enthusiast set featuring tarte's award-winning and best-selling blush in four deluxe sizes of brand NEW universally flattering shades.  This set contains a neutral pink shade, a bright petal pink shade, a bright coral shade, and a medium bronze shade.

Eye Catchers Six Piece SmolderEYES and Skinny SmolderEYES Collector's Set - A limited-edition collection of Tarte's eye catchers featuring 5 FULL SIZE pure, powerful and pretty SmolderEYES™ Amazonian clay waterproof liners in NEW must-have colors (ash violet, rainforest black, gold, champagne, and gunmetal) and the worldwide launch of skinny SmolderEYES™ in onyx.

Statement Lips Five Piece Lip Surgence Collector's Set - A limited-edition LipSurgence™ collector’s set.  Each emotive shade in this limited-edition LipSurgence™ collector’s set (including 2 of the tarte team’s favorites + 3 brand NEW colors).  2 LipSurgence™ Lip Uints (the original formula, for a natural flush): in elite (sheer melon) & enchanted (sheer rose).  2 LipSurgence™ Lip Lusters (for a high dose of glossy color and shine): in sweet (shimmering peachy pink) & escape (shimmering pink).  1 LipSurgence™ Matte Lip Tint (for a rich matte finish): in exposed (nude).

I am a bit unhappy that there is no real palette in this collection, I was hoping to have a few palettes to choose from and therefore more than one that I can order!  I do like many of the sets but I was hoping for another palette that I could use and give my True Blood palette a bit of a rest, already some of the shades are getting used up and I haven't yet seen perfect dupes of them in any other Tarte sets. 

I want both of the lip product sets on this collection, both for myself and then an extra or two to give to my friends as gifts.  All of my friends love getting lip gloss sets around the holidays and I will be picking out a few from this collection and then one from the Stila collection and then give them out to my friends.  I need to start an order from this collection very soon and start getting my gifting list ready to go, I love to see the looks on my friends' face when they unwrap lovely lip gloss sets. 

In addition to the lip gloss sets for myself, I want to order the limited edition shade of the Tarte Cheek Stain and perhaps the blush set too.  I want to try more of the Tarte products and I think that the next area for me to play around with is getting into their blush and then face products.

Overall, good group of gifts in this collection and you will find a few things for any of the ladies on your list.  I do wish that there was some great palettes in this collection but that wish will not come true, unless there are some Sephora only products that I haven't found yet.  Fingers crossed!

photo courtesy of Tarte