Tarte Bow & Go Holiday 2013 Set

Purchased by me

You can always count on Tarte around the Holiday season to come up with great collections and offerings.  This year was no exception with the Tarte Bow & Go Set, offered on QVC ($49.98 through a TSV offering; regular price $61; sale price $54.98 excluding s&h).  I signed up for auto-delivery as there will be an additional collection being shipped in April 2014.

This set was a 24-piece, three-box holiday collection with a 16-shade Amazonian clay eye shadow palette, four LipSurgence(TM) lip cremes, two smolderEYES(TM) Amazonian clay waterproof eyeliners, and two lights, camera, LASHES(TM) 4-in-1 mascaras.

The first box contains 16 Amazonian clay eye shadows in various shades, no brush though (each shade 0.0705 oz.).  The shades are:

Tickled Pink, Playful Plum, Radiant Rosewood, Sage 

Advice (first row; pictured here top to bottom):

Beaming Bronze, Grateful Grey, Alluring Almond, Hot Cocoa (second row; pictured here top to bottom):

Ideal Ivory, Roasted Chestnut, Buttercream Frosting, Pumped Up Purple (third row; pictured here top to bottom):

Marvelous Mocha, Truly Taupe, Peachy Keen, Blissful Brown (fourth row; pictured here top to bottom):

The eye shadow box also contains two guides to achieve two looks, one for day and one for evening.

The second box contains 2 smolderEYES waterproof liners and 2 lights, camera, lashes mascara tubes.  The smolderEYES shades are Fig, a rich plum shade and Matte Brown, a chocolate shade.  Both mascaras are in black.  Here's a close-up of the liners, swatches, and the mascara wand:

The third and final box contains 4 LipSurgence pencils (.10 oz each).  The shades are Precious (nude mauve), Promise (berry), Thoughtful (Brown Mauve) and Wonder (Pinky rose).  Here's a close-up of each shade and swatches:

Left to Right: Precious, Promise, Thoughtful, Wonder

The set includes a goldtone ribbon for gift-giving but you know I will be keeping this baby.

Overall rating: Booyah! for the value, shade selection, and lovely packaging.  The one downside is that I find peppermint oil to be somewhat drying to my lips so I always have to hydrate my pucker more than usual when using these pencils.

Did you pick up this collection?  Did you sign up for the auto-delivery?  I can't wait to see what's in store for the April offering.  In the meantime, I'll be doing my best to go through these babies.

Mally Beauty - Perfect Prep Eye Gel

I don't know about you, but my eyes take a beating during the Holidays.  Late nights, entertaining, etc. all can interrupt my sleep patterns and the next day my eyes betray me by announcing to the world that I'm tired.  When I heard that Mally Roncal had designed this gel to make eyes look their best, I couldn't wait to try it (15 ml/0.51 fl oz; $45).

This gel comes with a silver applicator that is very cool to the touch and it soothes the under-eye area.  The gel contains special peptides, antioxidants, caffeine, high quality colorless quartz and rhodochrosite extract, special moisturizers and red algae.

This stuff made my eyes look tighter, smoother, brighter and more lifted and toned.  Just love this stuff!

Overall rating:  Booyah!  This stuff is awesome and I proudly call this a must-have and have added it to my staples list.  It is well worth the price and I am glad I took advantage of the Easy payments option.  Now, if I could only get QVC to offer this on auto-delivery.....

Tarte - The Miracle of Maracuja - Winter Collection

Earlier this year, Tarte and QVC followed up their Glow Your Way to Gorgeous sets with The Miracle of Maracuja.  The first set launched in March of this year; the second in July, and this is the third and last installment. For details on the first set, please click here.  For details on the second set, please click here.   I recently received the third and last installment of The Miracle of Maracuja Collection, an 8-piece set exclusive to QVC (www.qvc.com; Retail $59.96). 

• Beauty & the Box Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad in Through the Grapevine (6.8 g) - Includes Valley, Rosé, Berry Blend, and Grape shadows in a lovely floral-patterned box.  Shadows apply very smoothly and have good color payoff and work nicely together.  This box offers more gold, berry shades while the first installment offered more pink, plum smokey shades and the second installment was more neutral.

• Cashmere Waterproof Gliding Liner (0.28 g) - In Black Bark - Similar to the SmolderEyes liners, this pencil has some staying power once you give it some time to set.  I wore it layered under the Grape shadow and I liked the effect.

• Airblush Maracuja Blush (5.3 g) - In Shimmering Pink - This is a lovely smooth blush with very nice pigmentation that is easy to blend!  I just love this formulation.  Again, I would have liked the ability to pop the pan out of the compact like their Amazonian Clay blushes but this purple, mirrored compact is sleek enough to throw in my purse.  Also, unlike the Amazonian Clay blushes, it's easy to tell which shade is which.  With these blushes, all are packaged in the same compact so I have to be sure I am selecting the correct shade when pulling it from my vanity and dropping it in my purse.

• Foundation Brush - This brush is not named in the pamphlet.  I presume it is a foundation brush as it is very similar to the MAC 190 foundation brush.  I have used it to apply my foundation but as the foundation did not come with this collection, I find it strange that it was included.  As for blush application, I love the Airbrush Finish Bamboo Blush Brush that came with the first Miracle of Maracuja set.

• Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss (3.6 ml) - Pouty - A nice, rich, rosy pink shade, I just love the floral packaging.  It took a while for the product to "click up" through the bristles but I love the formula.  The mint-scented gloss includes maracuja oil for hydrating your pucker while glistening your lips with a nice gloss.

• Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara (7 ml) - Black - The same tube offered in the Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Sets.  Would love to try the Waterproof formula one of these days.  (Tarte!  hint!  hint! - Any chance you will include in one of your future collections?)

• Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (8 g) - Medium - The collection can be ordered with any one of 4 shades of concealers.  A little of this concealer goes a long way so don't fret the fact that not a lot of product comes out when you squeeze the tube.  Personally, I like that the product doesn't easily ooze out of the tube so there's no waste and I can build the coverage as I need to.

• Pure Maracuja Oil (50 ml) - This oil is absolutely awesome!  I have used it as my night-time moisturizer since I first received my first Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Set.  It has definitely improved the condition of my skin.  This versatile oil can be used on cuticles, hands, and face.  I have have been known to smooth a drop or two in my palms for a nice shiny, lustre to my hair.  I have also added a few drops to my body lotion whenever my skin needs a moisture boost as maracuja oil has vitamin C and essential fatty acids which promote radiant skin.  This same size retails for $46 on QVC.

As in previous sets, there is a "Get The Look" guide:

Unlike the first set, there were no sneak-peek bonus items but I am pleased with this set, nonetheless.

Overall rating:  Booyah!

This set is well worth the $59.96 price tag.  I am looking forward to the next collection that is set to launch on November 28, 2012.

Have you tried any of these items?  What are your thoughts?

Tarte - The Miracle of Maracuja Collection Summer 2012

Earlier this year, Tarte and QVC followed up their Glow Your Way to Gorgeous sets with The Miracle of Maracuja.  The first set launched in March of this year. For details on the first set, please click here.  I recently received the second installment of The Miracle of Maracuja Collection, an 8-piece set exclusive to QVC (www.qvc.com; Retail $59.96). 

• Beauty & the Box Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad in Brewed Awakening (6.8 g) - Includes Foam, Raw Sugar, Espresso and Roast shadows in a lovely floral-patterned box.  Shadows apply very smoothly and have good color payoff and work nicely together.  This box offers more neutral shades while the first installment offered more pink, plum smokey shades. 

Left to Right: Foam, Raw Sugar, Espresso, Roast

• Cashmere Waterproof Gliding Liner (0.28 g) - In Dewy Green - Similar to the SmolderEyes liners, this pencil has some staying power once you give it some time to set.  I wore it layered under the Roast shadow and I liked the effect.

• Airblush Maracuja Bouncy Blush (5.3 g) - In Shimmering Peach - This is a lovely smooth blush with very nice pigmentation that is easy to blend!  I just love this formulation.  Again, I would have liked the ability to pop the pan out of the compact like their Amazonian Clay blushes but this purple, mirrored compact is sleek enough to throw in my purse.  Also, unlike the Amazonian Clay blushes, it's easy to tell which shade is which.  With the bouncy blushes, it appears all are packaged in the same compact so I have to be sure I am selecting the correct shade when pulling it from my vanity and dropping it in my purse.

• Blush Brush - This soft brush applies the blush nicely, though I prefer the Airbrush Finish Bamboo Blush Brush that came with the first Miracle of Maracuja set.  The brush is very similar to the brush included in the Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Set #1 except the handle is purple and not bamboo.

• Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss (3.6 ml) - Ethereal - A nice, sheer, neutral peachy-pink color, I just love the floral packaging.  It took a while for the product to "click up" through the bristles but I love the formula.  The mint-scented gloss includes maracuja oil for hydrating your pucker while glistening your lips with a nice gloss.

• Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara (7 ml) - Black - The same tube offered in the Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Sets.  Would love to try the Waterproof formula one of these days.  (Tarte!  hint!  hint! - Any chance you will include in one of your future collections?)

• Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (8 g) - Medium - The collection can be ordered with any one of 4 shades of concealers.  A little of this concealer goes a long way so don't fret the fact that not a lot of product comes out when you squeeze the tube.  Personally, I like that the product doesn't easily ooze out of the tube so there's no waste and I can build the coverage as I need to.

• Pure Maracuja Oil (50 ml) - This oil is absolutely awesome!  I have used it as my night-time moisturizer since I first received my first Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Set.  It has definitely improved the condition of my skin.  This versatile oil can be used on cuticles, hands, and face.  I have have been known to smooth a drop or two in my palms for a nice shiny, lustre to my hair.  I have also added a few drops to my body lotion after a long day in the sun as maracuja oil has vitamin C and essential fatty acids which promote radiant skin.  This same size retails for $46 on QVC.

Here are some swatches:

Top to Bottom: Foam, Raw Sugar, Espresso, Roast, Shimmering Peach Blush; Ethereal Gloss, Dewy Green Liner

As in previous sets, there is a "Get The Look" guide:

Unlike the first set, there were no sneak-peek bonus items but I am pleased with this set, nonetheless.

Overall rating:  Booyah!

This set is well worth the $59.96 price tag.  If you get a chance to snatch one up, I highly recommend it and can't wait until the last and final installment, set to ship in November, just in time for the Holidays.

Have you tried any of these items?  What are your thoughts?

Tarte - The Miracle of Maracuja Collection Spring 2012

When I received my last installment of Tarte's Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Set, I was so disappointed.  I then learned that Tarte had something new coming in the way of a QVC special collection so when I was offered the pre-order opportunity, I jumped at it.  I received the collection and am happy to share additional information with you.


This set, unlike previous collections, did not include a cosmetic bag but the collection included 8 great items and a 2 bonus extras that I did not expect.

• Beauty & the Box Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad (6.8 g) - Includes Pink Cloud, Silver Mist, Purple Fog and Dark Ash shadows in a lovely floral-patterned box.  Shadows apply very smoothly and have good color payoff and work nicely together.

• Cashmere Waterproof Gliding Liner (0.28 g) - In Black Magic - I am a big fan of the SmolderEyes liners but it's nice to try a thinner liner.  The pencil has some staying power once you give a bit of time to set.  I wore it layered under Dark Ash Shadow and I liked the effect.

• Airblush Maracuja Bouncy Blush (5.3 g) - In Shimmering Poppy - I will be honest, a panicked when I read "bouncy" in the blush description as I immediately thought of Maybelline's marshmallow-like blushes which had very little color payoff (boo-hiss) though the texture was interesting.  Tarte, in my opinion, got it right, in that the texture is smooth and the pigmentation is perfect!  I would have liked the ability to pop the pan out of the compact like their Amazonian Clay blushes but the mirrored compact is sleek enough to throw in my purse and it's in my favorite color....PURPLE!

• Airbrush Finish Bamboo Blush Brush makes for perfect application of Shimmering Poppy just where I want it.  I love the soft, duo-fiber bristles!

• Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss (3.6 ml) - Peaceful - A nice, sheer, universally-flattering color, I just love the floral packaging.  It took a while for the product to "click up" through the bristles but I love the formula.  The mint-scented gloss includes maracuja oil for hydrating your pucker while glistening your lips with a nice gloss.

• Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara (7 ml) - Black - The same tube offered in the Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Sets.  Would love to try the Waterproof formula one of these days.  (Tarte!  hint!  hint! - Any chance you will include in your next collection?)
• Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (8 g) - Medium - The collection can be ordered with any one of 4 shades of concealers.  A little of this concealer goes a long way so don't fret the fact that not a lot of product comes out when you squeeze the tube.  Personally, I like that the product doesn't easily ooze out of the tube so there's no waste and I can build the coverage as I need to.
• Pure Maracuja Oil (50 ml) - This oil is absolutely awesome!  I have used it as my night-time moisturizer since I first received my first Glow Your Way to Gorgeous Set.  It has definitely improved the condition of my skin.  I carried the smaller vial in my purse for use on my cuticles, hands, and face during the harsh winter weather and have been known to smooth a drop or two in my palms for a nice shiny, lustre to my hair.  This same size retails for $46 on QVC.

Here are some swatches:

From top to bottom: Pink Cloud, Silver Mist,  Purple Fog, Dark Ash, Amused Blush,  Black  Magic Liner on the right

And now for the bonuses:

• Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self-Tanner (15 ml) - I am not one for self-tanners as I didn't like the orange hue that many turned my skin.  I did try this my leg as a test and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the nice, natural-looking bronze results.  Will definitely have to try this on my face.  This is a "Sneak Peek" item that, according to the enclosed pamphlet, has been in the making for the past two years.

• Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Eye Base ( 2.6 ml) - I have never tried tarte's eye shadow primer so I am happy to try it.  I did wear it under the quad shades and loved how it hydrated my lids while keeping the shadow in place.  Tarte boasts that their primer is waterproof and works equally as well on oily and dry lids.  I love the clear tube so I can see how much product I have left.

Overall rating:  Booyah!


This set is well worth the $59.96 price tag.  If you get a chance to snatch one up, I highly recommend it and can't wait until the Summer 2012 set.


Have you tried any of these items?  What are your thoughts?