It’s time for another fab tarte and QVC Today’s Special Value — beauty in the basics 6-piece collection! This set retails for $47.96 (regularly $58) plus free shipping and will be available for 1 day only: today, May 11th, on QVC and QVC.com.
Set includes:
Amazonian clay smoothing balm & bamboo balm brush — Offers lightweight, medium coverage with flex form technology & hyaluronic acid to blur over the look of fine lines, wrinkles & pores. Apply with the custom brush for an effortless, flawless complexion. Available in fair, light, light-medium, medium, tan & deep. I have been testing this in light, which is my perfect shade. It does blend in so smoothly and my skin looks flawless. I also love the brush. It is packed full of bristles and is a bit stiff, which is perfect in applying the balm evenly onto the face.
Amazonian clay tightlining eyeliner – All-new, automatic precision liner designed to tightline and define eyes with ease in an everyday black brown shade. Ultra-thin, crisp tip fills in gaps along the lash line and adds instant definition along the inner rim. I like to dot this into my lash line, then line with it. It looks natural, but defined. Blends well and stays all day.
Colored clay eyeshadow palette – New, moisture-rich shadow quad featuring a uniquely plush, creamy formula that can be applied straight to the lid using just your fingertips. 4 limited-edition, everyday shades: classic cream, simple slate, tantalizing tan & breathtaking brown. This is in between a powder and a cream and are easy to apply with fingers or a brush.
Lights, camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara – Our full size iconic mascara that delivers a 330% increase in lash volume instantly. My favorite mascara! It lengthens and volumizes, which is rare to find in one mascara. Love!
LipSurgence™ lip crème — This silky, full coverage lip color keeps your pout plump and hydrated throughout the day. Limited-edition shade offers the perfect pop of complexion-enhancing, soft honeysuckle pink. I love lipsurgence. This color is a bit bright on me, but it is really pretty.
To me, summer makeup is best when it’s soft and easy. I love the products below for that reason. Just a few great products and you’ll have a cool summer look:
tarte maracuja rainforest glow instant matte waterproof body perfector
tarte maracuja rainforest glow instant matte waterproof body perfector ($36 USD) – A bronzing, matte, waterproof body perfector infused with maracuja.
Product Performance: Say goodbye to dull, uneven body skin instantly with nourishing maracuja rainforest glow matte waterproof body perfector! This revolutionary formula moisturizes the skin as it imparts a healthy, natural-looking tan immediately, with a no-fuss, no wait instant bronze-on-demand that helps mask uneven skin tone, imperfections and varicose veins. Infused with maracuja, rich in vitamin C and essential fatty acids, this streak-free, quick-drying bronzing lotion brightens and restores skin’s natural luster, so even after you wash it off with soap and water, skin still feels soft and looks radiant.
Powered By: maracuja oil: rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) known to replenish, rebuild, and enliven skin for a firmer, brighter, smoother appearance. Vitamin C: gives the appearance of brighter skin. Anti-aging elixir: promotes active skin recovery and rejuvenation.
What I think: This product is perfect for the summer. I use it when I’m wearing shorts and capris and haven’t kept up with my faux tan. I love that the ingredients are good for my skin and especially that it doesn’t rub off on my clothes.
tarte park ave princess bronze and glow™
tarte park ave princess bronze & glow™ matte bronzer & cheek tint ($32 USD) —
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 & glow™ matte bronzer & cheek tint.
Product Performance: 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.
Powered By: Amazonian clay & maracuja oil. Maracuja oil instantly absorbs into the skin, delivering a high dose of essential fatty acids and vitamin C to hydrate the skin while imparting a beautiful pop of sheer color. Amazonian clay acts as a total skin balancer, by hydrating all skin types, reducing the appearance of dry, flaky skin, improving clarity and texture, and removing surface oil to mattify skin for a soft focus and flawless finish.
What I think: I love the blush part of this duo. It is such a gorgeous color and it is so easy to use. Just rub a little on the apples of the cheeks, rub in and go! The bronzer is matte and creamy. It takes a little practice to get it looking perfect, but it is so pretty.
The Hard Candy Lash Ink 4-Day Lash Stain ($7 USD) cloaks your eyelashes keeping them thick and fluttery up to four days straight. By using this eyelash stain you need not reapply mascara for up to four days. No matter whether you bathe, swim, cry, or get wet in the rain, your lashes will stay flawless. This Hard Candy lash stain comes with a bristle brush that allows you to apply the lash ink to your lashes from the roots to the tips. You can have thick glossy lashes every day, with just a little work every four days using this 4-day lash stain.
What I think: I LOVE this mascara! First of all it gives a great separated fullness and length. And it doesn’t flake at all. My lashes look great for a few days!
Laura Mercier Lip Glacé ($24 USD) — A high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss with rich, long-lasting colour and brilliant shine that creates the appearance of fuller lips. Any skin tone is virtually enhanced by creating a subtle contrast in texture. Pout, Bare Baby, Pink Diamond, Bare Blush, Bare Beige, and Quarts are included in our Summer Nudes collection.
What I think: Laura Mercier’s glosses are moisturizing and not sticky. I have this one in Pout, a very soft pink.
Laura Mercier Nail Lacquer in Bare Angel
Laura Mercier Nail Lacquer ($18 USD) — Limited Edition. The ultra-smooth formula provides chip-resistant, fast-drying and long-lasting color. Nail Lacquer does not contain formaldehyde, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Bare Angel, Bare Rose, Bare Haze, Bare Mocha, Bare Espresso and Cocoa Suede are included in the Summer Nudes collection. Fordbidden and Bewitched are included in the Dark Spell Collection.
What I think — I love the soft color and the smooth formula. Just a couple of coats gives an opaque look.
Summer makeup is usually bronze and shimmering and/or bright and fun. This years offerings are no different!
I love using self tanner (post to come), so in the summer I don’t cake on the makeup. So bronzer, great waterproof eye makeup and bright lips and eyes are the perfect products for an easy look.
I am so lucky to have been sent lots of fabulous makeup products for my honest opinion. I have a lot to review, and here are some great ones:
ck one summer limited edition color capsule
ck one summer limited edition explores the colorful world under the sea and transforms its
tropical hues into a vivid palette of summer shades.
the lineup includes:
ck one summer limited edition powder bronzer compact in shade 400 sandbar ($25 USD)
ck one summer limited edition long wear + shine nail color ($14 each) scented with ck one summer fragrance
in shades 500 riptide (shimmery aqua) and 610 current (bright green creme). Once dry, they smell fantastic!
ck one summer limited edition long wear cream eyeshadow tubes in shades 400 surge (bright turquoise), 500
reef (vivid green), and 720 dune (sandy beige) ($18 each).
I have been testing the nail polish in riptide and the cream eyeshadow in reef and dune. The polish is crazy-pretty and smells great after it dries. The eyeshadow in reef is a bit to bright for me, but I LOVE dune. It is bronzy summer in a tube and lasts a long time on.
You can purchase these at Ulta stores and www.ulta.com.
Summer 2013 Aqualillies for tarte limited-edition collection is so cool! Inspired by America’s most glamorous synchronized swimming group, the Aqualillies, this limited-edition collection includes seven splashproof products.
For additional information, check out the Aqualillies for tarte collaboration on tarte’s YouTube channel.
I have been testing the finishing powder, the lipstick and the eyeliners. The finishing powder is so good! Use a fluffy powder brush to buff it over foundation or bb cream. It sets your makeup and blurs the look of fine lines and pores.
The lipstick is gorgeous, but way to bright for me. I gave it to my teenage daughter and it is so pretty on her.
The eyeliners last FOREVER on. But the brush takes me a bit to get the hang of, and you only have a few minutes play until it is set and totally waterproof. Perfect for the pool!
Laura Mercier Folklore Collection — Laura Mercier’s inspiration for this collection stems from Aztec influences and fantastical rituals, colours in this collection are reminiscent of ancient symbols and artifacts, textiles and jewelry. When conceptualizing the collection, Laura envisioned the spirit of earth and fire infused into an illuminating new mosaic of colour. The products create a naturally bronzed look, with fiery shades that are perfect for day and night.
Products in the photo above are:
Crème Eye Liner ($22 USD) — An ultra-smooth, water-proof creamy eye liner that applies with the ease and smooth silky finish of a gel and the precision of a liquid liner. Smudge and transfer-resistant, this long-wearing formula goes on “foolproof” with the Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush. New colors are Canard (teal) and Cobalt (Vibrant Mid-Tone Blue).
Lip Crayon ($22 USD) A smooth lip colour that provides pure, long-wearing colour to lips in three on-trend shades for summer. With a convenient purse-friendly package, Lip Crayon never needs sharpening, making it perfect for travel and touch-ups on the go. The colors are Folklore (fuchsia), Mayan Sun (orange pink), and Burnt Clay (deep brown).
Baked Blush Bronze ($36 USD) — Laura Mercier Baked Blush Bronze is a baked powder with five complimentary shades that together provide the perfect, natural colour for cheeks and face. Each tile is hand-mixed with a unique design. The color is called Ritual and it is a warm bronze.
Illuminating Eye Colour (24 USD) — Eye colour with a multi-dimensional, luminous pearl finish with a soft, bouncy texture for excellent colour pay-off and a smooth, even application. The shades are Fire Glow (copper shimmer), Sun Glow (gold with shimmer) and Earth Glow (deep brown).
Faux Lash Mascara ($24 USD) — Give real lashes extreme volume and length for intense exaggeration and drama. The formula is extra-smooth, glossy and good-for-lashes, created with a blend of waxes and absolutely no fibers. Build rich, exaggerated lashes that are extraordinarily thick, super-shiny and conditioned. The new color is Sierra Brown.
I have been trying the eye shadows. I LOVE them. So pretty. I like to wear Sun Glow for an everyday light color and then add the Fire Glow in the crease and Earth Glow as a liner at night. So glam!
I love giving gifts of products that my friends or family would not purchase for themselves. An eyeliner wardrobe, high-quality brushes, great skincare, fragrance and hair care — these are fun to get as gifts because they introduce you to something new and fabulous!
Here are some of my faves for the season:
tarte Eye Catchers 6-Piece SmolderEYES™ And Skinny SmolderEYES™ Collector’s Set ($39 USD) — A six-piece collection of full-size eyeliner favorites in universally flattering, must-have shades.
What it does:
These pure, powerful, and always-pretty smolderEYES™ liners glide on like butter and impart a precise line for a sleek look. Use the built-in smudger to go sultry and smoldering and enjoy the completely waterproof finish. Amazonian clay ensures longer wear, while nourishing lids, reducing surface oil, and improving overall texture. No matter how you wear these versatile shades, the rich pigments boast true, bold color.
This set contains:
– 5 x 0.056 oz SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Champagne, Gunmetal, Rainforest Black, Gold, Ash Violet
– 0.04 oz Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Onyx
Everything you need for flawless makeup application with 9 travel-friendly professional tools in a chic carrier case.
Brush up on beauty this holiday season with Laura Mercier’s must-have Deluxe Travel Brush Collection for flawless makeup application. Perfect for on-the-go, this sleek, chic brush case features a rigid, hard shell design with two pockets and a removable mesh pouch housing a combination of nine professional Brushes for face, cheeks, eyes and brows.
Pampering to go. Whether you’re heading across the country or just to the gym, this Moroccan Holiday collection brings you perfectly portable, pure Argan oil-infused products. The six travel-sized formulas help you achieve healthy-looking, glowing hair and skin. From Josie Maran.
Includes:
0.5-fl oz 100% Pure Argan Oil
0.5-fl oz Argan Cleansing Oil
0.5-fl oz Argan Oil Hair Serum
0.5-fl oz Argan Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Lotion
Always a big hit for the holidays, TOCCA has introduced its newest Coffret Set in a festive green & gold with three new scents: Graciella, Violette and Giuletta. The fragrances are:
Giulietta: Green Apple, Pink Tulips, Vanilla Orchid, Amber
Graciella: Asian Pear, Casablanca Lily, Ylang Ylang, Cashmere Musk
Violette: Italian Bergamot, African Violet, Black Currants, Creamy Cedarwood
Tocca Coffret Set retails for $45 at Sephora & Space NK stores nationwide and online at www.tocca.com.
TIGI ELASTICATE DUO ($19.99) & RECHARGE DUO ($19.99) — Excite the adrenaline-junkie of the family with the latest from Bed Head. The NEW Elasticate Duo offers a supercharged formula for break-resistant hair while the NEW Recharge Duo eliminates the build-up of 2012 while adding high-octane shine Both NEW gift sets are available at a special holiday price.
Please visit www.tigiprofessional.com for a salon near you. Feel free to reach out should you need hi-res images or product samples.
Yes, I am watching the new season of America’s Next Top Model, but more importantly, my big brown eyes look fab with my new fall eye products! My fave’s are:
Eye Majic Instant Eye Shadow ($2.49 for 2 in a box, $$5.75 for 5 $10.95 for 10) and — is the first “hold-and-press” eye shadow applicator that imparts high-pigment colors so anyone can achieve precise, flawless, eyeshadow looks in 10 seconds!
These are very easy to use. Just press on lid, then take an eye shadow brush to blend it in around the edges. Fun and really cool! Currently there are 15 different kits that include matte and pearl colors options. Purchase at www.eyemajic.com.
Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio
Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio ($28 USD) A color-coordinated eye shadow trio. Create beautiful eyes effortlessly with Smashbox’s award-winning eye shadow trios. These perfectly coordinated hues take the guesswork out of choosing what shades to wear together. Each trio features a base, contour, and highlight shade for mistake-proof application. Plus, three shades in one pot equal a travel-friendly necessity for the girl on the go. Peel back the shade label for easy-to-follow Get-the-Look application tips.
The palette above is called Shutterspeed. It has been my everyday look for over a week now. The gray with the beige colors is so pretty! But if this isn’t the color combo for you, there are 16 to choose from! Purchase at www.smashboxcosmetics.com or www.sephora.com.
Pixi Beauty Shade Quartette
Pixi Beauty Shade Quartette ($22 USD) — A tone-on-tone wheel of coordinated shades for the ultimate natural eye. Custom mixed formulas from satin to iridescent are super silky and give instant lustre. Suit-all shades transition easily from day to night and blend like a dream. With added coated mineral pigments to reflect the light plus good-for-you nutrients.
This is available in 3 natural palettes — Shades of Nude, Shades of Peach and Shades of Taupe (left to right in photo above). I have the Shades of Peach which is soft and shimmery on — perfect for the current trend of pale, sheer eyeshadow. Pare it with a strong eyeliner, lots of mascara and a stronger lip — pretty for fall! You can purchase at Target stores or www.pixibeauty.com.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek Palette ($44 USD) — A stylish mirrored clutch featuring eye and cheek essentials formulated with Tarte’s biggest beauty breakthrough: Amazonian clay. So pretty you’ll want to take it out of your purse for frequent touch-ups, this faux-snakeskin adorned palette contains six Amazonian clay eye shadows that deliver the perfect amount of creamy matte perfection or subtle shimmer. Also inside are two Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes in one original, bestselling shade and one new shade. Amazonian clay works to nourish lids, reduce surface oil, and improve overall texture for easy application and better wear.
Tarte has some of the best wearing shadows out there. Highly pigmented and so long-lasting. The colors in this Palette can be used for day or night — just change up the colors. The blushes are super pretty as well, but be careful — a little goes a long way! Available at www.sephora.com.
Smashbox Image Factory Waterproof Shadow Liner
Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner ($22 USD) A stay-put waterproof eye shadow and long-wearing liner in one. Give eyes soft definition wherever, whenever with this travel-friendly, mistake-proof shadow liner. The creamy waterproof formula glides on effortlessly for endless possibilities. Smudge as a liner or blend as a shadow with included smudger for allover, longwearing color. Light-reflecting pearls give high-drama color and shimmer, while emollients create a silky, creamy texture.
I have been using this liner in Metallic Bronze. It is so versatile and easy. I apply the liner as a shadow and smudge it all over my lid, then line my upper and lower lids with the same pencil. So pretty for day or night! Purchase at www.smashboxcosmetics.com or www.sephora.com.
Face Stockholm Lash Booster
Face Stockholm Lash Booster ($34 USD) — Get noticeably longer, thicker and fuller lashes after only one day of use! This revolutionary, strengthening and lengthening mascara with Booster Complex – a blend of rich vegetable waxes and polymers – nourishes and stimulates the growth of eyelashes.
Use Lash Booster as your everyday mascara for at least 60 consecutive days and get clinically-proven, measurable results: lashes up to 1.5 mm longer and 15% fuller!
I have been using for only a week. I have noticed that the mascara lengthens and thickens my lashes, but it has not been long enough to notice lash growth. If I do in a couple of months, I will let you know! The good news is that it is not irritating my extremely sensitive eyes (lash growth products usually do!) Purchase at www.facestockholm.com.
Congrats to… Debra! She has won my tarte giveaway that includes an Amazonian clay 12-hour shimmering blush, an Amazonian clay waterproof cream eyeshadow, a maracuja divine shine lip gloss, and a Maracuja Blush & Glow. She will have fun playing with the fun Spring colors!
I will be announcing another Spring makeup giveaway in a day or too…so good luck!
Happy first day of Spring! In celebration of Winter being over — thank goodness — I have put together 2 giveaways of fab Spring makeup. If you win Giveaway #1, you get a Tarte package of:
tarte amazonian clay waterproof cream shadow in moss — an olive-green cream eye shadow
tarte maracuja divine shine lip gloss in blissful — a creamy peach gloss
tarte maracuja blush & glow in sunlight — a bronzey-peach cream stick blush and liquid highlighter.
tarte amazonian clay 12-hour shimmering blush in frisky — a shimmery coral blush
The colors are warm, bright and perfect for Spring and Summer! I have tried all of these products and have to say that I love them! The fact that tarte has natural, good for you cosmetics doesn’t negate the fact that their products are long-lasting and gorgeous!
The powder blush is shimmery, but not in a too-young way. I think it is subtle enough for forty-somethings (and above) like myself to rock! The duo of cream blush and liquid highlighter is perfect for face and body (shimmery shoulders, anyone?). The lip gloss is my new favorite. It might look bright in the tube, but it is subtly shiny on. And the cream eye shadow in the lovely green moss would be pretty on all eye colors.
To win, please leave a comment on my blog. I will choose a winner soon — on Friday March 30th — then I will announce a new giveaway! If warm colors are not for you, the next group of Spring cosmetics will have some cooler tones in it.
This giveaway is open for residents of the United States and Canada only. Good Luck!
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 