Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette: Swatches, Review, and Looks

Hey Pandas!   I finally caved and bought something I have been eying since the press releases. I have a thing for snakes. I really like what they stand for in regards to change and rebirth...and I think of myself as a Slytherin at heart, so naturally the packaging alone intrigued me.

The palette is circular and made to look like wood with a gold, curled-up snake embossed on the top with a purple jewel. The embossed snake was already slightly scratched, which dissapointed me, but all of the ones in store (I bought this at Ulta) were slightly scratched in some way.

The box itself is rather pretty and embossed with a snakeskin pattern. The palette retails for $38 and comes with a blush, bronzer, highlighter, and six eyeshadows, all in Tarte's signature colored clay formula.

 There is a large mirror, bit it has a bit of trouble staying up at some angles by itself, but that isn't a big issue for me. Overall, the packaging is sturdy.

This palette is purples, plums, golds, and browns, making it a great fall palette. For swatches, keep reading!

My Very First Empties Post: February 2014

I have never done an empties post on the blog, and I don't plan on boring you by making it too long, but this year, I am all about using up what I have bought with my money! Why waste it?
This months' empties are a small group, but I feel proud nonetheless! All of the items are linked back to original reviews if I have them.

February 2014 Empties:
Clinique Dramatically Different Gel Moisturizer $14.50 for 50ml: This lasted me about 4 months, and I used it every single day, sometimes 3 or 4 times. Not bad! I already replaced it with the original lotion formula because my skin is really dry, but the gel is great for summer months.
Maybelline Babylips SPF 20 in Peppermint $2.99: These are easy to use up with regular application. One lasts me about a month, 2 weeks if it is my only balm.
Mini Vaseline Lip Therapy $2.00: Love these little pots for everything! This lasted me about 6 months. Used mostly as a night lip treatment.
Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm $6.00: Started using this at the beginning of January very regularly (2-5x a day) so I say this is a pretty good value. Need more!

This is my final empty--- Parasol from the Tarte Aqualillies Palette from last year ($38). This gorgeous nude has been a staple in my everyday eye looks for the last 6 months straight, and off and on when I first got it almost a year ago. Crazy how long one shadow lasts! I am still gonna use up that last bit, but I wanted to show you a bit of the color.

Did you empty anything this month? Feel free to link me your February Empties!

Great Gatsby Look Book: Jordan Baker

Hi Pandas! Welcome to the second installment of my Great Gatsby makeup looks, where I am taking looks from the 2013 film based off the book, and making them just a little bit easier to wear. This post centers on the lively Jordan Baker 

 While Daisy's look is a classic spin on something natural, Jordan had the darkest eye makeup in the movie, which was fun to play around with. 

 

Her look is mostly metallic smoky eyes, some blush, and a berry lip. Simple, but pretty.

 

 

Altogether, this look took me under 10 minutes, and keep in mind that I don't have her gorgeous 20's bob, but the makeup can look equally awesome on anyone.

 

The Products:

 

 

1. The eye look was made entirely with the Khroma Beauty Kim's Kardazzle Palette. I used the black matte shade, the metallic silver, and the metallic white, blended together.

2. To add some color to my cheeks, I brushed on a very light layer of Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino.

3. Jordan's lashes are so fluttery, so I added some falsies. Katy Perry Lashes by Eyelure in Darling were perfect!

4. For the berry lips, I swiped on Tarte Lipsurgence in Pouty, a sparkling raspberry.

 

 

This look can easily be created with your own products, and falsies are optional if you do not have the time nor patience!

 

 

Here are two close ups of the eyes. You can blend the smoky eye in whatever way you want, but I chose a wash of metallic color and a little crease definition. I would also suggest liner, even though I have none on.

 

 

I think this is a perfect easy-going night out look. Just use your favorite foundation under it all and you are good to go! A grey smoky eye and a berry lip are also easier to pull off than harsh black and a red lip.

 

 

 And of course, the black and white, trying to be from the 20's picture!

 

 

I hope you liked this look! Stay tuned for the last of the series! 

Great Gatsby Look Book: Jordan Baker

Hi Pandas! Welcome to the second installment of my Great Gatsby makeup looks, where I am taking looks from the 2013 film based off the book, and making them just a little bit easier to wear.   This post centers on the lively Jordan Baker  

  While Daisy's look is a classic spin on something natural, Jordan had the darkest eye makeup in the movie, which was fun to play around with.  

 

Her look is mostly metallic smoky eyes, some blush, and a berry lip. Simple, but pretty.

 

 

Altogether, this look took me under 10 minutes, and keep in mind that I don't have her gorgeous 20's bob, but the makeup can look equally awesome on anyone.

 

The Products:

 

 

1. The eye look was made entirely with the Khroma Beauty Kim's Kardazzle Palette. I used the black matte shade, the metallic silver, and the metallic white, blended together.

2. To add some color to my cheeks, I brushed on a very light layer of Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino.

3. Jordan's lashes are so fluttery, so I added some falsies. Katy Perry Lashes by Eyelure in Darling were perfect!

4. For the berry lips, I swiped on Tarte Lipsurgence in Pouty, a sparkling raspberry.

 

 

This look can easily be created with your own products, and falsies are optional if you do not have the time nor patience!

 

 

Here are two close ups of the eyes. You can blend the smoky eye in whatever way you want, but I chose a wash of metallic color and a little crease definition. I would also suggest liner, even though I have none on.

 

 

I think this is a perfect easy-going night out look. Just use your favorite foundation under it all and you are good to go! A grey smoky eye and a berry lip are also easier to pull off than harsh black and a red lip.

 

 

 And of course, the black and white, trying to be from the 20's picture!

 

 

I hope you liked this look! Stay tuned for the last of the series!  

Aqualillies for Tarte: Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette: Review and Swatches

Hey Pandas! There has been a ton of buzz surrounding the Aqualillies for Tarte line and today I am going to show you the crazy awesome palette. (Thanks brother for getting it for me, he has good taste no?)

 

This is the Aqualillies for Tarte Palette that comes in a large gilded disc with gorgeous blue and orange scales covering it (almost like a mermaid!) and retails for $38. It is bigger than the palm of my hand, quite hefty and holds a lot of product: 6 shadows, one blush, one bronzer, and one luminizer--all waterproof!

 

 

The packaging is stunning and it comes with a doublesided look card to create 2 distinct looks. There is also a huge mirror!

 

 

There is a ton of product in here, and the blush is nearly full sized! The Luminizer (champagne) is a pretty sand/gold color but it quite pigmented so use with caution. Captivating (the blush) is a gorgeous coral/pink. The matte bronzer (fan fave park ave princess) is also included!

 

As far as the shadows, you get: Hammock ( a chocolate brown), Bikini ( a nude dusky pink), Barefoot (classic nude shimmer), Parasol (cream shimmer), Sundeck (matte light brown) and my favorite, Poolside (a stunning turquoise).

 

Anyone travelling that wants all of their products in one place. Also, if you are going to be in a hot climate this summer, I suggest this because all of the products are waterproof! I did not directly test by jumping in my pool, but they do last all day on a muggy day!

 

 

Here are some swatches, but they perform much better on the face. Still, they are pretty pigmented!

 

 

Here are all the shadows swatched together! So pretty, but most are shimmery!

 

 

I love this palette and I am bringing it along with me to Hawaii (44 days until I leave, yay!) and I know it will work it's magic in the Aloha state. Until then, I am having fun playing around with the colors. This is an amazing value and if you see it, I highly recommend picking it up!

 

Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 10/10

 

Total: 49/50 = A+ = Pandamonium!

 

I am in love with this! A look done with this palette will be coming up shortly!

 

 

 

Aqualillies for Tarte: Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette: Review and Swatches

Hey Pandas! There has been a ton of buzz surrounding the Aqualillies for Tarte line and today I am going to show you the crazy awesome palette. (Thanks brother for getting it for me, he has good taste no?)

 

This is the Aqualillies for Tarte Palette that comes in a large gilded disc with gorgeous blue and orange scales covering it (almost like a mermaid!) and retails for $38. It is bigger than the palm of my hand, quite hefty and holds a lot of product: 6 shadows, one blush, one bronzer, and one luminizer--all waterproof!

 

 

The packaging is stunning and it comes with a doublesided look card to create 2 distinct looks. There is also a huge mirror!

 

 

There is a ton of product in here, and the blush is nearly full sized! The Luminizer (champagne) is a pretty sand/gold color but it quite pigmented so use with caution. Captivating (the blush) is a gorgeous coral/pink. The matte bronzer (fan fave park ave princess) is also included!

 

As far as the shadows, you get: Hammock ( a chocolate brown), Bikini ( a nude dusky pink), Barefoot (classic nude shimmer), Parasol (cream shimmer), Sundeck (matte light brown) and my favorite, Poolside (a stunning turquoise).

 

Anyone travelling that wants all of their products in one place. Also, if you are going to be in a hot climate this summer, I suggest this because all of the products are waterproof! I did not directly test by jumping in my pool, but they do last all day on a muggy day!

 

 

Here are some swatches, but they perform much better on the face. Still, they are pretty pigmented!

 

 

Here are all the shadows swatched together! So pretty, but most are shimmery!

 

 

I love this palette and I am bringing it along with me to Hawaii (44 days until I leave, yay!) and I know it will work it's magic in the Aloha state. Until then, I am having fun playing around with the colors. This is an amazing value and if you see it, I highly recommend picking it up!

 

Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 10/10

 

Total: 49/50 = A+ = Pandamonium!

 

I am in love with this! A look done with this palette will be coming up shortly!

 

 

 

Revlon Rendezvous

I am scared of the color orange. I have recently dipped my toe into the "Pantone Color of the Year Pool" by wearing the color on my nails, but that was as far as I had gone...until now.

Revlon 'Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain' in Rendezvous is a pretty tangerine color. I decided to just take a leap of faith and try it out, because it is the hot summer color and all that jazz.

I was mostly interested in this product because of its resemblance to those cute Clinique chubby sticks that I have been eyeing. This is a cheaper version. It comes in a twist up tube that is sharpened like a fat crayon. Love.

This baby is $7. There are many more colors, and it is a mix between a lipstick and a colored balm. The 'Twilight' font on it is a little gimmicky though.

See swatches after the jump!

Hearts on hearts on hearts. This is sheer-ish but fresh. There is a slight minty smell that reminds me of the Tarte version of these.

YAY! It is flattering. Not too orange, but different and fresh. Summery. Unique. I like.

Me being silly :) But it is a good pic of how the color looks in natural light. This lasts about 2 hours on me, but leaves my lips quenched. Pretty standard for a balm with color. Very comfortable.

Final Thoughts: Check these out! I love this color, and the formula.

Price: 9/10
Staying Power: 9/10
Packaging: 9/10
Color/Wearability: 10/10
Quality/Branding: 10/10

Total: 47/50 = A = Panda Approved!

Have you tried these? Are you loving or leaving the orange 'color of the year' thing?

xo PrettyPanda