Wearing Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Achiote on my lips
Even though I spent much of the past few days disheveled in some pretty remote places, makeup was never far from my mind.
Like on Monday, while trudging through tall grasses and traversing streams along the banks of the Wailua River, El Hub pointed out some of the fruit trees he recognized from his childhood (he grew up on the neighboring island of Oahu). “There’s a breadfruit tree, mango, papaya, guava…”
I kept hoping I’d also hear him say, “And there’s a lipstick tree,” as in Tarte’s new limited edition Gifts from the Lipstick Tree Color Collection ($42).
Leave it to Tarte to distract me in the middle of the jungle, LOL!
The limited edition set, part of Tarte’s 2012 summer collection, comes with three full-size lip and cheek products in a warm, shimmery golden pink called Achiote, after the name of the small tropical tree from which Tarte obtained the pigment.
The bright red seeds of the achiote tree’s spiny fruit are used to color all kinds of things, from food to body paint and even lipstick. Hence its nickname, “the lipstick tree.”
I’m pretty sure we didn’t pass any achiote trees on our hike, but I did snap this picture of a rare related plant that had Tarte’s Lip Luster, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush and a Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss hanging from its branches…
Yeah, right! Now that would have been an awesome jungle find. 🙂
On my dry cheeks and lips, the blush lasts about six hours, while both of the lip products (which have a faint peppermint flavor and scent) last about three.
Gifts from the Lipstick Tree Achiote Color Collection from bottom to top: LipSurgence Lip Luster in Achiote, Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Achiote and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Achiote
From the left: Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush, LipSurgence Lip Luster in Achiote and Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Achiote
Wearing Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush on my cheeks and Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss atop LipSurgence Lip Luster on my lips
Wearing LipSurgence Lip Luster on my lips
Based on how Tarte describes the color, I expected something very similar to NARS Orgasm, but it turns out that Achiote is more pink than peach, and its shimmer isn’t quite as intense. If you’ve been looking for something a little less obvious than NARS Orgasm, Achiote could be a good fit.
Tarte calls it universally flattering, and I can definitely see it working well on most skin tones, although it might be a little warm for very cool-toned gals/guys.
I kinda wish the wear time was better, but I like the flushed and natural look I get when I wear these pieces. Should look really pretty with a tan!
PRICE: $42
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. We did it! We scaled the hump!
Give yourself a big pat on the back. 🙂
I hope you had a nice hump day. Aside from feeling a little blue about my vacation ending, I had a good one. I’m still basking in the glory of a talkative, loving kitty employer. Tabs has been extra sweet all day long and hasn’t left my side for more than a minute. I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts, LOL!
Loving the looks of them a lot!! They give just enough colour to brighten up your face without having to do much to the eyes. Great for summer for sure!
Ah great, now I want this one too! Tarte blushes really don’t last 12 hours on me, but I really enjoy the texture, and for some reason they always come up with colors that I want!
And yes, enjoy Tabs being so sweet while it lasts, Karen!
Loving them! I love how they gives you color on your lips without being too bold. Im one of those ppl who cant wear bold lip colors, just makes me look so much older 🙁 going to try to get these in Europe!
The Lipsurgence pencil is so pretty–want!! It’s so perfect for summer! And I still need to go get the blush in Exposed (been wanting that forever!!), so I’ll def check out this new achiote color while I’m there 🙂
Hi Becca,
Oh, I love that shade too! What other things do you have on your wish list?
Love the Achiote shade!
Hi Antonia,
Me too!
so pretty. i am really loving these colors.
Hi Stephanie C,
Yeah, Tarte really did well with this set. Have you tried any of the Amazonian Clay Blushes or the Lip Tints from Tarte yet? They’re kind of amazing.
So pretty. I have so many golden pinks but I think I want this too!
Hi Ines,
Girl, you can never have enough golden pinks! 🙂
I bought this set and love everything in it — the blush is right up my alley: no noticeable shimmer; and the lip pencil is lovely and so easy to use. I havent used the gloss yet, and I might end up giving this to my sister or bestie. 🙂
Hi Nina,
I heart that lip pencil! If you end up keeping the gloss, try layering it ion top of the pencil. They’re really pretty together.
How are things out your way? Hope you enjoyed the last of your birthday month!
I have enjoyed my birthday month – lots of people made it special 😉 …
I *think* im going to break it out today. Ive been using a lot of matte lip stuff and I feel like I need to make it less flat by using a gloss. 🙂
Life isn’t fair. I wish this set looked as pretty on me as it does you.
Hi KPrice,
Bummer that this set didn’t work for you. What didn’t you like about it?
Karen, seriously. Now I have to keep repeating “I don’t need this… I don’t need this…” all day long. 🙂 The fact that the collection is beautiful and I have a soft spot for Tarte is NOT helping.
Hi Kim!
Not gonna lie, this would be a really nice pick-me-up treat! How about an early Mother’s Day present for yourself?
I’m glad Tarte is not available in Italy.. I’d probably be broke! x
Hi S.,
Hey, you never know. Maybe they’ll make it over to your country someday.
Happy Thursday!
So I bought the set based on your preview of these items and I AM SO HAPPY that I did. The pink is incredibly flattering on me (NC25) and a little bit of the blush goes a long way.
Hi Edith,
So glad to hear that you’re loving this set! Have you tried layering the lip products yet? They’re so pretty together.
Oh that blush is calling my name!
Hi Naomi,
Answer the call, girlfriend! 🙂 Have you tried any of the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes yet? They’re pretty amazing.
I am really loving these colors as well. I may have to pick these up!
Hi Katrina,
I hope you do! 🙂 It’s such a fun summertime set.
Almost to the weekend…got any plans yet?
Apart from price there is nothing stopping me to buy these! LOL
Hi Gauri,
Even though the price is more than what you’d pay at the drugstore, considering you get three full-size pieces, the set’s pretty affordable.
Are you a Tarte fan?
This is really lovely on you! I’m especially drawn to the blush (as always . . .)
Lovely! Now if I could just get my hands on one of those lipstick trees …
I need to re-visit Tarte, they have had a lot of items I want to try such as the blushers. I really like your natural makeup looks lately:)
This makeup really gives you a glow! Achiote looks great on you.
Hi Alison,
Thank you! That blush is so easy to wear…are you thinking of picking it up?
I might be too cool for that shade (tone-wise, I’m not.. shunning it, ha!) but you definitely have me interested in the formula. For me, I’m thinking… Blushing Bride? 🙂
I love anything golden pink especially for my cheeks. i havent tried anything that is golden pink on the lips though. esp gloss. but i love how it didnt make your bronzed skin grayish. some pinks do that! huhu
These look great on you! Quick question: How does the Achiote Blush in this kit compare to the regular Achiote Blush? Based off of the swatches i’ve seen, they look completely different. But it wouldn’t make sense to have 2 different blushes with the same name.
Thank You 🙂