I sure do like the new packaging for these Tarte Cheek Stains. So, so pretty…but I loved the old-school packaging, too.
I get it, though. It’s good to switch things up every once in a while. Heck, I’m a firm believer in frequent wardrobe changes. El Hub makes fun of me all the time because, seriously, I bring along at least two extra pairs of shoes (and sometimes jackets) whenever we leave the house. I mean, you just never know when you’ll need a different pair of shoes.
Right…?
No? Is that just me?
Oh, well. 🙂
Importantly, these eight gel- and cream-based blushes work just as well as the originals. Two swipes on my cheeks, either atop bare skin, tinted moisturizer or foundation, then some quick blending with my fingers, and I’m flushed and blushed for the day.
Fab-ooo for quick, natural-looking cheeks, and each of the shades has a corresponding color in Tarte’s new LipSurgence Power Pigment pencil line — ya know, if I want to get all matchy-matchy (I must admit, sometimes, I do).
But…sad face time. 🙁 Why are these so small? I mean, I like minis as much as the next makeup lover, but these are half as big as the originals (0.5 ounces versus 1), and yet cost the same amount.
What gives?
I’ve been loving and wearing Tarte’s Cheek Stains for a good 7+ years and have always felt that, sure, even though they’re $30 each, because they lasted such a long time, they still seemed like a great deal.
Now? Not so sure.
At any rate, I do like the new packaging…but, Tarte, any way to make it bigger? Hint, hint? I’m just asking. 🙂
Hmm… Since these are permanent additions, something tells me that won’t be happening soon.
Still, can’t hurt to ask, right?
PRICE: $30 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now online and at Sephora and Ulta stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: C-ish (I’ve long loved the product, but the smaller size is aggravating)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Cute packaging, pretty colours, but taking out half the product and keeping the same price? Nah.
That is seriously uncool! Same price but half the size – I think Tarte thinks they can pull a fast one on us Karen! You look amazing with those on though! Blissful is my fave on you!
This is a great, great blurb about the blush resizing!
http://www.brightestbulbinthebox.com/2014/01/what-hell-is-going-on-with-tarte-cheek.html
I definitely get why this turns a lot of people off, but I think there actually might be reasons Tarte did this. There is a smarty pants girl with a penchant for science who broke it down recently:
http://www.brightestbulbinthebox.com/2014/01/what-hell-is-going-on-with-tarte-cheek.html
Essentially, the 1 oz size was lasting too long and people had problems with the cheek stains getting mold and getting … gunky. Most could or would never use up all the product but probably kept holding on to it anyway. Even with reducing the size by half you still get over 1,500 uses (by her calculations).
In general I’m not a huge fan of Tarte, but it sounds like their big mistake was in how they handled the blusher size reduction, not in the reduction itself. Again, according to that beauty blogger website, you still get a good deal compared to other similar products.
Hi Tara,
I dunno… That’s an interesting rationale from the company’s perspective, but I’d still favor letting the customer decide how much product they want to use, and how quickly. I’d agree more with this idea if Tarte had reduced the price.
It’s not a deal-breaker, though. I think Tarte still has a very good product on their hands. Just not quite as good a value as it used to be.
Robyn made several great points in her post, but here’s the thing: $30 for a blush is kinda a lot. To us, it may seem acceptable (because we’re beauty junkies) but the average person would think that’s quite a bit of change for one product. So I get why some people are miffed at the stagnant price. For Americans, paying more for less is frustrating because we’re in tough financial times and not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money on makeup. I understand if they’re upset because Tarte is charging the same price for a product that’s been reduced in size.
That’s a let down. They sure do look nice on you!
So pretty! 🙂
Just a thought – yes, the pricing issuse is very much still a bummer, but how many people can say they actually *finished* a Tarte cheek stain at any size? Robyn over at Brightest Bulb in the Box actually wrote a great post discussing this exact issue.
Thanks for mentioning it in your review, Karen!
I really like the new packaging! But I do agree with previous comments, if they’re taking out half the product maybe they should lower the price tag too! :S
I love the packaging, but this is one of those products that I have never really been a fan of.
These seem really cool.
These are really pretty and I like the packaging but I agree with everyone else about the price. They could have knocked it down a few dollars to be fair. But the stains look pretty nice though!
Pretty colors, but Tarte shouldn’t have reduced the product amount. No one wants to pay more to get less.
They just lost my wallet because that is insane. Cut the amount of product in half and then charged the same price for it. And they are starting to reduce the sizes on other products as well. Unacceptable.
Same prize but half the size?! So not cool. Shame, cos the colours are very pretty!
Oh, they’re beautiful. That said, I completely agree with the complaint about cutting the size in half while not reducing the price. The majority of the cost in cosmetics is in the packaging so I’d much prefer they cheapen that and keep the amount of product. If you’re smiling because you know I’m also the person who’s a sucker for packaging, you got me. 🙂 I should know better but, sometimes pretty packaging just trumps logic. Not in this case, but sometimes!
PS Have you been watching True Detective? I like it. It’s also minus 20 here today. I hope you’re still having nice weather!
I own a couple of these and never wear them. Not a fan of gel or cream blushes much.They don’t wear long on me and I have trouble blending them sometimes. I love Tarte’s clay blushes though.
Interesting post and interesting about what Tarte did…I have not used these blushes before, but I am a fan of the Nars Multiples. I know I would be pissed at having to pay $38 for a smaller Multiple if Nars ever pulled a stunt like Tarte just did. The colors Tarte has are very pretty and a mini probably would last me a while because I don’t wear makeup every day. Tarte should have lowered the price for less product. I would expect that out of any makeup company.
Tarte did this with the lip tints too- less product for the same amount of money. I understand about the blush since I could never finish a full tube, but for the lip tints it wouldn’t be too difficult to finish before they expire. Bobbi Brown did this with their pot rouge lip/cheek tints- I have one with the old packaging and it has THREE TIMES as much product as is in the newer, equally priced packaging.
I often bring along extra shoes as well… as well as clothing. You never know when sandals and a dress will need to convert to pants and athletic / adventure / play clothes 🙂
Push Pop make up!mmmmmmmmmmmm
Oh the price tag is too high for me!!
Those cheek stains look great on you. I tend to steer away from them because they are hard to blend and is kinda streaky.