Whenever I think of constantly craving gorgeous makeup products…I always picture that meme of Ariel singing about adding cosmetics to her collection instead of “whoozits and whatzits.”
It’s even more on my mind when I look at the totally gorgeous palettes Tarte released with their new Rainforest of the Sea collection. Each one has its own style and comes with a mirror. They’re marine chic done eau, so right.
Along with the three Rainforest of the Sea palettes — a color-correcting complexion perfector, a classic nude shadow palette and a gorgeous highlighting palette — Tarte also released a waterproof eyeliner (because of course it has to be waterproof in this collection).
Diving into the first luxurious golden palette, Tarte’s limited edition Wipeout Color Correcting Palette ($45) contains six pans of color corrector and concealer. The hues in Wipeout approach color correcting differently than Becca’s Color Correctors. Tarte’s take on the trend is yellow and green based, which seems more approachable for a wider array of skin tones.
I love that Tarte thought ahead and included a handy how-to guide (showm below) with suggestions on where to place each shade. Orange shade #1 is intended to counteract the darkest places on the face, while green shade #2 neutralizes redness, deep shade #3 defines and sculpts, #5 conceals, and the yellow shade in the center brightens.
The consistency of these concealers is similar to Laura Mercier’s much-beloved Secret Camouflage formula (a favorite of mine that I’ve repurchased time and time again). They’re waxy but emollient and easy to blend, and I love the mix and match capabilities that this palette provides.
Unfortunately, though, the lone concealer shade is intended to be “one size fits all,” and it may not suit all skin tones equally.
I have a soft spot for eye shadows of all hues, even if I do generally gravitate toward neutral shades, so I obviously can’t help but favor the exquisitely gorgeous Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette ($34, exclusive to Sephora). Not only does the outside of the palette remind me of beautiful marbled paper, but the shadows inside it are a perfect combo of everyday shades, including two essential mattes.
My ideal palette always includes a matte cream to highlight the brow bone and a matte brown shade for diffusing the other shades when blending. Tarte delivers on my little requirement and then some with a gorgeous array of six shimmering shades that feel as smooth as butter when swatched and applied.
My personal favorites here are Wave and Starfish, two shimmering stunners that remind me of sunlit sand and look gorgeous even when applied all by themselves on the lids. (Who doesn’t love it when a shadow is complex enough to look like several different shadows at the same time?)
The third palette of the aqua trio, Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette ($42), comes with three glowing highlighters that’ll highlight your cheekbones as gorgeously as the sun hits the top of tranquil tide pool waters.
The left and right shades (Sunlight and Moonlight, respectively) are buttery smooth and pack a shimmering punch. The central shade, Filtered Light, seems to function similarly to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palettes; however, I don’t get much payoff from the powder.
I’ve been using it as a setting powder, which seems to do the trick in terms of foundation longevity, but I don’t personally notice any overall brightening.
Sunlight and Moonlight, on the other hand, are seriously the cat’s meow if you like highlighted cheekbones that can also double as flashlights at night.
Love them.
Lastly, there’s Tarte’s teeny tiny Microliner ($22), released only in black with this collection. The tip is quite small and precise, and the liner lasts and lasts… In terms of formula, I’m reminded of Kat Von D’s Ink Liner in Trooper, but the applicator is so very small that it’s probably more like to Tom Ford’s much coveted double-ended liner (that comes with a higher price tag).
I’m incredibly impressed with the formula — waterproof, long-lasting and smudge-proof. It’ll handle any ocean or deep-sea dive. Even with my seasonal allergies and watery eyes, cat eye wings stay put all day long. She may be little, but she’s fierce!
The Rainforest of the Sea collection is as vast as the ocean (I’ll have more reviews to come!), and while I feel like the base products are fabulous, the lip products are moisturizing and divine, and the brushes are stellar, I don’t think there’s anything in the collection quite as wonderful as the palettes and the Microliner.
With these, Tarte thought of everything, and I feel like a deap-sea goddess when I wear them.
Would this be an appropriate time for a Helen of Troy reference? Girlfriend must have been using Tarte, because with these products, anyone can have a face to launch a thousand ships! 🙂
Oh I just love how you photographed everything 🙂 Very under-the-sea-ish indeed! The Microliner really sounds like something.
Thank you! I did a whole series (this collection was very big) so there will be more on their way. 🙂
You know, the Microliner is really something. It’s one of the more unassuming items that came out with this collection but it’s very impressive!
Jessica
Even though I adore the packaging I am not going to get anything. I don’t like palettes in general, so they don’t tempt me.
I can understand that. If you’d rather pick and choose specific items then palettes definitely aren’t worth the money.:)
Jessica
The microliner sounds so promising. I’m def a fan of the KVD liner in Trooper & the fact that it’s a bit similar to the ever elusive (for me anyway) Tom Ford liner makes me wanna try it even more. I’m a recent convert to the Tarte Tarteist liner & absolutely love it, too.
Tarte makes really excellent liners, I think, that are somewhat underrated. Definitely give this a swatch, the tip is super fine which makes it quite easy to line.
Jessica
It should be called rainforest of the sand not the sea. They are all sand colors.
Not even rainforest colors. def no ocean colors.
Beach Sand palette. there, i just renamed it.
I think they went with “rainforest” as a theme because their products are generally Amazon inspired. This is their foray into aquatic products, but to tie it to the ethos of their brand this is what they came up with … at least that’s how I’ve been thinking of it? 😉
But yes, the palette is definitely beachy!
Jessica
Bummer that the eyeshadow palette doesn’t have any blues or greens in it. It’s rainforest of the sea but there is no rain or forest.
I do understand that. I think color lovers will be disappointed that it’s 100% neutral. A pop of color could have been nice, but the neutrals offered are quite lovely.
Jessica
Hahahaha I love the meme! So true. Anyways love the overall review! Tarte did such an amazing job really making this collection special…
I seriously laugh every time I see that meme. It’s so true!
The packaging on this collection really stands out to me, it’s so different from what they usually release.
Jessica
I’m swooning over the packaging, but it’s probably because the pictures you took are amazing!!!
Thank you, Carolina! I had so much fun taking these pictures. (It also helps that I finally got my lighting situation perfected to a point where I’m satisfied with the white balance! 🙂 )
Jessica
That packaging is gorgeous!
They did a great job, it’s so pretty to look at. Even the boxes are gorgeous!
Jessica
I like the concept of the collection, reminds me of summer. The actual products seem more neutral-based like they stayed by the beach on the sand, but were too timid to dive in the water and explore. It would have been nice if they added a bold, pop of color (aqua, coral, etc.) in the palettes. =)
I can totally understand where you’re coming from. I think the pops of color in this collection come in the form of the lip products (review to come later this week). But I agree, that maybe an aqua blue or teal would have been nice as a central shade in the neutral palette.
Jessica
You did such a awesome job my dear!! ? Tarte for me honestly seems like it’s a big hit or miss!! I do so badly want to get that eyeshadow palette!! Have a great day!!
Thank you, Missy! 🙂
Jessica
I sing that song every time I find myself wanting to buy more makeup. I wasn’t aware of the liner, so I need to go check that out. I did splurge on the shadow palette and really love the colors in it, even if it is more beach/sand than sea in it’s colors.
The liner sort of snuck in under the radar. Check it out, I’m really impressed!
Jessica
That lip color is everything! /swoons
OMG just wait for the lip review that should be coming up later this week. They came out with some seriously AMAZING lip colors with this collection. You will love them.
Jessica
I LOVE that eyeshadow palette. The highlighters are also to die for. Anything with mermaid references kind of have me hooked instantly.
I felt like a mermaid while I was playing with all these products. How could you not with that beautiful packaging?!
Jessica
This is a huge collection! I really wish Tarte would put out a palette of cool neutrals. They always seem to do mostly warm shades, which aren’t the best for me, but I like the brand.
It is a super huge collection (I had to break it up into five posts, holy mackerel)! I agree that their palettes generally lean toward the warm side. In this one it seems to make sense given that it’s sand inspired, but I do love a good cool toned neutral.
Jessica
I liked the foundations and the lipsticks most from this collection.
I love how you set up these shots! I definitely see the sea/beach theme with these shades, but I agree with others who have said that a pop of color would have been nice as well.
Although I don’t wear color everywhere, I do really love popping it on my lower lash line. The Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly palette is a perfect example of a great mix of browns and bright colors. Although I LURVE this palette, I agree it would have been fun to have some teal or aqua blue to dip into.
Jessica
Love the palettes, and that meme…PERFECTION 🙂