Tarte Drench Lip Splash Lipstick and Sea Quench Lip Rescue Treatments From the Rainforest of the Sea Collection

My first Tarte product ever was a twist-up lipstick in pencil form. Lipsticks like it weren’t widely available at the time, and it was so convenient to just pop the twist-up color in my messenger bag before running off to class.

Several years later I discovered Tarte pure performance glamazon 12-hour lipstick, and it remains my favorite lipstick formula to this day.

Needless to say, I have fond memories and high expectations for Tarte lip products.

The new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea collection has something special for Tarte lippie lovers in the form of two new formulas — the Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks and Quench Lip Rescue  lip balms — both of which are incredible.

I mean, now I know what the sirens must have been applying to their lips in those famous Greek myths to lure in the sailors…

Each of the $22 Tarte Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks is housed in a beautiful purple and golden reminiscent of the other metallic packaging in the range. The packaging sizzles with style and practically exudes summer “cool.” Right now I’m fanning myself and dreaming of hot summer nights, but I digress… 🙂

On the other hand, the $19 Tarte Quench Lip Rescue lip balms take a more whimsical approach to the collection’s aquatic, summery theme. Colorful tubes in marine teal, pink and violet are embossed with sea life, and since I’m a sucker for packaging and these are too cute, I’m all aboard.

Equally adorable, Tarte’s $19 multitasking primer/moisturizer, Lipsaver Treatment Primer, features life preservers. Of course.

Like the packaging for all of these, the formulas could not be more different.

Tarte Drench Lip Splash Lipstick is 100% pigmented and matte (although I’d describe the texture as something akin to a suede, rather than the dried down velvet of so many liquid lipstick formulas that are popular now). Promising to protect your lips while delivering intense hues from nude to neon pink and blackened purples, it can be a challenge to apply (more on that later).

Incredibly hydrating Tarte Quench Lip Rescue  lip balm is like a cousin to Drench…only it likes to swim a lot more. It leaves lips looking wet while moisturizing them with essential oils to keep them plump and healthy. Only slightly tinted, Quench  would be an ideal lippie for on-the-go application without a mirror.

Tarte Drench Lip Splash Lipstick is available in an incredibly wide array of colors and reminds me — almost exactly — of my beloved Tarte pure performance glamazon 12-hour lipstick. It feels just as smooth as suede when applied, but never sets or dries down, so you’re always left with an ever-so-slightly slippery texture.

I adore the beachy names and couldn’t resist playing Beach Boys songs while I played with each and every color.

Now, I’m well aware that your average makeup lover won’t generally be applying 12 shades in 20 minutes and snapping macro closeup shots of their lips; however, in my experience, the work of lip swatching is a good litmus test for busy daily life. 🙂

I adore this formula, but applying some of the deeper shades can be a challenge. Drench works best applied with Lipsaver Treatment Primer  and a lip brush, but that’s not always realistic for those of us who are always running behind. So, while these lipsticks wear like a dream, application is high maintenance, which is a factor to consider if you’re an on-the-go gal (*raises hand*).

Although some of the darker colors in the Tarte Drench Lip Splash range are difficult to apply (even with a brush), overall these Rainforest of the Sea lip products sing a siren’s song to me every morning. They’re all I seem to want to use! Matte yet hydrating, Drench’s formula is as rare as a mermaid, and when I don’t feel like flirting with such a mythic formula, I’m equally content reaching for Quench.

What lip formulas do you like during the sizzling summer months? — pigmented but hydrating lipsticks or tinted moisturizing balms (or something else)?