Tarte 7 Piece Maneater Make-up Collection and Bag

After becoming hooked on Tarte mascara I couldn’t resist this Tarte 7 Piece Maneater Make-up Collection and Bag which was on offer at QVC. I was first introduced to the brand when I received Tarteist mascara in a beauty box and it quickly became my favourite. I’d heard so many good things about the Amazonian clay 12-hour foundation that I really wanted to try it. I don’t usually buy foundation online without having tried it first, mainly because it’s impossible to gauge the colour accurately. But as it was part of the set and I wanted the other items I did a bit of research on Tarte’s website and chose the shade I thought would suit me best.

I was surprised to find lots more shades than the options available with the QVC set. If I repurchase it I will go into a store and have it matched to my skin tone properly. When the set arrived QVC had sent the wrong shade anyway – I received medium honey which is too warm for me. I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of returning the whole set so I decided to keep it for holidays when I have a spray tan.

The Amazonian clay 12-hour foundation delivers full coverage without the cakey effect some thicker bases do.

The foundation blends really well so it isn’t obvious that it’s a bit too dark. It’s a cream consistency with a satin matte finish that gives up to 12 hours coverage. In today’s market where 24-hour coverage is commonplace that might not sound particularly impressive, but I always touch up my makeup if I’m going out after work anyway. The Amazonian clay 12-hour foundation delivers full coverage without the cakey effect some thicker bases do. I liked how it evened out my skintone and left a velvety smooth finish. Even though I’m very loyal to Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, I will probably buy this Tarte foundation again, but I’ll be sure to get a proper shade match!

There’s so much to like about this eyeshadow palette – the packaging and the names for a start. But what really hooked me is the balance of light and dark shades. I’ve bought three of the Urban Decay Naked palettes and have used up all of the lighter shades while not even touching some of the dark shades. I want a one stop shop with eyeshadow, not several palettes on the go, especially when I’m travelling.

The packaging is ideal for carrying around as it’s light and has a magnetic flap closure.

Until I got this Tarte palette I favoured more grey/brown shades, but I’m surprised by how much I like these warm shades. The pigmentation is fantastic and easily lasts all day without budging or creasing. I use Purr and Saucy for daytime, but when I want a more intense look for evening I use Hypnotic and Midnight. Meow and Passion are great for using all over the eyelid, while Lace and Foxy are perfect for applying on the brow bone and highlighting the inner corner of the eye. The packaging is ideal for carrying around as it’s light and has a magnetic flap closure. I’m not a fan of plastic as it shatters and cracks so easily.

The Lip Sculptor lipstick and lipgloss duo has also become a firm favourite of mine. I use it everyday in preference to all the other lipsticks I own…and there are many. I love the colour of the lipstick, which is called Kind. It’s actually a bit darker on than it looks in the bullet, but it’s a very flattering pinky brown shade. It has a soft shine finish with intense pigmentation that has amazing staying power.

I’m not one to get over excited about makeup products, but I’ll just say this: if I ever find a better lipstick I will eat my hat.

It  keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day and I only need to reapply maybe once after lunch. When I apply the lipstick in the morning, I finish off with a little gloss for extra shine, but the gloss on its own has a great colour pay off. I use the duo with either a Laura Geller lipliner in Tulip or Max Factor in Mauve Moment.  There are sixteen shades available, and I’ve got my eye on a couple of lighter pink and coral shades as well. I’m not one to get over excited about makeup products, but I’ll just say this: if I ever find a better lipstick I will eat my hat. Well one of them. That’s how good it is.

After being so impressed with the Tarteist mascara (which I reviewed here) I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the Maneater Voluptuous mascara: would it be as good or turn out to be a disappointment? Well, I’d say it comes a very close second. I prefer the brush on the Tarteist brush because the bristles are longer, so they pick up the lashes more easily. However, I’m happy to use this one until it runs out, and I’m hard to please when it comes to mascaras. Out of all the Tarte mascaras, this one has the best packaging though…I just love leopard print!

The self-sharpening point allows for a crisp, precise line, with no dragging or pulling. The texture is silky smooth yet firm.

Last but not least, the Maneater Self-Sharpening Liner is another worthy addition to my make-up bag. I don’t use black eyeliner very often these days (I find a dark brown more flattering) but when I want a vampier look for evening this one is a serious rival for the Pixie Endless Silky Eye Pen that I usually reach for. The self-sharpening point allows for a crisp, precise line, with no dragging or pulling. The texture is silky smooth yet firm.

The twist off lid is a little detail that sets it apart from those hard to pull off lids that often split.

Whenever I get a new eyeliner I test it by applying it on the back of my hand with the lightest of pressure to gauge the colour payoff. Here the Tarte eyeliner performed well, but the Pixie pencil is better. Then, I try as hard as I can to rub it off; the Tarte and Pixie pencils are evenly matched on staying power, both withstanding vigourous rubbing. So on balance I still prefer the Pixie eye pen, but Tarte wins on packaging. The twist off lid is a little detail that sets it apart from those hard to pull off lids that often split.

Along with the five fantastic make-up products the set includes two brushes and a good sized make-up bag. These are hands down the prettiest brushes I own. They are a joy to use both for ease of application and for the design factor. Gold and leopard print is a winning combination for me! I paid £43.96 plus £4.95 postage for the set. All this for less than £50 is a fantastic price given the value of the individual items.

Have you tried any Tarte cosmetics? If you have I’d love to hear what you think and what your favourites are!

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