Tarte Miracles From The Amazon

Tarte is a brand I've wanted to try for the longest time but since their products are only available in the UK via QVC, I've never really got round to it; that all changed recently thanks to Michelle, who led me into a little birthday treat to myself... Behold, the Miracles From The Amazon set!!
Containing an Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara, a Lipsurgence Liquid Lip Shine, an Amazonian Clay Cheek & Eye Palette and a dual-ended eyeshadow brush, alongside a pretty purple and gold cosmetics bag, I thought this seemed like the ideal way to sample Tarte's products. All the make-up items feature the Limited Edition mosaic-effect packaging which is really pretty; I especially love the lid of the palette, isn't it stunning!?
Contained within the 'Be Your Own Tarteist' palette are six eyeshadows and one full-sized blusher; to my mind, the three shadows on the left work well together, and equally the three on the right combine beautifully. The blusher is very much a versatile, wearable shade for everyday which I think will suit most people. The shadows included are 'Pink Beyond', a pale matte pink; 'Taupe For The Best', a shimmery taupe; 'Dreams Plum True', a deep matte plum shade; 'Out Of This Pearl', a shimmery champagne; 'Thistle Be The Day', a mid-toned matte lilac-grey; and 'Paint The Brown', a deep chocolate-brown matte. The blusher is named 'Talented', a mid-peach/pink which looks to have a slight shimmer in the pan but appears pretty matte on the skin to me. The palette also contains a full-sized mirror which is printed with the Tarte logo.
I found the shadows easy to work with, smooth and buttery-soft, though there was a little fall-out. Nonetheless, they're well-pigmented (with the exception of 'Pink Beyond', which may just be too pale) and blend beautifully. All six shades are wearable and give you a range of options in terms of wearing just one shade all over the lid or creating a more sophisticated look using several shades. The blusher, too, is well-pigmented but blends out really nicely to give a gorgeous flush of colour to the cheeks, which could easily be built up if your skin-tone is a little deeper than mine. The brush is lovely and soft, works well with the shadows, and has washed up nicely so far as well - a lovely inclusion.
I'm not a lipgloss fan and have found that the Lipsurgence Liquid Lip Shine in 'Exquisite', whilst a pretty shade, is just too sticky for my liking; the Liquid Lip Shines are supposed to be a gloss-meets-stain type product and I have to say I do prefer it once the gloss has worn off and I'm left with a pretty tint. The Smart Mascara is not something I'd buy again as it just doesn't feel like anything special to me, although the wood-effect tube is stunning. I found it took a bit of building up to get the kind of length and volume I look for, and it did flake a little after around ten hours' wear, which is a shame.
This make-up look used 'Thistle Be The Day' all over the lid, with 'Paint The Brown' blended into the crease and outer corner, and a sweep of 'Out Of This Pearl' to brighten the inner corners. I'm wearing two coats of the Smart Mascara, and I blended out the 'Talented' Amazonian Clay Blusher over my cheekbones for a pretty pop of colour which is easily suitable for everyday wear.
Tarte Miracles From The Amazon is priced at £34 from QVC (plus £3.95 P&P); I'm really happy I decided to treat myself and I do think it's been a great introduction to the brand. I think for what you're getting this is actually a really reasonable price and I do see myself ordering more Tarte products from QVC in the future. I think the palette in particular will be brilliant for travelling with as it combines a selection of versatile shadows with a really wearable blusher, all in a compact case with a mirror!! Have you tried any Tarte products? Any recommendations for me? Do you like the look of this set?

xo
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