Brunette Beauty

Packaging: A thick round clear tube with a shiny gold screw top handle decorated with a purple diamond chevron pattern. The wand applicator  features an enlarged doe foot applicator. The product stopper does a decent job at allowing enough product to remain on the doe foot. Smell: Concealer. Colour: Fair Neutral - fair skin with pink and yellow undertones. Satin finish with medium to full coverage. Available in 14 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a creamy, smooth, leaning on slightly thick side liquid. The large doe foot applicator enables a  few dots of product under each eye so you don't need a whole lot at all. It is easily blended out with your choice of tool. I prefer using a beauty sponge. It is easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. The coverage is definitely buildable with a medium to full look. The longevity is awesome too, I can get 10 hours on wear. There is no creasing, breaking down, patchiness, oxidisation, flash back or skin irrit...

Packaging: The sponge comes in a resealable purple plastic bag with the whole front side clear to view the sponge. The sponge is a narrow oval shape. One end has a slightly pointed tip and the other has a slanted edge. The slanted edge starts higher then the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge thus giving it more area of the actual slant. When dry the sponge feels dense and soft. It's palm sized with some resistance when bounced. When wet the sponge feels very soft and easy to bounce. It blows up a lot larger. Application: This sponge is very good at blending out liquid products. I have tried it with a few different foundation formulas and concealers and the sponge does seem to soak up more product compared to the Beauty Blender. In this regard I feel like I'm using more product to achieve the same coverage. The flat slanted edge is a wide enough surface and blends well. The tip, while not as pointed as other sponges, it does the job of getting int...

Packaging: A long gold metal too. Shaped similar to a tweezer with the tip bent on an angle and extended a tad. The tips are softly rounded. There is a faint 'Tartest' printed on the end. The length of them is longer then a typical tweezer, yet still comfortable to hold and use. Application: The tips don't bend or creates lashes. There's enough grip or spring in the bottom of them that the applicator stays shut securely. Being long in length I thought this would be more awkward for application and it's not. My hand nor the tool gets in my way/view when I use them. I do alway think, it's best to learn to use your fingers to apply lashes to yourself and others. Your hands are a tool you'll always have with you. If you hand unsteady hands or struggle to apply lashes then this applicator could benefit you!! Otherwise I don't find them a necessity. Would be nice to have for thick, dramatic lashes where your hand could obstruct your vie...

Packaging: Palm sized purple plastic jar with a shiny gold cap and matching text and wave pattern. There is a product stopper included. Smell: Marine. Colour: Clear. Formula/ Texture: This is a slightly think, smooth gel. It applies and absorbs super easily. It instant cools and refreshes the skin. It is great at hydrating the skin even long term, giving a smoother pumper look. There/s no need to apply more then you typically would so you get more hydration, the ingredients are potent. Makeup applies easily once absorbed, no patchiness at all. In saying that it is lightweight, no greasy or oiling feeling. The Rainforest of the Sea complex defends the skin with hyaluronic acid and anti ageing and skin balancing to boots firmness and tone. I really enjoyed this! I loved the results and felt they were comparable to Neutrogena's Hydro Boost line which is more accessible to me. Again with this one, I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it but ap...

Packaging: Hand length, round plastic tube with opaque purple packaging with a coloured wave pattern. The pump is purple with a flat and slim dispenser in a gold base. A clear cap does sit ontop. The mist is long, narrow and fine. Smell: Marine and earthy. Formula/ Texture: This mist is very fine and lightweight. It instantly gives a cooling sensation. This has a lot of great ingredients in it. Mainly the Rainforest of the Sea complex has algae and marine flower extracts hat help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while smoothing and softening the skin. There is orange peel oil in this too to promote collagen production and sea water gives intense hydration. Lentil seed extract reduces pore size, caffeine improves micro circulation, redness and puffiness. Count out helps smooth and nourish the skin and finally lavender oil soothes and tones the skin. This has a 4in1 usage; - primer - hydration mist - skin refresher - setting spray While I generally used i...

Packaging: There is 4 pairs in a gold and purple suitcase styled cardboard box, reminiscent of the old shoe style doctors or medics who'd carry their equipment in these. Each pair comes in an non resealable aqua foiled sealed pouch. Inside is a tray filled with extra serum and the patches themselves. I'm quite surprised at how thick, soft, large and generically shaped the patches are. Smell: Marine. Formula/ Texture: They hold a lot of product which means more serum applies to the eye area. The generic shape means there's no right way for it to sit on the face meaning, application is easy and quick. The fact the ends are large, cover more of the eye area. They are cooling, depuffing and hydrating, really giving a relief for tired eyes. I apply them and leave on for at least 10 mins and rub in whatever left over serum is remaining. These don't slide around the face at all, a nice suction. The serum isn't sticky or tacky at all. My eyes look p...

Packaging: Cardboard box with mini products inside. All our the best selling skincare products from the Rainforest of the Sea complex. Pair of Pack Your Bags 9/11 Rescue Gel Eye Patches Great trial and I'm into masking up my eyes recently. Rainforest of the Sea Deep Dive Cleansing Gel I've always been interested in trying this but the full sized is quite expensive on it's own and then to ship all the way to Australia, seems a little inconvenient. The vegan/natural side intrigues me, so I'm excited to see how it performs against acne medicated cleanser. Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting 4in1 Mist This honestly just seems like it'll be good for the skin and I want it to prove me right. Mists are always handy. Rainforest of the Sea Hydrating Moisturiser My skin gets dehydrated in the summer and even more so in the winter so I'm attracted to anything that has the word 'hydration' in it. Available: Only from tartecosmetics.com...

Packaging: Hand length, round plastic tube with opaque purple packaging with a coloured seaweed pattern. The pump is purple with a flat and slim dispenser in a gold base. A clear cap does sit ontop. The pump mechanisms are smooth, dispensing a small amount that laters up quite well. Smell: Marine and earthy. Colour: Becomes a milky white when in contact with water. Doesn't affect product performance. Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth, thick liquid. It's easily suds up and applies to the face, clean effectively. It doesn't sting, cause any stiffness or dryness and finally skin irritations. This is gentle on the skin but is so through at cleaning. Which makes me think it would be great for sensitive skin types too. Again another product that has really impressed me! The travel sized bottle has last me 4 months using it twice daily - that's impressive! In saying the you do not need a lot of product. A little bit does sud up quite well. T...

Packaging: Bright purple silicone, no lager then palm size oval. The backside has a suction point for easier holding and quick drying in the shower. ¾ of the oval are long fine bristles. The remaining quarter is flatter round nodes. Smell: None. Colour: Bright purple but no affect to performance. Formula/ Texture: I feel like this would be more beneficial for cleaning brushes then the face. I didn't see or feel any sort of improvement or change in the way my skin felt and looked while I used this. I used it a varieties of ways including putting my cleanser of the scrubber first and wetting the scrubber in addition to my face. Might an incentive for those who struggle to regular was their face or who are just starting a skincare regiment. Available: Only from tartecosmetics.com for $10. This mini is from the Tarte Limited Edition Scrub Clean Set.

Packaging: Palm sized purple plastic twist up tube with a shiny gold cap and matching text on the tube. The product is a thick circular shape. It twist up easily and in my experience hasn't spilled over the edges and created wastage. Smell: Marine. Colour: Black. Applies sheer and washes away. Formula/ Texture: A very fine exfoliating particles in a wax texture. This is best used on damp skin, straight from the tube, use fingers to massage it in and rinse off. Leave it on for 10 minutes as a mask. This does a great job at exfoliating the skin and leaving it smooth and soft. It's very easy and fool proof to use too. The formula is vegan friendly, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested which means this will be suited for the majority of skin types. Available: Only from tartecosmetics.com for $36 for 30g/1.0oz. This mini is 6.4g/ 0.22oz and from the Tarte Limited Edition Scrub Clean Set.

Packaging: Opaque water print, self seal bag with mini products inside. Frixxxtion Stick Great & handy for mess free exfoliating Rainforest of the Sea Cleansing Gel I've always been interested in trying this but the full sized is quite expensive on it's own and then to ship all the way to Australia, seems a little inconvenient. The vegan/natural side intrigues me, so I'm excited to see how it performs against acne medicated cleanser. Cleansing Cutie Scrubber I've tried these hand held face tools before, initially with L'Oreal and now that i'm debating whether I should back to my Clarisonic, I am intertested in using a toll such as this will be more effective then hand washing. Available: Only from tartecosmetics.com for $17.50.

Packaging: Heavy, wide, stumpy round frosted glass jar with a shiny reflective gold lid. The screw off lid features a engraved 'tarte' text and a purple chevron pattern on the side. There is a product stopper that does get caught up in the lid when it's opened, so I'm not sure how effective that is. Smell/Taste: Foundation. Noted as a rose scent online. Colour: Light Sand - light skin with yellow undertones. Natural radiant finish with full coverage. Available in 10 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, creamy, smooth gel. It's easily applied and blended on the skin. It's comfortable on the skin with a slight feel to it. It is easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. This is oil free and hasn't caused my skin any irritations or increased in pore size. There's flashback or  breakdown of product but I do notice a slight oxidation with this. It does contain hyaluronic acid that helps smooth the skin and any fine lines. ...

Packaging: Thick wide frosted glass bottle. The screw off lid features a gradient gold and purple that compliments the gold text on the bottle. The lid is a dropper with a small opening that picks up and dispenses a small amount. The length of the dropper reaches almost to the bottom of the tube. Smell/Taste: Foundation. Colour: Light Sand - Light weight with yellow undertones. Satin finish and medium to full coverage. Light coverage in 1-2 drops Medium coverage in 3-4 drops Available in 12 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth, thicker liquid. It is best applied over well hydrated skin, otherwise dry patches are picked up with a beauty sponge or dense kabuki brush. It feels very lightweight on the skin. It's easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. There is no oxidisation, skin irritation, breakouts or fading with this foundation. It's very hydrating with 20% of the foundation containing water so it's best to give this a good shake be...

Packaging: Small, slim, palm sized square compact with earthy toned marbling pattern and a magnetic closure. The lid also features gold foil text and a full sized mirror on the inside. The round product pan takes up most of the compact, leaving little product wastage. It's very slim and easy to store & carry. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Light-medium - light peach. Warm undertones with a satin finish and medium coverage. Available in 2 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a creamy, thick product. It is easily applied using your ring finger so the product warms up and melts into the skin that bit more seamless. A brush or beauty sponge can be used after to blend away any harsh lines. It is easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. The formula does contain a lot of natural ingredients known to be used by Tarte. Caffeine improves microcirculation and reduce any puffiness. Liquorice extract helps to brighten this area. Sodium hyaluronate & gqual...

Packaging: Very slim round black pen with gold foil text and a blue and purple water marble lid. The lid clicks on very securely but isn't spring loaded. The sponge nib is so very fine, short and stiff. The gold felt etc does wear off with continued use. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Very Black - black. Matte finish and very pigmented. Available in 1 shade. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, smooth liquid. The short length of the nib does make it easier to apply as it's not as flexible so it's not wobbling or flicking up product onto the lid. It does ensure a closer line to the lash line. There is no skipping or fading during application either. It does take a specialised makeup remove to fully remove. It is waterproof and ophthalmologist tested with Rainforest Of The Sea complex to protect and hydrate the skin. I have no itchiness or redness when using this or after it's been removed. Unsteady hands don't show wobbles when apply easily t...

Packaging: Short bamboo handle, gold feral and dense, short domes synthetic bristles. Smell/Taste: NA. Colour: NA. Formula/ Texture: This has the softest dense bristles ever! The short handle fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to blend out both cream and powder products. The shape of the brush helps in giving a slightly blended line without ruining a precise line. It doesn't take much work with this to get a product to blend out and I really think it comes down to the shape and size of the bristles! I enjoyed this a lot more then I thought I was going to. The full sized version is dual ended and features and angled brush on the other end. I've really found this to work well for body contouring  nd I'll be using this until it falls apart. Available: From Sephora, sephora.com for $48. I got mine in America from Sephora in the Sephora Favourites Superstars set.

Packaging: Short and slim circular brown retractable mechanical tube. Features a ling gold cap and corresponding text on the packaging. The bullet is a fine tip that wears wider fingernail width with use. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Park Ave Princess - medium brown. Warm undertones and a matte finish. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, smooth cream. It is very bendable & buildable with your voice of dense brush. To maintain a finer tip, use the bullet on an angle, rotating it every use. It is easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. The amazon clay in the formula helps to balance, nourish and replenish the skin. It also contains no nasty parabens or phthalates. When blended it helps to chisel and sculpt the face and even the body! This has great longevity of 10 hours, especially during the summer! I'd don't care for cream products but love this! Available: From Sephora, sephora.com.au for $48 for 2.55g/0.09oz. Sample size. I got...

Packaging: Pink and purple water colour opaque design on a plastic tube with a grey cap. The applicate is a small thin and flat paddle doe foot. I do believe the full size applicator is the typical doe foot style which is interesting. Smell/Taste: Caramel. Colour: Energy - clear that activates with body warmth to turn a shade of pink. Mine is a sheer vibrant pink. Shine finish. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, smooth gloss that's a tad tacky. It glides on very easily with no mess as the paddle doe foot fits right onto the lips. It's easily removable with a basic makeup wipe. The shine finish and rich antioxidant extracts, smooth the lip fine lines to create a fuller look to the lips. It's not drying but I do feel a bit of nourishment when wearing this. The tacky texture leaves this on for no more then 2 hours. It does transfer a lot with contact with food and drink. What's special about this is the pH adjusting skintuitive tec...

Packaging: This is the most unique and distinct feature of the mascara. It's a shiny plastic, dark metallic purple quilted tube. This almost feels quite flexible, as if a normal round mascara tube has been covered in some shiny material. It has 'tarte' engraved on the front side. The wand is skinny and long with short wire bristles. Smell: Waxy. Colour: This comes in the one shade which is Black. Formula/ Texture: This is a standard mascara texture. Not too runny but not heavy or thick.  It's easy to apply and the longer length of the bristle head with the shorter bristles makes it easier to get closer to the roots and  the bottom lashes. It does take a bit of effort to remove with a basic makeup wipe. There is no smudging, flaking or transferring on me. I love how black this formula is coating every lash. I am amazed at how it separates my lashes and with no spidery look!! I absolutely love this. I will insert a photo but it d...

Packaging: The blushes come in a clear square plastic box with basic and minimal writing with the main focus on the blushes themselves. The blush packaging is a round compact with a lil floral swirl on the front side and colour name and details on the back side. The colour of the blush compact depends on what shade you have which is really cool and awesome feature. So in my case amused is a bright pink shade which the colour of the compact matches accordingly. The inside of the compact on the lid has a mirror covering the width of the lid. The blush is in he pan with a clear plastic disc protecting the powder itself. What is an interesting feature of these blushes is the river like pattern embossed on the blush powder to resemble the Amazonian river where the clay is derived from. It also lets me know how much I have used based on the clarity of the embossing. Smell: None. Colour: ...