Splurge or Skip: Tarte Holiday Gifts 2009
I just love the possibilities of choosing between a matte pink or shimmery rose blush. It’s part of the joys of being a beauty junkie! Having a great variety of products to decide from is part of the fun, right?
I’m not saying it’s a sensible idea to hoard lip glosses, but it’s still nice to have a stash of color choices, which is why I love Tarte’s Holiday 2009 Collection!
Tarte Crown Jewels Lipgloss Multi- Gift Set ($39 US): These lovely glossies come packaged in 3 sets of 5 which can be broken apart as gifts. (Keep one for yourself and give away two!)
Glittering Green Goddesses set features (from left to right) a sheer nude-peach, sheer beige, sheer sweet pink, sheer cotton candy pink, and a sheer shimmering cinnamon.
The texture for these are great. Not thick like MAC glosses, and non-sticky. Pigmentation is poor for most of these though, so layering over lipsticks is ideal. Personally, I don’t like pigmented lips, just shimmer and a hint of color, so you’ll like these if you’re like me. 
Dazzling Divas set features a dazzling warm sand, dazzling gold, dazzling orchid, dazzling violet, and dazzling coral-pink.
Even though there is a large amount of glitter and shimmer in this set of glosses, the texture is similar to the creamier ones above. I love this set the most! They shine on the lips and have an amazing amount of shimmer infused in the colors so that they’ll flatter everyone!
Twinkling Trendsetter set contains a twinkling strawberry, twinkling melon-pink, twinkling fuchsia, twinkling brick-red, and sheer raspberry.
All the glosses have an overly sweet smell that doesn’t linger on the lips, but in this set, I noticed the scent more. These colors are more pigmented on the lips than the others and give your lips a pretty flush. Shimmer level is in between the first and second set.
From left to right: Princess (a true pink); Cushion (bronzy champagne); and Brilliant (apricot peach)
I find that Tarte cheek stains are sticky on the cheeks, especially in the summer. When my skin dries out in the winter though, the Tarte Three Carats Mini Cheek Stain Set ($25 US) is fab for adding a little moisturizing color. Even though they are not too pigmented, I like the subtlety now that it’s colder.
These mini ones are excellent for stuffing in your purse and with this price you can keep one everywhere.
Overall, get both of these value sets. You can’t lose, especially if you plan on using parts of each as gifts. If you have the extra cash and/or don’t have last year’s palette, try the Tarte Treasure Chest as well. You get tons of good-for-you products for a tiny price.
Which gloss set was your fave? Anyone a fan of Tarte cheek stains?
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On December 15th, 2009 FayePrettyhead said:
Wow there are some really gorgeous colours! I love the idea of giving two away and keeping one for yourself! hehe
On December 15th, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi FayePrettyHead!
My favorite color is actually the dazzling violet! It seems deep and crazy, but it’s actually sheer enough to be wearable on the lips.