Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder

I ordered this from QVC because it came with what looked like a phenomenal brush, all for less than the cost of just the product had I purchased it elsewhere. The powder is a shimmering champagne that I though would be perfect to highlight cheekbones and browbones, but I cannot get it to show up on me unless I really pack it on with the included sponge. Granted a highlighter should be subtle, but I literally cannot discern any difference whatsoever when I use the brush to apply the product. I'm seriously considering returning it. Keep in mind that I am quite fair--those with darker skin will have a greater contrast with the powder and may find it more noticeable.

You can see just how subtle it is here:

Two Tarte Disappointments

I remember when Tarte cosmetics first premiered at Bergdorf Goodman years ago. I had a makeover and bought a ridiculous number of products, and continued to purchase and for the most part love everything. The last 2 items I've used, however, have not fallen into the 'love' category. The first is the 'natural' iteration of their Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. I used this several years ago, back when it was chock full o' chemicals and liked it. It's now free of parabens, pthalates et al, and bored with how quickly my beloved Korres mascara dries up, I purchased the Tarte.

I get nice length and thickness from it, especially over their mascara primer, but boy oh boy is this flake city! I've had two coworkers (including a guy) come over and that my face was covered in black flakes it was so bad. One close friend, unprompted and out of the blue, said "whatever mascara you've been using lately--stop." Lesson learned. I tossed it and rebought the Korres.

Check back later to learn about the second Tarte product that's fallen short for me recently, the newly released Amazonian Clay Shimmer Powder.

Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint

Every now and then, I wish I was one of those girls who had just a chic little makeup bag filled with just a handful of treasured items that, when applied, made her look effortless glamorous and natural at the same time. You know, those starlets and socialites who swear that all they use is MAC Twig lip pencil, a smidge of Rosebud Salve and Maybelline Great Lash before they leave the house? Instead, I have a plethora of beauty products that have taken over my one bedroom apartment and the unlimited number of combinations can make getting ready in the morning a time consuming process. If I was that understated minimalist, I think that Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint might be one of the the products in my arsenal.

This is a highly emollient lip balm that comes in clear as well as four tinted shades. I ordered Alexandra Rose from Dermstore, and after a (lengthy!) 2 week wait, I received it yesterday. Contrary to the website's characterization as "ultra sheer," I find this to pack a pigmented punch. It's a bright pink learning towards the warmer side that definitely shows up well, even on pigmented lips. It's a great pick me up face brightener and is non-sticky and very moisturizing. The downsides are that it is $19 for a small tube and the product needs to be reapplied often. It also has a very strong scent--sort of a sweet jasmine--that does not dissipate. It's offensive enough to me that I'd actually remove the gloss prior to eating or drinking, but I could those who enjoy scented lip products being fine with it.

Ingredients:
Nutyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Jojoba Esters, Lanolin, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerithrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Atelocollagen, Ricinus Communis (Castor OIl), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Beeswax, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil, Phenyltrimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Jasmine Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Polybutene, Fragrances, Saccharin, Allantoin.

Some New and Noteworthy Items on Sephora.com

Just browsing around Sephora.com and a few new items caught my eye:

• Make Up For Ever Tres Vichy Duo Eye Shadow Palette- $31
• Benefit Feelin' Cheeky Minis- $15
• Josie Maran Argan Sun Protection For Body SPF 30+ - $24. I love the face version.
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Discover Set- $39
• NARS Forever Yours Eye, Lip and Illuminator Set- $49
• LORAC Be Mine Collection- $37
• Shiseido Sun Savvy Set- $57

Exclusive Laura Mercier Tightlining Trio

Laura Mercier, queen of tightlining and the cake liner, has an exclusive set at Nordstrom featuring 3 Cake Eye Liners (Gunmetal, Smoke, and Turquoise Ink), two of which are exclusive and a Min Flat Eye Liner brush for $39.50. This looks like a great deal for those look to try tightlining or wanting more of Laura's beloved liners!

Score!

I'm not an Urban Decay fan, but I was looking for a sheer pop-of-color cream blush to layer over my bronzer and happened upon their new Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints ($24). Sephora describes the product as a "sheer, buildable cheek tint that glides on effortlessly and feels truly weightless," a description I agree with. I picked up the shade Score, which is a sheer peachy pink (more pink than peach) with gold shimmer. I think that the sheerness makes it look natural, and the golden glimmer is very pretty, but some might find it over the top. I'm very fair and find that the color builds nicely, but those with deeper skins will probably find that this shade does not show up. I've heard rants regarding the lasting power of this product but I haven't had any issues with it fading.

Sue Devitt For Spring!

I rarely check out Sue Devitt anymore, but was stumbling around Barney's on Saturday and happened upon her Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye & Cheek Palettes in Solomon Islands and Beausoleil. I'll forgive Sue for giving this product the longest name ever, because the palettes are beautiful and perfect for Spring! Solomon Islands (on the wishlist!) is a pink/coral/bronze fusion, and Beausoleil is a medley of peaches and bronze. Not inexpensive at $37.50 each, but luminescent and pretty without being over the top. I didn't take the plunge yet since I'm still playing with my new Edward Bess bronzer and Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Tint, but it's only a matter of time before I cave.