Sneak Peek: Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow & Highlighting Palettes Photos & Swatches
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette
There are two palettes in the just launched Tarte Rainforest of the Sea collection, and this post features swatches of them with full reviews to come.
The Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.40 oz.) is marked as limited edition and features a new eyeshadow formula, which is a denser, creamier formula that is similar to Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow, Kat Von D Metal Crush, and so forth. If you prefer to see the swatches visually together, you can view them as a palette here (and as a FYI, you can do this with any palette by viewing swatches by formula).
Rainforest of the Sea Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette ($42.00 for 0.20 oz.) features two shimmery highlighters and one matte highlighter, but I have to caution you… there may be a defect in manufacturing here, because the middle shade is off-the-charts dry, stiff, and chalky (it sounds like sandpaper trying to swatch it), whereas the other two are much softer/smoother. It’s so bad and unlike any Tarte powder product I’ve encountered that it just screams “something went awry.”
See more photos & swatches!
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette
Tarte Seashell Eyeshadow
Tarte Seashell Eyeshadow
Tarte Wave Eyeshadow
Tarte Wave Eyeshadow
Tarte Abyss Eyeshadow
Tarte Abyss Eyeshadow
Tarte Reef Eyeshadow
Tarte Reef Eyeshadow
Tarte Starfish Eyeshadow
Tarte Starfish Eyeshadow
Tarte Cove Eyeshadow
Tarte Cove Eyeshadow
Tarte Sand Eyeshadow
Tarte Sand Eyeshadow
Tarte Mermaid Eyeshadow
Tarte Mermaid Eyeshadow
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Sunlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Sunlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Filtered Light Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Filtered Light Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Moonlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Moonlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
All a bit warm-toned for me, I’m afraid! I like the color Wave, though.
Exactly what I thought, thumbing down. Tarte certainly has an identifiable brand identity….and Lauder just turned theirs on its head. Exciting times. Yeah, Wave, but we will have dupes….
😛
Echoing my thoughts here too: too warm overall, but wave is yummy
Love the look of the eye shadow palette! I wish they had a little more variation in the highlighting palette – the shades are all very similar with a little bit of difference in the finish.
i just purchased the eyeshadow palette on sephora.com! can’t wait to get it! so excited!
OOOOH I want that eyeshadow palette…
The eyeshadow palette looks nice. But with a name like Rainforest of the Sea I wish it had been more blues and greens.
Yep, I thought Rainforest of the Seas would have some blues and greens, but nope 🙁
That’s unfortunately typical of the brand though, I don’t think they’ve ever really ventured outside of their neutral scheme.
I guess they were just thinking of sea shells and tree bark?
Yeah no, it doesn’t make sense to me either.
Another neutral eye palette… So of course I want it! My brain says no, but my grabby-hands say yes ? I do hate the round shape though (despite the pretty design)- it’s just not practical for a palette larger than a quad, imo.
TBH, I am shocked that I actually love this eyeshadow palette! Goodness knows I have ENOUGH neutral eyeshadows to last into 2026, or beyond, but this looks sooo buttery and smooth that I’m not so sure I can resist!
The eye palette is too boring and nudey for me so I won’t be buying it! At least a couple of them are clumpy and that puts me off. I do like the look of Wave and Starfish but not enough to purchase. The highlighting palette is pretty but what a shame about the middle one! Are you going to return it or feedback to them about the fault?
The eyeshadow palette looks nice! However the highlight palette looks like butt.
The eyeshadow palette looks nice, but I have enough neutrals in my life… I also think they should have varied the finishes a bit more, overall I prefer the previous editions of round shadow palettes by Tarte to this one!
The shadows look nice, but it’s the usual neutrals from Tarte, and I have enough dupes in my stash. The highlighter palette looks nice, if you want something on the subtle side
I don’t know, Christine, you’re not the only one has issues with center highlight color. It sounds like it’s stiff for everyone who already purchased one.
The eyeshadow palette looks nice, though I’m not really interested in the colors. I do wish there was a soft green, blue, or dusty purple in there. The formula change sounds like a good thing, as I’ve never liked Tarte’s textures.
Forgot to say that I love the packaging. So pretty!
Hmm..I was expecting a little color with it being a “sea” collection. Oh well! I am glad that it appear Tarte has improved the shadow formula at least!
WAVE IS SO NICE! I WANT A SINGLE!
Wow, I’m really loving this! Would you say it’s peach toned / neutral as opposed to warm or cool?
The highlight palette is packed with dimethicone (I always check ingredients because that one freaks out my skin), which is out if character for Tarte. I’ve been wondering if it’s somehow hard to formulate a shimmer powder without silicones and that’s why Tarte doesn’t have a permanent one. Maybe that’s part if the formulation issue with the middle shade?
It almost feels like a matte eyeshadow that broke and then attempted to be repaired by alcohol, and it dried-up all crusted-like!
I like Wave & Seashell in the palette, but overall it’s too warm & shimmery for my tastes. I like the packaging, and can see how this might be desirable for many. 🙂
I want the highlighter though. ;O;
Eyeshadow palette is lovely… but… of the sea? Forreals?
Marketing Guru 1: We’ll make it all purpley and taupey and neutral! When people think of the ocean, they think of gold and plum, right?
Marketing Guru 2: Totes! And let’s put purple peacock feathers on the front. Those live in the sea, right?
MG 1: Not sure, better add “rainforest” in the title somewhere. Peacocks live in the rainforest, don’t they?
MG 2: Course they do! They’re parrots, or… something. Big, floofy, rainforest parrots. On the beach. Also, purple.
Tarte Head Honchos: Cool! Off to the Development Team we go!
LMAO
TF funny. And they probably aren’t much smarter, and think what they get paid.
OMG, that’s hysterical!! LMAO
I know it is a little strange but I think they are trying to go for the “coral reef” feel – also known as the rainforests of the sea. At least that’s what it seems like based on the naming convention used.
A lovely eye shadow palette but alas too warm for me. Very similar in colours to many of their other palettes. I wish they would add an olive green or purple to the mix.
Wow, the swatches on the eyeshadow palette look great! So pretty! I pretty much only own neutral palettes…and still like to buy more :'( Which is sad because I usually don’t use eyeshadow for work (so I barely use them) because none can last 12-15 hours on my super oily lids, was!
Where is the blush in the center? Usually Tarte’s round palettes have one. Plus the name is strange for a neutral palette. I would have expected some blue, green, or teal shades and a peachy blush for this one. Kind of a let down.
I’m happy to see that it’s warm-toned. Finding warmer eyeshadow shades is a challenge for me.
The packaging is beautiful. I like the palette, but I have enough neutrals from Tarte and these aren’t unique enough to warrant getting. I wish they would have thrown in some greens, blues, and purples. They used to do colors and did them pretty well.
I was considering the highlighting palette, but that middle shade looks and sounds so awful, I’m passing.
Completely underwhelmed!
So, apparently, Tarte was sold to a new company approx 1 year ago and Maureen no longer owns it, is that right? I think that is why their formula/ingredients may be changing. They used to have a no-frills, earthy appeal. Their marketing strategy is also changing. They seem to be sending a lot of YouTubers on extravagant vacations to launch their products. That, by itself, is a turn off for me. I feel they should spend the money toward their customers. I’m definitely writing Tarte off now because I do not want to support them in sending bloggers on vacations so they will pimp their products.
Yassssss, I dont know why I am so excited about this palette because I’m not really a neutrals girl but WANT.
I purchased them both today on Sephora but looks like the highlighter will be going back! I liked all the eyeshadows exept one. HMMMMM….Not sure how I feel about this.
Yikes, I’d be hearing good things about the Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette, but now that I see swatches, I’m not sure what to believe anymore. Granted, some makeup artists who have received this product are sponsored by Tarte and I’m sure their reviews are a little biased (gosh, I hope I don’t face backlash for that statement). My #1 website to turn to for product reviews and swatches is Temptalia. I like seeing product reviews online before I run out and buy them.
Okay. This palette doesn’t give me vibes of “Rainforest” or “Sea”. I don’t understand why it’s decorated with swirly purple peacock feathers. I dislike the oversized, round shape. And I don’t need to drop cash on another set of neutrals. After all, I bought the MUFE Nudes Artist Palette knowing it would fulfill all of my neutral/nude eyeshadow needs. But I really like Seashell, Wave, and Reef. Sand looks like a decent base color. Sigh…
Right?? If they had named this “Forest” I could see it making sense with all these neutral brown shades, but “Rainforest” makes me think of bright tropical colors and “Sea” makes me think of blues and greens. And what’s up with the purple peacock feathers?? If you do that, at least throw a purple shadow in there.
Very strange indeed. Apperently it doesn’t matter to Tarte as long as it sounds fashionable! Hihi.
The highlight palette was the only thing I had my eye on and wow that highlighter palette looks abysmal. Thanks for the swatches and saving me the money/time to check it out in person!
I got the highlighter palette but now I’m unsure. Definitely will wait for your reviews before i buy anything else. I do like the foundation! Got that awhile ago from qvc in a set with the brush. They also have the concealer with brush for less than $30.
Ah! Wave… Gorgeous. I do so not need this though.. 🙁
The shades all look a bit similar, but it definitely looks like a nice palette. Very wearable.
These look great, need to get my hands on more Tarte palettes and their products in general.
I recently posted…A Sheer Coat
I think I’m really over the warm neutral trend. Pretty colors but totally dupable!
Echoing those who say it’s a little disappointing for the palette to be all dupable neutrals with a name like Rainforest and Sea. My mind goes to blues, greens, and splashes of pink or coral.
I love the box packaging from this collection–I actually would have liked for that to be the product casing. If I had my own makeup line, it definitely would look similar to those jewel-toned boxes!
They should have added the blush in the middle. That mass of wasted space is not appealing. Is this the same price as their other round palettes that include the blush?
I really wanted this eyeshadow palette, but not with a defect like that…and now that I see your swatches, I’m like…I have so many colors like these. But the packaging is so pretty…I’m definitely getting a brush and lip product haha
It is very pretty colors since I tend to like warmer shades but it looks like you can find alot of dupes in their new tartelette palette or a Urban Decay shadow. Wave looks similar to Urban Decays Maui Wowwie
I agree the eye shadow palette is typical of Tarte, but I actually just got on the Tarte eye shadow bandwagon- so most of these are new to me! I will be buying the eye shadows for sure. The swatches are really beautiful.