Tarte 9 Ways to Shine Cheek Wardrobe Review & Swatches
9 Ways to Shine
Tarte 9 Ways to Shine Cheek Wardrobe ($35.00 for 0.69 oz.) is a new, limited edition set of stacked cheek colors. Each stack contains three shades–technically, a highlighter, blush, and bronzer–with a flip-top mirror and swiveling compacts underneath the first shade. There are three stacks included in the set, which I love seeing in a holiday set as it would be easy to gift any of the stacks to a friend or family member (either as a gift or because it doesn’t work for you).
The packaging was more substantial than I expected–I felt like it was nicer than Tarte’s regular packaging by feel and weight. The set contains $100.05 worth of product (going off of the full-sized blushes at $29.00 and containing 0.20 oz. of product).
Tarte’s cheek colors all come with a 12-hour wear time claim, which is where they tend to fall short, though they are longer-wearing at around nine hours of really solid wear. Some of the more matte blush hues are on the thinner side, which I find can be harder to apply over bare skin because they react with any natural oils/slip on my skin and can darken/adhere strongly, so blending is made more difficult. I find I can alleviate the blendability issue by applying over powdered skin (whether bare skin or with foundation).
There was one major dud in the set–Peppermint Mocha–and the highlighters were nice (creamy, pigmented, and blendable without any tricks). Aside from Peppermint Mocha, the blushes were in-line with past experiences with the Amazonian Clay blush formula, so if you’re normally a fan, this set is a great one to think about.
Ingredients
9 Ways to Shine
LELimited Edition. $35.00.
Frosty
Frosty is a light gold with strong, warm undertones and a frosted, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was a bit denser and firmer. The product picked up well with a highlighting brush and applied and blended out with ease. It stayed on nicely for nine hours on me before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Authentic (LE, $28.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Light #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Selfie (P, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Hi-Fi (-, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Dior Strobe Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Seychelles (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Iconic London Coral Glow (Right) (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Chantecaille Eclat Brilliant (LE, $92.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Morning Light (LE, $15.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Moonstone (DC, $38.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, phenoxyethanol, polymethyl methacrylate, zinc stearate, tin oxide, tocopheryl acetate, dimethicone, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), manganese violet (CI 77742), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Frosty
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Slay Bells
Slay Bells is a medium-dark, peachy orange with warm undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was buildable from semi-opaque to opaque coverage (two layers), while the blush had a soft, lightly powdery texture that applied fairly well to bare skin. I would recommend applying it over a setting powder or a matte finish foundation to ensure blending is a cinch. It lasted for just over nine hours on before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Jouer Adore Me (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Peachy Keen (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Rose Inc Delphine (P, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cherry Blaze (Left) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Cover FX Soft Peach (Left) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Patrick Ta She's Sincere (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Inner Blush (PiP, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Milani Coral Beams #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- OFRA Ollie Need is Love (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Golden Hour (LE, $10.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.2 oz. - $145.00 Per Ounce
The Amazonian Clay Blush formula is supposed to have 12-hour wear along with a “supremely soft” texture. There’s a lot to like about Tarte’s formula, as it is softer (sometimes dusty), blendable, and fairly smooth with good pigmentation, but for me, I rarely get 12-hour wear–I do get between 8 and 10-hour wear, though.
Browse all of our Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, polymethyl methacrylate, zinc stearate, phenoxyethanol, synthetic fluorphlogopite, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, tin oxide, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), red 30 (CI 73360).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Slay Bells
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Shimmering
Shimmering is a medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had nearly opaque color payoff that applied well to bare skin with a smooth, even lay down of color that blended out easily along the edges. The texture was soft, not too thin nor too powdery, and sat well on bare skin. It stayed on well for nine and a half hours before fading a bit.
Top Dupes
- Sephora Sweet on You (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Blush (LE, $60.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Born to Be Alive (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Shame on You (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Make You Mine (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cat's Eye (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Seductive Beauty (Cheek Swish) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Gold Palette #7 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Pearlescent Pink (P, $2.99) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- KIKO 108 Orange Coral (DC, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, zinc stearate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, polymethyl methacrylate, phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, tin oxide, kaolin, carmine (CI 75470), titanium dioxide (CI 77891), red 30 (CI 73360), yellow 5 lake (CI 19140), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Shimmering
LELimited Edition.
Snow Kissed
Snow Kissed is a light, peachy beige with warm undertones and a bright, metallic sheen. The highlighter had rich pigmentation paired with a smooth, creamy consistency that was dense without being too firmly pressed in the pan. The powder applied evenly to my skin and blended out without issues. I noticed slight fading after nine hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Double Dip (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Milk Makeup Blitzed (P, $28.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Gnomie (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Soft & Gentle (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior #001 (DC, $56.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Here Kitty Kitty (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Rosy Glow (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Equinox (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Sand (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Nude Glow (01) (P, $50.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, ethylhexyl palmitate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, phenoxyethanol, polymethyl methacrylate, zinc stearate, tin oxide, tocopheryl acetate, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
Snow Kissed
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Prize
Prize is a light pink with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had buildable color coverage from semi-opaque to opaque (two layers). The blush applied evenly to bare skin and blended well, as it seemed to be a bit softer and less thin, which made it more spreadable as a result. It wore nicely for nine and a half hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Behave (P, $30.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Milani Berry Rays #4 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Tinge (PiP, $23.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- NARS Loves Me Not (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Golden Gate (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Iconic London Rose Riot (P, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Trickery (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Why, Hello (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Sweet Enough (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Blush Please (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.2 oz. - $145.00 Per Ounce
The Amazonian Clay Blush formula is supposed to have 12-hour wear along with a “supremely soft” texture. There’s a lot to like about Tarte’s formula, as it is softer (sometimes dusty), blendable, and fairly smooth with good pigmentation, but for me, I rarely get 12-hour wear–I do get between 8 and 10-hour wear, though.
Browse all of our Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, polymethyl methacrylate, zinc stearate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, phenoxyethanol, triethoxycaprylylsilane, tocopheryl acetate, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), red 30 (CI 73360).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Prize
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Peppermint Mocha
Peppermint Mocha is a light-medium brown with stronger, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was drier, almost crumbly, and it applied poorly to my skin–even if I applied over foundation or setting powder–as the color stuck wherever it was initially applied and did not want to move. It had rich color coverage but was difficult to work with. The color stayed on decently for nine hours before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- LYS Beauty Harmony (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sephora Bora Bora (P, $17.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop CA Dreaming (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Bronzed (P, $28.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Benefit Hoola (P, $30.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild What Shady Beaches (P, $4.99) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bank Roll (LE, $10.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Private Island (P, $30.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Dior Warm Sunrise (004) (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Bronze Age (P, $110.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, polymethyl methacrylate, zinc stearate, ethylhexyl palmitate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Peppermint Mocha
LELimited Edition.
NYE
NYE is a medium-dark, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had opaque color payoff that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with little effort. The consistency was a bit denser, more cream-like, and “heavier” in that way compared to their typical blush formula (which is quite thin). The color lasted well for nine and a half hours on me before showing signs of fading.
Top Dupes
- JD Glow Essence (P, $16.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay PSA (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Cover FX Golden Peach (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Peachlight (Bottom) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Morning Glory (P, $9.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz (P, $46.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Temptation (LE, $45.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Total Package (DC, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Charleston (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Overt Trickery (LE, $44.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, zinc stearate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, phenoxyethanol, polymethyl methacrylate, tocopheryl acetate, dimethicone, kaolin, carmine (CI 75470), titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
NYE
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Decked Out
Decked Out is a brighter, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage in a single layer, which was biuldable to full coverage with a second layer. The texture was soft, slightly thinner, and as a result, it blended better over drier (or powdered) skin rather than my bare skin (it stuck slightly and had to be buffed out more strongly). It wore well for nine hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Exhilarating (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Hot Pursuit (LE, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Exposed (LE, $30.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Exhibitionist (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Divine Rose II (Left) (LE, $38.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Fleur Power (P, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Caring Coral (02) (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Tarte Breathtaking (LE, $29.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.2 oz. - $145.00 Per Ounce
The Amazonian Clay Blush formula is supposed to have 12-hour wear along with a “supremely soft” texture. There’s a lot to like about Tarte’s formula, as it is softer (sometimes dusty), blendable, and fairly smooth with good pigmentation, but for me, I rarely get 12-hour wear–I do get between 8 and 10-hour wear, though.
Browse all of our Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, polymethyl methacrylate, zinc stearate, phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), red 30 (CI 73360), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Decked Out
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a muted, dusty coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that applied fairly evenly to bare skin, though I’d recommend using it over just-powdered skin to ensure even, more blendable application. It just has a thinner texture, when coupled with the matte finish, that has a tendency to gravitate toward any natural slip/oils on the skin (or your foundation). This shade stayed on well for nine hours before fading a bit.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Genuine (LE, $29.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona My Dream (Cream Blush) (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Between the Sheets (P, $8.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Melba (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Vibrant (LE, $29.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- Jouer Cherish Me (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Charmed (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ILIA Stutter (P, $32.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Smith and Cult Universal Peach (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hen Party (LE, $8.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, talc, ethylhexyl palmitate, polymethyl methacrylate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, zinc stearate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, kaolin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), red 30 (CI 73360), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), red 7 lake (CI 15850).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Hmm, I’m not sure I would like the swiveling components, but I’m glad Tarte didn’t directly copy Melt by making it magnetic. Props to them for coming up with something new. I have to say, the shade “Shimmering” does look splendid. I can never get enough of that sort of golden coral tone.
This is not bad! Actually like this set much more than the yearly Tarte face/cheek palette that they put out this time of year.
But, because I’ve already bought the Hourglass cheek quad, I think I’m satisfied with that enough that I’m not actively looking for another cheek palette or bundle at the moment.
I actually think I’ll pick this up even though several of the blushes seem similar to my eye. Btw, you have shimmering listed as a bronzer in the reference pics.
From what I understood based on reading the descriptio, Tarte said each stack contains a blush, bronzer, and highlighter, so that’s why it is categorized as a bronzer.
Wow, that’s so weird. Thanks for setting me straight. And I did pick it up and it’s lovely.
Oh, it’s weird, no doubt about it! I was tempted to categorize them as blushes anyway…
Three bronzers? I can Maaaaaybe see Nye being classified as a bronzer, but what would the third one be — Frosty?