Tarte Buried Treasure Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Buried Treasure
Tarte Buried Treasure Holiady 2017 Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette ($36.00 for 0.37 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette for the holidays that features 10 shades in the “new Rainforest of the Sea formula.” Per Tarte, the formula is supposed to be blendable, “velvety,” and “primes lids for payoff.” They have a very smooth, velvety texture with moderate powderiness and a tendency to “melt” on the lids, which meant shorter wear due to noticeable fading between four and six hours. That same powderiness also resulted in color that sheered out a lot and tended to make the lid appear drier, and it was harder to layer the mattes on top of each other without then lifting whatever was underneath (or nearby). There was potential here, but unless applied over a tacky base, it was a miss.
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Buried Treasure
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Skipper
Skipper is a light-medium, purple mauve with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, but the texture was so powdery that the color started to sheer out and fade within 15 minutes of application. The color itself faded significantly by the five-hour mark. It was hard to blend this shade with the deeper mattes (I attempted to use it as a transition shade), as it lifted darker colors away.
Top Dupes
- Chanel Quiet Revolution #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- LORAC Dusty Mauve (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Dior Matte Mauve (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Overcast (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Clubhouse (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Countess (PiP, $5.25) is cooler (95% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Unruffled (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bill (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Marzipan (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Floral Affair (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Boron Nitride, Polypropylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone , Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Maltodextrin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470).
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.
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Skipper
LELimited Edition.
Snorkel
Snorkel is a muted, medium orange with warm, brown undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a very dusty texture that sheered out as soon as I started to blend it out. Even when I patted it onto the lid, it looked like my eyelid feasted on it within five hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever I722 Mandarin (DC, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC With Flair (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
- NYX Orange (P, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Vendome #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Sweet Lollipop (356) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Chanel Rouge-Gorge (116) (LE, $32.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Mischief Minx (LE, ) is darker, brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Get Closer (LE, $17.00) is brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Salt Water (P, $4.50) is darker (85% similar).
- Anastasia Fresh Peach (P, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Silica, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tin Oxide, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
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
Snorkel
LELimited Edition.
Booty
Booty is a peachy brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had a soft, smooth consistency in the pan, but it was prone to fading shortly after getting applied–it even looked a lot lighter applied than it did in the pan. All that good pigmentation sheered out as soon as I started to blend out the edges. It wore well for five hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Chaser (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NYX Blame It On Midnight (P, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Angel Face (DC, $6.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Weekender (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Smashbox Werk It (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Toffee (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Apricot Nude (GPV1 #2) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Only One (PiP, $4.50) is brighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Dawn (DC, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Pirates Chest (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Maltodextrin, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470).
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.
Booty
LELimited Edition.
Coconut
Coconut is a soft, peachy pink with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had sheer coverage, was not buildable, and got everywhere during application. I couldn’t tell whether anything was left when I checked at four hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- theBalm #4 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Black Tie Attire #2 (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Clarins Nude #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Nuance #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- theBalm #14 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Stila Rose Quartz (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- theBalm Dream Boat (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Haze #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Precious (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Custom Made (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Tin Oxide, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Maltodextrin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470).
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.
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Coconut
LELimited Edition.
Plank
Plank is a soft peach with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, but the texture was very powdery and prone to darkening as it sat on bare skin due to the natural oils and the powdery texture/finish. It lasted for five hours from what I could tell.
Top Dupes
- Dominique Cosmetics Nude Tea (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Inglot #330 (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Cream (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Sand Castle (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Dance 'Til Dawn Eyeshadow #1 (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Ciate Honey Bunny (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Sephora Walking in the Sand (DC, $10.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors Basic (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Walking in the Sand (217) (P, $9.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Barefoot in the Grass (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Maltodextrin, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate. Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470).
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.
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Plank
LELimited Edition.
Dive
Dive is a deep, reddish brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It good color payoff, but the coverage disappeared quickly in practice as the color blended out and had a ton of fallout (just diffusing the edges, even gently!). This shade stayed on well for five hours.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced I Can't Even (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Ruca (DC, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Oh Fudge (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Coco (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Back Rolls (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Facet (P, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Burnt Umber (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Magma (310CM) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Oud (PiP, ) is brighter (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Cherry Wood (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Maltodextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tin Oxide, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
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.
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Dive
LELimited Edition.
Fin
Fin is a medium, peachy brown with warm undertones and a sparkling finish. The pigmentation was opaque, but there was just no holding onto that pigmentation without using a tacky base, and even then, it had a tendency to go on unevenly as it stuck more than some places than others. There was a ton of fallout during application, and the color itself managed to stay on for four hours before starting to disappear.
Top Dupes
- MAC Pure Bred #2 (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Nude (140CP) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- theBalm Luscious Lani (P, $16.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Codes Subtils #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Last Sin (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Lancome My French #5 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Nude Awakening #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Cle de Peau Baby Universe #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Zoeva Sweeter End (PiP, ) is lighter (80% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Nude Awakening #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (80% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone , Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
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.
Fin
LELimited Edition.
Nauti
Nauti is a deep, plummy red with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It started out with opaque color coverage, but it was hard to blend out the edges without losing a lot of its intensity. The color itself faded and dulled noticeably within five hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Coloured Raine Date Night (DC, $6.99) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Plummed (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Honeymoon #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Plum Away With Me (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Royal (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Cranberry (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Pink Sapphire (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Sangria (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Ruh Roh (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Enchanted (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Maltodextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
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.
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Nauti
LELimited Edition.
Coin
Coin is a medium-dark copper with warm, gold undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had good pigmentation that applied decently to the lid, but it started to fade and disappear within a few minutes–it was like all the shimmer started to vanish and made it appear less and less metallic. On me, it lasted for five hours.
Top Dupes
- Bobbi Brown Sunset (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Rocket Girl (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I662 Amber Brown (DC, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Provence Upon a Time (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fool's Rush (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Le Metier de Beaute Dark Citrine (LE, $30.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Viseart Orangerie (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Tarte Dare to Be Gold (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Warm Browns #5 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Tarte Sunset (PiP, ) is lighter (80% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polypropylene, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tin Oxide, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Carmine (CI 75470).
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.
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Coin
LELimited Edition.
Palm
Palm is a medium, coppery brown with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. The consistency was so soft that it was dusty, almost loose, and difficult to apply without tons of fallout and the color sheering out to almost nothing. It lasted for five hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 03 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass Burnish (P, $29.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Ardency Inn Copper (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Too Faced Malted Milk Ball (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Isolde #1 (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Butterscotch (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tarina Tarantino Wonderful #3 (DC, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Becca Sandstone (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- theBalm Manic Maribel (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Save It For Later (P, $4.50) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Polypropylene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octadecene, PTFE, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triolein, Tin Oxide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
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.
Ouch! I’m glad to see this review, though. Money saved.
Incredible. I was considering buying this palette, too! I am sometimes just astounded at how remarkably bad some products can be. Do they not test the products during development??? Thank you Christine for talking me out of this!
Wow–I didn’t see that coming! Thank you for saving me money and heartbreak.
Whoa! F! Thanks for saving so many the time and trouble!
Good grief! First the Becca palette and now this one? Both look so lovely in the pan, but are total fails in formula. It’s amazing to me that these things actually make it through the whole process of development and end up on the shelves.
It does make one curious as to how they test!
Or if they even bother.
Ut oh! Lol.
Eyeshadow removing the eyeshadow(s) below? So disappointing, especially when the swatches are so pigmented. Thanks for your thorough evaluation process, Christine. I was considering for a gift but it’s an obvious pass.
I think it’s because they’re so dry :/
WOW, it’s a long time since I’ve seen an F on a shadow palette, esp. one so heavy on neutrals! And these are colors that Tarte has done many times before, with better scores. Well, maybe this “treasure” should remain buried
Man, I contemplated this one because I thought the pan shapes and layout looked fun, but didn’t like how similar everything looked. Now after reading about it’s bad performance, I think it will be an easy pass.
Oh nooo! This was the one palette this year that I got super excited over, because every color in it would’ve worked well with my skin tone, but I was waiting for this review before buying it (just to be on the safe side). I’m heartbroken that it’s so abysmal, but I’m also thankful you saved me some money.
OMG, what a disappointment! And such pretty packaging. How could Tarte have released such a total misfire?
I’m never able to wear primer because my eyelids are so sensitive that they start flaking the moment I put any primer on and I’m stuck with flaky and dry eyelids for a week.
So your reviews are especially helpful and I want to thank you.
Oh no!! That sounds so painful 🙁
I am so shocked and sad at the review of this palette! I was seriously considering getting it, because I have loved their mini eyeshadow palettes in the past (Maneater), but that has the amazonian clay formula. So I guess this Rainforest of the Sea formula isn’t great.
The formula is definitely different than their typical eyeshadow palettes, imo!
If only the quality were there, this might have been a must get for me. But, no. Tarte screwed up. And with their fabulous RFOTS eyeshadow formula! *face palms*
I guess Tarte and Too Faced traded quality this year 🙁
Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. The photos made it look like a nice, buttery formula.
Oh dear – an F???? Oh dear, oh dear. What a companies thinking releasing such poor quality products? Do they think they’re “teflon” and that stuff like this doesn’t stick and we all just blindly buy based on past performance? I have several Tarte eyeshadow palettes that I really like but stuff like this affects my attitude toward a brand.
I just don’t have words. So, so bad. I wasn’t intrigued to begin with and given Tarte’s previous holiday releases I wasn’t going to entertain purchasing this palette.
I was not expecting a grade anywhere near this low. Ouch!
I wasn’t interested in this palette but this is a brutal one for the ones that were interested. ….. 🙁
Holy moly!!! Ouch! And it looks so pretty! I guess all that glitters isn’t always gold 😉
You mentioned that some of them need a primer… As someone who’d never wear eyeshadow without primer, do you think it would be worth considering if we love the colors?
No, I don’t – these are so dupable and lacking in quality!
If you love the colors, I bet you have plenty of similar shades already!
Logan,
In my opinion save your hard earned money and avoid this junk palette at all costs. It looks easily dupable and I am positive that you could find better preforming eyeshadows in the DS. Tarte doesn’t deserve anyones money for this disappointment.
You should try it in store if possible. I have had widely different experience to people,. Even in this blog, for every product generally there is someone for whom something is a hit ot a miss. It is a beautiful palette that I am considering as well; the packaging and embossing are not dupable. The reviews in the Tarte website by people who purchased, are also pretty good.
This is why I love this site. Before I would have blindly bought this since the colors are pretty and it has a great design/layout. But forget about it after this review. Thanks Christine for all the reviews you do – it is tremendously helpful in preventing others wasting money and time on poor products.
Always my pleasure, Jen! xo
Think I’ll just say see above! Thanks for the save. Always drawn in by textured surfaces and unusual layouts. Suspect this is an offshore mfg mistake. Tarte has been known to do that.
According to tarte’s website this one was made in Italy. Most of their holiday collection is made in China, but apparently not this one.
I’m just not impressed with this palette. It looks so blah and boring, but of course that’s my opinion!
Thanks Christine, for the honest review
Unacceptable! Again, this is the reason why I am no longer brand loyal and I wait and read trusted reviews/get myself into the store to swatch in person before I buy anything. This palette is garbage. Frankly, I’m insulted that Tarte has the nerve to release this…so disappointing. Thank you, once again Christine, for saving me money! I’m really getting annoyed at the junk that companies keep on releasing. There’s no way that this palette was tested (properly) before they lauched it for the general public. And if it was…they have some nerve to think that people will pay for such a poor product. Ugh, this is so aggravating!!! Well it’s an easy pass for me my friends!
I was thinking about getting this one even though I have a ton of dupes, just because the layout is so pretty. But with a score this abysmal, I am going to pass. As always, I’m amazed by your ability to still pull together a nice look when things perform this poorly, Christine!
LOL!
You know, I think the “look” doesn’t strike you as poor because you didn’t see what it was SUPPOSED to be, haha!
Thanks for great review. I am looking for a new palette so am soaking up as much info as possible. I don’t need anymore eyeshadow so am looking for something special, not necessarily unique but great quality with colours I will wear a lot. I am loving your reviews.
I ordered the one from Sephora and once it arrived it took about five seconds for me to decide to return it. I honestly didn’t even bother trying it out– the colors are so COMPLETELY different than the photo on the Sephora website, it just made me angry. Glad to hear I didn’t miss out on anything.
It seems to be happening a lot of Tarte’s holiday photos – I saw a lot of comments about this palette and the double-sided blush palette looking off between real life in promo photos! Of course, promo photos are always a bit off, but more so than normal…
This is definitely an example of where swatches aren’t representative of how the shadows work on the lids! Maybe they make better blushes? That’s what I thought this palette was at first anyway.
Wow, what a disaster! I wasn’t tempted because I have most of the shades and I don’t like the inside packaging. I’ve noticed creasing on the last few eyeshadow palettes I bought from Tarte and I don’t trust their Holiday Ltd. Edit. Items because they are probably sourced out. Thanks so much for the review!
What a mess, a big F! Definitely won’t get it. Saved me some $$$!
Wow! That’s so bad, you have to question their quality process. Like do they have one?
A major disappointment for the brand and customers. Thank you for the review Christine, you’ve just saved a lot of people some money.
I think a F rating just sealed the deal for this one.
Wow! I wasn’t considering this palette because it’s so dupable, and I am not a fan of the different pan sizes, but I expected the quality to be on par with the Rainforest of the Sea palettes because I thought was the same formula. However, it doesn’t sound remotely similar in formula.
Nope, the formula definitely did NOT feel like the ones in the circular palettes 🙁
Yuck, it looked so pretty in the compact… Do you think that the waved pattern embossed on the shadows could have something to do with their texture? In the close-up pictures for each shade there are a lot of visible cracks.
It doesn’t feel bad… it just performed terribly ON the eye!
Ohh mY ! One of my fav is Tarte this is so sad an F !!but thnks for the review ..also review huda s new dersert dusk ! Thnks
Oh my…. Ouch. That’s a really shame because the colors and packaging are gorgeous. But tarte’s palettes are so hit or miss.
I feel like this is a VERY good example of why swatches alone should not be used to judge a product. IMO almost all of the swipe swatches look..decent! But hearing about the wear makes them…not so decent. Ha!
So true. None of the swatches look terrible to me, and if I was just breezing through the swatches, I would not have expected ratings near this low. And, wear time and blendability is really what counts.
Dang girl! You go girl! This is why I love you and why you are my favorite beauty blogger! You are not afraid to tell it like it is! I trust you implicitly and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your reviews! Btw I am AvidAnimalLover on instagram. I love the pictures you post on Instagram of your sweet dog. He is precious.
Thank you, Cindy! Good to put your Instagram handle to your name 😉
The layout looked so pretty! I’m personally not a big fan of their RFOTS formula. It doesn’t translate well from the pans to the eyelids. Looks way prettier in the pans in my opinion. I like my eyeshadows more towards the opaque side on the eyelids and RFOTS eyeshadows are a little hard to build up in intensity on the lids for me. :-/
What a let down though.
Whoooo! I remember seeing previews for this and thinking “BORING!”. Ugly pans, boring colors… but then you test it and it’s bad functionally too? Wow. C’mon Tarte.
Ugh the colors call to me but the ridiculous placement/pan shapes in this one would drive me nuts. I have the Tarte holiday palette from a couple years ago (Light of the Party) that I LOVE and use all the time but this one is definitely a miss.
Yikes. Ever since they sold, their quality & brand aesthetic has been all over the place ?thank you for your incredibly thorough & honest reviews. I don’t buy things unless you like it!
Uh oh. I ordered this and it is arriving today. I bought it based on my love of tarte’s RotS formula alone. If I can’t make it work over primer, I’m returning it.
Oh WOW
Has there ever been a palette this poorly rated on your site?! Haha. I have been coming here for so many years and don’t ever think I’ve seen such failure. LOL.
I love these F reviews, haha. I use my tartelette palettes often, but the dryness and difficulty in blending can be so annoying to deal with. This palette sounds like a real loser.
WOW
I was so excited about this palette too 🙁
Yikes, I hesitate to chime in but I love it. Granted, I am in no way an expert in make-up application, but this to me is a lovely palette, especially for a day look. Fall out, yes, and I always use a primer. I saw the swatches Musings of a Muse had, who also loved it, on the 13th and ordered right away. I even took it on a mini vacation as it’s a sleek, fun palette to travel with. I am fair skinned so that could be a reason it works in my favor.
you will see this one in the sale section after the holidays for sure. It amazes me that companies will put out such crap now that social media exists. It is like they have learned nothing from mistakes of the past, or they just don’t care.