Tarte Make Believe In Yourself Eye & Cheek Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Make Believe In Yourself
Tarte Make Believe In Yourself Eye & Cheek Palette ($40.00 for 0.485 oz.) includes ten eyeshadows and one highlighter. housed in a circular compact with a large mirror inside. The formula is supposed to have a “silky-soft” texture and a “long-lasting finish without any fallout or chalkiness.” Across the board, the formula featured a denser powder texture, where there was no excess product kicked up in the pan and often using a patting/pushing motion with brushes was better than gently sweeping for picking up product onto a brush. There were a few that I think would work best with flat, synthetic brushes rather than anything fluffy (like Wings and Marvel).
The majority of the eyeshadows were very pigmented, frosted and metallic in finish, and blendable on the eye, though a couple ran sheerer or seemed chunkier in texture, so they required a little more finessing. The lone matte eyeshadow seemed out of place, both with respect to the tone of it (pinker) as well as the fact that it’s not going to work across all skin tones. Since the whole palette is so shimmery, I think that the one matte eyeshadow should have just been one more shimmer, as I expect anyone who would have wanted a matte eyeshadow to need to reach for more mattes than just the one presently included. The highlighter was intense but might emphasize one’s natural skin texture at medium or great coverage levels. The palette’s powders had a subtle, vanilla scent.
Looks Using this Product
Make Believe In Yourself
LELimited Edition. $40.00.
Believe
Believe is a bright, pale white with a cooler base undertone and warmer, golden shimmer and sparkle that shifted from almost a dirty, grayish white gold to a warmer, pinky-gold white. The finish was more metallic with some sparkle, so for those who prefer a more intense highlight, I think this will work well. The texture was a bit denser than most highlighter formulas, so I’d use a denser brush and pat the surface rather than using a sweeping motion. It blended out well, was very pigmented, and lasted for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NYX Moon Glow (P, $6.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NYX Liquid Prism (P, $6.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Luxurious Bling (P, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Holo at Me (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Too Faced Unicorn Tears (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Glitzed Out (LE, $44.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Fashion Show (P, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Essence Be My Spacelight (P, $4.49) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Opal (050) (P, $9.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Pearl (DC, $38.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, talc, ethylhexyl palmitate, zinc stearate, calcium aluminum borosilicate, boron nitride, silica, caprylic/capric triglyceride, caprylyl glycol, hexylene glycol, kaolin, phenoxyethanol, sodium dehydroacetate, tin oxide, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, vanillin, 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
Believe
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Myth
Myth is a muted, medium rosy brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had medium, buildable color coverage paired with a soft, finely-milled texture that was soft enough that it was a bit powdery and prone to sheering out on the skin. The color started to fade after seven hours of wear on me.
Top Dupes
- Tarte View from the Taupe (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Nude Smoke (24) (DC, $39.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass Infinity #2 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Come True (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Cake & Biscuits (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Ciate Skinny Dip (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Drive (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Dior Undress #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- ColourPop Hanky Panky (P, $6.00).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 2 (LE, ).
- bareMinerals Granted (LE, ).
- Laura Mercier Au Naturel (PiP, $29.00).
- MAC No Curfew (LE, $17.00).
Look Using this Product
Myth
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Magic
Magic is a deep, bronzy brown with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was intensely pigmented with a smooth, dense, and almost cream-like texture that applied beautifully to bare skin. This shade wore well for eight hours before creasing on me.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Haute Chocolate (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Dance 'Til Dawn Eyeshadow #5 (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Inglot #409 (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Aladdin's Lamp (LE, $9.99) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Bronze (LE, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Ember (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #15 (DC, $33.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Colosseum (LE, $6.25) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Snakebite (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ember (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Magic
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Wings
Wings is a medium-dark, coppery brown with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The texture was very dense with this one, and it was harder to pick up product with a brush (even using my standard technique for this type of formula). I wouldn’t describe it as truly stiff, as I was able to blend out the edges without extra effort. It seemed to have more semi-opaque pigmentation, which was sort of buildable, but it lacked the intensity of a lot of other shades in the palette. It lasted well for seven and a half hours before creasing.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Iced Coffee (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Glisten (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Stardream (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Milk Makeup Gig (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Smashbox Liquid Fire (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Gates of Eden (PiP, $9.99) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- City Color Cleo (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Ciate Shine Bright (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 03 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Butterscotch (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Look Using this Product
Wings
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Marvel
Marvel is a light-medium, “cooler” gold with a metallic finish and finer sparkle. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, though it was buildable; I noticed some emphasis of texture on my lid when layered. The eyeshadow had a firmer, denser feel to it that was almost “wet” to the touch, and it yielded a thinner, smoother layer of product on the actual lid. It wore well for seven and a half hours and had a touch of fallout.
Top Dupes
- Jouer Skinny Dip (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Gold (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Ardency Inn Heaven (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Tiger's Eye (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Shiny Happy (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Codes Elegants #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #5 (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Estee Lauder Blonde Cumin (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Blitz (DC, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Sephora David (LE, ) is darker (85% similar).
Look Using this Product
Marvel
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Trance
Trance is a medium-dark, taupe brown with cooler undertones and a metallic finish. It had medium, buildable color payoff paired with a smooth, almost wet-like texture that was denser in the pan. I was able to layer this one and did not notice emphasis of my lid’s texture, though. On me, the color started to crease after seven and a half hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- bareMinerals Cheers (V2) (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Be on the A-List (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Steel the Scene (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Stud (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I550 Olive Gray (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Pastelluxe #5 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Cloudy Afternoon (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Cinder (Left) (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Gray-Brown (38M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Zoeva Outline (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Trance
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Fairy
Fairy is a light-medium purple with subtle, cool undertones and a frosted finish. The pigmentation was fantastic, while the texture was smooth, dense, and cream-like so it was still easy to use and apply for even, opaque coverage. It wore well for just over eight hours on me before creasing.
Top Dupes
- MAC Grand Galaxy (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Lancome Zip Me Up (P, $19.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- NARS Kauai #2 (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Jardin Perdu (Right) (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D926 Blueberry (DC, $21.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Pop Culture (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Sugarpill Strangeling (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Urban Decay Stormborn (LE, $19.00).
Look Using this Product
Fairy
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Mystic
Mystic is a light-medium silver with a frosted, metallic finish. It had good color payoff that went on fairly evenly, but it took some extra effort to blend and smooth out on bare skin. I actually felt like it applied better over bare skin than over eyeshadow primer. The consistency was dense but not stiff, but had slightly chunkier shimmer overall. The eyeshadow lasted for seven and a half hours before creasing on me.
Top Dupes
- Chanel Architectonic #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Parallax (LE, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Jouer Star Light (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Tin Soldier (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Deja Vu (P, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Too Faced Sugar Bells (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Rouge Bunny Rouge Vivacious Maguari (P, $19.00) is lighter (80% similar).
- Viseart Boheme Dream #4 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Parisienne #3 (LE, ) is lighter, more pigmented, cooler (80% similar).
- bareMinerals Vapor (P, $12.00) is cooler (85% similar).
Look Using this Product
Mystic
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Dream
Dream is a muted, medium blue with subtle, cool undertones and a metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a slightly denser texture that was very smooth and was surprisingly thin on the lid (in a good way). It was easier to build up the color and blend it out in practice than I expected. This shade started crease after eight hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Venice (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Pizzazz (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Flower Shop (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Deep End (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Ignite (DC, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Venezia (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Hello Kitty Kawaii (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Flow (377M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Inglot #413 (P, $7.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Inception (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Dream
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Crystal
Crystal is a muted, medium rosy mauve with cooler undertones paired with warmer, gold shimmer. The texture was denser, almost cream-like, as it yielded a lot of product with a pat of the brush, but it was also chunkier and could easily thicken on the lids, emphasizing texture. I noticed the color could look warmer or cooler depending on what was surrounding it. It wore well for seven and a half hours before creasing on me.
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Pillow Talk (DC, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Pewter (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Tarte Poker Face (LE, $14.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Transition (DC, ) is brighter (85% similar).
- Dior Front Row (P, $29.50) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Maybelline Hibiscus Heartbreak (125) (LE, $6.99).
Look Using this Product
Crystal
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Pixie
Pixie is a light-medium, pink-coral with a golden, metallic sheen. It had opaque color coverage that applied smoothly and evenly. It was one of the easiest shades to use in the palette, as it wasn’t too dense or too soft. The texture was forgiving and blendable as well. The color wore nicely for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Pound Cake (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Clinique Petal Pop (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay X (DC, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Give Me Glow Pink Lemonade (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Fleur (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Scene (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lancome Kitten Heel (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Sun Sign (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Boxes & Bows (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Tarte Pop Art Princess (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
I agree with your B grade. I didnt see much pigment payoff, but that may have something to do with my lately incredibly dry eyelids. Instead of an eye primer, i’ve been using this argan oil balm by Josie Maran on my eyes. Once I press the shadow onto my lid, the pigment comes through beautifully. The highlight in the middle has an iridescent feel on my face. While the colors are not Urban Decay Electric Palette intense, I find them creamy and blendable. I love the scent as well.
Overall, i’m very happy with this palette. Mainly because I have nothing like it in my collection.
Glad you found a good way to work the eyeshadows on your lids, Jovana! Another suggestion would be using the shimmery shades with a damp brush, if you are so inclined! 🙂
I like the colors and concept, but the texture could be a little more forgiving.
I slather my skincare on my eyes when I’m not wearing eye makeup. …of course, then I forget and do it on the days that I intend to wear eye makeup and that ends disastrously.
This palette is such a gem! I’m so happy I splurged on it, my first foray into Tarte was with the Swamp Queen palette and as much as I really love it (I still use it pretty regularly) the fallout is out of control on two of the shades. This one is perfection. I wish my skin was Pixie.
Call me weird but like with MAC lipsticks I could smell Tarte palettes all day. That vanilla scent is yum.
Happy to hear you’re enjoying it, Sarah!
Totally agree on the smell (both MAC and Tarte)! (y)
Ugh I’m so torn on this one – love the colours (especially some of the more unusual looking ones like Crystal and Dream) but I’m not sure the quality justifies it. I especially wish Trance performed better as the shade looks lovely. Not sure if we even get this here anyway.
I like it, but it was definitely a bit denser overall that it takes some maneuvering to work it onto the lid. You could probably use a damp brush as well!
I ended up ordering this from Tarte’s website because I wanted the free shipping to get their Shape Tape Contour Concealer that you can’t get in Canada since it’s an Ulta Exclusive still. ;(
BUT this palette just screams me in terms of shimmer tones I like to use with my fair skin so I’m happy with those getting decent grades overall. It’s in the mail still so I should get it this week)
I think it’s a very pretty palette! Definitely fun for someone who loves shimmers, haha 😉
Yeah…. I have my Urban Decay Naked Basics for matte shades for blending other palettes with, I really like my shimmers when it comes to soft tones like these. lol
I’m excite for a cool tone and not pink highlighter as well as I only get neutral and warm tones mostly.
Some fun colors in there, but the overall scheme is not really suited for me. Plus, this sounds a lot like the Rainforest of the Sea formula, which I happened to not like very much, as it really emphasized texture on my lids. I am glad to see they are finally putting a highlight in the middle area- the dead space always bugged me in these circular palettes!
Even denser in feel compared to the Rainforest of the Sea palette, IMO, and the shimmer is larger/more prominent!
I want this because I love shimmer and it seems similar to the formulas in the Rainforest of the Sea palettes; did you think so?
I think I’m going to have to wait until the first of the month anyhow; I totally busted my budget with my vacation this month. Whoops.
Somewhat – it is similar in the overall creamier, denser feel (compared to Tarte’s regular formula), but I’d say the one used in this palette is denser than the Rainforest of the Sea, possibly due to the larger shimmers.
Actually surprised by how dupable this is, even in stash. The customer reviews on this are really polarized, on S and U. This is so cheerful, and it’s great to have so many slightly muted colorful shades all at hand. Think this will be fab for the right person. Just drag out a UD or other matte selection, and the looks are infinite.
I like it, but I don’t LOVE it. I do enjoy the overall theme of the palette, though.
That comment sealed it for me. I’ll pass, if you only like it I can’t justify the cost. It’s essentially all shimmer palette from a brand that consistently gives me the “like it” not “love it” feel and with the size of my collection I’ve got to love it.
Is there a more pastel palette that you’d prefer over this in the same sort of spirit? I know there have been a lot lately, but nothing that’s wowed.
The BH Foil Eyes is good if you like a lot of shimmer 🙂
I’m so sad there isn’t a closer dupe for Crystal! That is such a gorgeous shade! All of the others aren’t that unusual to me so I don’t regret missing out on any of the other shades. Maybe they’ll come out with a single…
Crystal was one of the more unique shades!
Believe looks like Colourpop’s Girly to me 🙂 it’s an eyeshadow not highlighter but looks close.
Thebalms nude dude palette has a shade called flirty its very similar.
Yep, will need this one too! Along with the individual metallic singles, Tarte is going to be taking all my money in April. I LOVE these kinds of colors/finishes on my inner or middle lid, and while I might have some dupes, this kit would be so convenient to grab in the morning. Agree the matte is odd, should’ve put in a better matte or just add in another shimmer. And not too crazy about a vanilla scent (why Tarte why?), but ironically, my lids can take some fragrance because they are so oily, the oil forms a barrier with the skin.
My singles from Ulta arrived intact, and I saw Sephora put up a couple new shades this AM… but neither retailer has all the new shades.
I’m not a big fan of added fragrances. Tarte’s isn’t as bad as Too Faced; I know I’m the minority but Too Faced smells too chemically for me. I can’t put it anywhere near my face.
This is a very pretty palette. I love the presentation and the colors are pretty, if not unique. I wish that Tarte had thrown a green or more turquoise shade in there but overall really pretty. I will check it out the next time I am in town. I was rather disappointed in my trip to Seattle because a lot of the new summer makeup was not out yet. My daughter’s spring break came too early this year!
Aw, bummer that your trip didn’t coincide with more of the summer releases!
This was one of those times when I was hoping that I had all the dupes I’d ever need to replicate this palette, but nope, i don’t. I love the color selection in here and the looks you did using this are so ethereal, especially the rainbow one! So I may just need this one after all!
Thank you, Nancy!
I’ve been almost holding my breath waiting for this review. I was hoping it would be either really bad (like an F-) or really good; a B rating leaves me caught on the horns of a dilemma. I so don’t need this and I have 1 or 2 dupes for all the colours I like best but there are few here that are so pretty that I just really want to possess this thing!
I understand! I liked it but didn’t love it; there were some issues with the texture, but the selection of colors still came together well on the lids.
It’s not perfect, but it’s really pretty. I think it will work well with my very fair skin. You know I love my metallics! I just ordered it after reading your review.
Hope you love it, Rachel!
I am absolutely thrilled with it. I do wish it had another matte shade or two, but the one it has is a good crease shade for me. It applied and blended beautifully over primer; no patchiness. I liked the warm crease shade, even with the cooler metallics, but a cool crease shade would have been a nice option.
Wow!!! Thanks Christine!!! I was going to pass on this because I didn’t think the colors were for me but now i’ m living for these colors!!! Thanks so much!
Happy to help, Karen!
I like it but I don’t love it.
Same!
I wasn’t interested at all in this, Until I saw your eye looks!!! I love how stunning and different the two eye looks are Christine!!
Aw, thanks Shannon!
I think that the shape of the pans could be a tad tricky when using this palette – the shades are cohesive and do reflect the theme of the sea.
I am not sure that I am sold on all the shades being so frosty, but the swatches indicate they are lovely shades.
Beautiful eye looks Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
These didn’t appear to have swatched nearly as well as I’d hoped they would ?
They apply better than they swatch, at least!
The texture and pigment of the shades look pretty good, from what the way they look in the pan I was expecting glitter fall out issues! It’s just too frosty for my taste though, and the palette lacks deeper, contrasting shades for me.
I love that it’s a cooler toned palette but I’m not loving the shimmer. I’m only just now learning how to incorporate color into makeup, shimmer and glitter is very much out of my comfort zone!
Sounds like a skip!
I’m loving Dream and Pixie 🙂
This is a pass though, as I know I won’t get much use out of so many metallic shades lol
Great Spring pallette! I’m wearing some of the brighter colors today since the horrible cold that’s been gripping the Mid Atlantic seems to be letting go. I love sparkle, this palette has subtle sparkle with the exception of the highlight that has a little more but no big chunks. I bought it via an in-app special from Sephora since being Rouge, I knew it would arrive faster than if I bought it through Tarte. The matte shade works for me although I’m using Urban Decay’s matte primer with Believe on top. Didn’t quite work as I wanted over my wrinkles but it was a nice try! I’ll take it 😛
It’s very cute and I like the bright colors but not a must have for me. I am very drawn to the silver look Christine did and almost impulse bought it but I’d rather save my money and a Viseart palette.
I wish this had performed a little better. I still might get it with my Ulta points.
I like the shades in this palette (I love Dream, Crystal, and Pixie the most), but I can’t justify buying it at the moment. I also agree about the one random matte shade — they should have just included another shimmer at that rate!
Myth certainly seems a bit out of place in this palette. Apart from that I love the palette, there’s only one thing I have against it. Can’t get Tarte here 🙁
I love the looks you did. Lovely!
Love the colors but the formula doesn’t sound like a good one for me.
If they could have singles for dream marvel crystal. I kinda want to buy the palette for just those three colors….