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Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette ($38.00 for 0.70 oz.) includes one highlighter (0.14 oz,) one bronzer (0.14 oz.), one blush (0.21 oz.), and six eyeshadows (0.035 oz. each). It’s a nice palette for someone who likes softer, more muted colors in medium tones. I found the palette to be warmer-toned, though some of the eyeshadows are only a little warm-toned. My least favorite product was the blush, as I found it to be weaker in pigmentation and harder to blend–it tended to look uneven applied and took quite a bit of buffing to get to look half-decent.

I bought mine at Sephora and received it on Friday, and only realized on Saturday evening that, “Hey! You should review this now! Tarte has a F&F sale going on!” 30% off at Tarte through today with code FANDF.

Unleashed is described as a “nude rose.” It’s a light-medium, coral-pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had so-so pigmentation, but the texture was a little dry, slightly stiff. I found it difficult to blend on the skin, as it tended to stick wherever it initially was applied but wouldn’t diffuse. It lasted eight hours on me before fading (nowhere near the 12-hours the formula is supposed to wear). See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Champagne is a light, white gold with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted sheen. It had decent color payoff, and the texture was fairly soft. It wore well for eight and a half hours before turning patchy. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Park Ave. Princess #2 is a medium-dark, tan brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good pigmentation that applied well and blended easily on the skin. The color wore well for almost nine hours before fading. This is nothing like the Park Ave. Princess I have from last holiday’s Off the Cuff palette; they’re two distinct colors, and I don’t own the permanent, standalone Park Ave. Princess to tell you which is closest to that, but it is so frustrating when brands can’t match their own products from release to release. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Bare to Explore is described as a “pink beige.” It’s a pink-tinged beige with a matte finish. It had decent to good color payoff that was soft, slightly powdery, but blendable. It lasted for seven hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Make a Mauve is described as a “plum mauve.” It’s a muted, medium-dark plum-brown with subtle warm undertones and a satiny shimmer. It had good pigmentation that applied smoothly and evenly on the lid. This shade didn’t start to fade until after eight hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Plum Away With Me is described as a “dark plum.” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toned plum with a frosted finish. It had really good color payoff that applied beautifully with a smooth, even result. It wore well for eight hours before starting to fade slightly. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Up to No Gold is described as a “gold.” It’s a light-medium, orange-toned gold with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was very soft and had great pigmentation, but it was a little powdery so it didn’t adhere quite as well to bare skin as I’d like (better over a primer). On me, the color wore well for seven and a half hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Tan-gled Up in You is described as a “tan.” It’s a medium-dark brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff that was easy to apply and blend; soft but not powdery. It lasted well for eight hours before fading. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Don’t Turn A-Brown is described as a “dark brown.” It’s a dark brown with a very subtle cool undertone and a matte finish. It had fairly good pigmentation, and the texture was just a smidgen powdery but easy to blend on the skin. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours before there was slight fading. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Rainforest After Dark

LELimited Edition. $38.00.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
9
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
87%
Total

Unleashed

LELimited Edition. $29.00.
C
C
7.5
Product
8.5
Pigmentation
7.5
Texture
6.5
Longevity
4
Application
76%
Total

Champagne

LELimited Edition.
B
B
8
Product
8.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
9
Longevity
4.5
Application
86%
Total

Park Ave. Princess #2

LELimited Edition.
A
A
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
94%
Total

Bare to Explore

LELimited Edition.
B
B
8.5
Product
9
Pigmentation
8
Texture
7.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
83%
Total

Make a Mauve

LELimited Edition.
B+
B+
9
Product
9
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
89%
Total

Plum Away With Me

LELimited Edition.
A
A
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
93%
Total

Up to No Gold

LELimited Edition.
B
B
8
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8
Longevity
4.5
Application
84%
Total

Tan-gled Up in You

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
9
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
90%
Total

Don't Turn A-Brown

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
9
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Unleashed Blush
Tarte Unleashed Blush

Tarte Unleashed Blush
Tarte Unleashed Blush

Tarte Unleashed Blush
Tarte Unleashed Blush

Tarte Champagne Highlighter
Tarte Champagne Highlighter

Tarte Champagne Highlighter
Tarte Champagne Highlighter

Tarte Champagne Highlighter
Tarte Champagne Highlighter

Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)
Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 Bronzer

Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)
Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 Bronzer

Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)
Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 vs. Park Ave. Princess #1 Bronzer

Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)
Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)

Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)
Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)

Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)
Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (as contour) with Champagne Highlighter (as highlighter)

Tarte Bare to Explore Eyeshadow
Tarte Bare to Explore Eyeshadow

Tarte Bare to Explore Eyeshadow
Tarte Bare to Explore Eyeshadow

Tarte Make a Mauve Eyeshadow
Tarte Make a Mauve Eyeshadow

Tarte Make a Mauve Eyeshadow
Tarte Make a Mauve Eyeshadow

Tarte Plum Away With Me Eyeshadow
Tarte Plum Away With Me Eyeshadow

Tarte Plum Away With Me Eyeshadow
Tarte Plum Away With Me Eyeshadow

Tarte Up to No Gold Eyeshadow
Tarte Up to No Gold Eyeshadow

Tarte Up to No Gold Eyeshadow
Tarte Up to No Gold Eyeshadow

Tarte Tan-gled Up in You Eyeshadow
Tarte Tan-gled Up in You Eyeshadow

Tarte Tan-gled Up in You Eyeshadow
Tarte Tan-gled Up in You Eyeshadow

Tarte Don't Turn A-Brown Eyeshadow
Tarte Don’t Turn A-Brown Eyeshadow

Tarte Don't Turn A-Brown Eyeshadow
Tarte Don’t Turn A-Brown Eyeshadow

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Bare to Explore (inner lid), Make a Mauve (middle of lid), Plum Away With Me (outer lid),
Don’t Turn A-Brown (crease), Tan-gled Up in You (transition), Champagne (brow bone),
Up to No Gold (lower lash line), Marc Jacobs Beauty Jazz(berry) Highliner

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye & Cheek Palette
Bare to Explore (inner lid), Make a Mauve (middle of lid), Plum Away With Me (outer lid),
Don’t Turn A-Brown (crease), Tan-gled Up in You (transition), Champagne (brow bone),
Up to No Gold (lower lash line), Marc Jacobs Beauty Jazz(berry) Highliner

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder
  • Tarte Rainforest After Dark Highlighter/Contour. On lips: Guerlain Rosy Boop Lipstick

83 Comments

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Zoë Avatar

what’s your lip colour in this post? I know you sometimes list it but didn’t see it here, and I am not tempted by the palette but very tempted by whatever is on your lips!

Mariella Avatar

I’ve debated getting this palette, if only to get another highlighter. I got last year’s Tarte for Aqualillies (or Aqualillies for Tarte) and love it. I think I’d like the blush in this one even more. When I was last at Sephora, they had these but hadn’t put them out yet, so no tester and so I couldn’t test the blush. I think I might be a bit “over” this palette, especially since I’m now craving the Makeup Forever eyeshadow palette but I might cave once I see this in the flesh. I really like the shadows in the previous palette and I’m sure I’d like these as well. And the case is so attractive!

Mariella Avatar

The only Tarte shadows I’ve tried are the Aqualillies ones (fabulous) and their jumbo eye shadow pencils (also terrific – the ones I got were in a set and were LE). There’s one shadow pencil in a breathtaking shade called “Rainforest Black” and I was hoping it would be available as a powder shadow in this palette (but it’s not…sigh). I’ve never tried any others, including the MATTEnifiicent ones. I’m still of 2 minds as to whether or not I want this…if they have a tester out this time, it might all hinge on the blush (though I wonder if I need another Park Ave. Princess bronzer or even another highlighter, to be perfectly honest!)

Michelle Avatar

I was deciding between this and the MUFE palette and MUFE floored me when I saw it. Tarte’s is lovely and so versatile but that MUFE palette is life changing lol.

Mariella Avatar

Ditto – I’m holding out for the MUFE Artist Palette. Sephora here is having an “event” tomorrow and I wanted to pick it up and get my extra VIB Points but they don’t have it in-store yet and I don’t want to order online – I need to see it first, as there are several warm toned shades I’m not entirely sure about. They show it online but the SA I spoke with said it won’t be instore for a few weeks. GRRRR!

Wednesday Avatar

I love the colour story in this palette sooo much. Almost thought I would pick it up, but have such a hate on for the blush formula. It doesn’t work on me at all: stiff, chalky, literally disappears within a couple of hours off my face.. yeah no. I don’t need to go here. I think if the blush formula works for you, it’s a really really pretty palette.

Kaitlyn Avatar

To me it seems like the newer shades are stiffer, while the older shades are still very nice (the ones I have at least). Charisma is definitely an exception though! It’s a perfect peach for my fair skin!

Wednesday Avatar

the formula has been problematic for me all along..even with the older shades. Not sure what it is, my skin eats it up..and I do not have oily skin. I think they have some great blush colours though and this one is super pretty. Glad it works better for you. 😀

Christine Avatar

I’ve been playing with this palette a week or two now and I really love it. I was really sad the blush fell so short. I have other tarte palette’s with blushes and they performed just fine. I also was a little frustrated with the highlighter. It was stiffer than what I was used to (for reference I mainly use Becca’s Moonstone and theBalm’s Mary-Loumanizer).

xamyx Avatar

For me, it’s the talc- & paraben-free formula. While I do use products that include them, I don’t like to every day on products that cover such a large part of my face.

This would be a great palette to have for a convenient, every day “grab & go” palette, but I went a bit overboard this week on other things, so I can’t really afford it ATM…

TLC Avatar

Though I usually do not like neutral palettes, I think this palette would be awesome for travel. One just needs to add eyeliner, mascara, lipstick or gloss to their make up bag. I think I will check this out. I love the lip colour, Christine.

Kaitlyn Avatar

I found that the Champagne highlighter in this palette was very different from the one in the Puttin on the Glitz palette, but I don’t have the single (which they no longer sell, sadly) to know which one is closer. I was really hoping it would be the same, but I guess it’s nice that it isn’t quite as strong or golden since I will likely be using this palette on the go and with limited brushes. I agree with you though. It’s disappointing/annoying that they can’t match up the same products in different releases. If it’s a different shade, just give it a different name. I’m ok with that. I would rather know that than expect something I’m familiar with.

Gao Avatar

I am in love with that highlighter and I really like the bronzer! Is this limited edition? I think I missed that info it if it was in the post.

fabiola Avatar

I love this palette Christine, I am wearing it right now, been wearing it this past week is amazing. I missed the aqualillies, and looking for one everywhere, even if it is slightly used. That’s how much I love this tarte paletts. Even the coral crush and romancing the glow are gorgeous.

Kirsten Avatar

Oh, thanks for reviewing this! I bought it already because I loved the shades. The lighter pigmented makeup works better on me because I like a more natural appearance.

MichelleChefNYC Avatar

I got this palette in the FandF sale and I have been using it the last few days. I have to say, I rather like it for an all-in-one type product. The shadows are nice, easy to work with and have way less fallout than I am used to with Tarte shadows. I also like this version of Park Avenue Princess. I have tried the shimmery version in the past and it wasn’t a favorite for me. I personally don’t have any issues with the blush in this palette. I like that it goes on somewhat sheer, but I can build it to quite a nice heavy color if I want. I haven’t found it to be dry or hard to blend when used on powdered skin. My one area of disappointment in this set was the highlighter. It is rather powdery, almost chalky, and doesn’t give much of a “glow” at all. I will stick with my Becca or Charlotte Tillbury going forward.

kellly Avatar

this is SOOO beautiful and I’m soooo bummed because the colors contain carmine, which make my eyes freak out and I can’t wear anything wiht carmine in it. It looks beautiful on you, and btw I LOVE the earrngs you have on in the photos

Lesley Avatar

I have this palette and am very pleased with the eye shadows. I use a primer and they last through the day on me. Beautiful colors. The blush is pale on me, but I tend to go with a bolder eye. The highlighter, however, is stiff and doesn’t show up on my medium pinkish-beige skin. I do like this palette for travel since it covers most of my needs.

Pami Avatar

Aack! I ordered it on Friday, and I hope it’s not too warm for me! It looked cooler on Tarte’s website (plus it got a 4.8 avg from 13 reviews), so I went for it. I really like the idea of an all-in-one palette, great to grab-and-go. Of course I wish your review had been an A+ 😉

Sylirael Avatar

Ahh! I’m so glad to see your review of this! 😀 I got mine a couple of days ago and I’m working my way through reviewing it now – it;s funny what you say about the ‘muted’ thing – it can come out quite differently on vampire skin, LOL! I’m all excited because it’s also my first bronzer and first powder highlighter, so I’m having interesting times playing around with it. 😀

Anyway! Enough babbling about me – I love the eye look you did with this one – it goes so nicely with Jazzberry! Up to No Gold and Plum Away with me are my favourite shadows in this – your swatches are so gorgeous!

eibbun Avatar

i went to go swatch it and the only thing that i really loved about it was the blush… 🙁 but it’s not sold seperately, sigh

Alisha Avatar

I bought this palette last week and I absolutely love it! I didn’t have the kind of issues with the blush in mine that you did with it being hard to blend and diffuse out. I think the colors look best over a primer for the most pigmentation. I also read some reviews online that lead me to believe that if swatched with fingers it would create hard pan on the product that would have to be scraped off due to oils in the fingers so I didn’t swatch mine and have had no hard pan issues. I haven’t noticed any patchiness with highlighter either, but I’ll have to pay attention next time I wear it to see. The color bare to explore swatches a little more pigmented for me on my eyes than on your skin too but maybe thats because of primer. All in all I know this is something I will use frequently and will probably get a back up.

Denise Avatar

I really think this palette and its shape is so cute! Alas, we don’t have Tarte products where we are so my wallet can stop palpitating. Mind you I love that Rosy Boop lipstick you have on. May have to have a look see on that one. (Palpitating starts up again…)

Arielle Avatar

I’m a Slytherin and thus felt the pull of this product immediately.
However after I swatched it I knew it had to come home with me. This is the first ‘full face’ palette that I think I could take and be good for eyeshadow, blush, highlighter, and bronzer. My boyfriend will be pleased the next time we go away for the weekend as this is very carry on only friendly!
Also thank goodness Tarte seems to resist the urge to stick a cream product in at least most of its palettes. I steer real real clear of ‘full face’ palettes with cream lipstick/highlighter/blush etc.

Brenda Avatar

First thing i noticed – these eyeshadows have better translation on the eyes than some of the recent higher end palettes you’ve reviewed! I will be checking this out if my local Sephora has it 🙂

Denise Avatar

Hi I’m obsessed with your website, I kid you not I come check what new posts you have at least once a day, but lately your adds have been a lil our of hand. It’s so bad that I can’t even view your website because so many adds are interfering with your website. For example, the moen adds keep popping up every 2 minutes and it’s very frustrating because it won’t even let me type what I need to say. I just wanted to inform you so know.

koolchicken Avatar

I know this is old but I figured I’d still throw this comment out there since this is still available at Ulta. So many bloggers have been talking about the blush in this palette being bad. But I just don’t get it. Mine is soft and lovely, I never have issues with it. I simply touch my blush to the pan and it picks up more than enough product! I never have trouble blending it out and I’ve found it to be highly pigmented (so much so that I really have to buff and apply powder on top to make me not look like a clown). I almost wonder if the press samples that went out on this were not up to snuff, or something happened in transit. Or maybe I just got really lucky? I also don’t have the same wear issues others report with their blushes, so maybe wear time has something to do with body chemistry?

Just something worth mentioning is that I do sometimes develop a “shell” on my Tarte blushes. But only when I’m traveling. When I’m at home they’re never exposed to moisture but when I’m in hotels they sit in steamy rooms. So after a few trips I take a cotton pad and buff the surface until it comes off (it’s not hard to do) and it’s good as new again. My sister asked what I was doing once and I told her about it. I’ve only noticed it on my Tarte blushes and a few other products I’ve had over the years.

Tarte is a gluten free brand so I’m guessing that could be contributing to some of their quality issues. I can’t have gluten though, so to me they’re a godsend. I’ll happily keep buying from this brand because it’s safe for me, I love the colors and finishes, and they’re “fun” which means a lot when there are so many other brands I’m forced to skip.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!