Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush Review, Photos, Swatches
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush ($35.00 for 0.20 oz.) includes four, deluxe-sized blushes and a synthetic, blush brush.
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. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel that the blushes in the set were representative of the quality of the regular formula. The blushes are disappointing; two of the four were so stiff that I had to scrape off layers of product to get enough product to transfer and show on the skin as a swatch.
Value
- Full-size cost: $28.00 for 0.20 oz., $140.00/oz.
- Set cost: $35.00 for 0.20 oz., $175.00/oz., plus full-sized brush
- Value: $28.00 worth of blush, $20-30 value for brush, $48 to $58 total value
Genius is a muted, medium rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was incredibly powdery and dry to the touch, which resulted in a color that sheered out too easily on the skin and did not want to stick to the skin evenly. It seemed to brighten on my cheeks, almost like when a matte powder darkens on the skin due to the natural oils. It lasted for seven hours on me (which is a far cry from 12).
Tarte Irreplaceable (LE, $29.00) is brighter (95% similar). Colour Pop Cruel Intentions (LE, $8.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Tarte Fetching (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Your Love is King (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Colour Pop Mistress (LE, $7.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). Tarte Icon (LE, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Colour Pop Parakeet (P, $7.00) is warmer (90% similar). The Estee Edit Purr Pink (03) (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Angel Pride IV (LE, $30.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tarte Amazed (LE, $29.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar). By Terry Savannah Love #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Happy-Go-Rosy (P, $29.00) is brighter (90% similar). theBalm Houndstooth (P, $22.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Exhibitionist (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar). Tarte Live (LE, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Chanel Crescendo (250) (LE, $45.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). NYX Mauve (DC, $5.00) is lighter (85% similar). NYX Dusty Rose (DC, $5.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS Out There (LE, $30.00) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Royal is a muted, rosy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satiny sheen. It had such a stiff texture that made it difficult to use at all; I could not get product to transfer on my brush, and I could barely get any color to transfer after jabbing a finger in the pan–I had to scrape off layers of product to loosen it from the pan, which is what I used for swatches (both on my arm and on my face). Without scraping and mangling the powder, it had next to nothing for color payoff and not enough product to blend or diffuse across my cheeks. It lasted for eight hours on me. LORAC Ray (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Ven Conmigo (LE, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar). Laura Geller Roseberry (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Unearthed (LE, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Corol #2 (LE, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Puppy Love (P, $10.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Surratt Beauty La Vie En Rose (P, $32.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Plum Ombre (LE, $55.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). bareMinerals The Guest List (LE, $22.00) is warmer (85% similar). KIKO 105 Dark Rose (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Milani Bronze Burst #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). MAC Animal Instincts (LE, $24.00) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Vibrant is a bright pop of orange-coral with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The consistency was soft, just a bit dusty, but blendable and sat well on the skin. It had more of a natural matte finish when blended on the skin, so it didn’t look dry or flat applied. It had good pigmentation as well. On me, the color wore well for just over eight hours. KIKO 108 Orange Coral (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar). Make Up For Ever B308 (P, $23.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Genuine (LE, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar). Chanel Blush Camelia Peche (LE, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Mistletoe (LE, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Anastasia Desert (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Cover FX Pink Dahlia (Left) (PiP, ) is more muted (95% similar). Anastasia Coastline (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Pretty Vulgar Sweet Revenge (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Colour Pop Count Me In (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty The Afternooner (Blush) (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Nude Glow (Center) (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Passion for Colour (LE, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Pretty Vulgar Hush Blush (P, $26.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Colour Pop No Vacancy (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Mod (LE, $29.00) is darker (90% similar). bareMinerals Swoon (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Oh You Pretty Things (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Dior Precious Rocks (864) (LE, $45.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (90% similar). MAC Sideshow You (LE, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Pop is a bright cotton candy pink with neutral-to-cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. This was the other shade that had an incredibly stiff, firm texture; I had to scrape away at the surface of the pan to dislodge enough powder to show swatches or to use it, but what powder was dislodged was softer and more finely-milled than Royal, so I did not have any issues with applying or blending out the color once I was able to pick up product with my brush. It lasted for eight and a half hours on my cheeks. Tarte Surreal (LE, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flush (P, $60.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). theBalm Argyle (P, $22.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Happy-Go-Rosy (P, $29.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Flush (P, $29.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar). Too Faced Pink Wink (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Coloured Raine Damage Control (Blush) (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Whimsy (LE, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Exposed (LE, $30.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). Colour Pop Whistle While You Werk (LE, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar). Jouer Kiss Me (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Hot Pursuit (LE, $30.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Temper (-, ) is lighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Exhibitionist (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Santa Baby (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Breathtaking (LE, $29.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar). Burberry First Love (LE, $68.00) is lighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Wicked (P, $60.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Shadore (P, $37.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar). Natasha Denona Pink (PiP, ) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Sculpted Cheeks Brush is a larger cheek brush that flares from the ferrule to a rounded edge. It looked more like a highlighting brush than the average blush brush, but it definitely works for applying cheek color. It had a lot of spring, and I would say floppier than desired for precise cheek color application. I liked it more for blending or using with something very sheer than applying a pigmented blush, as it seemed to apply in a very large area. The brush itself was fairly soft and wasn’t prickly or scratchy when I tried to use. I didn’t experience any shedding or issues after washing it a few times, but my experience with is limited. The brush head was 24.28mm in width, 48.15mm in length, and 24.28mm in thickness. It had a total length of 6.50 inches / 16.5 centimeters.
[Please note: it is not possible to average the Sculpted Cheeks Brush scores with the blush scores as the things they are measuring are different, so I have only taken the Product rating for the brush to average a Product rating for the set.]
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set & Brush
Tarte Genius Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Genius Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Genius Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Genius Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Genius Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Royal Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Royal Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Royal Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Royal Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Royal Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Vibrant Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Vibrant Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Vibrant Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Vibrant Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Vibrant Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Pop Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Pop Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Pop Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Pop Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Pop Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Brush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Brush
Tarte Sculpted Cheeks Brush
I was between this set and the color wheel, and this helped me make up my mind. The color wheel appears to have better product AND better value!
This set was SUPER disappointing!
I think last year 4 mini compact set wasn’t so good either…. strange.
Oh dear. I got a holiday set of 4 from 2014 (the Chic to Cheek set) , and really love it. The quality is good, and the colors very wearable. I love to pop one into my purse, as they are light. I don’t need any more blush, but sad this year’s isn’t up to par 🙁 And it looks like that 10 pan blush wheel is a much better deal anyway, although less purse-friendly
I remember you liked that one, Katherine! I don’t know what was going on here — Tarte’s blushes tend to be TOO soft vs. really firm, though I have encountered a few over the years.
Vibrant was my favorite of the four so I’m happy that one gets at least a B.
Yay!
So disappointing! Imagine you would gift did to someone without knowing that these a almost complete miss…
did=this
I guess you’d have to hope it was someone who liked super sheer blush!
Thank for the save. I had considered this…for a minute. Better go recheck the dupes for the first two. Sorry I missed animal instincts. Liked a lot of that collection and didn’t get any. These are pretty abysmal.
I was so annoyed with the texture of the two duds in this one – I was like, “What on earth…” especially as I worked through this one after the larger blush palette.
Is is just me or are the holiday releases this year just below par and dissapointing? I haven’t seen one thing that I have to have and the reviews are all just meh. I’m depressed because I ususally buya lot for gifts but this year I just can’t give people things that are so poor in quality.
This set shouldn’t have rated poorly, but in general, a lot of the mega sets tend to just do so-so in these parts since I go through every shade 🙁
Boo! I was super excited for this set and also the BECCA Blush with light palette, which looks like better quality than this Tarte little blushes.
I was hoping for more from this set!
Sad 🙁 the colors were nice.
I know! 🙁
Thank you so much for breaking down the value of this set for us. It made up my mind to not bother with it, because price per oz. is skewed against us on this one. On Friday, I’ll go in for the MAC duo instore, since I really only need that puce contour side of it.
No problem, Nancy! 🙂
Oh, yeah, that side has me thumping, too. And the purple shadow…her purple. But I won’t go to craziness to get it. Better recheck the puce side dupes. Fresh had a slew of decent puce lipsticks and NARS had Tangier, that started the whole multiple thing. He used tangier as a single product for eyes, lips, cheeks on the runway….Evolution….jump to all the multisticks. I’d kill for a new tangier. Puce is one of my all time favorite shades. Bring it back, everybody who did it well
KJH, my comment yesterday *really* reveals how poorly my brain functions on only 4 hours of sleep: it won’t be instore tomorrow. Oh dear me! And yet, I am setting my alarm tonight for 6 a.m.
Obviously, this old gal didn’t learn from walking around in a zombie-like have all of Wednesday, did I? Yes, puce is a good shade for my rather bizarre, mismatched coloring. Heck, it’s just a good shade period!
*haze, not have. Geesh, see what I mean? LoL
Not interested in this set.
Money saved!
I Agree so much. I bought this because the colour wheel was sold out in Canada, and this is one of the WOSRT tarte products I have ever purchased.
Oh, I am sad to hear it, Carly 🙁
Besides the shape tape I feel like Tarte hasn’t put out anything very interesting, unique, or “must try” for me. Nothing from them ever catches my eye anymore. And I really don’t like that they have started catering to an almost “juvenile” market with the silly names and things. I know they want to make money but I just don’t really like that. And the blushes, they have so many colors that at this point it is all very very repetitive. Not trying to be a whiner here, just a little disappointed because I used to love them so much as a brand and now they are just kind of mediocre to me.
I think they did a nice job on their Metallic eyeshadow release 🙂
Since Tarte sold out to the parent company of Kose, they do seem to have targeted a younger market. Please correct me, everybody, if I am making a misassumption. It seems that Asian companies are even more youth driven than American ones. The models in the print cosmetics ads, both color and skincare, look prepubescent. I’m not thrilled with the pseudo trendy names that are passé before the product is d/c’d, but the metal shadows, esp since they are available as singles, seems to assuage some of the older buyers. By older, I mean over 25! Lol.
I really like the idea of this palette because I can never finish an entire Tarte blush (or any other blush for that matter!) But wow, the quality is really lacking in this collection – I was hoping Royal would be a lot more like Exposed but the quality is so disappointing!
I usually get these sets, and I was wanting this one, but every review I’ve seen so far say exactly the same things you do. I don’t know how the Color Wheel could be so good and these are so bad. I’ll be skipping these.
I have the mini sets from ulta, sephora, & qvc from last year. This set the blushes were made in Taiwan! The others were china. I’m willing to bet that’s why these are awful! I’m already not a fan of the holiday eyeshadow palettes because they are cheaply made in china. Even though the blushes are too the formula was ok. If they are changing to Taiwan and products are going to be awful this then i guess I’m gonna have to stop buying tarte. Very disappointing!
I’m actually pretty surprised that “made in Taiwan” is worse than ‘made in China” though….
Something is definitely cheaper about production in Taiwan because these are the worst blushes I’ve ever received from tarte. I own a lot of tarte blush and mini sets and this is literally the worst. I’m thinking they had to make up cost for the brush in the set because it’s actually really nice. Sadly this was a fail
I am so sad that this rated poorly. All the colors would be very wearable to me and I prefer the mini size so it is easy and light to bring with me. The color wheel is just to big for my need. At home I have more than enough blush but I don’t have so many to pack when I need to pack light or to bring with me in my purse. I hope the Too Faced mini blushes are of a better quality!
Oh, is it bad of me that I’m kind of glad this got a poor rating? I was thinking of buying it for a hot minute, but then I ended up getting a couple of the UD afterglow ones at the Ulta 21-day sale instead.
One of my all time “holy grail” blushes is from Tarte and I know from experience that they are capable of making really superior blushes so why they’d come out with something this mediocre has me shaking my head. Again, even if this were A’s on all counts, for people with my colouring, two of the blushes are complete “no’s” so why package 4 of them together? Why not sell the 2 cool ones in a set and the 2 warmer ones in a set? I’m surprised the brush scored so well – it doesn’t look like it would be very good so I guess you can’t judge a book (or a brush)….
I bought this and was quite surprised of the poor reviews! I’m nc15 and I really like this set! I use very little and they look really pretty!
Thank you for saving me from spending my money on this!