Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette ($42.00 for 0.49 oz.) features two shimmery highlighters and one setting powder (center shade). According to Tarte, that setting powder is a “universal matte sand that brightens and corrects any darkness under the eyes.” I doubt that it is universally workable, as it is a pretty light shade. As I mentioned in the sneak peek, I had tremendous issues with the consistency of the center shade to the point where even I–a skeptic–think that there’s a manufacturing error in its creation, because when I try swatching it, it sounds like sandpaper as it is so dry. It just seems like someone forgot an ingredient or double-salted the batch; I don’t know if I’ve ever had a powder feel like this one does. Short of jabbing at it with a metal spatula, not much product comes off the surface. At $42, a center shade that is faulty at best, horrible at worst is just difficult to justify.
I would also have liked to see Tarte releasing two or three versions of this, because I don’t think they’re truly considering all skin tones with this palette at all. I like the highlighters, though they aren’t out-of-this-world.
Sunlight is a light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a lightly frosted sheen. It had semi-sheer coverage with a lightly dusty, but blendable, consistency that didn’t look dry or powdery on the skin — there was just a slight dryness to the texture where the powder came off the surface easily but seemed to have less binder. The color lasted for seven hours before fading on me. ColourPop Double Down (LE, $10.00) is darker (95% similar). Kaja Toy Alien (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Now's the Time (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dior Precious Rocks (001) (DC, $56.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Sesso (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Becca Moonstone (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Becca Moonstone (DC, $38.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Nooner (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Virgio (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Smashbox Glow (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Original (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Chanel Camelia de Chanel (LE, $80.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Let It Rock (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Too Faced Flush (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Stargazer (P, $39.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Orgasm Ecstasy (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Daylight (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Natasha Denona Light (01) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Champagne (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). NARS Watch Me (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Filtered Light is a light, yellowed beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It’s incredibly dry, stiff, and chalky in the pan. The only way I was able to get enough product out of the pan to show up in a swatch was by scraping the surface with a metal spatula. It doesn’t sit well on the skin and can make areas look caky; I tried it as an under eye setting powder as well as all over. It did not seem to improve the wear of my base products, but that could very well be that it’s so difficult to actually apply and get enough product to stick to the skin. Hourglass Surreal Light (LE, $48.00) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Lyric (PiP, ) is darker, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Light Cocoa (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Halo (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Cle de Peau Almond (16) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Moonlight is a light-medium, peachy gold with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It is more shimmery than Sunlight, and it has more color to it. I think it looks almost rosy-beige at times, particularly in more shadowy lighting, but filtered sunlight (not direct sunlight) makes it appear peachy. The consistency was fairly soft and smooth, and it blendd out easily on the skin without emphasizing pores. It wore well for seven and a half hours. Dior Precious Rocks (001) (DC, $56.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Cover FX Moonlight (P, $34.00) is darker (95% similar). Kosas Tropic Equinox (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). By Terry Light & Tan Vibes #3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Chanel Or Rose (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Benefit Dandelion Twinkle (P, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure (Highlighter) (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Nude Glow (001) (P, $50.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NYX Nectar (P, $5.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Cover FX Sunlight (P, $34.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Coastin' (LE, $10.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Illuminating Glow (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Kosas Papaya 1972 (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Hourglass Absolute Strobe Light (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Warm Glow (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Clinique Nude Glow (P, $27.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Gnomie (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Main Attraction (LE, $8.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC She's a Rainbow (LE, $34.00) is darker (90% similar). Givenchy Mystic Pink (LE, $47.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Skin Twinkle
PPermanent. $42.00.
Sunlight
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Filtered Light
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Moonlight
PiPPermanent in Palette.
See more photos & swatches!
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
Tarte Sunlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Sunlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Sunlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Filtered Light Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Filtered Light Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Filtered Light Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Moonlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Moonlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
Tarte Moonlight Skin Twinkle Lighting Powder
It’s a shame that the middle setting powder Filtered was so incredibly stiff to work with.
It’s the oddest thing ever. I struggled to describe its combination of dryness, firmness, and chalkiness. It was almost like thin book pages that were spilled on and then dried, so they have a slightly crinkled consistency and never feel as smooth as they did before.
Oh well, easy pass since I already have dupes for left and right sides of the palette!
Phew! 😀
Oh, what a bummer!
I agree!
With the ONE exception of Moonlight, I think this palette just totally fails!!! Even that pale gold highlighter just appears to be lacking*something*, like it doesn’t look finely milled and soft? And that middle shade…hopefully only a manufacturing mess-up. Epic fail! Easy PASS.
The lighter gold doesn’t seem to have as much binder in it, so it is a little looser, which is probably what you’re seeing!
I’m SO bummed! These colors would’ve been perfect for my cooler, lighter, yellow based undertones 🙁 and it can be so hard to find powders/highlighters that aren’t too warm, orange, or brown looking. I notice the one you got was a press sample, hoping it was a random manufacturing error. I’m going to check this out in store, hope I can find a better quality batch.
I am definitely wary of it 🙁 I hope we’ll find out from those who already purchased whether it’s widespread! But yeah, I would try it in store and/or just be prepared to return if it is.
Excellent point Katherine. I’m in the lighter yellow/green territory skin tone wise and as much as I love the looks sometimes of the warmer highlighters on my skin, they tend to create a further imbalance between my face and neck/decolletage. My face is way on the ruddy side compared to the rest of me (wayne goss comes to mind as a good example of my type of imbalance) and I don’t need additional help in creating a bigger gap. Neutral light champagne or yellows (Becca Moonstone) and even purples (Hourglass Mood light) tend to work far more in my favour.
42$ and they come up with this??????????? Grrrrrrrrrrr 🙁
It seemed high to me!
Aw poop, that’s not good.
Sadly, that was the case for me! 🙁
Well,I like your idea Christine of having some options for different skin tones along with fixing the quality. But, this is a miss. Passing!
I think that would be great if they did something like that!
Of course I fell for the beautiful picture Tarte posted on their instagram of this, and have been waiting for the launch ever since. I picked up this and a few other items from the new collection, and THEN i see your swatches and review. -.- Disappointing…let’s hope you got faulty one and that there’s still a chance!
Here’s hoping! I like the shimmery shades, and if the middle shade has a usable texture and you are fair enough, it may still work for you. Keep me posted, please!
Was in the market for a highlighter palette, this is a pass.
Hopefully you can find another one that will work for you, Jennifer!
Yikes Tarte!
I know!!
The only thing I like about this is the packaging. Soooo disappointing!
I wish this was better!
What a shame the middle setting powder is so poor….and like you Christine, Tarte needs to have several options of colour to suit everyone.
It would just be a better makeup world for all if more brands would consider releasing at least TWO palettes when it comes to something like this rather than one size fits all. I feel like 3-4 is ideal, though!
Well, at least you’re preventing me from spending money on this thing, because it looked so pretty in the picture I was very tempted, even though I own way too many highlighters as it is!
lol! Sometimes I can save you money!
Luckily, there are tons of great highlighters!
If you remember, what are you wearing on your lips? I don’t see it listed and it looks like a good combo of coverage with moisture and tint. Thanks!
Tarte Berry Quench Lip Rescue 🙂
Lesson learned never buy until you review it first! I saw several swatches on IG from other reviewers theres looked so nice with excellent payoff. It’s either a manufacturer issue or photoshop lol.
I don’t really believe in “duds” (well, not to the extent that it seems!), but this was quite off in feel – just seemed… wrong.
I just wanted to tell you mine came in the mail yesterday. And my middle shade is normal. I definitely think it’s a manufacturing issue and there is a “bad” batch. My middle shade is extremely soft and creamy with good payoff.
Thank you, Trina!!
That’s really strange about the setting powder! I wonder if you’re right and there’s an outright mistake. Seems like quality control totally missed a serious problem. But, the whole palette is just too warm for me, anyway. It would be nice if they’d make a cool version, too.
It had such a strange texture, especially compared to the powders on either side of it!
Beautiful packaging, crap product. Last winter’s blush palette…beautiful product! Crap packaging! CMON TARTE you’re killing me smalls!
Awwww!
Wow and looking at all the snaps of when the beauty gurus went to Hawaii raving about this product. Such a shame no real reviews on this. Thank you Christine for being real and honest. It was in my checkout bag and now I’ll remove it.
The texture of the middle shade is legitimately off to me – nothing like Tarte’s powders but also unlike other powders I’ve tried (obviously in a bad way), so I don’t know what’s going on!
SO happy that I read this – I had this in my Sephora cart and was just about to purchase (I’m a sucker for things VIB Rouge can get early), and decided to check if your review was up first. I’ll probably still check it out, but will wait until I can see it in the store first.
No problem, Melissa! Hope you can check it out sometime. Let me know if it’s better or worse!
What a shame..
Sadly, i really like the packaging ?