Archived Post

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette ($44.00 for 0.64 oz.) includes twelve matte eyeshadows ranging from yellowed beige to deep black. The majority of the palette is closer to neutral in tone than really cool- or warm-toned, though some shades lean cooler/warmer. The majority of the shades felt soft and silky with a few being a smidgen powdery, but I found these less powdery on the whole compared to other Tarte matte eyeshadows. Some wore for eight hours, while a few were faster to fade. I only had major issues with one shade (Best Friend), but the other shades were fairly easy to work with.

Free Spirit is a light, pale yellow beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was slightly powdery but had good color payoff and wore well for eight hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Force of Nature is a medium brown with warm, slightly reddish, undertones and a matte finish. It had pigmentation with a soft, silky consistency that wasn’t powdery. It started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Dreamer is a dark brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. The color coverage was mostly opaque, while the texture was soft without being powdery. This one blended fairly well, but it could have been easier to work with. It lasted for eight hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Multi-Tasker is a dark brown with warm, reddish undertones and a matte finish. It was nicely pigmented with a soft, silky texture that was a smidgen powdery. It wore well for eight hours before fading. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Caregiver is a light pink with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. The color payoff was opaque, and the texture was just a little powdery but easy to blend and apply. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Natural Beauty is a subdued, pinky-taupe with a matte finish and subtle, warm undertones. It had excellent pigmentation with a slightly powdery, but silky, texture. It was really easy to blend on the skin. This shade started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Best Friend is a muted, medium-dark purple with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It was rather powdery, so the color payoff was sheer and uneven. It started to look faded after seven and a half hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Bombshell is a blackened purple with a muted quality to it and a matte finish. It was very pigmented, and there was some excess fall out when applied, but it has a softer, silkier consistency that made it easier to work with (it could have been more blendable, though). See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Super Mom is a very light beige with subtle warm undertones and a matte finish. It had great color payoff, even though the texture was powdery, so it can be messy to use (I used it as a brow bone highlighter, and it covered the movable lid with dust). It lasted for eight hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Wanderer is a light-medium brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was moderately powdery, though it was very blendable on the skin and applied smoothly with good color coverage. This shade wore well for eight hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Power Player is a warm, taupe brown with a semi-matte finish (there’s a smidgen of a sheen there). It had good color payoff with a fairly soft, smooth consistency. It started to fade after eight hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Fashionista is a rich black with a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented with a very silky, smooth consistency–it is a really lovely, rich black to work with, but a little goes a long way! It wore well for eight hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Tartelette

LELimited Edition. $44.00.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
89%
Total

Free Spirit

LELimited Edition.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
88%
Total

Wanderer

LELimited Edition.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
7.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
88%
Total

Power Player

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

Fashionista

LELimited Edition.
A
A
9.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
9.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
94%
Total

Force of Nature

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

Dreamer

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

Multi-Tasker

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
92%
Total

Caregiver

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
92%
Total

Natural Beauty

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

Best Friend

LELimited Edition.
C-
C-
6.5
Product
6.5
Pigmentation
7
Texture
8
Longevity
4.5
Application
72%
Total

Bombshell

LELimited Edition.
B+
B+
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
89%
Total

Super Mom

LELimited Edition.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
90%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

Tarte Free Spirit Eyeshadow
Tarte Free Spirit Eyeshadow

Tarte Free Spirit Eyeshadow
Tarte Free Spirit Eyeshadow

Tarte Force of Nature Eyeshadow
Tarte Force of Nature Eyeshadow

Tarte Force of Nature Eyeshadow
Tarte Force of Nature Eyeshadow

Tarte Dreamer Eyeshadow
Tarte Dreamer Eyeshadow

Tarte Dreamer Eyeshadow
Tarte Dreamer Eyeshadow

Tarte Multi-Tasker Eyeshadow
Tarte Multi-Tasker Eyeshadow

Tarte Multi-Tasker Eyeshadow
Tarte Multi-Tasker Eyeshadow

Tarte Caregiver Eyeshadow
Tarte Caregiver Eyeshadow

Tarte Caregiver Eyeshadow
Tarte Caregiver Eyeshadow

Tarte Natural Beauty Eyeshadow
Tarte Natural Beauty Eyeshadow

Tarte Natural Beauty Eyeshadow
Tarte Natural Beauty Eyeshadow

Tarte Best Friend Eyeshadow
Tarte Best Friend Eyeshadow

Tarte Best Friend Eyeshadow
Tarte Best Friend Eyeshadow

Tarte Bombshell Eyeshadow
Tarte Bombshell Eyeshadow

Tarte Bombshell Eyeshadow
Tarte Bombshell Eyeshadow

Tarte Super Mom Eyeshadow
Tarte Super Mom Eyeshadow

Tarte Super Mom Eyeshadow
Tarte Super Mom Eyeshadow

Tarte Wanderer Eyeshadow
Tarte Wanderer Eyeshadow

Tarte Wanderer Eyeshadow
Tarte Wanderer Eyeshadow

Tarte Power Player Eyeshadow
Tarte Power Player Eyeshadow

Tarte Power Player Eyeshadow
Tarte Power Player Eyeshadow

Tarte Fashionista Eyeshadow
Tarte Fashionista Eyeshadow

Tarte Fashionista Eyeshadow
Tarte Fashionista Eyeshadow

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Force of Nature (inner lid), Best Friend (middle of lid), Multi-Tasker (outer lid),
Bombshell (crease), Power Player (crease), Super Mom (brow bone),
Sephora Flirting Game & Love Affair Eyeliners

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Force of Nature (inner lid), Best Friend (middle of lid), Multi-Tasker (outer lid),
Bombshell (crease), Power Player (crease), Super Mom (brow bone),
Sephora Flirting Game & Love Affair Eyeliners

109 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Zia Avatar

I don’t know if this would be possible at all, but a feature that would be really cool is if I could search Temptalia for all palettes. For instance, if I wanted to see all matte palettes that you have reviewed, there could be a way to do that. Or if I wanted all cool-toned palettes. Or if I could somehow have a page where I see all the palettes and then the grades of each. Or the grades included in the swatch gallery. Just some thoughts!

I was just thinking about it because I wondered if there was an all matte palette that performed better than this one that you have reviewed, but didn’t really know how to find out. Do you have any personal recommendations for an all-matte palette, Christine?

Christine Avatar

You can just go to Reviews > Makeup Palettes (http://www.temptalia.com/category/reviews/eye-product-reviews/makeup-palettes). Otherwise, I don’t categorize palettes by something like “all matte” so there would be no way for us technologically to give you some handy listing – you would have to use the search field at the top of the site for something like “matte palette review” 🙂

Maybe Urban Decay’s Naked Basics?

niki Avatar

I am interested in searching A+/A rated products generally – is that possible to add as filter? i usually search through swatches for specific colour and then i check “qualitty”/review of every choosen product, so this would be helpful

thanks 🙂

niki Avatar

oh, i havent seen it before.. still, would be nice as filter – if somebody is looking for some specific product, like “lets choose A+ plum lipstick, or great gold eyeshadow” etc. – so one dont have to go review by review

(sorry for being pain in the ass)

Katherine T. Avatar

Wow, this is quite nice! It’s hard to find a kit with so many good mattes. Looks like this could be a good workhorse palette, with colors that are classic and easy to wear. I think some of the browns can even be used as blushes or contours. I might have to get this

Ginny Avatar

I would’ve bought this for the mauve shades Natural Beauty and Best Friend, and the dark purple Bombshell. But, since Best Friend performed poorly… that’s a bit of a deal breaker on the whole palette. Why did they have to drop the ball on the prettiest shade?

Bonnie Avatar

Aaaahhhh and “Best Friend” was my favorite shade in the whole palette too! Bummer! 🙁
Christine, on another note – I notice you never (or rarely?) do liner on your upper lash line – why is that? Is it because it takes up too much space and detracts from an eyeshadow look, or something else? I personally cannot live without upper-lash line eyeliner, in fact I think I do just the opposite, where if I only did one, it would be just the top. I would love to see a colorful cat-eye on you!! 🙂

Christine Avatar

It irritates my upper lash line – over the years, I have tried many products (including just eyeshadow with an angled brush), but the area between my upper lashes appears to be very prone to irritation. I generally don’t get regular eyeshadow too close to the lash line (there is usually a very small gap that isn’t too visible). Depending on the product, the area can just swell to the whole eyelid can get swollen, red, and then flake. I’m not sure if it is product-related or applicator-related where nothing can really touch that area (e.g. eyeliner brush, felt tip, separate brush, etc.), but I’ve gotten over bothering since sometimes the consequences mean I can’t wear makeup for a week or longer.

ilovemakeup Avatar

Oh my goodness! I never really noticed that you don’t use anything to line your upper lid. It looks like you’ve figured out a way to get around it and still have your eye makeup look complete (for lack of a better word!) and it always looks great, so I guess it doesn’t really make a difference!

It seems like eyes can be tricky when it comes to make up irritating them. My mom was pretty allergic to any mascara with beeswax in it, so she found a couple of formulas that didn’t and has always used those. My eyes are MORE irritated by the non-beeswax mascaras she used. It just shows that everyone’s different!

Alecto Avatar

“not sure if it is product-related or applicator-related where nothing can really touch that area”

It’s interesting to read that, as I’ve always had an issue with things touching my skin in certain ways. I’ve never had an issue with particular products, but if a brush is ticklish or prickly (regardless of what it’s made of), I get a weird feedback-loop where application tickles or itches, which makes my skin protest, which makes it inflamed, which makes it unhappier, which makes it worse. I’ve found over the years that the only way to break the cycle is with as-minimal-as-possible use of a prescription steroid in the area that starts acting up. Even going the wrong way with a brush (pushing instead of pulling, so that it pokes at my skin) will cause it with a brush that has never bothered me before. I have an almost permanent version of the problem around my side-face and jaw where the wispy strands of my hair tickle my skin. It’s not the same thing, but I get what you’re saying, and that eczema-type response it the worst, especially around the eyes.

Christine Avatar

AHHHH! I feel you!! 🙂

I also have flare-ups of eczema on certain parts of me (hands, neck), and I had horrible eczema as a baby/toddler, too, so over the years I’ve started to think it’s related to that. I think it’s possible something like that occurs on my upper lash line, and like you said, your skin protests and worsens – and I find often my eye will also begin to water, which causes some makeup to break down, and then it gets in your eyes, which just makes it WORSE yet again, haha.

I have two OTC solutions that usually work well for me, since I avoid those areas as much as possible. Good to know that there might be a prescription that could work on that area 🙂

Nancy Avatar

I totally relate to this, Christine! Basically because I too suffer from eczema and also a tendency towards hives. And the eczema I get around my eyes is usually made worse if my eye ( almost ALWAYS the left one) begins watering and ruining my eye makeup. Idk whether it’s caused by the makeup ingredients breaking up or the chemical composition of my tears? And up until I read about your personal experience with this same issue, I thought what was happening to me was very unusual, perhaps even rather unique! A rx called Tobrex (?) Tobredex (?) REALLY helped me with this.

Fran Avatar

Thanks for doing this so quickly, Christine! These kinds of palettes can be so useful for grounding eye looks that include more vivid colors. I feel like I would use this one similarly to the way I use Tarte’s Be MATTEnificent palette, which I haven’t begun to use up yet. What I really want is a palette with matte and satin/matte cool-toned light, light/medium, medium, medium/dark, and dark neutrals. These kinds of shades actually seem to be rather scarce. Most seem to lean warm. I think I’ll have to build my own with a combination of shadows from several brands (trying Inglot and MUFE first, since I sometimes mangle shadows when I de-pot them) but even that may be a bit difficult.

Fran Avatar

Christine, which of Inglot’s finishes do you think is closest to a satin/matte finish (almost matte, a bit of shine that disguises rather than emphasizing crepe-iness)? Do you recommend any specific shades for what I’m looking for? Thanks 🙂

Jaimie Avatar

My palette came in the mail yesterday and from swatching it myself I agree completely with your review of the pigmentation and consistency of the individual shadows. Haven’t had a chance to wear it yet and I’m anxious to do so, especially after you reviewed their wear-time. Overall, with the combination of colors, I think this is the matte palette I’ve been awaiting for quite sometime. Also, can we talk about fashionista’s pigmentation? Because DANG!

Mariella Avatar

Until other people started commenting on it, I hadn’t even realized this was an “all matte” palette. I’m not all that crazy about matte…I mean, I have a lot of good matte shadows but I do love me some pearl and some shimmer… But these shadows looked more “lively” than some mattes can look and by the time I realized these were all matte, I was already quite loving a lot of the shades. So chances are pretty good that I will be purchasing this palette.

georgie Avatar

Best Friend looks a lot like Chanel Hasard which also performs terribly (mine does at least) – perhaps purple taupe a are just a crazy difficult formula?! Haha. Other than that I’m genuinely tempted to get my first ever nude palette 😀

Julia Avatar

Thanks for the review, Christine! How does this palette compare to Tarte’s Be MATTEnificent palette in terms of eyeshadow quality and colors? Would you recommend this as a great neutral matte palette, or is there another neutral matte palette out there that you prefer?

Julia Avatar

Hooray, that’s awesome because Tartelette is already on its way to me! I have no self control when it comes to Tarte eyeshadows (and blushes, for that matter)…

Asymphonic Avatar

It’s nice, I really wanted to love this palette but… a B+ from you just doesn’t cut it in my eyes 🙂 Was hoping you’d give it at least an A- but oh well. The search for the perfect matte palette continues!

BOTTÂNICA BOTTANIQUE Avatar

First of all, I cannot imagine myself using powder eyeshadows without a primer or a cream base, no matter how good they might be. So, I think that this is a really good essential matte colors scheme for any collection. I have practically all matte eyeshades – Bombshell is a gorgeous exception –, but I like the idea of having nice twenty mattes together in one palette for travel. Therefore, this will be another addition to my stash.
I’d like to send you a large and very beautiful flowers bouquet as an expression of my profound thanks and gratitude for your hard and valued job.

Rachel R. Avatar

Thank you for the review. Most of it looks really good. I do always wear primer because I have oily lids and I like vividness to my colors, so this will work for me.

Julie Avatar

I love the colour scheme and that it’s all matte! I’m really on an all matte kick lately and will probably purchase this over UD naked basics, was wondering are you going to be reviewing/swatching the Anastasia single eyeshadows? xx

Elena Avatar

This seems perfect to have on hand to blend out eyeshadows. It just covers pretty much an entire array of colours for me for blending. I think it’s a must! Especially since missing out on Mattenificent palette that sold out too quickly. Thank you for your hard work!

Alison Avatar

A cool to neutral matte palette is just what I’ve been looking for and this fits the bill. It’s a shame that one of the more original colors is not working and it would be great if Burberry replicated this palette as I love their formula but a lot of their neutrals lean warm. Following your recommendation and buying Trench was one of my best recent buying decisions. Anyway, ordered this and hope to get good use out of it.

Alecto Avatar

Lovely palette. If I didn’t already have so many matte neutrals, I would definitely get it. Shame about “Bets Friend” — like many commenters here, I find it’s one of the most intriguing colors in palette-view.

Aida Avatar

This looks awesome! I imagine this is how Urban Decay would make Naked Basics 3, but bigger, am I right? 😀 I hope I will still be in stores when my friend goes to US, so he could get me this 🙂

Jean Avatar

This looks like it could be a great companion palette since I’m the type of person that has to have a little shimmer or pearlescent in my eyeshadow look. I think it would pair nicely with the Naked palettes especially Naked 3.

Ellen Avatar

I got it as soon as I saw it on your blog because it was only available for five days and it looked to me like a matte version of Lorac’s Unzipped! Now my unzipped has colors that appear rather different than your swatches, especially the darker ones. Your swatches of unzipped colors are more brown than mine, my two darkest shades is a great velvety burgundy, and a powdery, purplish, slightly shimmery brownish color, whereas yours is a beautiful, rich warm brown. That said, this seemed to be the matte version of what I have, with the mauves and purples and all. I couldn’t wait to try it. It is not as exciting as it looked in your original pix, likely those provided by the company. There are many solid neutral colors, but many are not all that different from each other, and a lot are very dark and can mostly be used as liners. The shades that I was most excited about were the mauves, because the matte mauve in Unzipped is rather light and powdery. I bought unzipped because that matte mauve in UDNaked3 was the only shade I liked in that palette! I have no problem with powderyness in my mauve shades, but I found when I did an eye look using the whole pink line, it was rather underwhelming! I’ll play around with mixing the lines and trying to get some new looks, but if the mauves don’t work out, there’s really no reason to keep the palette, because I have enough Bobbi Brown warm palettes that most of the colors in this palettes are dupes for many others I have. I really think I have to buy eyeshadow singles and them make my own palettes, because I pretty well know what looks good on me now, and I have a bathroom full of makeup I’ll never use up. I just never am at a MAC store where I could possibly find all my favorites and put it in a palette. So I keep buying palettes, hoping they will contain enough of my favorites to be worth the price. No more!! I”ve yet to find a dupe for Bobbi Brown’s Twilight, and that is the color family that I have been searching for in UDNaked3, Unzipped,, and now Tartelette! UD’s was probably the closest, but couldn’t keep a whole palette for just one shade!

Christine Avatar

It is possible that skin tone affects the contrast/appearance of them, and it could be lighting – in a way, the lighting I use is ‘best case’ lighting, but if I went into my office, everything would appear darker. Kind of like if the sun is lighting up a room, a white wall looks mostly white, but with just one or two lights on, a white wall looks gray.

Victoria Avatar

I really want this so badly, but I feel like I can’t buy it because I already have these colors in other palettes. Especially when I look at Best Friend and see the Wisteria dupe; that’s the main color I was fawning over and I already have the Lorac Mega Pro :/ Arggh! I’m sure I will find a way to justify buying this eventually, just give me time LOL.

zFashionizta Avatar

I have been drooling all over this palette since you posted it, I saw it at Macy’s yesterday and decided to skip it (although I may change my mind in the future) because I have the cc matte, gravitas & bon voyage palettes and they have colors similar to the ones in this one; I think I will buy the Becca palette instead.

Nicole Avatar

Hi..I realize this is a bit of an older review. But this and the ” It cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol.I matte luxe transforming eyeshadow palette” (original ,not celebration basically and holy cow..that’s a mouth-full ) both caught my eye in Ulta the other day. I am debating on the Tartelette here due to the not so great grade,plus it is very dupable for me.
I have three questions: 1) Have you seen the It palette? If so any opinion? I could not find it in your listing. I have read and viewed reviews all over the board. If you haven’t reviewed it, I would like to put in a request,lol!
2) In your experience/preference, do you think palettes are the better way to go or to just lunk down the $ and build a nice Z-palette?.( I am thinking the MUFE artist shadows..I have a few and they are pretty much spot on..all of the ones I have).
3) Do you have suggestions to build such a palette ? The Sephora near me has a limited stock and display of these shadows and I live no where near a pro store. There are so many to choose from,I get lost. I genuinely appreciate your help and truly respect and appreciate your views. Please don’t rush to answer..I know you must be a very busy girl! keep up the good work!But, take some time to enjoy as well. 🙂

Emilie Avatar

Hi Christine, I read on Musings of a Muse beauty blog that this palette is permanent. I was just wondering where you heard it was Limited Edition (I don’t think it specified on the Sephora website) since she said otherwise. Want to know if I should be worried about this selling out!

Cynthia M Aguilar Avatar

How similar are these shadows to the ones from the tarte mattenificent palette? I was thinking of getting this one since I missed the other palette

Nadia Manji Avatar

This is such a cool palette! Wish the price wasn’t so high though :/ I recently splurged on a few urban decay and smashbox palettes.. Wish I got this instead

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!