Tarte’s “Aqualillies” Palette Review

“Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on; some feel the heat and decide that they can’t go on; some like it hot, but you can’t tell how hot ’till you try; some like it hot so let’s turn up the heat ’till we fry . . .”

~ Robert Palmer and Power Station

I’m probably one of the three people in Pennsylvania who doesn’t seriously rejoice when winter ends. Why? One reason is because my makeup stays put in cold weather. That is sadly vain, to be sure, but nothing screams “ghost” more than I do sans cosmetics. Last summer, my husband Ron and I were walking the boardwalk at the Jersey shore. It was a very hot day. I was feeling refreshed because of the continuous breeze from the ocean. I imagined that I looked good as well, so I allowed Ron to take multiple pictures of me. That was until I stopped in a ladies’ room to comb my hair. My painstakingly-applied makeup had all but disappeared (and, yes, I was wearing great facial and eye primers). There was a faint hint of blush of one cheek. The eye shadows I had blended so carefully were a thin blurred line. Highlighter and lipstick? Gone. The pictures went in the trash, not on Facebook. So this year I shopped early for waterproof makeup. What did I find? A sumptuous, run-don’t-walk-to-get-it, limited-edition palette from Tarte called “Aqualillies.”

Tarte’s Philosophy and Formulas

I had seen this on Sephora’s website and thought, “Very pretty.” When I heard that all of the colors are waterproof, I thought more about purchasing it. And when I finally fingered it in the store and actually felt the buttery-soft powders and was stunned at the exquisite undertones of the eye shadows, I easily handed over my debit card and bought two–one for myself and another for my sister, who is highly allergic to most makeup ($36.00 at Sephora, a true bargain for what you receive). If you are unfamiliar with Tarte, it is a fashion-forward, cruelty-free company which does not allow toxins or irritants in its cosmetics or skin care, including artificial fragrances (smile, you sensitive complexions!). The products are not only trend-setting, but they are actually nourishing for skin. All of the items in this palette are replete with Amazonian Clay, a nutrient-rich substance harvested from the banks of the river of the same name. At first I thought it was a gimmick, but it’s not. Amazonian Clay balances skin’s moisture level while minimizing oil build-up and the appearance of pores. It keeps colors from budging and extends wear for long hours, up to twelve, no matter how hot or humid it is. And you will never have to fear clogged pores and resulting blemishes. This is a perfect brand for those plagued with acne to those who have concerns about dry skin.

The “Aqualillies” Palette

The palette itself was named for a celebrated group of synchronized swimmers/dancers formed in 2008 based out of Los Angeles. The sun-kissed colors could not possibly be more beckoning or flattering for any skin tone. There are six subtly shimmering and matte eye shadows, five of which are neutral. They are “Hammock,” a decadently deep chocolate; “Bikini,” a tender gold-infused peach; “Barefoot,” a golden, sultry nude; “Parasol,” a not-so-innocent champagne with a rose undertone (be still, my heart!); “Sundeck,” a light brown; and “Poolside,” a playful, flirty turquoise with enough gleam to garner attention but not so much as to appear garish in any way. There is a large well of waterproof blush in a peach hue aptly named “Captivating,” a glimmering highlighter called “Champagne,” and a matte bronzer beautiful for those with even the fairest skin, “Park Avenue Princess.”

“Aqualillies” Wear

The palette comes with an interesting schematic showing just one way to use the shades. Your imagination is the only limit to the ways you can combine these spectacular hues–from a demure look for daytime to knock-out, smoky-eyed glamour for evening. I was merciless with them. I applied all of the colors and slept for eight hours. They didn’t budge. So I reapplied and showered. I didn’t use soap to remove them, but water had very little effect. So now I’m prepared for this summer, so bring on the heat! Only one thing could improve this palette. That would be the luscious Tarte Glamazon™ coral lipstick Chrissy bought (see her June 3 post on her makeup haul). Because this is offered for a limited time, purchase it now. I promise you won’t be sorry. Otherwise I’ll see you among the bidders on eBay in two months, among those willing to shell out $200 for this gem of a product when word gets around . . .