The Starlet Limited-Edition Makeup Vanity

I actually really love this palette because the shadows are divided into complimentary colors, whereas in the past kits, they were arranged in a seemingly random pattern. This makes it easy to create a specific look, from a smoky silver to a muted plum eye. In my experience, these eyeshadows are well pigmented, but most of them are shimmery and metallic. They definitely have better staying power with a primer (I use a primer regardless of brand, so this isn't such a big deal to me). I also love that the color choices are wearable for everyday; I thought I would never use the 'blues' portion, but it shows up on my light skin as a silver, and it's quickly become my favorite. It really makes brown eyes pop! But overall, I think the shadows would be flattering on everyone. The blushes are indeed small, which is one of the reasons I gave it four instead of five stars. The peachy colored blush barely shows up on my skin, which is disappointing as I was looking forward to trying it, while the mauve blush is too overpowering. The bronzer and the highlighting powder are very nice, though. I also liked that they included the eyelash primer and 'Lights, Camera, Lashes!' mascara...they're great introduction sizes. I'm not sure about the primer, because I can't tell if it's making any difference. However, the mascara doesn't clump at all, lengthens, separates, and really holds a curl. I may have to purchase this when I run out of what I have! In the past Tarte included lipgloss pans in their sets, but they were tacky feeling and of poor quality. I'm glad they didn't include them here...I think it would have ruined the idea, but that's just my opinion. If you plan on purchasing this, I would also recommend the holiday eyeliner set...the colors seem to directly correspond to this kit.

I love tarte's holiday palettes & look forward to them every year. So after seeing this online I ordered it. When I got it I was very disappointed. First, the shadows have very little pigmentation. You get a small LCL mascara and a lash primer. The only good part is the bottom drawer with a Park Ave Princess bronzer, 2 Amazonian Clay Blushes & a Highlighter, all the size of a half dollar coin, small. No lip product or applicators and everytime you pick it up to move it, the drawers slide out. The box is pretty, but compared to the palettes from the last couple years, this was not a good one. I actually like the portable little Rising Star palette that I can slip in my handbag better! A big miss, sorry tarte! And they are one of my favorite brands :(

I was recently given this as a gift, and I couldn't have been more thrilled! Tarte is a line that I hadn't explored, so I figured this would be the perfect palette to try their shadows, blushes, and their mascara (which I've always heard is fabulous).

First off, I love the way that they grouped the shadows into complimentary shades, making it easier to put looks together without having to pick through a typical palette. Also, the mascara and primer lived up to their hype. I felt like my lashes were both fuller and longer looking after applying one coat of each. The 2 blushes were very pretty and very pigmented, and the bronzer is a great shade for warming up the skin. Also, even though I hate mentioning the packaging in reviews, this packaging is adorable!

Now for the down side. As I said, I've had no previous experience with Tarte, so I didn't know quite what to expect from any of these products. As far as the shadows go, I wish they were a bit softer. (I've heard mixed opinions as to whether or not these are their original formulations for the shadows they normally sell.) They feel a bit chalky to me, and some of them didn't apply color as deeply as I'd hoped. As far as their blushes, both are shimmery, which is a total miss. While I do like the shades, I wish they would have made one of them matte to at least give the option for those of us who don't choose shimmery blush all the time. Even though I DO like the packaging for this, it seems like it would be a real hassle to attempt to travel with. (By travel with it, I mean going out of town, not popping it into your purse, obviously. ;) ) The products are glued to the plastic trays that you can take out of the drawers, and it may be possible to pry them out to put into a Z Palette or something, but I'm not even going to try it.

Even though my dislikes list looks a bit longer than my raves, I do enjoy this palette and think it would make a lovely gift for someone who might be intimidated by a typical palette since the colors are already preorganized.