October 23, 2008

Tarte The Vanity Palette Review and Comparison to Tarte We Wish You Wealth

I think the biggest question this Holiday Season is “Do I really need Tarte The Vanity Palette?”. If you indulged in last year’s Tarte We Wish You Wealth Palette you may have asked yourself this question a dozen times already. I know I’ve wondered should I indulge and I know my great friend, Iris, has wondered the same thing! I got quite a few emails as well asking me, “Muse, do I really need this palette?”

So….that’s why you have your Muse…she’s here to make the important decision for you!

And the answer is….

Yes, you need Tarte’s new holiday palette!

If you already have Tarte’s We Wish You Wealth Palette chances are you’re thinking that the colors in the new Vanity palette are all similiar. I’m here to reassure you that the colors are probably somewhat similar but when comparing the two I felt like this year’s shades are quite vibrant compared to last year. Rest assured ALL the colors are brand new even if they look somewhat like shades released from last year!

The palette has been slightly revamped as they have done away with a good portion of the stains, liners, etc..that were housed in the third tier. This means the palette is slightly smaller in content when compared to what you got last year however it doesn’t take away from the value of the palette. Tarte also made a very smart move keeping the price at $52 USD and not raising it. This shows a good, fair sport in the cosmetic world and value for it’s customers. While many companies have taken the high route and raised prices by $2-$3 or more, we, at the very least, have a palette to keep us happy with a good deal of bang for our $52 USD and not an inflated price tag. Tarte We Wish You Wealth had a huge cult following last year and many, many cosmetic junkies far and wide purchased it. Of course, most companies would raise the price on an item that sold so well however Tarte did not. They kept the price as is and that along deserves props as far as the Muse is concerned!

This year’s palette you get:
16 shadows
16 glosses
1 Mascara
1 Bronzer
1 Luminizer
4 Powder Blushes

Last year you got:
16 Shadows
16 Glosses
4 Gel Eyeliners
4 Cheek Stains
3 24/7 Lip Sheers
1 Eyelid Primer
1 Luminizer

As you can see the third tier of the palette has changed a good deal. Last year you ended up with total of 12 items and this year you’ll be getting 7 items (6 if you aren’t counting the mascara). Whether this is disappointing or not remains to be seen for me. I guess taking away the 24/7 Lip Sheers is not too upsetting as you’re already getting 16 glosses and really don’t need more lip products however I think I will miss the liners. The lid primer I didn’t use so that’s perfectly fine that it was removed. Even though a few items were taken away I do think that the more compact version has taken away from the overwhelming feeling of last year’s palette.

The shadows in this year’s palette seem to have a more vibrant look. Last year the shadows looked washed up and really didn’t excite me where as this year I’m honestly in love with almost every single shade. The glosses have taken on more of a deeper tone and don’t contain as many pinks but lean more towards richer, deeper reds.

With Flash

Without Flash

With Flash

Without Flash

I’m unsure as of yet how I feel that the stains have been replaced by powder blushes. I haven’t tried the powder blushes yet but they look a little too light and may not show up well on my skin but we shall see.

Without Flash

With Flash

I’m happy to see that the luminizer is a large size as I did enjoy the creamy shimmer this gave my cheeks last year. And finally the bronzer I’m not completely sure about but I think I’ll like that.

With Flash

Without Flash

Without Flash

With Flash

I have two minor rants about the palette.

1. I hate the fact they only include two brushes. I’d really appreciate a few strategically placed sponge applicators here and there and maybe a mini blush brush too.

2. The palette swings open and contains a total of 3 tiers which stack on top of each other when closed. Although each tier has a thin sheet of plastic on top to protect the contents, I did notice last year as I used the shadows, blushes, etc…things started becoming messy. So you do have to take extra care when using the palette otherwise you can end up with a major mess!

Aside from those rants I think the palette is a great deal for the season! It honestly makes an ideal gift or, if we are honest with ourselves, a perfect purchase for yourself!

Taking all items into consideration and breaking up the $52 USD price tag you’ll end up paying $1.62 USD per an item which honestly, considering the size of each shadow, gloss, etc…is a great deal.

Overall, I do think it’s worth purchasing for yourself especially if you don’t already have a huge makeup collection. This has a slew of items to create over 30 looks at the very least!

Tarte did a great job with it’s We Wish You Wealth Palette and that’s just carried over into another wonderful piece of work with it’s brand new The Vanity Palette!

The Muse likey and approved it for purchase!

Tarte We Wish You Wealth Review

Tarte 30% Off Coupon Code

Tarte Holiday Collection 2008

Tarte Berry Couture Review and Swatches

Tarte Peaches and Cream Review

Tarte Eyelash Curler Review

Tarte Double Dose Lipgloss Review

20 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Laurie

    I haven’t ordered this yet – but I will be doing so very soon!

    I think these shadows look amazing! And I love how the close up shots you did – they’re almost like perfect quads, the colors go so well together! My fave is the last one with the purple, peach, pink and gunmetalish color (which by the way reminds me of BB Galaxy!!)

    Thanks for posting!

  • the Muse

    hey laurie 🙂

    Wait for FF 😉 save $ hehe!

    The shadows are amazing..very big too!

    I like the peach shade myself! very nice shade 😉

    You’re most welcome, it’s my pleasure.

    It’s a stunning palette and well worth the $

  • Kanita

    those colors are so beautiful! I am in such a dilemma right now. Muse, have you checked out the smashbox ultimate beauty palette yet? It’s got over 100 shades for 59. Now I don’t know which to get out of these two, if you could pick only one, which one would you get?

  • the Muse

    hi kanita 🙂

    I seen the ultimate beauty palette from SB and it’s unquestionably a great deal however I haven’t seen it anywhere but online so I can’t speak for the quality of it sadly but I’m making the big assumption that everything included isn’t as fab as what you’d get from tarte.

    It looks a tiny bit cheesy and cheap. Smashbox makes lovely items but this palette just looks like the ones Sephora puts together 😛

    It’s a tough call to choose between the two in all honestly.

    If you have the spare change I’d pick up tarte during sephora’s FF and I bet a good amount of money that the SB palette will be 50% or more off after the holidays 😉 around jan or feb so maybe get it then?

    If you really just want to settle with one…..I can’t only decide that I’d go for the Tarte b/c as nice as the SB looks it doesn’t hold the appeal that the Tarte does for me 😛 😉

    I’ll see if I can get my hands on the ultimate beauty palette and review for you!

    Cheers!

  • Vivian

    Hmm, those are deals some to think of it. I did have few palettes, not as big as this one. I thought them cool, but they get really messy overtime.

    In my local sephora, Urban Decay Books of Shadwdos was sold out (a whooping $54 CAD). I think maybe this could be a dupe of UD collection, except with more stuff and less money.

    You update so quickly with new items I haven’t seen yet, hugs!

  • Nicole

    Muse — I bought the other palette last year and it had this terrible plasticky smell that made me not want to use any of the lip products at all. Does this one smell? Lol, sorry to be blunt!

  • kanita

    thanks so much for the great answer, I think I will definitely try to get the tarte set. I was attracted to the smashbox set because of how many different things it contains, but wasn't really into any specific component of it. You are right that it is questionably a good deal, I don't understand how it can be so cheap with 70 different eyeshadows from a brand that usually does make high quality products, but then again out of 70 there are like 25 shades of blue. With the tarte set I really want each one of the eyeshadows and they seem to coordinate so well. I'm glad you set me straight lol but I really do value your opinion a lot. I often find myself thinking, what would the Muse think of this.
    When is the sephora f&f sale? That's great, I just bought a bunch of stuff from sephora.com this week 🙁

  • the Muse

    hi Vivian!

    I agree with the messy factor. I love palettes but HATE when they get gross 😛

    I got the book of shadows 🙂 Will review for you shortly..good stuff..def get it when it’s back in stock 😉

    Actually, for me, the UD palette is way more awesome but that’s b/c I’m a UD junkie lol!

    I try to update quick but sometimes I get overwhelmed hehe I’m glad you think it’s fast 😉 That pleases me!

    Thanks for all your super comments!

    Comments are a big form of flattery that I’m doing my blog the right way!

  • the Muse

    hey nicole!

    Be as blunt as you like my dear…I didn’t get a plasticky smell otherwise it would be going back and quick lmao! Maybe you should return for a new one?! Sounds icky!

    I didn’t smell a thing 😉

  • the Muse

    hi kanita!

    it’s my pleasure I’m glad it was helpful!

    Honestly it does look nice but I dunno seems a bit much for too less…as in it’s too good to be good 🙂 hehe!

    I felt like the shades just went well in the Tarte palette plus pigmentation is good and the shadows are nearly full size where as the SB palette has the smaller size shadows.
    aw shucks I’m SUPER flattered 🙂 Thanks! We need a badge WWMT=what would muse think!

    lol!

    Should be the first or second week of november! As soon as I know I’ll def post about it 🙂

    Return it! It’s free shipping back 🙂 and get it for 20% off! 🙂 It’s only a matter of weeks now hehehe!

    hugs!

  • Anonymous

    Hi Muse,
    This palette looks great but I kept thinking while reading: how is the colour payoff? What did you think when you swatched it? Also, I am Indian so do you think these colors will show up on me at all [especially a concern with the lip products].. I am a medium tone.

    Thanks! Keep up the good work!

  • the Muse

    hello anonymous!

    The colour payoff is fantastic HOWEVER how medium are you? My sister is medium and she has a nice caramel tone to her skin and I would NOT rec this palette to her. I think the glosses will look fab on her but the shadows nope…not good in my humblest. When I think of an Indian tone I think of softer caramel shades and coffee tones and I don’t personally think these particular shadows are flattering to that tone.

    Some shades are def suitable in the shadows and all the glosses are will work beautifully….I just worry how many shadows will work well.

    I hope this helps somewhat 🙂

    If I were you I’d go and either the UD book of shadows (I’ll review soon) or a mac holiday palette 🙂 or some other palette that has beautiful golds, oranges, etc…I find these colors look fantastic on my sis!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks,
    I’ve been lusting after the book of shadows for some time now but it’s breaking the grad student budget so I’m asking for it for x-mas.

    It has no glosses but I preordered the MAC viva glam gloss trio anyway so that covers it 🙂

  • Haru

    Dear Izzy,

    I was still on the fence about this but your pics have totally tipped me over! The only thing that bothers me is that the palette is so freaking huge that it pretty much takes forever and a day to use up… sigh. That and the fact that it’s made in China.

  • the Muse

    hi anonymous

    My pleasure 🙂 get the book of shadows during the sephora friends and family discount 🙂 that should help bring the cost down 😉

    Glad you nabbed the viva glam palette…it’s always one of my favs come holiday!

    Enjoy 😉

    Thanks for the comments!

  • the Muse

    morning iris!

    😉 hehe…I tempt ye!

    I must admit that I agree…it’s a bit too large and since we already have an obscene amount of product it does seem wasteful…I chalked this up as a “blog” purchase but I seriously look at it and groan b/c I know I’ll NEVER use it all up!

    How awful 🙁

  • Connie

    I usually don’t like makeup sets with lip palettes but this one is really gorgeous! and more than excellent for travel. Even great for beginners. looks excellent!

  • the Muse

    me either connie as it’s so messy but I couldn’t resist this guy 🙂

    Great for travel!!!!!! 🙂 And I think it’s fab for someone who doesn’t have an extensive collection but wants alot of color 🙂

    thanks for the comment Hugs!

  • Brenda Hong

    Hello! Could you do a review of Tarte’s new holiday palette this year? I believe it’s called the Treasure Chest. It’s even bigger than any of the previous ones!!!