Tarte Eye Catchers SmolderEYES and Skinny SmolderEYES Collector’s Set Review & Swatches
I was very excited about the Tarte Eye Catchers SmolderEYES and Skinny SmolderEYES Collector’s Set releasing for Holiday 2012 since I loved, LOVED last year’s Eye Candy Waterproof Amazonian Clay Shadow Set.
This set includes five jumbo Tarte SmolderEYES Pencils as well as one of the new Skinny SmolderEYES that Tarte recently introduced. All of the products are full size and the set is $39. SmolderEYES are $25 each and the new Skinny SmolderEYES are $19 each so this is quite a bargain when broken down as you are paying $6.50 per pencil.
Nice right?
Take a look!
This set includes SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Champagne, Gunmetal, Rainforest Black, Gold, and Ash Violet with a Tarte Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Onyx.
The chunkier SmolderEYES Waterproof Liners are a multitasking tool in a dual sided pencil that contains the shadow/liner on one end and a smudger on the other. You can use the pencil as a full color eyeshadow or you can line eyes with the pencil and smudge it out for a smoky effect. Although the pencil is chunky it has a more refined point so you can easily create thinner or thicker lines with it. The formula is infused with Amazonian clay which supposedly works to reduce surface oil which improves the overall finish of the product if you have oily lids. I don’t have oily lids but on my drier eyes they hold quite well once set.
The texture of the pencils is creamy, smooth, and easy to blend. I will say I liked the Eye Candy Set a little better than this one simply because those had a domed shape and seemed to build easier for me. These I had to stroke on, blend out, and stroke on again to get the best intensity since blending with my finger revealed the skin of my lid. Not a major issue mind you but I didn’t have the problem with last year’s set. Colors are richly pigmented and have a beautiful smooth finish on my lids once they set. The creamy texture glides onto eyes without tugging. I personally like using them as an eyeshadow and filling in my entire lid up to my crease with the color but you can use them as a base for powder or simply as an eyeliner should you choose.
Ash Violet, Gold, Champagne, Gunmetal, and Rainforest Black
Champagne
Gunmetal
Rainforest Black
Gold
Onyx
The color range that Tarte included in the set is a mix of sultry shades. The Gold shade is a Maybelline Gold Shimmer dupe so if you like shades of golden brown this is for you. The only shade that I didn’t enjoy because it came across a tad too frosty for me was Champagne but it’s an easy enough fix since you can use it in the inner corners of your eyes to brighten them up versus an all over lid color.
The shadow doesn’t set super quickly so you have plenty of time to blend it out and build it up however it doesn’t stay dewy or wet for so long that you’re uncomfortable with the setting time as you apply other makeup. I’d say they become budge proof within a minute of application. They wear well on my dry eyes without smudging, flaking, or losing any of their intensity.
Now the thing I really liked about the set was the preview of the new Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner. Tarte just introduced this eyeliner in a range of eight shades. It’s a trimmed down version of the chunkier liner pencils so you can get to areas like your waterline easier. When Tarte creates their original eyeliners I had an issue with a little burning/tingling sensation on application. I’m happy to report they’ve improved on the formula as I didn’t have a problem with the wear on this. It’s just as creamy if not even creamier than the original chubby SmolderEYES formula. It glides across lids like butter. This is the type of liner that becomes a quick fav. The shade they included is a glossy black that’s quite pigmented. It wore well on me without smudging however, the creamier formula doesn’t set to a drier finish so I fear oily eyes might see some smudging but that’s just an assumption on my part.
Gunmetal
Gold
Overall, this is a killer set at a value price. It’s a nice range of shades for creating sultry looks for the Holidays and offers all full size pencils which makes the deal even the more sweeter. If you’re a fan of cream eyeshadows or chubby eye pencils you’re sure to love this.
Muse Approved for purchase.
Excellent price and an incredible formula to back it all up.
Available now at Sephora and Sephora.com and launching shortly at Ulta and Ulta.com as well as online at tartecosmetics.com