September 27, 2012

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

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

  • LINDARRAGNAR

    Really beautiful! I only really like the lighter colores… I wonder how the other colores would be on the waterline as an eyeliner

  • Becca @ The Beauty Sample

    Holy cow–Gunmetal used as a shadow all over your lids looks INCREDIBLE on you, Muse! It really makes your eyes pop and is smudgy and sexy but doesn’t look overdone at all! I’m really curious to see how these would stand up to my small, watery eyes and oily lids–I’ve heard good things but you never know with my eyes

  • Karen

    oh boy, I am sooooo getting ALL of Tarte’s holiday stuff!! I have a feeling QVC is going to have great holiday stuff too! eeekkkk… =)

  • Tiffany Martin

    These look pretty good! It’s nice they throw the onyx pencil in there too.

    • CC

      I wanted to say that Si havent used as shadow, but as liner they font budge after that first min. I gave my DD the peach from ladt year and it wears winderfully all day and through a night of dance as shadow on the lid 🙂

  • Christina

    Wow, Muse! You look killer with that gunmental color on. I like you in browns and nudes, but when you do a sultry look, you look amazing! 🙂

  • HapaGirl

    These look gorgeous on you! I really liked the concept and the shades in last year’s QVC eye candy set, but the shadow sticks themselves ended up creasing on me unless I set them with powder, which kind of took away from the jewel-like intensity of the colors. 🙁 These chubby sticks look beautiful, though, and those with drier lids (or better shaped creases than my asian eyes!) are bound to enjoy. Lovely, Muse! 🙂

  • simone

    have it and love it! i especially love that they arent as glittery as ast years set…and the new pencil makes me want the 3 piece set from qvc…just dont know if i need 2 blacks- guess i could gift one

  • Jojo

    Those look great on you! I might have to buy these…and like everything else Tarte makes lol

  • JoElla

    oohh I wants! But I have read that these can irritate some people. I think this is the main reason for me not pulling the trigger on these goodies

    • the Muse

      I had this issue with the original smoldereyes liners, the small ones Jo, but these no problem at all. The original had a tingling sensation like I was putting peppermint in my eye or something!

  • corinne

    OK, I thought these colors would be like last year’s.. but they are not. You are making me really want these =)
    Gunmetal looks so pretty!

  • Suselew

    I just got this set and I love the colors. I don’t think they are dupes for any other Tarte SmolderEyes colors. The real winner in the set is that black skinny SmolderEyes pencil. That is the creamiest and easiest pencil to use I have ever seen. If you are in a hurry, that is the pencil to grab! I certainly hope they expand to more colors because they would give UD pencils a run for their money!

  • Cassie

    Jeez, tarte has been KILLING it lately!! The colors in this set are absolutely beautiful; so rich and extravagant!! I might have to put this on my Christmas list (along with most other things that you review on your site… you’re bad for my Mom’s wallet, Muse!! Haha).

  • Monica

    These would be great for travel since they can work for as a shadow or liner. How are they with creasing if you use them as a shadow?

  • Alice

    Oh Muse! These look so gorgeous. It sucks that they’re $51 Canadian, especially considering the Canadian dollar is above parity right now -_-” Still, at under $10 each it’s a super tempting deal!

    • the Muse

      ugh that’s high alice! 🙁 It really is still a deal though! 😀 I hope you haul! they are delightfully creamy!

  • Jen_m_sunshine

    On a side note – the Tarina Tarantino brand may be discontinued from Sephora – ALL her products are on sale online right including her eyeliners for $9 each.

  • CC

    These are GREAT! I perfer to use as liner and these colors are really fantastic, different and no glitter like last years set.