February 11, 2016

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer4

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer is a new full coverage concealer serum that recently launched on QVC and should be arriving with the Tarte Summer 2016 Collection later next month at Sephora.
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer comes in six shade selections and it includes a double-ended concealer brush (which will likely be sold separately when it launches elsewhere) for $29.50.

Thus formula is marketed as a full coverage concealing serum that’s formulated with Tarte’s Rainforest Sea Complex and promises to conceal dark circles, redness, and other imperfections.

Can I tell you how excited I was about this concealer?

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer6

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer comes in a 0.34 oz glass bottle that has a huge sponge applicator much like we’ve seen from lipgloss products like Hard Glossaholic Lipgloss. It’s a huge applicator about three times the size of a normal one. I actually didn’t realize this when I purchased it. I thought it had a dropper and the way the bottle is shaped I just assumed this. I actually like the applicator, it’s a little less messy than a dropper. It’s too big for application directly but it’s good for just dotting on and blending out with a finger or another brush.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer

I could see this stuff being potentially HG (holy grail) but it has a HUGE quirk that likely won’t be forgivable. So what’s the problem? It stinks! Holy cow…! It smells like paint thinner or alcohol or something of that nature. It’s has a very, very strong fragrance. If you have sensitive eyes that water up easily I think the fragrance might not be agreeable. I have to admit I also felt somewhat scared to put it near my eyes with it smelling so badly.

One other quirk is the shade range. I purchased three shades as I wasn’t sure which would be the best fit for me. The colors do run quite light. I ended up settling on medium as both light and light medium (this is typically my normal color) was a little too light. And even medium was pretty light so just beware when selecting a shade these do run very light.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Swatches (Light, Light Medium, and Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Swatches (Light, Light Medium, and Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Swatches (Light, Light Medium, and Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Swatches (Light, Light Medium, and Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer (Light)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer (Light)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer (Light Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer (Light Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer (Medium)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer (Medium)

On that note, I’ll go ahead and tell you all about how great it is.

This is fabulous and I have high hopes when it gets a wider release that the fragrance will improve and the color selection will be a bit better.

It’s actually not a traditional serum concealer. If anything at all it sort of feels like I’m applying cream or liquid foundation under my eyes, it does however, have the hydrating benefits of a serum concealer. It’s thin in texture yet creamy and very pigmented with an easy blend formula that doesn’t catch on dryness nor does it crease or cake during the wear. I find it blends flawlessly with a finger tip and looks even better when applied with the brush they include. You can get a very, very good airbrushed finish no matter what tools you use to apply. It conceals all my problem areas such as puffy, tired looking eyes, dark circles, etc…I only used it under my eyes but on face it’ll work just as great since the formula is much like a fluid or liquid foundation and should blend very easily. It’s quite concentrated as three very tiny drops was plenty for each of my eyes. It also happens to wear like a champ at eight hours without setting with powder. During that wear it didn’t crease nor did it cake and it didn’t ever leave me looking or feeling dry.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer7

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer8

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer9

I was very, very, very impressed with Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer’s formula and the long wear. Unfortunately, the fact that it smells so badly is kinda sorta a deal breaker for me. I’m trying to work through this. As I said when it launches nationwide hopefully the formula will improve but right now I see this being a very big issue for users!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer is currently exclusively available at QVC.com and now on sale at sephora.com.

Tried it?

Do share!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

    • Ashley

      So glad you see it all smells because I have2 of them I got off another girl .was not in box but has lot code and a but it has a strong odor to it when open the top I used it around mouth to see if coverage it work well but it smells funky she has had never had fake concealer but this is not a good smell I’ll never buy it again!! Horrible like nasty strong

      • Ashley

        I don’t mind the finish around nose covered good but not trying under my eyes because I did not get a lighter color unfortunately I need fair or light to contour under Eye even tho I’m tan skin I got the deep to use as contour color trying to contour with it to see how it does .did chin and liked it but I use a contour powder to top set it after nervous to use on cheek as color to contour but will and see how goes lol I asked the girl who sold it to me why the strong smell I hope she don’t get mad I didn’t know it is supposed to smell that strong when opened the cap it was bam in your face smell I don’t like the smell so I’ll never buy it again but I got huge deal since she had it open to sell for 2.55 she gave me the dark and 3 for the tan color not to many people buy those for under Eye so she gave me deal but the smell is gross I’ll stick to too faced where the smell is ok and or even Maybelline and my tarte marajuca is my fav tarte one

  • Shana

    I wanted to get this so bad, it sounds perfect for me! I have bad dark circles along with dry bumpy under eye skin. I hate being broke lol.

  • Melissa

    What’s the difference between this and the foundation? Would you pick one over the other?
    Thanks

  • michelle

    I hope they will sell this on sephora’s canadian website. I just cannot find a concealer that covers my dark circles. Everything is too pink, and the yellow based stuff is usually not a light enough yellow. (I am like a fairly light olive/warm toned if thats possible)

    • ame

      I am a really pale, olive-yellow tone and I got Light. I had heard that it lightens as it dries. I think it might be a hair dark on me still, but I’d call Light an olivey-yellow tone. I am wondering if she has the images mixed up in this post because my Light is very warm. I am debating if I should get Fair, though I am nervous it will be WAY too light on me.

  • sue

    GREAT REVIEW. I SO TOO NEED A GOOD UNDEREYE CONCEALER AND JUST HAVE NOT FOUND ONE! ANY TIPS.?

  • diane

    mine is on the way! I’m so worried I got light, my normal shade, and it is going to be way too light. we’ll see. thank you for the great review- it still sounds like it will be amazing. this brush actually looks like the tarte concealer brush that came with the amazonian clay concelaer on qvc a few years ago, but prettier. that is my HG concealer brush it is so amazing so it’s great they re-released it!

    • Isabella Muse

      I just texted you! I think it’ll be fine, you’re pretty fair so I think it’ll work well for you! The brush is really quite nice! When it releases at Sephora you def won’t get the nice brush with it so this was a great deal!

  • lizzie

    Great review so helpful as usual. Its too bad about the smell. I find the Urban Decay Naked Concealer and the Kevyn Aucion Sensual Skin foundation smell horrible too like white out I don’t get it. Makes it hard to keep track of if things go bad when they smell so bad off the bat. I always smell my make up to make sure it hasn’t expired. Have you tried the Sephora Gel corrector and concealer? Love to hear your thoughts.

    • Isabella Muse

      Diana was saying it smelled like sharpie marker and that’s exactly what it smells like, it’s pretty strong but yup you’re right Kevyn’s SS smells pretty weird too. Yup, I already reviewed both of them, you can check the archives for the reviews/swatches 🙂

  • Tammy

    Muse, thank you so much for your review. I always have a hard time discerning shades online–can I ask you what your MAC shade is? I am torn between the medium and the light-medium and can’t tell at all which would be the best for me. I’m transitioning from light-medium in Time Balm (an almost perfect match, just a little pink on me) and I’m hoping this concealer will provide even fuller coverage than Time Balm did.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m not sure, I don’t use MAC foundation it’s too orange or too beige for me. Sorry 🙁 I think I’m an NC 30??

      • Tammy

        No worries! I don’t use MAC either–none of their shades match me either but I’m willing to experiment as long as it’s in the ballpark. I’ll go for light-medium. Thank you so much!

        • Isabella Muse

          Light Medium works best for me Tammy! Medium is good if you tan easily in the Summer! My pleasure but no thanks needed, I didn’t do anything 🙂

  • Elizabeth S.

    I just got mine in the mail and was really hoping you got a bad batch, but nope. Mine smells like paint thinner too.

    • Isabella Muse

      Diane texted me a few days ago and said, “it smells like sharpie!” and after that, I was all OMG it does! At first it was paint or paint thinner or alcohol or something but now that she said sharpie I can’t get it out of my head because that’s actually exactly what it smells like! Damn shame! I thought maybe it was a bad batch too but all three of mine smelled like that so it’s hard to believe 3 were all bad! How are you getting on with it otherwise?

      • Elizabeth Stelley

        OK, ok, I give in. It does smell like sharpie. Dang it!! However, I used it this morning for the first time and I took out the applicator and wiped a decent amount on the back of my hand and immediately closed it up so that I wouldn’t have to smell it from the bottle. I did catch a whiff, but by the time I used the amazing brush to apply it from my hand to my under-eyes, thank goodness I didn’t smell it. I love the blend-ability. Just read on qvc that you are supposed to shake it, so maybe when I try that tomorrow it will have more coverage. Doesn’t look cakey on my dry under-eyes, so that’s a huge plus in my book! It has a little more moisture in it than the foundcealer from last year I think, so that’s awesome. And the fair shade is pinker in the rainforest version than the foundcealer version. Anyway – thanks lady!

        • Isabella Muse

          LOL! I know right? She totally hit that on the head with the fragrance! My pleasure glad you like Elizabeth 🙂 glad to smell wasn’t a big issue for you dear!

  • Cheryl

    I’m still on the fence here…I have been using the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye for quite a while, but my skin is so dry with this weather that it is no longer doing me any favors, as it’s a bit too heavy for dessicated mummy skin. = P I like the texture of the Age Rewind concealer, but it is not all that hydrating. I tried the Bare Minerals serum concealer, but it didn’t wow me. How does the Tarte mermaid potion compare to the Bare Minerals serum concealer, if you don’t mind me asking? Thank you!

    • Isabella Muse

      They are pretty different Cheryl. Tarte’s formula is a lot drier in comparison and not as creamy but more thin with a less hydrating feel and finish and more of a satin set. It’s kinda like comparing apples and oranges 🙂

      • Cheryl

        Thank you. Since I’m not sure whether or not the formula will work for me, with my parched skin and dark circles, I will probably wait for it to be available at Ulta or Sephora and try it before purchasing. Great deal at QVC, but only if it works for me. Too much of a pain to return it. Thanks again.

        • Isabella Muse

          My pleasure. It’s available now at Sephora.com if you’re a VIB/Rouge member! Hope this helps! Good Luck!

  • Priya

    Muse- I want to order this but very skeptical about the shades. Iam an Indian with nude beige complexion. I use w3 in Loreal true match. The brush looks lovely.

    Any suggestions on the color??

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi Priya, I’m not really sure. I haven’t seen all these shades in person plus it’s difficult to pick out a foundation shade over the Internet for someone. I’m sorry 🙁

  • Michelle

    The smell is definitely awful, but I find that it doesn’t linger for very long, and the payoff for me is worth it. Thanks for the great review!

    • Isabella Muse

      My pleasure Michelle! Yeah, thankfully it doesn’t! I’m glad you like 😀

  • Kelli

    I got mine today. Thanks Muse for the swatches and letting us know it leans light. I got the light/medium and it’s perfec . Without your review, I would of gotten light and it seems too pink and I am neutral. Ugh it’s so hard for us neutral girl’s to find a match it seems.
    What is very strange is mine doesn’t have the strong odor. No kidding. I have opened it 5 times and even applied it under my eye’s and I have super sensitive eye’s. I can’t wear UD Naked palettes due to an ingredient in them that makes my eye’s swelled up and water and turn bright red.
    Well I even had my daughter’s close their eye’s and take a deep whiff and they didn’t smell it either? So weird…. Maybe they changed the formula or an off batch?
    Who knows…. I can say I am disappointed with the huge applicator. What a mess and it doesn’t help with wasting product I feel. It’s all clumped up the sides of the HUGE wand. LOL!
    Thanks for the great review

    • Isabella Muse

      Yay! Glad you got it Kelli and the color matched well for you! QUESTION, did you get it from qvc or sephora?! Curious minds! Perhaps the formulas are different from qvc to sephora. Oh god yes. I just use the applicator to dot on a little but not actually swipe on 😀 dot and blend either with my finger or a brush! My pleasure xoxoxo!

      • Kelli

        I got the set off of QVC.. It was too good of a deal to pass up. Aren’t they the absolute best when it comes to deals on set’s?
        Thank you for the application info. I haven’t worn it but once, as I’ve been under the weather and stuck at home. I’m giving my skin a well needed break from makeup and have been using my pampering product’s.
        Oh isn’t it fun being a girl??

        • Isabella Muse

          agreed the brush is nice so def a good deal 🙂 My pleasure! Let me know when you try! Hopefully you love 😀

      • DONNA

        HI I GOT MY TARTECONCEALER FROM SEPHORA SMELLS EXACTLY LIKE URBAN DECAY FOUNDATION,PAINT THINNER.I GOT IN LIGHT MEDIUM IM 3.5 IN UD FOUNDATION AND IN TARTE THIS IS TOO YELLOW AND JUST DOES NOTHING FOR ME.I SE MED IN BARE MINERALS CONCEALER COLOR TONE IS MUCH NICER ,TARTES IS MUDDY.I’M EXCHANGING FOR LIGHT I HOPE IT WORKS OUT.I DON’T LOOK GOOD IN YELLOW UNDERTONE,IM EITHER NEUTRAL PR PINK.

  • Renee

    I love this product. The smell did not bother me that much as it dissipates quickly when applied. The concealer is light, not cakey, but yet manages to cover my under eye circles without settling into the fine lines and wrinkles. I did not have an issue with the color selection, but they could offer a wider range to suit more buyers. This is a win in the concealer arena.