April 1, 2016

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Palette

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette ($34) is a new eight shade eyeshadow palette that launched with the Sephora Exclusive Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Collection. This is probably one of my favorite Tarte Eyesahdow Palettes to date.

One of the things that sets apart the Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette from ALL the Tarte Eyeshadow Palettes you already own, love, and use, would be the fact that the formula has changed dramatically. Tarte went with something completely new, different, and exciting with their eyeshadow formula in this palette and I’m liking it, a lot. It’s a refreshing change to see a brand just randomly, out of the blue reinvent their eyeshadow palette. One would hope this formula is here to stay as it truly is great. Not that Tarte’s eyeshadow is bad mind you but I think this formula is even better than anything I’ve had the pleasure of trying from them in the past.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette3

The Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette comes housed in a smaller size round palette that’s very similar to palettes Tarte has done in the past such as the Rainforest After Dark and Showstopper Clay Palette however, it is a bit smaller and more compact in size. It happens to be a little cheaper as well at $34 compared to $38 but sadly holds less product as well at 0.40 oz compared to 0.70 oz. Doesn’t matter though! The formula is so good you likely won’t mind you’re getting less.

Keep in mind this palette is limited edition so I’d highly suggest purchasing it before it disappears or even grabbing a back up if you really like it.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette

Tarte describes the formula of these shadows as plush, velvety eyeshadows with a hydrating finish that has a creamy powder consistency. They are considerably more dense compared to other Tarte eyeshadows which typically have a soft, silky or/and sometimes powdery texture. They remind me a little bit of the Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow however, I think the texture is much more soft and creamy in comparison.

I find the texture is a bit of a hybrid formula that’s part powder, part cream. The creaminess of the shades isn’t at all like say Stila’s Eyeshadow formula as you get zero frost or metallic from these shades. They feel very soft during the blending process and leave behind gorgeous wearable color that was free from fall out and remained very long wearing without creasing or losing color intensity.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Swatches (Seashell, Wave, Abyss, Reef)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Swatches (Seashell, Wave, Abyss, Reef)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Swatches (Starfish, Cove, Sand, Mermaid)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Swatches (Starfish, Cove, Sand, Mermaid)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette7

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette8

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette9

This formula is truly like nothing we’ve seen from Tarte in the past and I, for one, am liking what I see. I hope Tarte does more palettes with this formula as I think it could potentially revive and refresh their diehard fans as many of you might have reached the point of have a lot of repetitive Tarte eyeshadows in your collection.

The Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette is an excellently formulated eyeshadow palette that comes as a little bit of a surprise to me. I’m not sure what I expected but a brand new formula was not it but I sure am glad I tried this one as it is quite delightful!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette fotd

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Palette fotd

Have you tried it?

The Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette is available exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com.

It’s Muse Approved.

musings_approved

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

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

  • Christina D.

    I got suck a kick out of this glowing review! As you may recall, I do not like Tarte eye shadows generally and after years of being disappointed and way too many palettes being unused, I had sworn off the brand. But I kept reading how this palette was a new formula, and the shadows were just awesome. So I caved and bought it a few weeks ago — and love it! So glad it’s Muse Approved!

    • Isabella Muse

      HA! awesome! I think many fans, myself included, have been a little iffy on Tarte lately but they really did a good job with this! They should keep this formula on! It’s a winner!

  • Alison

    Avid reader but first time poster.
    I wanted to love it and I seriously felt like there was something wrong with me that I didn’t. You are not the only one who loves it, got rave reviews from y-tubers and bloggers.
    I am pale skinned and I think these colors work better with med-dark skin. On lids they blend together but looks like one color. Looked muddy/dirty on my skin tone.
    What brush do you use with these?The only one that worked for me was a Mac 242. A regular e/s brush grabs the color and doesn’t administer on lid well. You also need an eyeshadow base or a primer.
    This is going back. I think the formula is good and Ibwould try it again in other colors.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw sorry Alison! I used a sponge eyeshadow applicator to pack color on and I blended with the UD Good Karma Blending Brush! I’m sorry it didn’t work for you 🙁

    • Agona

      Don’t feel bad. I was watching one YouTuber explain that since everyone applies eyeshadow slightly differently (depending on brushes and preferences on order of placement, blending, etc) and everyone has different types of eyelids (shape, dry/oily, etc), that different formulas will perform differently for differnt people. That’s why one person’s favorite may be one that you dislike.

  • Michelle

    Muse, I know this is a review of the Tarte palette … and this may be a bit off topic, but I must ask what’s on your lips – they’re positively divine! Love the shade on you, so pretty!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thank you Michelle sorry about the delayed reply! It’s Praise Lipsurgence from Tarte 🙂 with clear gloss!

  • Lucy

    Hi Muse!
    Great review! I’m highly considering one but what I really want to know is what lip color you’re wearing. It is gorgeous!

  • Amber

    I am very pale and I reach for this palette almost every day since I got it. I bought the quench lippies too. Not the lipsticks, the sheer ones, the lip rescues. I wear this palette and the nude lippie and some black liner and peaceful blush and some gifted mascara and I am good to go. I do love the blend on the eye colors. It’s very smooth and blendable.

  • celine D

    Hey Muse ,
    You are spot on With this Palettte ! I bought it as soon as it came out because of all the great reviews and I fell in love w/ the color selection. Plus I don’t own any Tarte Eye shadows .
    Never really liked any thing by them except for there mascara (lights camera splashes )
    Which I really like . So when I saw this I thought let me give it a try . Plus the price was
    right. I also loved the packaging .The compact is sooo pretty on my dresser. The formula is so
    creamy and blends beautifully ! They did a great job w/ this one . Plus I had and old store credit from Sephora for $20. So I really got it for 14$ BONUS !!! LOL! I highly recommend
    purchasing it as it is LE… So Glad it was Muse Approved.
    Also love the look you did . Looks gorgeous . And please tell me what that lipstick is you are
    wearing . It looks so luscious !!!! I have to have it !!
    ☺️

    • Isabella Muse

      Yay glad you liked it Celine 😀 And fantastic deal too 😀 Thank you! Oh, it’s a Tarte Lipsurgence, can’t recall the name! Will post back with it 😀

  • Katherine T.

    I didn’t like their old formula, but keep hearing rave reviews about their new one, and these swatches look great. I have enough of these colors in my stash, but if they come out with new palettes, I’m in

  • genevieve

    I am not generally a fan of neutral eye shadows, but this one has me fascinated. I actually like most of the colours! Quite a few of them seem to be suited to cool tones as well. Plus the fact that it has a newer and better formula makes it even more attractive. I am seriously considering getting this one. It looks great on you.

    By the way Isabella, my twin sister (who is not really into makeup – shows you that we are not identical twins) is a fan of a Clinique matte taupe that has been discontinued. Do you, with your vast knowledge and makeup supplies, know of any good quality matte taupe? I have tried looking on google but get all kinds of different responses. Thank you.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thank you dear! 🙂 It’s really a nice palette, I think you’ll like it! I don’t have matte taupe from Clinique in all honesty so not sure on a dupe 🙁 Sorry!

  • Lori

    Muse, I’m late to comment, but I’m excited to see that this Tarte formula is ‘back’! I ordered an auto delivery kit from QVC last year called “tarte Beauty in the Basics” (for a total of two shipments). So, I have two eye shadow quads… with eye shadows in this formula! I thought they were great, and I wondered why this formula isn’t the default for all of their shadows! The colors were pretty, had staying power (much more so on me then the normal formula from Tarte), and blended beautifully. I do hope they continue with this version of their eye shadow formula!

    • Isabella Muse

      Wow Lori, I have that set and I didn’t even think about it until just now, you are right the shadow formulas are the same 😀

    • Agona

      That’s interesting! Those quads were marketed for the formula to use your fingers to apply; I wonder if that holds true for Rainforest of the Sea?