March 28, 2016

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer 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 Lipsaver Treatment Primer1

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer ($19) is a new lip primer that helps smooth, condition, and fill lines so lipstick and gloss lasts longer and stays fresher through the day. I always use lip balm to prep my lips but I’m really in love with lip primers like Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil as they set a really smooth canvas for lip color.

Problem?

I feel like there aren’t enough great lip primers on the market. It’s just an area that’s sorely lacking! Everyone is mostly worried about priming their face or their eyes and lips get pushed off to the sidelines.

That’s why I was quite happy when Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer launched.

Here’s some thoughts!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer

I’m sad to say Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer is getting some poor reviews. But I’m here to say I really like it! This is a great way to prep lips especially when you’re using a drier matte lipstick.

This comes housed in a 0.2 oz squeeze tube and has a sweet peppermint flavor and fragrance. The slanted applicator makes it easy to apply a thin layer of the product on lips. I typically apply it on my lips and do something else as it sets. It has a thick Jack Black Lip Balm consistency that sets to a satiny matte finish on lips. The formula is much like a face primer consistency as it has a thicker, silicone consistency. I wouldn’t say it added moisture or hydration to my lips but it did fill in my natural lip lines and created a smooth, seamless finish for my lipstick to adhere to.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer swatches

I tested it out with a variety of lipglosses and lipsticks and I think it excelled most with matte lipsticks. It kinda created this creamy layer on lips so matte lipsticks don’t apply with a drag but more of an easy, creamy glide. It doesn’t take away from the matte finish mind you, you’ll still get a perfect matte finish but it does add a softened layer to lips so color applies more easily. I tried it with a variety of lipgloss formulas but I also tried concentrating on using it with lipglosses I knew had a knack for falling into my natural liplines like Revlon’s Sandstorm. Sandstorm was such a goopey mess for me but worst was the fact it looked so patchy and fell into my natural lip lines. Lipsaver Treatment Primer saves the day here as it creates a smooth surface for the gloss to adhere to and allows for a less patchier finish. It also prevented the color from falling into my lip lines.

I find this creates a smooth film over my lips for color to adhere to so the lipstick or lipgloss on apply is laying on top of the primer versus the skin of my lips. This also means when my lips are drier or flakier I can get a way smoother finish and appearance as this created that smoother finish on my drier lips.

I was surprised at the bad reviews this was getting on Sephora as I thought it was a very helpful little tool to have handy. It works a lot better than mere lip balm in the fact it makes lip product applies with a much, much more creamier glide!

If you have drier lips, lip lines, or issues with formulas that are patchy and dry look Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer is a handy little lip primer to have hanging around!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer is available now exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer5

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‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Jay

    Ooooh I live for a good lip primer! This has been on my loves list since before it launched lol and once again, you’re twisting my arm into buying something! My current fav is the MAC Prep & Prime lip primer thingy. The Anastasia lip primer is meh. Great review!!’

  • blee

    Thanks, Musey girl! I have to admit that my new Tarte liner Totes and Hey Sailor lip stick could use this. The liner is to hard and does not glide on and small chunks are on my lips. This may help. I too like lip primers. Did Laura Geller do a lip spackle years ago?

    • Isabella Muse

      good question blee, I think she did, something along the lines of MAC’s lip primer, kinda nuded lips out as I recall!

  • Lauren

    I definitely agree it’s fantastic with matte lipsticks, but I just can’t stand to use it with anything else. With a name like Lipsaver treatment primer I was expecting something more hydrating.

  • Maria A

    I got this and returned it the next day. It felt so thick. I really wanted to love it. It reminds me of the colour pop lip primer but this one was waaaay thicker.

  • Jean

    I wanted to try this but there goes that possibility. I have a $50 gift certificate from Tarte (that’s how much I buy from their site). I’m going to buy the new blush palette (I hate that they’re doing this outside of a holiday collection), it’s $38 so what else would you recommend for the last $12?

  • Joni Martin

    They are having a Friend’s and Family sale 4.12 so hold off and u can get more.

  • TC

    I wasn’t that impressed, dried to feel like powder on my lips, couldn’t stand the feeling so returned it