June 8, 2017

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III Review & Swatches

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

Contrary to its selection of sandy, beachy shade selection the new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III ($36) is a Fall 2017 launch that arrived last weekend during the Sephora VIB Rouge Event in stores and online.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III has been called a “highlighting eye palette” by Sephora and is said to have “eye-illuminating effects” thanks to oxygenated light-reflecting spheres which act to highlight eyelids for a smooth, even texture. Ok, let’s break that down for a second…Basically, what they are trying to tell you, is this palette has contains eight metallic shades that have an almost foiled finish.

Like many of you I liked the original Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette and also, had a fairly good run with the Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume II. Which obviously led me to the purchase of Volume III. One thing that I think deserves mentioning is that the original releases or at the very least Volume 1 was marketed as a limited edition palette and it’s still very much available. I noticed they didn’t say the same for Volume III. With limited edition being thrown around so loosely nowadays I’m happy for once they are not promoting as a “YOU MUST BUY THIS NOW BEFORE IT IS GONE FOREVER!”

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III is exclusively available at Sephora.com and will launch shortly at Sephora stores. Rainforest of the Sea is Sephora’s exclusive collection where as Ulta gets the Double Duty Beauty Collection.

As with past launched this comes housed in a compact that’s a little smaller than a CD that includes a generously sized mirror inside as well as a mermaid scale-like design decorating the front. Inside you’ll find eight eyeshadow all of which are 0.05 oz in size. Thankfully the price and size of the eyeshadow has not changed over the past three releases and maintains a relatively nice, mid-range price of $36. You’ll get a step-by-step get the look guide that includes instructions to create two different looks one of which is called mystical mermaid. Tarte is working hard to sell you that mermaid and unicorn trend.

For me Rainforest of the Sea Volume III comes a little too closely to the release of the Tarte Make Believe in Yourself Eyeshadow Palette which literally just launched a few short weeks ago and quickly went on sale. The reason I say this is because we got a good range of metallic shades in the Make Believe in Yourself Palette and a few of those shades and the formula from that palette seems to be rehashed in this palette. If you took Volume 1, Volume 2, and The Make Believe in Yourself Palette you might be able to duplicate a lot of the looks you create with Volume III. I wouldn’t say these shades are exact dupes of colors found in those palettes but if you have those palettes already you can probably create similiar looks using them without every having to buy Volume III.

Tarte’s softer and silkier eyeshadow formula is well known but the Rainforest of the Sea Palettes rely on a different texture which is a gel powder that has a creamy consistency which applies best with your fingers or a sponge tipped eyeshadow applicator. I’ve always had great success with application and really enjoy this texture. I think the Make Believe in Yourself Palette was a smidge different in comparison as it was a little creamier and had a foiled finish without the addition of water. It was very metallic but it wasn’t frost. Volume III seems to favor the same formula and application technique but the main difference was the fact that these looked very, very frosty on my eyes. There’s a lot of micro-shimmer in the finish which thankfully didn’t cause fall out but does create a very metallic frosty look on my eyes which I ended up hating. They seem like they are more shimmery than any of the past palettes from this line. That’s not to say there aren’t some keeper shades here! I adored Malibu and Jewel both of which seemed like they weren’t as frosty as the lighter shades.

Something to also keep in mind is that this palette is the lighter of the three variations. There are some darker shades here like Malibu and Jewel but a majority of the colors are sheerer, lighter golds and creams. I think I’d enjoy these shades a lot more if they weren’t frosty as they are a good line of colors that will brighten up the eye area very nicely. There is one odd matte shade here which can be used as a color wash for the shimmery, metallic ones.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III Swatches (Malibu, Rays, Compass)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III Swatches (Escape, Tiki, Heat Wave)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III Swatches (Jewel and Treasure)

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III is something you have to experience for yourself I think. I was a little surprised I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. These shades are just a little too light and a little too frosty for me. I felt like the finish made the colors appeared caked on and frosty. If you liked foiled, metallic eye looks you might just adore this one but for those who aren’t quite keen on that finish or anyone who disliked the Make Believe in Yourself Palette you might want to skip out on Volume III.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Volume III is available now at Sephora.com.

What did you think of it?

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

  • Jules

    Well blah!! In the pans, some of the colors look so much pinker, but swatched, the colors all just seem to run together…I have the Make Believe in Yourself palette, and yeah…looks like that has me covered! Love the look you did, and that lipstick (gloss?) In your second pic is gorgeous!

  • Susan

    Gorgeous look on you — you should rock a gold eye more often! — but this is an easy pass. Too frosty and the colors are too same-y for me.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks! I felt like it looked really bad, too frosty!!!!!!!!!

  • Liz

    I did just buy the Make Believe In Yourself Palette, it was on sale on Sephora.com and you’re right, some of the shades seem similar. I love metallic but I hate frosty…so I’m glad you said that.

    Totally off topic, but have you tried the new L’Oreal Infallible Metallic Paints? They amazing. You have to get your hands one of those.

    • Isabella Muse

      they aren’t complete dupes but def similiar 😀 I hate the frost yayckkckckckck! blah! I haven’t. Trying to locate them has been difficult. Where did you find?

  • Christina

    Yup, definitely frosty looking. You don’t look bad with it on, but as someone who also hates frost, I can understand why you aren’t thrilled with the palette.

    • Isabella Muse

      ugh hate frost hate it 😀 thanks Christina! I really didn’t like the look I did, it’s all caked up :-/

  • Agona

    I’m totally into the frost and metallic so I’m all over this. Thanks for the review!

    I was worried when they marketed it, as you said: “highlighting eye palette” with “eye-illuminating effects” thanks to oxygenated light-reflecting spheres–why couldn’t they just say “metallic eye shadows with a frost finish?” -_- It’s like their marketing guy pulled flowery phrases out of his butt and their PR team was like yeah! Let’s roll with it!

    Although, now that I read it again, I noticed that they focused on “smoothing eyelids”, which is the main reason people stay away from frosty finishes so maybe they were trying to rope in that audience that worries about frost/metallic emphasizing fine lines and crêpe-y textures?

    • Isabella Muse

      My pleasure! LOL! Oxygenated spheres and illuminating effects and light spheres, oh my! A lot of big words for foiled finish hahaha! I will say the finish isn’t quite smooth for me, it looks a bit cakey. And I imagine if your lids are less than smooth you’ll see even more unevenness.

  • Robin

    This is a pass for me after seeing your swatches. I may end up buying the 1st Rainforest of the Sea palette. Pur Cosmetics has a new Diaries Palette that’s tempting as well.

  • Kristin

    This whole ‘new-must-have-buy-it-now-exclusive-limited-edition’ thing is becoming tiring! That’s when MAC’s quality started going downhill, frankly. Tarte, Urban Decay and Too Faced all seem to be doing this- instead of seasonal releases, it’s monthly. And then 3 weeks later, it all goes on sale anyway.

    (BTW Muse, check your email- I sent a pic of the Tarte perfume and its original box.)

    • Isabella Muse

      OMG Just checked email thank you! I so don’t recognize it. I hope you don’t mind I”m going to use your pic (with credit of course) in an upcoming post as I think everyone would interested to see the fragrance 🙂 Thanks!

    • Agona

      Yeah, limited editions to create a “buy it now” urgency makes me angry because it’s a marketing ploy, especially if they’re doing near monthly releases.

      That’s why I appreciate the bareMinerals still only does a spring, fall, and holiday release (with a summer bronzing kit in the summer). Monthly releases are too much for my wallet to keep up with–I’ve actually had to reduce the number of brands I follow because of the increased releases in the beauty market overall. >:-|

  • Brandy

    I wish I could just buy the shade you’re wearing in the pics. It looks gorgeous on you especially with the berry lipstick in the 2nd pic! You’re review made me want to buy the lipstick you’re wearing!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks Brandy! 😀 I’m actually reviewing the lipstick today and will have swatches live shortly!

  • Lorraine. E.R

    Those looks are gorgeous on you- the eye shadows brighten your entire face and both lip shades are flattering. I think these colors are pretty but this isn’t the type of thing that makes my heart beat faster.

  • genevieve

    Yes, a lot of those shades looked very similar and pinky to me (a turn off) and the finishes are not great. What a shame it was a bit of a waste of money for you.

  • Julie

    I have been looking high and low for a palette with these kinds of colors. Only I want them to be more mattes/satins. Seeing that these are frosty makes me want to cry!