June 9, 2017

Tarte’s Original Fragrance and Perfume and It Isn’t Sweet Tarte

Tarte Sweet Tarte Fragrance launched about a week ago and is being marketed as the brand’s first ever fragrance. I quickly purchased it and fell in love. It’s quite a gorgeous mix of sweet and musky notes with touched of gorgeous vanilla. It starts out bright, zippy, and sweet but it ends up becoming very sultry and sensual. It’s sadly limited edition which apparently is code word for it’ll be around a long time and probably go on sale in a month. No, but seriously, hopefully it is around for a while because I really like. Although, I’ll be the first to admit the sudden venture that Urban Decay and Tarte has been making into both skincare and fragrance lately leaves me slightly confused. I know Chanel, Dior, and a host of other high-end brands do both skincare, fragrance, and color cosmetics and it doesn’t seem odd at all. But for whatever reason it feels strange and out of place when Tarte or Urban Decay suddenly starts doing it.

None the less, here we are. Now Tarte is insisting that this is their first fragrance ever and on their website the description reads, “Our first-ever fragrance captivates in a convenient rollerball, infused with sustainably-sourced Madagascar vanilla for a refreshingly sweet essence.” I took them at their word because I can’t recall a time that they had a fragrance but many of you clever ladies and lads were quick to correct me and say no way! Tarte has had a fragrance before.

And the proof is in the pudding! Thanks to Kristen for hauling out her vintage stash and sending me a photo of Tarte’s real first and original fragrance as seen below. God, remember that old purple packaging!? This photo made me think of the good old days! I actually do not remember this perfume at all! So it was quite interesting to see a photo.

Not to say Tarte Sweet Tarte isn’t lovely but it sure isn’t their “first” fragrance ever obviously! I have hopes they do a larger version of it at some point.

Do you remember Tarte’s original fragrance?

Do share!

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

  • Beth

    “code word for it’ll be around a long time and probably go on sale in a month”
    This statement says it all…. I about laughted my butt off yesterday when I noticed all 3 rainforest of the sea ( limited editon) palettes were all there on tartes site…I love how they claim something is limited to hype it up and feed those impulse “gotta get before it sells out” then it becomes “permanent” or is re-released a billion times because of the “demand” ….sheesh what marketing tactics ..and well we all fall for them over and over……First ever fragrance my foot!
    Girl I thank you for your honest unbiased reviews and opinions, your a treasure that I have really grown to trust. I often find myself clicking swatches and ending up right at your site ( you swatch great).
    I appreciate how you don’t rave about everything and are looking at products with a critical eye, which a makeup junkie would tend to do.
    After buying/using/trying/testing sooo manh things your product knowledge is invaluable.
    I got of on a bit of a rant but I do love vanilla and any sweet/sultry scents are soooo me …I love your description of the scent.
    I’ve yet to purchase anything from tarte where I’ve not used at least 20% off codes ….they are always having sales and emailing codes …lol

    • Isabella Muse

      haha Beth 🙂 I’m glad I made you laugh. I recall the first palette being promoted as LE and here we are and it’s still available. Limited edition has very little worth nowadays! Aw thank you so so much Beth that’s a HUGE huge compliment! My god you’re making me cry here 🙂 thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to admit the scent is really nice, I enjoyed it! I’m going to buy a backup JUST by some chance that it is LE lol! Girl, wait, they’ll be another sale soon and you can get it at that point 🙂 xoxoxo thanks for making my day today!

  • blee

    New fragrance with the new ownership? Just guessing. But the picture – Ouch!

  • Diane

    Wow I’ve been such a fan for years and I do not remember this at all!!! I do remember (and miss) the old packaging

    • Isabella Muse

      ME TOO!!!! I remember the old packaging but I do not remember the perfume at all!

  • Kristin

    For those of you curious, the original has “top notes of bergamot, mandarin, freesia and peach; a heart of cassis, Japanese plum, mimosa and peony, and a drydown of musk, sandalwood, oakmoss and heliotrope.” (Unfortunately the box has no copyright dating on it, but I believe I purchased it around 2002/03 at Sephora.)
    To me, I get a lot of peach, along with the musk (and also maybe the sandalwood?). There’s also a certain ‘dryness’ to the smell; much in the way certain champagnes taste dry, this has that same sensation, only scent-wise, (if that makes sense).

    • Isabella Muse

      I wonder if the two smell anything alike! If you try Sweet Tarte you have to compare Kristin 😀

    • Stacey

      I miss that perfume! It was my favorite, and I have yet to find anything like it 🙁

  • kjh

    ‘Code for..’. I laughed so hard I woke up the dogs! Too funny, but sadly, so true. Tarte might have come back on my radar with the latest color splash l/s, but don’t think I’ve tarted since Mattnificent eye palette. I don’t remember the real first scent at all. Most HE designer perfume/makeup lines are brand extensions for fashion houses. That seems logical. The clothes started first…like Chanel and ysl. Guerlain I think was just a classic fragrance house, and boy, do they have some goodies. All I can say is no, to apparel from UD or tarte, if they are copying the French, in reverse.