Tarte Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Tarte Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette ($42) is a new, limited edition eyeshadow palette that launched for Spring 2018 that contains 14 shimmering and matte finish eyeshadows inspired by the mystical mermaid.
This release doesn’t really surprise me in the least as it is yet another “Insta-makeup” launch that Tarte likely hopes to go viral with on Instagram. Hashtag mermaid anything seems to get the most views and likes across social media and of course, unicorns which Tarte has already covered last year with the Make Believe in Yourself Palette launch. It seems logical for them to make the jump from unicorns to mermaids and of course, mermaids have become a major key selling point for them in recent years with many of their products being ocean themed. In fact, mermaids seems like a more fitting mascot for them compared to unicorns.
Anyway, in my opinion the entire Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette is definitely a launch that will rely heavily on creating “waves” on Instagram. But I’m still a beauty blogger and my medium of choice is the written word not a brief blurb on Instagram with a bunch of hashtags. So, this is my review in all its long winded-ness.
I admit to being very much over unicorns and mermaids. Don’t get me wrong I love unicorns and mermaids just as much as the next person. I’ve always been fascinated with mermaids in particular. I’m not really sure I love them in my makeup. Perhaps a few years ago I’d have been overjoyed at the idea of a mermaid inspired palette but mermaids are a little overused (as are unicorns) and it has gone from cute to annoying for me.
On that note, I will say if you are an avid mermaid lover or collector you’ll love the compact. The gorgeous green, blue, and teal duochrome seashell shaped compact has all the colors you’d imagine a real mermaid’s tail would have. Inside you’ll find a gorgeous full-size mirror that has “99% Mermaid” printed on it. Each of the 14 eyeshadows is housed in a fin shaped well. One thing to note is when I first got the palette it refused to close fully for some reason but after fiddling with it a little I was able to get it shut easily. However, I struggle opening it sometimes as it seems like the clasp is a little tight. It could be just a fluke but it deserves mentioning.
The Make Believe in Yourself Palette was $40 and contained 10 eyeshadows which were 0.038 oz each and one highlighter that was 0.105 oz. This palette is $42 and contains a wider array of eyeshadows that are 0.028 oz each but it contains no face powder. I’m fine with the lack of blush, highlighter, or bronzer in all honesty as I didn’t make much use out of the one in the Make Believe in Yourself Palette anyway.
One of the major complaints about this palette was that it seemed like a rerun of shades that appears in the Make Believe in Yourself Palette. There are some shades that look similiar but I don’t think it’s a complete duplication. Some shades I thought looked the same as ones in the Make Believe in Yourself Palette were Frose which looked like Pixie and Dream which looks like Splash. Others seemed more original to me however, that doesn’t mean you don’t already own shades like this across other palettes as it’s a pretty standard assortment of nudes and cranberries. Yes, I said cranberries. Did that have you raising a brow? It did me. Why you might ask?
Well, looking at the palette it doesn’t exactly inspire mermaids. If I created a mermaid eyeshadow palette I’d likely focus on ocean blues, teals, aquas, sandy golds, bronzes, greens, maybe even corals. I wouldn’t include an assortment of berry shades. The palette contains a good deal of bronze-y nudes but there’s also one an area dedicated to dusky roses and berries as well as a small assortment of aquas/teals. It’s not a bad thing by any means! I like roses and cranberries just fine but for something that’s mermaid inspired you’d think the shades would geared more towards that.
I think those disappointed with the Make Believe in Yourself Palette will feel a lot better about the formula of the Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette. The shadows aren’t as chunky and they do contain a bit less shimmer. They also have a creamier, velvet texture with a foiled metallic look on eyes. The mattes aren’t the silkier ones I’ve come to know and love from Tarte as they feel a bit firmer but they are still easy to apply and blend out on my eyes. None of the shades lacked pigmentation and they all applied quite well on my eyes without fall out or powdery kick up. All in all, it performed very well for me. I think overall, the colors seem more intense and richer compared to Make Believe in Yourself. The palette is made in the USA.
Tarte Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette didn’t fail me in formula but the shades might not completely create the mermaid look you’re seeking if you purchase this palette. The eyeshadows aren’t unique by any means so you might want to check your stash for dupes before indulging. None the less, Tarte and mermaid fans alike might want to indulge in this one.
Tarte Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette is available now at sephora.com.