May 24, 2018

Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
3 stars out of 5

The Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette ($39) is a new, limited edition eyeshadow and blush palette that was created in collaboration with youTuber Aspyn Ovard and it’s actually not as bad as you may have heard.

When Tarte originally started sharing promo images of this palette everyone, myself included, was excited about the idea of a cooler pink palette. The palette appeared to have an assortment of dusky pinks and rose golds. It looked like quite a lovely roundup of Spring shades. To this day the promo image on Tarte’s site is very misleading. It’s sort of shocking to actually see it in person as you feel as if you’ve been punk’d. I know when I walked into Ulta and saw it I was like:

What happened to the pretty dusky pinks and roses? Where’s the rose golds?! Needless to say it was a little shocking to be presented with a bunch of shades I already have a million times over from Tarte. Sad sigh. But that’s Tarte’s repertoire isn’t it? Same o’, same ‘o.

Many of the shades in this palette look a lot like ones featured in the Tarte Clay Play Face Shaping Palette and Tarte Clay Play Face Shaping Palette Volume II. I wouldn’t say exact dupes but if you create a look using either of those two palettes and another look using the Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette you’re really not going to see a difference between the two looks. The shades aren’t bad by any means! I actually love a lot of these colors but the problem stems from the fact they are a rehash of the same shades that Tarte has done many, many times before. And that includes the look they create which is that bronze-y brassy nude eye look.

I really do believe they have a commitment to their fans to create products they think their following is going to love. Why fix something if it isn’t broken!? They’ve made plenty of sales on palettes just like this one in the past. It’s what their fan base knows and likes. It obviously sells well for them. I don’t see them wanting to jump in and create some crazy bold eyeshadow palette anytime soon as that might be a bit unusual for them. Although we know they have the potential to inject color into their palettes as seen in the Makeup Believe in Yourself Palette and the recent Be a Mermaid & Make Waves Eyeshadow Palette. I do think they are reaching a cutting point though as now they are starting to alienate fans with the constant rehash of shades.

So, the moral of the story is you probably don’t need the Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette if you already own a slew of other Tarte palettes. And if you do find yourself lemming it because of all that stunningly gorgeous packaging well, you can wait for a sale.

Speaking of packaging…

This is by far Tarte’s best packaging to date. From the outer box to the actual palette this is beautifully presented. The palette arrives in a rose gold metallic box decorated with gorgeous pink roses. The same design is also on the palette itself. It’s a magnet for fingerprints but damn, this is such a pretty preservation! The mirror inside is huge and quite gorgeous as well.

The disappointing aspect stems from the eyeshadow, blush, and highlighter which have been done time and time again. Inside you’ll find one blush shade, one highlighter, and nine shades of eyeshadow. The names of each item are printed below them however, there is no get-the-look guide which was disappointing. I actually wanted to see how Aspyn used the palette but I haven’t seen anything on her channel. I just winged it and created my own looks. It was no chore to create looks using this palette because the shades just jive well together. I was a bit concerned since I read reviews saying the eyeshadows weren’t formulated well, etc…..

Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches (Brilliance, High School Sweetheart, Endless Summer)

Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches (Santorini Sands, Heart of Gold, Road Trip)

Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches (Married Life, Tea Time, Wanderlust)

Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches (Made You Blush and Pure Soul)

I only had issues with a few shades and they were minor issues. The mattes were powdery but not dry or chalky. They felt soft and silky and applied easily for me. I LOVED the blush. It was the perfect dusky rose shade and had a thin, silky texture that applied easily on my cheeks. Sadly, the highlighter wasn’t so great. I struggled picking up color with my brush and it seemed quite dry and looked patchy on my cheeks.

Some of the shimmer eyeshadows I struggled with as they didn’t adhere well to my lids and had some fall out during application. Endless Summer and Hearts of Gold in particular I had problems with as during the blending process I felt like little flakes of eyeshadow were flying around my face. They also seemed to not want to stay on my lid. In the end, I ended up using a finger to pat them on and this helped considerably.

The palette is made in the USA.

I don’t think the Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette is the worst palette I’ve seen from the brand by any means. It’s just rehash of colors you likely already have but the formula and pigment of the palette seemed good to me, not great but good for sure. Not to mention the stunning packaging.

It’s just a shame the colors aren’t new and exciting.

Tarte Aspyn Ovard Eye & Cheek Palette is available now at ulta.com and tartecosmetics.com.

The palette performs quite nicely overall! But sadly, it just brings together a rerun of the same o’ same o shades from Tarte. Which means you probably don’t need to indulge if you already own a ton of nude, natural shades like this or the last 5 or so palette releases from Tarte.

Pros

  • Fairly good pigment, formula, and blendability aside from a few minor issues.
  • Stunning packaging.
  • Affordable pricing at $39 for nine shadows, blush, and a highlighter.

Cons

  • Anyone who doesn’t own a solid nude, natural eyeshadow palette already.
  • Fans of Aspyn.
  • Those that don’t mind doubling up on shades they own for some pretty packaging!

Who

Anyone who really loves nudes and doesn’t mind duplicating shades they might own already.

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

  • Carol G

    The package is stunning, however after seeing several swatches and reviews, most people were saying this is pretty much identical to the Clay Play Face Vol II palette so I decided to skip it. You are correct, they just keep rehashing the same shades we all own already. This is nice for a newbie to the makeup world, but us hardcore junkies have these shades 10 times over…

    • Isabella Muse

      If you’re new to tarte it might go over big but as a long term fan it’s a bit boring :-/

  • Jen

    I had the same reaction when I saw it in person the other day. It was underwhelming at best after all the hype. But it was sold out, so as you say, they know what their base likes.

    • Isabella Muse

      interesting! My Ulta seems to have plenty in stock! I thought maybe in a few weeks we’d see it on sale!

  • Denise

    I felt the same shock as you did, upon seeing the pallet for the first time. I fell for the stupid pretty packaging however, and couldn’t seem to make myself wait for a sale. Is it limited edition? I did have enough points that I didn’t have to use any cash!

    • Isabella Muse

      It is LE! I bet it goes on sale in a few weeks 🙁

  • Jujubes

    It’s a pity this turns out to be yet another warm brown toned palette which has been done to death. I hope they will release a cool toned palette at some point!

  • Tay

    Omg, I thought the same thing when I saw the palette!! I was, like, “this is……kinda boring. “

    • Isabella Muse

      I thought it would be rose and pink but it’s all brown 🙁

  • Susan

    I wanted this when I saw it in the Ulta flyer and it looked like shades of pink and mauve. Now, not at all. Honestly, can’t Tarte do anything but BROWN?!?

    • Isabella Muse

      LOL ITA! I was shocked it was so brown! I thought it was pink!

  • Janessa

    My sister got this for our Mom for Mothers Day and I totally agree that it was way different in person. When I saw her open it, I was excited to be able to try it out without buying it, but when I saw inside, I was like ‘Meh, seen this before”. I still haven’t played with her’s when I’ve gone over either.

    • Isabella Muse

      it’s such a shame it was so disappointing for everyone 🙁

  • Jo

    Love the new blog layout muse! 🙂 cuter than this tarte packaging!

  • Deb

    Thanks for the review, it looks like I’m gonna opt out of this one. On that note…Muse, I’m loving the new blog design! ♡

  • Anne

    I’m glad you reviewed this before I bought this! Also, I love your new star rating system.

    • Isabella Muse

      Thanks Anne 😀 glad you’re enjoying that feature!

  • Bya Kakley

    Thanks Isabella for the review! I might consider this palette when it goes on sale! Love the packaging. The shades surely do look like so many I have seen from Tarte before.

    I love the new design of your website, it is so cool. I like the color/shades of “Musings” it looks like a pink & gold mix. I always appreciate your reviews & pics, you always do a fabulous job.

    You might not be a super model in your mind but to your followers you definitely are! Just wanted to say thanks because I know what you do takes a lot of time & effort. Plus you do it so well!!

  • Claudia

    Can I just say I effing LOVE LOVE LOVE you new site design!!! I just hope it helps to free up time for you. I am about your color so the fact these don’t really show up makes me pass.

  • Julie

    I grabbed one at Ulta for my daughter for Mother’s day. We both love it but you are definitely correct in that the colors have been there, done that. I did like the palette better in person but it was the palette packaging itself that sold me on a second one….for ME! The biggest problem I personally had was a LOT of fallout. Overall, it’s a beautiful addition to my palette collection.
    Hope you are enjoying your trip. My husband of 27 years is from Manchester, England & it’s been three years since our last trip. We’re due!

    • Isabella Muse

      I liked it too just wish it wasn’t such a rerun sad sigh! Glad you enjoyed it though Julie! Try patting on the shimmer with your finger! it’ll lessen the fall out! It was great thanks 😀 GO go ;-D I love England and it’s always great to get back there. I also went to France and the Netherlands so it was an eventful trip 😀 Just still shaking off jet lag now!

  • genevieve

    Love, love your new facelift to your blog Muse – you really are so creative.
    I am not quite sure who doesn’t own a neutral palette these days, but this one does look OK to
    me. However I think it really only suits those with fair complexions as the shades would not show up at all on darker hues.
    The shades are a repeat of all that has gone on before with Tarte.

    • Isabella Muse

      thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-D You’re right! The shade selection is a bit chalky for deeper tones 🙁 Sad sigh! and repeats grr!

  • Krystal

    That’s disappointing. I think I’ll still try this palette though!

  • Jody Haas

    Hi!!
    Does anyone have this palette they are open to selling? Even if slightly used? Been searching forever for this..

  • Jess Newsome

    Hi there,
    Would you happen to know which blush color is similar to this palettes blush?

    Thank you!

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m so sorry! I don’t really have a dupe for this one but Too Faced velvet crush! it’s a nice dusky rose.