Monday 31 December 2007

Tarte Lock and Roll Eyeshadow Duo


RRP: $28.00 for 2 (normal stock), or $30.00 for 1 as part of the "We Wish You Health" travel set (ltd edition)

no. of shades available: 3 (gunmetal/bronze; rosegold/gunmetal; green/bronze) under normal stock, 1 as part of the ltd edition pack (slate)

--Brand availability--
This brand is mainly available in the US and Canada. However, if you're in the UK or mainland Europe, don't despair - www.beauty.com and www.amazon.com both stock Tarte Cosmetics and seem pretty good at shipping worldwide.

--What does the promo say?--
"Say goodbye to cream shadows that crease & smudge! We’ve brought you one of our favourite makeup artist tricks for creaseproof cream shadow—two simple steps in one little wand:
Step 1: Brush a sheer wash of the Vitamin E-enriched cream shadow on lids—wait about 10 seconds for it to dry.
Step 2: Tap roller ball to activate product, then roll the matching loose shadow directly on top-- the binding agents in the cream shadow will lock with the powder, creating a crease-free, budgeproof finish. Add a coat of mascara and you’re ready to roll!"

--Packaging--
A cool-looking, travel-friendly, oh-so-dinky stick with the cream shadow coming off one end and the powder coming off the other end, in packaging similar to Max Factor's Lipfinity. It's plain, but in a slightly edgy but not-trying-too-hard type way. Each end is easy to release and then screw back into place, and there is no leakage.

--Application--
They have really thought about this. I was certainly impressed. I started off with the cream shadow, as I was on a train when I was applying it and I was thinking that the powder might go everywhere. However, I was totally wrong: as the name of the product suggests, the powder shadow works on a rollerball mechanism, precisely avoiding this problem. And while the cream shadow has an open top end, with a brush for application à la lipgloss country, this wasn't a messy affair either. It's all very neat and tidy, and while the "cream" shadow more closely resembles a liquid liner, this is just me being pernickety and it's hardly a negative as it opens up tremendous possibilities to vary the application of the product. The cream is also easy to apply, particularly if you compare it to other liquid liners, to which it is undeniably similar. I would recommend applying the powder shadow first as it's rather paler than the cream shadow, and be patient with the former, too, as the rollerball can take a moment to get going.

--Texture--
The powder is quite fine, with its cream/liquid brother being slightly heavier. Both are smooth and non-irritating.

--Appearance--
The powder is very subtle and shimmery indeed, so not good if you're after a bolder effect. However, if that is what you're after then the cream shadow is for you: it can be bold and jazzy just as easily as it can be a silvery glow. Just blend appropriately to get the desired effects.

--Longevity--
Pretty awesome - while the powder shadow faded and creased slightly, it performed very well without a primer and even after I slept for a couple of hours while wearing both shadows, both survived pretty perfectly (woohoo, no panda eyes for me!).

--Value for money--
Hmm. I looked this up just now and I'm teetering between saying the price is reasonable vs saying it's more money than it's worth. Probably the closest brand comparison in terms of packaging, price and everything else is Benefit, and for the quality of the products and the environmentally friendly bonus of the brand, I'd say on balance that Tarte is better and that I would go for it over Benefit - particularly if it has something to rival Benefit's eye primer, Lemon Aid. Best be quick if you want to get your mitts on that limited edition pack, though (which, for your interest, contains a mini face primer, a mini Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara, one mini Lock and Roll, and one mini Inside Out vitamin-infused lipgloss).

perfect partners
Tarte Eyeliner, $18
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara, $18
Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand, $22

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