Review: Tarte "The Tarte of Giving" Holiday 2013 Set

Hi Ladies!

I was very fortunate to get MANY MANY palettes and makeup items for Christmas this year! Over the next couple weeks I will review the items I got (some in more depth than others). I will also include a look or two that I have created with the palettes/sets.

First up is the Tarte of Giving Holiday 2013 Set. I originally overlooked this set since I tried a Holiday kit a few years ago and wasn't impressed. After watching Marlena (Makeup Geek) review a bunch of holiday palettes for 2013, I changed my mind. I was SO excited to get this. The colors are super pigmented and beautiful. The quality of these shadows are much better than they were in 2009 (I think this is the year I got the previous one). 

Not only does the kit come with 20 shadows that are a mix of shimmer and mattes, it also comes with an awesome travel bag, 8 mini lipglosses, an Amazonian Clay Blush, a cheek stain, a eye brightener treatment, and pure Muracuja Oil. All for $59.00. This is an amazing value!

Here are pictures of the palette with and without the flash,

Here are swatches of the shadows:

Here are swatches of the lip glosses:

I wasn't really impressed with the lip glosses. They were all in the pink family and on the lighter side besides one that was a plum color. They were on the shear side and a little sticky. I probably will not use these much. They had a little minty taste/smell to them.

I LOVE the Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Memorable that came with this set. I have never used these blushes before and really like it! I will most def go to a Sephora and try out other colors.

Here is a swatch of the blush:

The cheek stain was a bit sticky for my liking and I haven't tried the mascara yet. I have put the Maracuja oil on my face but have only used it for a few days so I haven't really noticed that big of a difference in my skin. The same goes with the eye brightener cream.

I haven't tried all the colors yet but here are two looks that I have created:

For the shadows I used (4 shadows on the bottom left side of palette):
Erica's Dollhouse-lids and inner part of lower lash line
Meredith's Hula Hoop-crease and outer part of lower lash line
Jess' Storybook-over Meredith's Hula Hoop and outer part of lower lash line
Steph's Pearls-brow bone and inner corner of eyes

Other products used:
Eyeshadow Base-M.A.C. Paint Pot in Painterly
Cheeks-Amazonian Clay Blush in Memorable
Liner-Nyx The Curve Liner
Brows-M.A.C. eyebrow pencil in Lingering and Anastasia Clear brow gel
Lashes-M.A.C. Zoom Lash in Zoomblack
Face-Bare Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in Medium Beige followed by the Original Mineral Veil. Contoured with Too Faced Chocolate Soeleil Bronzer.
Highlight-Wet n Wild Fergie Shimmer Palette in Rose Champagne Glow
Concealer-e.l.f. Studio HD Lifting Concealer in Brightening/ e.l.f. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer in Beige
Lips-M.A.C. lipstick in Rebel/Bite Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil in Rhubarb
All over face-M.A.C. Fix + Makeup Setting Spray

For the shadows I used (4 shadows on the bottom right side of palette):

Anna's Tea Set-lids and inner part of lower lash line
Daniel's Teddy Bear-crease and outer part of lower lash line
Tom's Stuffed Tiger-over Daniel's Teddy Bear and outer part of lower lash line
Bianca's Coloring Book-brow bone and inner corner of eyes
Kate's Puppy-liner for upper lash line

Other products used:
Eyeshadow Base-M.A.C. Paint Pot in Painterly
Cheeks-e.l.f. Mineral Blush in Peachy
Brows-M.A.C. eyebrow pencil in Lingering and Anastasia Clear brow gel
Lashes-M.A.C. Zoom Lash in Zoomblack
Face-Bare Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in Medium Beige followed by the Original Mineral Veil. Contoured with Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer.
Highlight-Wet n Wild Fergie Shimmer Palette in Rose Champagne Glow
Concealer-e.l.f. Studio HD Lifting Concealer in Brightening/ e.l.f. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer in Beige
Lips-NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm
All over face-M.A.C. Fix + Makeup Setting Spray

Do you have this palette? What do you think about it? Have you created any awesome looks with it? Post your comments below and share links to your blogs/you tube pages with tutorials!