Tarte Double-Duty Beauty and Rainforest of the Sea Review
The Liquid Foundation You Can Wear on Vacation (and Won't Cause Breakouts)
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Many of you worship at the Tarte Cosmetics altar because of its natural approach to beauty — and because the brand doesn't skimp on providing high-quality, fun makeup to play with. Terms like Amazonian clay and Maracuja oil have been made buzzy by the playful label.
So when I recently went on a press trip to Kauai in Hawaii with Tarte, its founder Maureen Kelly, and over 20 influencers (read: vloggers and Instagram personalities), I was stoked. Who doesn't want to travel with one of their favorite lines to a gorgeous island? But the deal was even sweeter: we were able to learn, before anyone else, all about its two massive new makeup collections!
Throughout the week, we learned about both Rainforest of the Sea, a Sephora launch, as well as Double Duty Beauty, an Ulta debut. With so many products showered upon me, I had a tough time choosing my favorites, but keep reading to learn which ones you should put in your cart ASAP.
Double-Duty Beauty and Rainforest of the Sea
Many of you already know (because you're spent hours scouring the Internet and watching Snaps of the new launches), that Double Duty Beauty includes 10 products, and Rainforest of the Sea includes 14 products. There's something for everyone! But which line will be your favorite? I like to mix and match and love them both equally. To make it easier for you, I've broken down what you can expect from each:
Double Duty Beauty is for the girl on the go — with products that make your life easier, like a two-in-one gloss and lipstick you can pack in a small clutch, day and night eye-and-cheek palettes that are ubereasy to travel with, and a double-ended eyeliner and shadow duo for when you need to get ready in an Uber. The good news? It's already available on Double Duty Beauty!
Rainforest of the Sea is for the skin care fanatic and makeup junkie. Expect powerful ingredients that do something for your skin while you're wearing makeup. (Who doesn't want that, frankly?) The foundation in this line contains antiaging vitamin E, and even the vibrant lipsticks include fatty acids to keep it from flaking. You'll have to wait for this one: it's not available until March 1 on Sephora.com and March 15 in Sephora stores.
Rainforest of the Sea: Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
The Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette ($42) from the Rainforest of the Sea collection is by far my favorite launch out of the entire bunch, but I am a highlighter girl! Regardless, I think this is the standout item out of both lines.
Many times, you apply highlighters and you end up looking greasy or chalky, but this one glides onto the skin and blends beautifully over foundation. This is due in part to Tarte's Rainfoest of the Sea Complex, which includes algae and marine flower extract that smooth the skin.
There are three shades to play with: sunlight, a champagne gold (on the right), filtered light, a matte sand (middle), and moonlight, a frosty pearl. I use champagne gold on my cheekbones and alternate between moonlight and filtered light for my cupid's bow and the bridge of my nose.
Here's a tip: because filtered light is so matte, one of Tarte's pro team members encouraged me to break up the product in order to get the most pigment. You can easily press it back into place, although it won't look as pretty! (But it worked!)
The accompanying double-ended highlighter brush ($34) is a wonderful option, as well. It picks up the perfect amount of product so you don't risk going overboard on the first swipe.
Skin Twinkle in Action
Rainforest of the Sea Brush Collection
You wouldn't think brushes would be the best part of a cosmetic launch, but these are not only beautiful, but they also allow you to paint your face like a true artist. The packaging is gorgeous, the brushes are soft, and the fact that they're double-ended helps save space.
Clockwise from the left: Double-Ended Highlighter Brush ($34), The Airbrusher Double-Ended Concealer Brush ($34), Double-Ended Eyeshadow Brush ($24), Double-Ended Lip Brush ($24), and the Color-Correcting Brush ($24).
Double Duty Beauty: The Lip Sculptor Double-Ended Lipstick & Gloss
These Lip Sculptors ($24 each) are one of the only double-ended items I've seen — in my entire beauty lifetime — that look as chic as they are convenient. They come in eight shades, from a dark berry (Rogue) to a pretty Kardashian-esque mauve (Sass), and the lipstick finish isn't matte, so you can wear it alone or with the gloss if you choose. I've loved wearing the gloss on its own — it carries a ton of pigment!
The Whole Lot
The Gloss
Above to Hit the Zip!
In my trusty helmet, right before we went zip-lining — with Lip Sculptor carefully applied.
Rainforest of the Sea: Quench Lip Rescue
These Quench Lip Rescue Lip Balms ($19) are so cute — perfect for the mermaid lover! They are not supersaturated when it comes to color, but they're not supposed to be. They're balms! I wore these during trip activities (like ATVing!) to help protect and hydrate my lips.
The Finishes
Double Duty Beauty: Lights, Camera, Lashes Double-Ended Mascara, and Bottom Lash Waterproof Mascara
If you love the OG Lights Camera Lashes Mascara, then you'll go bonkers over this version. First of all, it's waterproof, so it holds a curl like magic. Also, it's a dry formula, which is what I prefer — wet mascaras make my lashes clump together, so I need something a little dehydrated to help separate.
The other end of the mascara includes a tiny wand, which is meant to coat every baby lash you have. I have long bottom lashes (I know, rough life), so I used the wand to grab the baby lashes at the inner and outer corners of my eyes.
I went zip-lining through the lush jungles of Kauai with this on, and my lashes looked great even after all that wind!
Putting the Mascara to Work
Rainforest of the Sea: Water Foundation
Another marquee item from the ROS launch is the Water Foundation ($39)! This is absolutely my new favorite foundation. Finally, a coverage product that's lightweight and hydrating and doesn't look like you have on any makeup at all. Plus, it is offered in 12 shades that match every complexion and undertone, ranging from fair neutral to deep honey; is hypoallergenic; and contains chemical-free sunscreen (SPF 15)! I wore this during my entire stay in Kauai and didn't break out, which my skin tends to do when I experience a climate change.
