I’ve been at my wit’s end with this blush. As someone who likes to hoard blushes, I wasn’t sure how I felt – it’s such a confusing product.
THE BACKSTORY: Tarte is one of those brands that most bloggers mention from time to time. I had never seen a frenzied response towards their new launches. Prior to the launch of their Shape Tape concealer (which took the world by storm), Tarte was a brand that made good products but was mostly slept on. Last year, I asked one of my sisters to get me this blush. Ever since then, I’ve been using this product occasionally and still getting confused by how I feel about it.
THE PRODUCT: Let me get one thing out of the way, it’s a really wonderful blush. What confuses me is the formula.
As a long-time fan of blushes, I always had this idea that nothing could trump the impeccable formulae of Japanese blushes. This Tarte one couldn’t be any more different, in terms of formula, than my Japanese blushes but it’s still such a beautiful product.
Speaking of formula, this is one of the hardest and stiffest formulas I’ve ever come across. It’s not very pigmented nor is it very opaque. It doesn’t have any powder kick-off either but it is surprisingly smooth. It also provides a slight sheen to the cheeks when you use it, all thanks to some very fine silver micro-shimmer running through it.
When the formula is stiffer, you tend to pick up much less product on your brush. That makes it easier for those of you who tend to apply blush with a heavy hand – no more clown cheeks. It is also surprisingly very long-wearing. The 12-Hour claim is a bit of stretch but it outlasts most other powder blushes.
I usually use a duo-fibre stippling brush with this blush for a more pronounced colour on my cheeks. However, when I want a very soft flush, I use a fluffy powder brush.
The packaging is very sleek. I love the design embossed on the blush and the mirror you get in the compact. Another aspect I really love about this blush is that it’s easy to depot – there’s a hole at the the back of the compact. You can just push a needle/pin through the hole, depot it and carry it around in a magnetic palette. I think more brands should incorporate this to their products.
It’s nothing like my beloved Japanese blushes but I still enjoy using this from time to time.
INGREDIENTS: Talc, mica, polyethylene, zinc stearate, tricaprylin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cera alba/beeswax/cire d’abeille, ascorbyl palmitate, barium sulfate, chlorphenesin, kaolin, lanolin, laureth-4, PEG-150 distearate, polysorbate 20, potassium sorbate, tetrasodium EDTA, tocopherol, carmine (CI 75470), red 6 (CI 15850), red 7 lake (CI 15850), bismuth oxychloride (CI 77163), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492).
After multiple swirls.
SWATCHES AND SHADE: ‘Natural Beauty’ is a lovely muted red. It looks intimidating in the pan but it actually gives a very translucent, natural flush to the cheeks (hence the name, I suppose).
If this colour isn’t your cup of tea, you can choose among 14 other shades. They have some lovely nudes and peaches.
The swatches are very heavy-handed. You’ll never pick up that much colour with one swipe.
Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan, and gluten.
PRICE AND QUANTITY: $29 for 5.6 grams of product (approx. 1900 INR).
AVAILABILITY: Tarte (ships worldwide), Sephora, Ulta etc.
♥ Overall, I do like this blush. I think it’s nice.
Review: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in 'Natural Beauty'.
Pros
- You cannot over-apply this blush, ever. You always apply just the right amount. No clown cheeks.
- It looks very natural and gives your cheeks a nice sheen.
- The shade-range is not too shabby. It's got some nice colours.
- It is very long-wearing.
Cons
- It isn't very pigmented, if pigmented blushes are what you're used to or prefer.
- It has a VERY stiff formula.
- Availability is an issue.
