Product Review: 2015 Tarte "Light of the Party" Holiday Palette

Y'all know I went a little crazy at the Sephora VIB 20% off sale! One of the things I just couldn't resist was the 2015 Tarte "Light of the Party" Holiday Palette, priced at $59 (valued at $394) - but I only paid $47.20 with my 20% off - yay!!


Tarte is one of my favorite companies for makeup. I love their blush , eyeshadows, lipstick , lipgloss, Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder , and most recently, I've fallen in love with their concealer . I have a couple of their smaller palettes (Rainforest After Dark and  Showstopper ), and the larger True Blood palette - so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.

This beauty is a deluxe makeup case that is decked out in sequins and gold trim with a zipper closure.


When you open it, one side has a nice-sized mirror that is recessed - and on top of the mirror is a removable "on-the-go" palette that contains 6 eyeshadows, a blush, bronzer, and a highlighter.



In another recessed area to the left of the mirror is a dual-ended eyeshadow brush and a small tube of the Lights Camera Lashes mascara.


On the other side, is the large palette containing 24 eyeshadows! There are mattes, satins, frosts, and metallics - so a little bit of everything. I'm happy that there are plenty of mattes because with mature skin, mattes tend to look better. I'll still wear some satins, frosts, and metallics, but only mixed with mattes.


I've swatched all of the colors on my arm in natural light (no flash), so you can get an idea of what they look like. Some of the lightest colors in the first horizontal row of the large palette are difficult to see on my skin because I'm so pale and they're so light. I swatched the shadows in the large palette in four rows, horizontally, from right to left - calling the top row (the lightest colors) Row #1.





And here are the swatches for the on-the-go palette:


I love that this palette is all about neutrals! Most of the shadows have a good color payoff, but there are a few that are a bit "dusty" and "dry". Those definitely work better with a primer. I tend to use a light hand with shadows, so I don't so much mind when a color isn't completely opaque.

Since I've been fighting this kidney stone battle, I've spent a lot of time at home, so I find myself reaching for this combo a lot: What A Wonderful Pearl for highlight and lid color, Come What Grey for crease, and Sleigh Watch for lashline/liner - great subtle neutrals for me!

This was a limited edition, available at Sephora only, product - and unfortunately, I'm pretty certain it's now sold out. That's why I jumped on it right away! In the past, I've hesitated on the Tarte Holiday palettes, and ended up missing out. So my advice to you is this - if you ever see a Tarte palette that is a special edition, and you think you might want it - buy it immediately!!

There are still a few other palettes/gift sets available, so if you're still looking, try:
QVC:
Holidaze of Giving 15 pc. Collection $72.50
Mistletoe Madness 15 pc. Deluxe Marajula Lip Gloss Set $42.00

Sephora:
Plum Away With Me Color Collection $49.00

Ulta:
Greatest Glitz Collector's Set & Portable Palettes $49.00
Dressed To The Nines LipSurgence Lip Creme Gift Set $34.00
At First Blush Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set $35.00

Macys:
Home For the Holidaze Collector's Set & Portable Palettes $49.00
Dressed To The Nines LipSurgence Lip Creme Gift Set $34.00
At First Blush Amazonian Clay Blush Set $35.00

Did you get your Tarte Holiday Palette?