The reviews I’ve done lately have been about cheaper, more reasonably priced, “drug-store” brand holo lip products. Today, I bring you my first prestige brand of lip gloss. Tarte’s “tarteist” Holographic Lip Gloss. It only comes in one color and it’s named “Mermaid.” And side note, when did we collectively decide that mermaids were holographic? Unicorns I understand because they’re magical and rainbows and color-changing. But mermaids? I notice a lot of mermaid themed stuff is also iridescent, shimmery, and glittery. I feel like a lot of that would be hard to see under the sea. But anyway, here’s the packaging.
I kept the box because it’s so pretty!
It’s $20 for a 0.20 fl oz bottle, which actually isn’t too bad since I notice a lot of drug-store brands are about $10 for a 0.10 fl oz bottle. The applicator is rectangular shaped, broad on one side, and flat on the other. I’m going to call this a spatula.
And the lid is sparkly!
But how does it look on?
I did a full face of makeup just for this!
It’s like an icy blue but there are some pink flecks. Before their “Rainforest of the Sea” collection, this was Tarte’s first holographic lip gloss and I think it’s meant to be a universal shade. I thought it was look best paired with a lighter, pastel color so I layered it over a lavender colored lipstick though I don’t know if it’s meant to be layered. The color is very shear and got a little lost.
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The lipstick is a matte (just to note, I usually do try to use a matte formula for these pictures) but the lip gloss doesn’t really pop or add a shimmery, light-changing effect the the lavender color.
Overall, I think this gloss is best worn alone or maybe a nude lip color. I think the effect is pretty subtle but maybe some people don’t want a super-obvious holo effect. However, I do so if you’re like me, I can’t say I recommend this color.
Viscosity: I do like to formula! Feels great on my lips. Not oily and not sticky.
Taste/Smell: This is my favorite part- it smells like cake batter! While I do wish it was more holo-y, I do enjoy putting it on because it smells so good! Tastes a little like cake batter too!
tabbythetailor 