What They Say: "Unless “work” means “sunbathing,” we don’t want to have any part of it in the summer. Unfortunately, we’re not that lucky. Not to worry: a few spritzes of this non-greasy, dry oil shimmer spray will give even the most office-dulled skin a glistening champagne-colored sheen. The avocado & apricot oils moisturize, while the Vitamin E works as an antioxidant to prevent premature signs of aging. Even better? The light coconut scent is convincing enough to have anyone believe you’ve just spent a day lounging in the summer sun…you’re just that fabulous."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I'm going to start right off by telling you that unless you are a huge fan of shimmer, as in you just love to use shimmer as a skin accessory when you go out, then you probably won't find much use for this. Perhaps if you're a teen through college-aged this will appeal to you.

Yes, it smells nice and summery. The dry oil absorbs completely and is not greasy in the least. But the moisturizing effects are very minimal...it's all about the shimmer. While it is tasteful and not at all large glittery bits, this product basically smells like coconut suntan oil and just adds lots of very fine shimmer to your skin. And your hands from applying it. ...And anything your hands touch (like your face).

I will say this: if you do want the shimmer and day-at-the-beach scent, this stuff doesn't just wash off right away. You could use it at the beach or pool over your sunscreen and take a dip and I HIGHLY doubt that this stuff will come off. I washed my hands with plain water AND soap & water and scrubbed them dry with a towel ...and YEP, still shimmery.

Retail Price: $28.00 (tartecosmetics.com or click here to locate a retail location in the U.S. and Canada as well as other online vendors)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Exhausted from last night’s rendition of “margaritaville?” Missed a few hours of zzz’s because of your summer romance? Brighten up late-night-bonfire bleary eyes by applying the nude-pink liner (better than white, which can look harsh & unnatural) in the corners. Then, use the sheer pink highlighter to add a well-rested glow anywhere you need it (lids, crease, brows or cheeks). How’s that for a sweet dream?"


Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This dual-ended tool just might come in handy more than you think I found the pencil end to be really smooth and the pinkish color is just the right shade to brighten but not look unnatual. Just make sure to keep in in the rim and not on your lower lashes. It's easy-to-use and didn't irritate my eyes at all. The liquid highlighter on the other can be a tiny bit gloppy coming out of the tube, but after the wand is pumped that seemes to fix itself. It's actually great on your skin though; it isn't glaringly bright or too shimmery, but just right for adding a touch of sheen to wake up tired skin. Both lasts several hours.

Retail Price: $22.00 (tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "We know… it’s so hard to attain the sun-burnished glow of the girl who summers on the East Hampton-Palm Beach-St. Bart’s circuit. This luxe bronze comes pretty close: just add pearls and a sweater set for instant uptown chic."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: First of all, use an incredibly light touch when applying this bronzer. I can't emphasize that enough. Use a good-quality, large soft brush to apply just above cheekbones, temples, bridge of the nose...where the sun would naturally hit your face. If you get it right, you WILL look like you just came back from vacation. This hits a perfect balance between bronzed and tan without being orange (but like I said, if you apply this too heavily at first you won't look natural at all) and lasts all day. Makes a fabulous body bronzer as well (you can apply a bit more liberally on arms, chest, legs, etc.).

USER TIP: Make sure you BLOW OFF the excess from the brush before putting it on your face. This will help ensure you don't go overboard.

Retail Price: $28.00 (tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "During the holidays we want to look our best! And that means beginning our healthy beauty routine with a clean slate™. This skinvigorating™ 4-piece discovery set includes all the tools for looking better, naturally. Whether you keep it for yourself or give it as a gift, it's the perfect start to a new year!" 

mini clean slate face primer
• Silicone-based formula contains natural ingredients to help keep skin fresh and healthy
• Avocado oil and safflower seed oil to moisturize
• Echinacea, rosemary & hibiscus extracts to soothe
• Mineral oil free an phthalate free
• Dermatologist tested

mini lock & roll creaseless eyeshadow duo (shade: slate)
• Vitamin E enriched cream shadow glides on eyelids smoothly and evenly
• Finely milled crushed mica in the powder shadow adds luminosity and creates depth and dimension to eyes
• Mineral oil free and phthalate free
• Dermatologist tested

mini lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 mascara
• Lengthening: Rice bran, carnauba & candelilla wax extend the length of lashes
• Curling: Synthetic film formers hold in curl
• Volumizing: ProVitamin B5 treats and thickens lashes
• Conditioning: Organic compounds derived from natural olive esters coat and treat lashes to protect against breakage
• Mineral oil free and phthalate free
• Dermatologist tested

mini Inside out vitamin-infused lipgloss powered by BORBA (new shade: serenity) • Acai extract helps strengthen capillary walls, reduce epidermal irritation and enhance skin's clarity and radiance
• Grape seed extract & Vitamin C help accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting skin against free-radical damage & restore skin's clarity
• Vitamins A & E act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow
• Chamomile extract soothes skin and helps to counteract redness
• Mineral oil free and phthalate free
• Dermatologist tested

Jen's Experience: This gift set from Tarte contains four great Tarte products in a tiny, purse friendly cosmetics bag. The Inside Out lip gloss has long been one of my absolute favorite glosses, and the new color in this set is one of the prettiest yet. The mascara, while it doesn't have the staying power of some of my others, applies without clumping and really creates so nice volume and curling action.

The creaseless eyeshadow was a definite surprise in the pack. The duo contains two colors: one in a slate color, the other in more of a bronze. The slate color is a cream eyeshadow that applies so smoothly and with such rich color, you'd think it would have to crease. (It doesn't.) The bronze has a rollerball applicator, and while the color isn't as rich as the other, it's very pretty and like the slate, it doesn't crease. Both shades were really long-lasting and didn't smudge throughout the day.

I am not as sure about how well the face primer works. I have used it several times underneath my foundation, and while I think the foundation applies more evenly, I don't really find that it's particularly moisturizing or soothing.

Retail Price: $30.00 (TarteCosmetics.com)

What They Say: "This limited edition palette wrapped in faux croc (a must have fabric for Fall) provides 2 complete looks inspired by fashion week in New York and Paris, including eyeshadow, lipstick and blush. The Ready-to-Wear palette also includes the basic necessities accompanying every look: mini lights, camera, lashes mascara, all over eyeshadow brush, eyeliner brush and a mini rest assured eyeliner. All products are created using natural, good for you ingredients because healthy skin is always in fashion. "

i love new york:
lipsticks: muted pink beige, muted peach-beige
blush: warm honey-peach
eyeshadows: soft-shimmery bone, shimmery olive, deep-shimmery moss

paris, mon amour:
lipsticks: warm burgundy rose, currant red
blush: rose coral
eyeshadows: soft-shimmery pink, shimmery grey-purple, shimmery deep plum

Jen's Experience: I have a lot of make-up in my purse. Somewhere between 3 and 10 lip glosses and lipsticks depending on the last time I cleaned out my purse, plus concealer, mascara, blush and some powder. I was intrigued by the idea of this product, as a nice, compact palette that contains everything I need to do a touch up. But I gotta say, I was pretty bummed out with the results. I really, really liked the eyeshadows that were included in the set, but generally disappointed with the accompanying brushes. The mascara was pretty good (and I really have a problem with most). It had a nice dark color and actually stayed on my eyelashes throughout the day. But I thought the Rest Assured eyeliner pulled too much when I tried to apply it, and really didn't create enough of an effect to be worth it. The blush and lp colors looked great in the palette, but I found it difficult to get any amount of color out of either. Overall, the set is a mixed bag, and I think I would get better results from just adding some of Tarte's eyecolor and mascara to my cosmetic bag.

Retail Price: $44.00 (TarteCosmetics.com)

Rating:

• Treat: ProVitamin B5 and a cocktail of herbal hair restoratives (like aloe) improve the texture of eyelash hair to increase suppleness and prevent breakage so your lashes can reach their full potential.
• Protect: Proprietary antioxidant blend with Vitamin C acts as a film former to protect against cosmetic, environmental and free radical damage.
• Revive: give late day lashes a lift and get rid of clumps; unique emulsifying agents and this patented flexible bristle brush gently eliminate clumps.

Lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 Mascara

• Lengthening: Rice bran, carnauba & candelilla wax extend the length of lashes.
  
• Curling: Synthetic film formers hold in curl.
  
• Volumizing: ProVitamin B5 treats and thickens.
  
• Conditioning: Organic compounds derived from natural olive esters coat and treat lashes to protect against breakage.

Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler

• Breakthrough ergonomic design - no finger holes makes it easy to use.
  
• Curved angle suits all eye shapes without pinching or crimping.

Alissa's Opinion: I'm a total sucker for lash products and all things purple, so I was really excited to rip this set open and give it a try. The cute faux snakeskin and leather cases look like no other product on the market.

I started with the eyelash curler. It was easy to grip and gave me a nice round curl with no bends or kinks. Next up was the Exhilarator, which deposited a lot of gunk on my perfectly flipped lashes. I combed through the goop when it dried so I could get an even coat of mascara, but I ended up with dry white flakes on my face. After cleaning up that mess I applied the 4-in-1 Mascara and found that the end result was beautiful. The brush is full and holds a lot of product, so I wiped it of before applying. It gave me long, thick eyelashes that stayed curled all day.

I also tried the Exhilarator as a mid-day mascara reviver but found that it just gave me spider eyes again. I will continue to use the mascara, but that other little tube is gone. It might be useful if you are looking for a nighttime lash conditioner.

Retail Price: $40.00 (at tartecosmetics.com - for pricing for individual products see the site as well)

DeLush Ratings:
Exhilarator:
Mascara:
Curler:

What They Say: "This is the first lipstick that's actually good for you: while tarte's long-lasting lipstick beautifies you on the outside, BORBA's nutraceutical blend beautifies you on the inside. This is the first-ever lipstick that will nourish, moisturize and rejuvenate lips.

Skinvigorating™ Benefits:
Tarte's naturally restorative ingredients:
• Jojoba nourishes, moisturizes and conditions skin
Borba's age-defying cocktail core:
• Acai & green tea extract help strengthen capillary walls, reduce epidermal irritation and enhance skin's clarity and radiance
• Grape seed extract & Vitamin C help accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting skin against free-radical damage & restore skin's clarity
• Vitamins A, E & K act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow
• Lychee extract promotes long-term skin hydration and chamomile extract soothes skin and helps to counteract redness"

Melissa Says: I had high hopes for this lipstick, especially after hearing some good things about Tarte's Inside Out Gloss that came out a while ago. However, I wasn't really impressed here. The lipstick feels incredible going on - it's SO soft and smooth. Sadly, within minutes it felt like it was drying out or sinking away into my lips, leaving them not necessarily more moisturized. I will say that the pigment seems to stay on the lips a long while, but the staying power of this formula just doesn't live up to my previous experiences with many of Tarte's cosmetics.

This feels great going on and looks pretty, but unfortunately the moisture has no staying power and my lips end up feeling parched.

Retail Price: $22.00 (at tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Did you know that the average woman ingests between 2 to 4 pounds of lipgloss in her life? Let’s put that in perspective—708 tubes are in your belly right now!

Beauty innovators Maureen Kelly of tarte cosmetics and Scott Vincent Borba of BORBA teamed up to make one of life's inevitables a little more edible.

Doctor’s orders: Beautify from the Inside Out with vitamin-infused lipgloss. The ultimate in double-duty beauty, tarte’s long-lasting, moisturizing lipgloss works to soothe and hydrate lips, while BORBA’s nutraceutical blend delivers powerful skin-caring ingredients. The pomegranate-scented lipgloss is mouth-wateringly gorgeous with its hint of sexy sheen, but it’s the vitamin cocktail that will keep you coming back for more.

Inside Out includes natural ingredients from BORBA’s Age Defying, Replenishing and Clarifying lines:

* Acai & green tea extract help strengthen capillary walls, reduce epidermal irritation and enhance skin’s clarity and radiance
* Grape seed extract & Vitamin C help accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting skin against free-radical damage & restore skin’s clarity
* Vitamins A, E & K act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow
* Lychee extract promotes long-term skin hydration and chamomile extract soothes skin and helps to counteract redness "

Jen's Experience: Rarely do I get the chance to try a lip gloss that is so fantastic that I just can't stop raving about it to all my friends. Some have a fabulous color but dry my lips out, others just don't last long enough to be worthwhile. This one, however, is fabulous in every way. I love the thick (but not goopy) texture that really helps to moisturize my lips for a hours at a time. I love the yummy flavor that comes from being fortified with BORBA. And the colors I tried, om and apple-a-day were sheer and shimmery, and absolutely perfect with my coloring. In short, these are the best lip glosses I have in my collection, and I highly recommend adding them to yours.

Retail Price: $21.00 (TarteCosmetics.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "The saying goes, true love is sealed with a kiss! So why are you kissing off the lipstick that you love? Lock in color with a sealant that keeps your favorite hue from running for the border. Top it off with a minty gloss that keeps lips polished and refreshed. The perfect lipstick can happen only once in a lifetime so don’t let it get away!"

Toya’s Take: I was really looking forward to trying this product, as I have loved every Tarte product I’ve ever tried. Sorry to say, this is the first Tarte product that’s fallen short. I applied a thin coat of lip balm, followed with a coat of one of my favorite lipsticks, MAC New York Apple, then, following the directions, slicked on a thin coat of the sealant, waited the 15 seconds, then used the topcoat. The sealant and gloss felt good going on and I liked the minty smell of the gloss. However, a couple hours into the workday, I checked my lipstick and it had already significantly faded, just from my having drank a cup of tea. I thought that maybe my mistake was using the lip balm beforehand, so I removed all traces of the lipstick and started again, this time without lip balm. I fared even worse. Not only was my lipstick almost gone within an hour or two, but the lipstick was actually peeling off! The sealant didn’t work at all and the gloss didn’t even last long.

Retail price: $18 (www.TarteCosmetics.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Whatever your oral affliction
(be it chapped lips or sugar addiction)
Tarte has got the Rx for your blues
And it's garnering all rave reviews
Sugar grains scrub your pout smooth
While Vitamin E balm helps soothe
Believe it or not, it's non-fiction
Cause it's not only fact...it's FRxtion

Directions:
Use sugar exfoliator side on dry flaky, chapped lips to smooth out and follow with the vitamin e enhanced balm side to soothe lips."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Okay, first of all - I don't think you can fully appreciate the fun of the popup mirror built in to this case unless you get to use it in person. Obviously, this would be a godsend for all actual lipstick cases, but I digress.

The sugar side is actually sweet, isn't TOO rough for lips, and still gets the job done. The balm side is very smooth and conditioning, with lasting moisturizing effects for several hours. Another plus is the fact that so far the stick has proven pretty sturdy, which is important considering the fact that you'll be applying more pressure than with other lips balms because you're trying to exfoliate.

Even though this may not be my everyday balm, when I notice that my lips are dry and rough, this will definitely be within hand's reach.

Retail Price: $11.00 (at tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Sizzling speakeasies with zip…red-hot risque, razzle-dazzle costumes…blazing jazz numbers sultry enough to work you into a fiery fever…Ah, the good ol’ days (well, what we think of, anyway)
Ever feel like you were born a few decades too late? Not to fret: this is just the set for all you girls who are more spice than sugar. Your inner sex kitten will purrr with these 10 cinnamon-flavored, moisture-rich shades of playful pinks & sheer flirty neutrals. The cayenne pep will leave you wanting more….and we deliver. Interchangeable connector pieces let you mix and match glosses for endless zesty combinations—leaving you too hot for words."

Jamie’s Thoughts: I love this set of adorable teeny glosses for fall. The packaging is super cute – but the real genius is in the details. The 10 small vials of gloss have caps, each of which lock into a connector piece. Each connector piece holds 2 mini vials (great for the indecisive), and when you’re using only 1, the other one makes a perfectly sized wand! Also, the applicator tip is sponge-based, not a brush, making application clean and neat. BRILLIANT!

The consistency of the glosses is somewhere between standard Vaseline and MAC’s infamous Lipglass. My love affair with Lipglass makes me the perfect candidate for this glossy hybrid product. It’s not overly tacky, yet has suprising staying power. (Full disclosure: I found it somewhat difficult to get it off. I’m a lip licker, so this is an asset in my opinion.) Also, the cinnamon scent is present, but not overwhelming.

Colors to Try:
Zesty – the perfect pink, especially for a redhead.
Zip – has a golden sheen, would be fantastic over red lipstick
Spicy – my personal favorite, great for all skin tones

Only 1 color seemed out of touch with the aesthetic of the rest – Fever. It was almost neon in tone – like radioactive Pepto Bismol. I can’t see it looking good on anyone, but go out and buy the set. Maybe you’ll prove me wrong!

Retail Price: $28.00 (TarteCosmetics.com or Sephora)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Our liquid liner & shadow set is sure to make you feel like a vixen. Maybe you’ll play it safe with a sleek, budgeproof line or go a little edgy with a smudged, sexified look.

Line ‘em and leave ‘em in 5 seconds flat.

How how to get that indelible wink (and keep ‘em coming back for more):
1. Starting at the inner corner of the eye, line your upper lid with the liquid liner—keeping the liner tip as close to the lashline as possible.
2. Using the powder liner tip, gently retrace over the liquid liner—this will smooth, set and blend the line."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Well, once again Tarte has to get points for creative packaging. This is a very unique combo, applicator-wise.

I just wish I could say I was as completely excited about the product itself. While the liquid liner end has a pointed sponge applicator (which I usually prefer to a brush because you have more control of the liquid), I felt like it was a little hard to maintain a perfect straight line. The formula just seemed to "bleed" a little and thus be kind of uneven. Once it's applied, it does stays on well enough to pass, though if you rub it even the tiniest bit it almost peels off, which was kind of strange.

The shadow end is a novel idea, with its sort of spring-loaded tip that absorbs shadow until you unscrew it from the tube. However, I found the formula to be far too crease-forming to really be something I could use daily. It creates a great smoky look on top of the liner initially, but within the hour I had to wipe a bit of smudge off my lid.

I have to say, this was my first disappointment with a Tarte product. Perhaps it will wear better on you if you have less natural oils on your skin than I do or perhaps apply a primer to your lids first. But for me, it's not up to par.

Retail Price: $22.00 (at tartecosmetics.com or go here for retail locations near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "We call it yellow mellow…
…’cause this cool lemon-colored powder/cream duo helps to calm down angry red skin tones. Yellow Mellow is chock-full of ingredients that keep redness at bay:

• aloe vera & chamomile ease inflammation
  
• soybean oil reduces skin discolorations, including sun spots, age spots and redness
  
• vitamin E helps skin retain moisture and is one of the most effective antioxidants to prevent premature signs of aging
  
• Green tea extract has been shown to improve rosacea
  
• White tea extract protects skin from oxidative stress & immune cell damage

Directions:
Simply dab the corrective cream on any problem area, gently blend, and use your kabuki brush to dust over with the matching yellow powder."

Jen's Experience: Since I have sensitive skin, I've managed to develop quite the nose for products that don't cause inflammation, but every now and again I test something that just doesn't work with my skin and my skin lets me know about it. Believe it or not, I've never had a specific product to help correct those situations, I have always just piled on some foundation and hoped for the best. But now with Tarte's Yellow Mellow, that's all changed.

Applying it involves two steps, very reminiscent of Bobbi Brown's undereye concealer. The packaging contains the corrector itself, a yellowish powder and the fantastic kabuki brush that makes it worth getting the set alone. I apply the yellow cream with my concealer brush on the reddish areas (generally between my brow or on chin) and pat in with my fingers. Then, I apply the yellow powder by dabbing the area with the kabuki brush. The redness really disappears! I also find it to be effective on other skin discolorations, not just reds.

Don't get this mixed up with an undereye concealer. I admit it, I tried it, but it really just doesn't look natural or really even cover up in the undereye area. But what does work is to use the yellow powder and kabuki brush to set your undereye concealer. I found that to be extremely effective. Oh, and the corrector actually helps to fix the problem rather than just covering it up, so you may not even need to use it two days in a row.

I think I could make it by without having this product at my disposal, but now that I have it, it seems like an essential for anyone with sensitive skin or even light acne problems.

Retail Price: $25.00 (TarteCosmetics.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Ever wish you had a magical eraser to obliterate all your beauty blunders? Well, look no further: whatever you’re trying to disguise, the eraser’s got you covered. The silicone & water based formula keeps skin hydrated and prevents creasing or caking… so no one will ever suspect you of hiding the evidence. (Now, if we could only invent a time machine…)

Dark circles? Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, while safflower oil hydrates skin. Blemishes? Chamomile & Arnica extracts soothe redness & reduce inflammation. Puffy eyes? Aloe leaf & cucumber extract reduce puffiness & tighten skin."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Ah, yes. Concealing those undereye areas can be frustrating. Any product that claims to help with the darkness and tiredness of the eyes is hard to not be intrigued by. That's why women seem to be on a constant hunt for "THE Perfect Concealer"!

I've seen some others designed in this form as well - in the click-up tube - and generally I don't know if I prefer them. In this case, there is quite a delay when you click the end to when the product arrives at the brush end. TRUST ME on this: don't click more than 4 times before waiting up to 30 seconds for some concealer to appear on the brush. If you keep twisting because you don't see anything, you will likely end up with a huge glob emerging out of it suddenly and no one wants that.

When it does come out, it seems to not emerge at the end so much as in the middle of the brush. I knew I'd have a hard time conveying this to you, so I took a picture:

This, while not the most convenient, is workable, especially if you don't go crazy with the clicks.

As far as the formula goes, I really like the consistency and coverage. It's non-drying and covers dark circles very well if you find the right shade for your skin. I even used it on some red areas and it worked really well at covering those up, too. It truly resists caking and settling into lines, which is a major plus as far as concealers go. I'm not sure I noticed a lot of decrease in puffiness personally, but that aside I think the formula is great. While I wish it was in a different applicator, I would still consider this something you might be very happy with. I'd say the thing I noticed most significantly about it is that it is moisturizing but doesn't get oily-looking. It stayed true and kept my eyes looking brighter for hours.

In this pic from some of the shots from the other day, I was actually wearing this concealer. Here's an example of how it looked on my eye (shade is Medium Beige - I thought I'd prefer the Light, but that was too yellow for my skin). This was taken in natural light on a macro setting (click to enlarge):

Retail Price: $19.00 (tartecosmetics.com or go here to find retail locations near you)

DeLush Rating: (for the applicator and because I didn't notice any decrease in puffiness as it described)

What They Say: "Exhausted from last night’s rendition of “margaritaville?” Missed a few hours of zzz’s because of your summer romance? Brighten up late-night-bonfire bleary eyes by applying the nude-pink liner (better than white, which can look harsh & unnatural) in the corners. Then, use the sheer pink highlighter to add a well-rested glow anywhere you need it (lids, crease, brows or cheeks). How’s that for a sweet dream?"


Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This dual-ended tool just might come in handy more than you think I found the pencil end to be really smooth and the pinkish color is just the right shade to brighten but not look unnatual. Just make sure to keep in in the rim and not on your lower lashes. It's easy-to-use and didn't irritate my eyes at all. The liquid highlighter on the other can be a tiny bit gloppy coming out of the tube, but after the wand is pumped that seemes to fix itself. It's actually great on your skin though; it isn't glaringly bright or too shimmery, but just right for adding a touch of sheen to wake up tired skin. Both lasts several hours.

Retail Price: $22.00 (tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Don’t waste your summer sleeping in! This is the ultimate wakeup-makeup for lips: the waterproof pink lip stain imparts a natural rosy glow, while the cocktail of tripeptides in the plumping gloss stimulates collagen on the cellular level. First apply the lip stain (like you would a lipgloss), wait 15 seconds for it to set and then apply the plumping gloss. The result? A pout that’s pretty, polished, and plumped-up and is sure to outlast the sun’s rays and ocean waves."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I must say, the stain alone is so pretty (a perfect sheer universal pink) that you could wear it under any clear gloss if you didn't want the plumping effect. However, when you add the other end of this tube (the plumping lip gloss) on top, get ready for some tingling. Hey, if you've used lip enhancers before you'll be used the the feeling. It's a little intense, but certainly not unbearable by any means. The tingle lasts for about a couple of minutes. And the visible effects? Well, I'd say they're definitely visible:

(Click pics to enlarge.)

There is obvious increase in fullness and also definition along the lip outline. The results lasted about 4 1/2 hours for me. But if you need it to last longer, simply add some more gloss over the stain. The stain itself probably remained on my lips from 5-6 hours without any reapplications and didn't dry out my lips the way some stains can.

Retail Price: $21.00 (tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "We know… it’s so hard to attain the sun-burnished glow of the girl who summers on the East Hampton-Palm Beach-St. Bart’s circuit. This luxe bronze comes pretty close: just add pearls and a sweater set for instant uptown chic."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: First of all, use an incredibly light touch when applying this bronzer. I can't emphasize that enough. Use a good-quality, large soft brush to apply just above cheekbones, temples, bridge of the nose...where the sun would naturally hit your face. If you get it right, you WILL look like you just came back from vacation. This hits a perfect balance between bronzed and tan without being orange (but like I said, if you apply this too heavily at first you won't look natural at all) and lasts all day. Makes a fabulous body bronzer as well (you can apply a bit more liberally on arms, chest, legs, etc.).

USER TIP: Make sure you BLOW OFF the excess from the brush before putting it on your face. This will help ensure you don't go overboard.

Retail Price: $28.00 (tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

I have a soft spot in my heart for Tarte, with its ingeniously lovely packaging and creative naming of its products, as well as its typically high-quality cosmetics. The "Miss Fix-It" line for Spring 2006 is no exception. Check out what Tarte has added to its long line of fabulous products. Want something fun and girly to add some "spring" to your beauty routine? Let me introduce you...

Trifold Eye/Lip Compact ($44): "That cool scarf? She knitted it herself. The to-die-for rhinestone encrusted phone? Oh, just a side project. Jewelry making, sewing, cake decorating…this girl can do it all. Let your creativity run as wild as hers does with this playful palette full of candy-colored combinations for eyes & lips.

Shades include: shimmery champagne eyeshadow, shimmery purple eyeshadow, shimmery teal eyeshadow, matte bright turquoise eyeshadow, shimmery pink & shimmery lilac lip glosses, shimmery gold highlighter."

Melissa Says: What a useful AND lovely compact. The gloses are very sheer but beautifully shiny. The shadows are FUN but wearable. (Plus, Tarte's shadows are very silky and long-wearing.) There are two high-quality sponge applicators included as well. This would be a wonderful way to add some color and a touch of glow to your look in a purse-friendly compact.

Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler $15: "Smile and say “squeeze!” With this lash curler, getting a picture perfect curl is a snap. For a match made in Hollywood, use with Lights, Camera, Lashes! 3-in-1 mascara."

Melissa Says: This curler is spring-hinged, which helps create a tighter grip on your lashes. Fabulous.

The Toolbox: Brow Know-How $32: "Construct a picture-perfect brow in minutes using these easy tools:
1. “Prep the work zone” by tweezing any stray hairs
2. “Lay down the foundation” using the smooth brow wax
3. “Fill in the cracks” with your shade-specific brow powder or brow pencil.
4. “Seal the deal” with a glossy topcoat of brow gel.
No hard hat required.
Kit includes: brow gel, brow pencil, tweezer, brow brush, brow powder, brow wax, and 3 brow stencils, plus a compact with a mirror!

Three universal shades:
light: for blonde to light brown hair
medium: for medium brown to red hair,
dark: for dark brown to black hair"

*I didn't get an opportunity to review this item in the "Miss Fix-It" line, but I can't wait to give it a try. The well-groomed brow trend is not going away anytime soon!

Little Blot Book Shine Control to Go $32 (coming soon!): "Shine control to go! Oil: it’s a girl’s dirtiest little secret. No one wants to get caught with even the teensiest hint of a sheen (or worse, all-out shine).

The solution? Hiding the evidence, of course. Little blot book gives you two ways to send shine undercover: First, use the (tiny) blotting sheets for quick touch-ups then dust on mattifying powder* to tone down future glare. And no need to worry about being obvious…with a compact this inconspicuous, your secret will always be safely stashed away.

*mattifying powder contains Vitamin E & Vitamin A, some of the most effective antioxidants to prevent premature signs of again. Also includes green tea, aloe, & chamomile to soothe and nourish you skin."

Melissa Says: Wow. This is perhaps one of the most fun items in this line. The "book" is substantial but should fit into most purses. The brush applicator for the mattifying powder is incredibly soft, and the powder itself cuts down shine without that nasty pale-powdered look. It's completely invisible on your skin. And the tiny blotting papers hiding behind the brush pop up like little post-its and are wonderful for on-the-go quick fixes. Of course, there is a large mirror inside the compact as well. I have a feeling this little book and I will become very good friends.

Cloud Nine Cheekstain (NEW SHADE!) $28: "Our most popular product! This water-based push up gel stick is perfect for all skin types. No skill required - just dab it on and go. Wear it over or under foundation, with or without powder blush - it lasts all day. There’s no oil, so it won’t clog your pores. Still not convinced? We’ve been awarded “best blush” in InStyle, Cosmo & Self."

Melissa Says: I've never tried one of Tarte's famous cheekstains before. I must say, I've always shied away from any liquid or cream blush because I always felt that it looked bad on my skin. This unbelievably sheer formula really surprised me. It's easy to apply, smells like a lollipop or kool-aid (really!) and stays pretty all day. Personally, this shade might have been just a TAD too light for me, as I usually feel really pale and want a little more color. (I wouldn't hesitate to try another shade, though.) But it's very beautiful and natural, and your face doesn't get slick and greasy-looking with this formula. I use this when I just want a little bit of glow around the house, but then use it as a base for a little swipe of powder blush to go out (it actually helps powder blush stay on, too!).

Ferris & Sloane Double Ended Lipgloss (NEW SHADE!) $19: "Our lipglosses are back with brand-new components! You can even snap each gloss in and out so you can mix and match, or just take one half with you. Our new and improved double-ended lipglosses are available in our 15 original shades, plus six new duos.

Note: Our new shades: "ronald & cindy" and "lloyd & diane" are coming soon!"

Melissa Says: I've reviewed Tarte's double-ended gloss before, and these two shades are very light and sheer, with great staying power and shine.

Mona Lisa Eyeliner (NEW SHADE!) $18: "Think of your eyes as an artist's dream...the ultimate blank canvas. With our eyeliners in your hand, the possibilities are endless. Our super-creamy formula lets you smudge, shade and blend your way to a masterpiece (no MFA required)."

Melissa Says: I have green eyes, so I always hesitate to try any liner in any green, but this lovely teal-green actually makes my eyes stand out and look wide awake.

Overall Rating of Tarte's "Miss Fix-It" Line:

Go to www.tartecosmetics.com to buy "Miss Fix-It" items and more now.

Have a holiday party to look smashing for? Luscious lips are a great start! Don't forget to check out our DeLush Holiday Gift Guides every day next week starting Monday, December 5 with great ideas for yourself, your Guy, your mom, grandma and your sister/best friend!


What They Say: "Breaking up’s not hard to do when you have a gloss that splits in two!

Finally…a gloss you won’t want to kiss off. Introducing supergloss, our new long-lasting (but not at all sticky) formula in brand new components that split up just like the couples they’re named after."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Okay, I feel like a complete dork now. I just realized that these glosses (which come with 2 ends of great color) are switch-able! I actually love the way Tarte matches the colors to begin with, but now that I know I can move them around, I can have even more fun with them! These glosses are generously-sized, have a hint of sweetness, and give gorgeous colorful shine. In shades that go from clear to sheer to shimmery, there's lots to layer or wear alone for fabulous lips this season!

Retail Price: $21.00 (tartecosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating: